La County and its neighboring Orange County to the south could not be more different, even considering their close proximity. For non-locals, it might not make sense why two neighboring counties could have such different identities, but for anyone who's been to a hockey game between the LA Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, it becomes pretty obvious that there's a clear rivalry between the two areas. In fact, the rivalry between the two teams has actually been coined "The Freeway Face-off" in reference to the fact that both teams are based just an hour apart right along the I-5 freeway. But you might be thinking, "That’s just sports, what REAL difference could there be between the two counties?" And as your local Orange County expert, I'm happy you asked!

First, there's a distinct difference in culture between the two.  La County is known for being more hip, trendy, and urban while Orange County has a reputation of being beachy, suburban, and laid back. But the differences don't stop there - LA county also tends to be a bit more expensive than Orange County. Recently LA County's Santa Monica was ranked number 6 on Forbes' most expensive zip codes in America list while Orange County's Newport Beach landed at number 15.

Another main difference is the lifestyle. Much of LA's culture is built around the entertainment industry there. The population of 10 Million is densely packed into the area, resulting in the gridlock traffic that LA is known for, compared to the more sparsely populated 3 million Orange County residents, who deal with far less traffic on the wide freeways here. On the other hand, this means that Orange County is more spread out and sprawling and you'll need a car to explore all there is to offer here, whereas many LA neighborhoods can be explored on foot or via public transit.

When it comes down to it, LA county has more of a bustling city feel and OC is more suburban. That's because Orange County was crafted for those looking to vacate LA and create a family-friendly place to raise kids. As such, it is a haven of shopping centers, chain restaurants, tract homes, and well-lit streets. There are only a handful of  places in the county fit for hosting late night bar crawls; however seeking out Target, Costco or Trader Joe’s within 5 miles from each other is a cinch. It's also worth noting that because of these differences, we have much less smog in OC and significantly lower crime too!

So while LA and OC may be neighbors, in some ways, they couldn't be more different. Whether you're looking to spend a vacation in sunny SoCal, or deciding where to call home, it helps to know these key differences. If you want an urban experience that's full of trendy eats and the potential to see a celebrity, head north to LA county; but if beach life with slightly lower cost of living, less crime, and cleaner air is what you seek, Orange County might be right up your alley.  In the end, you can't go wrong no matter where your compass points, but if you aren't certain where you wanna be, give me a call! I'd love to help. If this was relevant and helpful to you, share it with someone who needs to see it! 

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