R ancho Santa Margarita, California dubbed "A Small City with the Soul of a Small Village" is a splendid master-planned community with a population of 47,214 residents. Comprised of approximately 15 square miles where residential neighborhoods, business and commercial centers, and open space combine to create the perfect hometown environment. Tucked away, yet accessible, Rancho Santa Margarita is strategically located in the heart of dynamic South Orange County amidst the beauty of a vast alley of nature's handiwork including the 5,600-foot Saddleback Mountain, the sprawling range of the Santa Ana Mountains, the woodlands of the Cleveland National Forest, the rolling hills of Coto de Caza, and O'Neill Regional Park.

When Spanish explorer Caspar de Portola came upon the land in the late 1700s, he found Indian ranchers, rugged hillsides, dark canyons, old-growth sycamores, century-old live oaks, and prickly-pear cacti. The site was so attractive that the settlers built the original California mission here on the edge of the Arroyo Trabuco, even though it was later relocated to San Juan Capistrano. The early inhabitants delighted in the views of the mountains and the forest in the distance and shared the land with deer, mountain lions, bobcats, hawks and even rattlesnakes. And even though the community is located in heavily populated Orange Country, the wildlife can still be spotted within the area.

Rancho Santa Margarita embodies a sense of admiration for the land and its heritage. More than half of its 5,000 acres are for recreation-land set aside for greenbelts, parks, bike and jogging paths, and recreational facilities. Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation, is one of the common areas in the city, and includes a 13-acre lake with swimming lagoon, boat rentals, 4 community pools, 10 community parks with numerous sport fields, and Tijeras Creek golfing.

Santa Margarita Center, Rancho Santa Margarita's 700-acre commercial and business center, is slated to provide an estimated 30,000 jobs by the end of this decade. The demographics here are impressive. The median household income is $84,159 per year. The average home price is $309,250. The architecture of Rancho Santa Margarita goes back to the early tradition when 18th century Spanish missionaries built California's first churches, missions and monasteries. Today, many of these architectural elements from the past are being highlighted in the homes and public buildings of Rancho Santa Margarita at the same time blending stunning views of its canyons, its plains and its coastal mountains. The ambiance within Rancho Santa Margarita will take you back in time.

The community benefits from two major transportation improvement programs: the Foothill Circulation Phasing Plan (FCPP), and the Foothill Transportation Corridor. FCPP's comprehensive network of roadways and road extensions will link the town to the region's many cultural, civic and retail facilities. Rancho Santa Margarita is a landmark on the route of the Foothill Transportation Corridor, one of Southern California's proposed superhighways.

In an urban village such as Rancho Santa Margarita, the vision is to offer residents with all the modern conveniences they'd enjoy in a small city, while providing the appealing quality of life one finds in a small village. Rancho Santa Margarita's contemporary lifestyle includes schools, fine dining, convenient shopping and medical and child care facilities. Santa Margarita Center's master plan includes a traditional "town center" as the focal point of activity, where residents and visitors can enjoy shopping, dining and cinemas.

The nearby community of Coto De Caza offers a similar sense of luxurious living. Offering its residents serene and peaceful residential neighborhoods alongside well-maintained public spaces, Coto De Caza is truly a desirable community in which to live. In recent years, the town has also gained popularity as a sought-after relocation destination.

Newcomers choose to live here for the town's wonderful atmosphere, stellar public school system, and family-friendly environment. Coto De Caza's residents tend to be well-educated and employed in professional or managerial positions. Many are highly involved in their town, whether that means coaching a youth sports league, attending city planning meetings, or working with one of the town's many volunteer service organizations.

Real estate prices in Coto De Caza reflect the desirability of this community. And home owners here have experienced a steady appreciation of their homes' values over the years. This has made the decision to own rather than rent a smart move indeed. With more and more people choosing to live in Coto De Caza, this is one real estate trend that shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

Recent real estate reports indicate that the lower end of Coto De Caza's housing market starts at around $350,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit in a multi-family complex, such as a condominium or town house. The median price of a typical three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home is generally around $600,000.

And Coto De Caza offers a breathtaking array of executive-style estates. The local real estate market currently tops out at just under $10,000,000 for a magnificent estate home with views of both the water and surrounding hills, an incredibly large lot, and impeccable craftsmanship throughout.

The community students are served by the two school districts of Capistrano Unified School District and Saddleback Valley Unified School District depending on residence. Both districts have a fine reputation and offer and outstanding learning environment. Student routinely outperform on national standardized test and college entrance exams. Colleges and universities in close proximity to Rancho Santa Margarita include Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College, Orange Coast College, California State University-Fullerton, and University of California Irvine.

The quality of life in Rancho Santa Margarita is splendid. It is an ideal place to live, work, retire or raise a family! If you are considering moving here or would like more information please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!