What sets Orange County apart is that it is not defined as a paradise getaway. Rather, the surf, sun and culture that it is renowned for is a way of life. This providential lifestyle enables residents to 'hang ten' in "Surf City" Huntington Beach, peruse world-class art in Laguna Beach, and even hit the slopes and catch fresh powder at Mammoth Mountain--all in one day!

It's no surprise that O.C. living is a coveted lifestyle. Orange County real estate trailed only San Francisco as the most expensive housing market in 2005, according to realestatejournal.com. 2005 data from the National Association of Realtors also showed that Orange County's median home price appreciated ten percent and climbed to $710,000, eclipsing the national level more than three-fold. Coldwell Banker's annual Home Price Comparison Index estimated that a 2,200-square-foot house with four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a family room and a two-car garage in Orange County would easily fetch $1 million. The O.C. lifestyle comes at a price, but for many Orange County home buyers, investing in Orange County real estate is worth living the California dream!