A Profile of Turtle Ridge and its Residents


For many homebuyers, a complete profile of the area where they want to buy their real estate property is essential. It is important to know how safe a neighborhood is, its proximity to educational, leisure and work centers as well as the kind of people who make up the community so that they can decide if the property is right for their personality or their way of life.

Today, those on the search for high-end properties can find what they are looking in turtle ridge homes. With gated and gate-guarded communities that feature condos, single family residences and large estates, the village of Turtle Ridge boasts of scenic panoramas of city lights, rolling hills and the blue calm of the Pacific. Surrounded by nature trails and wide open spaces, turtle ridge homes offer exclusivity without sacrificing its proximity to city conveniences.

While Turtle Ridge is an exclusive community for the upper middle to upper class families, there are also many college students in the rental communities of Turtle Ridge because of its close location to the University of California Irvine. This makes the surrounding communities family-oriented and buzzing with youthful energy at the same time.

Most of the families who live in the village are those used to luxurious living and world-class amenities. Parents with school age children also come here to take advantage of the excellent instruction and innovative learning programs offered by the schools of the Irvine Unified School District. The Vista Verde School, a year round school recognized for its educational excellence is even located within Turtle Ridge itself.

City-data.com reports that as of 2009, the median household income of the residents of Turtle Ridge at $120,793 was much higher than that of Irvine which was only pegged at $84,950. The people who live here are mostly in management occupations and in business and financial operations. There are also a number of men and women involved in legal occupations. Its crime index for 2008 at 92.7 was way lower than the US average at 296.7, attesting to the safety of this village.

Residents of turtle ridge homes will find shopping and dining centers close to their very own abode. The Irvine Spectrum Center and the Newport Hills Center have shops, restaurants and other services like cleaners, an animal hospital, dentists and banks which make living here convenient and comfortable.

Many of the residents of Turtle Ridge are avid hikers, bikers or outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by wide open spaces and nature trails like that of the Bommer Canyon and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, they have all the space they need should they want to commune with nature, get away from the stress of city life or just break a sweat.

Home values, which were already estimated to be more than $700,000 in 2009 have consistently gone up and it’s not surprising for turtle ridge homes to start at $1 million. If you are one of those who can afford the high life, then you can definitely enjoy the amenities at Turtle Ridge.

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Tips to Owning Your Turtle Ridge Home


Located on the highest peaks of the City of Irvine, the masterplanned community of Turtle Ridge defines what “living on top” means literally and figuratively. It sits on the foothills of the San Joaquin Hills, placing it a much higher elevation than the much-older village of Turtle Rock. People who live in turtle ridge homes are those who have already established themselves financially. With home prices that range in the $1million to $3 million range, this is the neighborhood for the upper middle to the upper class.

If you want to be a resident of turtle ridge homes and enjoy the luxury it has to offer, here are some tips to bring you closer to the home of your dreams in this premier community.

  1. Make sure you are updated with your credit score. You can get your credit report from any of the country’s three main credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Before you apply for a mortgage, check how your credit rating looks like from these bureaus so you know where you stand.
  2. The credit bureaus use industry-standard FICO scoring to determine your credit rating. If you want to get approved for a mortgage for turtle ridge homes, you have to make sure that you have a high FICO score.
  3.  If your credit score is low, you can’t expect to be approved for a mortgage loan. To improve your score, make sure that you pay your bills on time and strive to remain below your credit limit. Don’t shuffle your debt around either. Also, make changes to your spending so you improve your debt to income ratio. Avoid making unnecessary expenditures or if you must, make sure that you can pay them fully. Every delay in payment negatively affects your FICO score which will also have repercussions when you apply for a mortgage.
  4. Get pre-qualified and pre-approved for your loan. This makes your home search much easier inasmuch as you are able to get a full picture of how much you can actually afford. When you how much you are working with, you are ready to make an offer when you see the property that catches your fancy. It makes owning your Turtle Ridge dream home that much faster.
  5. Decide on the kind of mortgage you want to take. Fixed-rate mortgages enable you to pay a fixed-rate of interest for the duration of your loan. Ideal for long term loans 15 to 30 years long, the interest rates you paid from the first month of your loan until the last month is not subject to market fluctuations. Balloon mortgages allow you to pay only the interest for the duration of your loan, with the principal to be paid only when the loan term ends. Loans where the interest you pay can change with the market are called Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) while Convertible Mortgages allow you to convert your ARM into a Fixed- Rate Mortgage. Each mortgage type has its own pros and cons depending on your circumstances. Research about it thoroughly before making your decision.
  6. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, there are programs from state, city or Federal organizations that can assist you with closing cost, among other things. Look into it.
  7. Arrange for tours of turtle ridge homes with your real estate agent and once you see your dream home, make an offer on it.
  8. Start the paperwork so you and your family can live in your very own residence in the Village of Turtle Ridge!

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Programs and Activities at Turtle Rock Nature Center


One of the newer villages of Irvine, turtle ridge homes give residents the feeling of being on a Tuscan countryside. With landscaping and architecture that takes into consideration the natural elements, turtle ridge homes exude the feel of being as much a part of the land as the canyons, rock outcroppings, trees and vegetation that surround it. Located on the highest points of the City of Irvine, Turtle Ridge overlooks the Village of Turtle Rock and is very close to the Turtle Rock Nature Center at the base of the San Joaquin Hills.

Turtle Rock Nature Center is a five-acre nature preserve that serves to educate the community about the environment. Home to wildlife and various habitats, visitors can hike the nature trail that winds through Riparian, Desert and Woodland habitats. Hikers are often rewarded with views of birds frolicking in the pond, lizards relishing the warm heat of the sun and rabbits darting in and out of the bushes.

Local residents who would like to learn more about local plant species, including how to grow them in the backyard of their own turtle ridge homes can visit the Native Plant Garden designed by Eagle Scout Nathaniel Pinckney. Flora commonly found in Orange County are abundant in this garden.

An interesting attraction of Turtle Rock Nature Center is the Labyrinth. A brainchild of Troop 606 Eagle Scout Michael Nakahara, this labyrinth is a representation of each individual’s journey throughout life. There is no set way to walk the labyrinth so individual’s can go through the path as they wish.

Turtle Rock Nature Center also offers Badge Programs for all scouts. Scouts can earn specific badges for their troop through various programs offered in this environmental community center. Parents who would like to give their children a special birthday party complete with games, scavenger hunts and crafts can also reserve with the center at least a month before the celebration. To obtain more information about these activities, call (949)724-6738.

Residents of turtle ridge homes can opt to take self-guided tours from 9 am to 5 pm, Mondays thru Fridays and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, group tours may also be reserved with the center. A naturalist makes group tours more enriching with guided lectures on the flora, fauna and habitats of the preserve. The nature center is closed on Sundays.

Turtle Rock Nature Center is where children and families alike can start to appreciate the environment and learn ways on how best to preserve and protect it.

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