Welcome to OC, asshole . Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego is an idyllic land of coastal beach towns and suburban sprawl. The highway was busy with traffic and the floral arrangements at the outdoor mall were so intricate you'd think someone was about to exchange vows in front of Forever 21 . Selling The OC – the new offshoot of Netflix’s hit real estate reality show Selling Sunset – Showcasing Orange County at its most affluent .
The show, which aired on August 24, tells the story of a new group of real estate agents at the Oppenheim Group's OC office. Season 1 has everything you want in an Orange County real estate reality show: waterfront mansions, yachting outings and lots and lots of drama. But Selling The OC isn't the first TV show to be set there. The 2003 teen soap opera "The OC" and the critically acclaimed "Arrested Development" were both set in Newport Beach. MTV's "Laguna Beach" and "The Real Housewives of Orange County" showcase the rich lifestyle of Orange County in important ways. Home to numerous gated communities and golf courses, Orange County has become a pop culture obsession for decades for its longing for American life.
"Orange County is a little bit of a bubble, but I mean, in the best possible way," Orange County native Gio Helou, an Oppenheim Group broker, tells Bustle. "It's very much a community that encourages you to get outside, be in the sun, be on the beach." He added that owners' corporations were often stigmatized as "a single community with a single population". But he thinks that's changing, and he hopes the show will reflect that.
Gio is from Newport Beach and is one of O Group's most powerful agents. He's not easily impressed by big houses and has a talent for selling real estate and the Orange County lifestyle. “I like to think I was influenced by some OC realtors in terms of giving it my all and going after it,” Gio said. As an OC expert, Gio is here to help us understand the area. Below, see Bustle's comprehensive guide to OC, which contains everything you need to know about selling communities and real estate in OC .
OC Community Guidelines:
newport beach
Newport is the heart of Orange County. It has a lovely marina, a large beach lined with gorgeous houses, and small islands and harbours, which means the boating culture is huge. "Newport definitely has more of a showy vibe. [It] has everything designer, from what you wear to what you drive to where you live," Gio said. It's Gio's favorite neighborhood, although he admits he's a bit biased. “I grew up on the peninsula,” he said. "I can't imagine growing up anywhere else. I know I'm being spoiled for saying this, but it's the truth. Newport truly is heaven on earth."
Newport Beach is also home to several sub-communities; of these enclaves, Balboa Island is Gio's favorite. “It’s a new hobby for me to walk out there and drink coffee,” he said. "It's charming, quaint, a little chaotic in the summer, but has an American vibe." You might see Gio and the " Selling The OC" actor having dinner at his favorite restaurant, A Restaurant, after a hard day at work An old-fashioned steakhouse in the heart of Newport.
corona del mar
Think of Corona Del Mar as Newport's elegant cousin. There are fewer people and the streets are quieter. The beaches are more remote and you're likely to see wealthy older couples hanging out rather than rowdy groups of young people. Properties here tend to be more palatial due to their larger space. Corona Del Mar is also home to The O Group's offices. However, if you want to go to a great bar, Gio would love The Quiet Woman at Corona Del Mar. "It's kind of like Cougar Bar, but it's a blast," he said. "My wife isn't happy when I go there drinking alone, but it's a really fun place."
huntington beach
Fun fact: If you're looking for a chaotic night on the town with the bros, Huntington Beach is the place for you. Unlike the bucolic scenes of Newport or Laguna, this neighborhood is known for its bars, crowds, and wild energy.
laguna beach
If you drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles, you'll find your way to Laguna Beach. The beaches here are overgrown and wild, with lots of rocks, cliff edges, wildflowers and tide pools. Properties in Laguna are even more unique and interesting, largely because they have a thriving artist community. “Laguna definitely has more of a hippie vibe,” Gio said. He added that Laguna is the kind of place where you can walk around barefoot without getting any strange looks.
dana point
As we continued on the PCH we found ourselves at Dana Point. This small community is home to many music festivals and is filled with wealthy families. Compared to Newport, Dana Point has less of a "going out" culture and is better suited to spending Sundays with the grandkids, strolling the marina and watching the boats go by.
san clemente
San Clemente is full of charm. It has a great farmers market and surfing spot. On the show, Gio refers to the coastal areas as the "suburbs" of Orange County. "I'm going to stick to that," he said. "I have a lot of friends in San Clemente who will hate me when they see this; suburbia isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's more affordable." He added, "It's half San Diego, half Orange County, it's kind of chilly Atmosphere.”
Lago Niguel and Mission Viejo
Once you leave the shoreline, there's still a lot to see in Orange County. The Laguna Niguo/Mission Viejo area is suburban, but there are plenty of hikes and trails around the canyons and rolling hills. There is also an equestrian community here, and many people choose this community to raise their families.
irvine
Irvine is consistently rated the safest city in America, and for good reason, absolutely nothing happens there. Irvine is taken over by new developments, all the houses look the same, and there are a few shopping centers mixed in. "Irvine, I call it a suburb. A family area, if you want good old-fashioned suburbia," Gio said. It's a hub for young families thanks to its excellent schools, quiet neighborhoods and the community's strong focus on safety.
