350 movers in Lake Forest

What to know when moving to Lake Forest, CA

Lake Forest at a Glance

The Vibe:
A highly educated ZIP where 47% of residents hold a bachelor's degree and about 32% of households are renters.
The Major Draw:
The median household income is $119,984, which supports a comfortable living standard.
The Reality Check:
Median rent is $2,614, which may be high for some budgets.
Commute:
Only 1% of residents use public transit, indicating a car-dependent area.
Top Tip:
Budget for around $2,614/month in rent to secure housing in this area.

The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?

Lake Forest is home to a population of approximately 66,461, with a significant portion of residents (47%) holding a bachelor's degree. The community has a relatively low poverty rate of 9.8%. With only 31.9% of households renting, the area skews towards homeownership, which reflects a stable community. The weather is mild, with around 42 rainy days a year, which allows for various outdoor activities.

Probably not your spot if you are looking for affordable rent, as the median rent is $2,614 per month.

Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot

  • Median household income is $119,984, supporting a relatively high cost of living.
  • Median gross rent is $2,614, which is on the higher side.
  • Median owner-occupied home value is $858,900, indicating a strong housing market.
  • Education level is notable, with 47% holding a bachelor's degree, contributing to the community's character.
  • Poverty rate stands at 9.8%, showing a lower level of economic distress.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.

Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say

In California, the annual property crime rate is 1,764 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% higher than the national average of 1,547. The violent crime rate stands at 415.5 per 100,000, 27.7% above the national average of 325.3 per 100,000. However, California has seen a decrease in crime rates, with property crime down 26.1% and violent crime down 17.4% since 2022.

  • Violent crime: 415.5 per 100k vs. national average of 325.3
  • Property crime: 1,764 per 100k vs. national average of 1,547
  • Notable trend: Homicide rate down 44.9% since 2022

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).

Schools & Higher Ed

Lake Forest has access to 24 postsecondary institutions within Orange County.

  • Institutions with College Scorecard data: 22
  • Nearby notable schools include Chapman University and Irvine Valley College.

Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES + College Scorecard.

Weather & Getting Outside

Lake Forest experiences about 15.6 inches of precipitation annually, with 42 rainy days. This provides ample opportunity for outdoor activities, especially given the mild climate. Nearby parks include:

  • Lake Forest Sports Park - 4.8 stars (1,396 reviews)
  • Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park - 4.7 stars (1,290 reviews)
  • Heritage Community Park - 4.6 stars (1,075 reviews)
  • Alta Laguna Park - 4.8 stars (966 reviews)

Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places API.

Jobs & the Local Economy

In Orange County, the unemployment rate is currently at 3.9%, with a labor force of 1,642,351. The employment figure stands at 1,578,358, indicating a healthy job market.

  • Unemployment rate: 3.9%
  • Employed: 1,578,358
  • Labor force: 1,642,351

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.

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Who regulates Lake Forest interstate movers?

Lake Forest moving companies are required to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if they perform interstate moves. No matter if it is a moving company or a broker, they should have a valid DOT number. You can look up a mover here.

Agency: United States Department of Transportation
Address: 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington DC 20590
Phone: (855) 368-4200
Website: www.fmcsa.dot.gov

To see if a specific movers complies with regulations, simply select a company from the list.

Moving within vs moving out of California

Let's see how many people move within California versus those who moved from The Golden State to another state.

Moved Within CA
46%
Moved out of CA
54%

Out of all California household moves, approximately 46% of them have been local ones, with 54% of the people moving to another state in the country.

Despite being the home of the nation’s second- and third-largest urban economies (the Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area respectively), the majority of Californians have still chosen to move out of the state.

Who regulates California local movers

When contacting local California moving companies, make sure to check their cal-T number issued by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Household goods moving companies must obtain permits from the PUC after proving financial and safety fitness.

They must also prove that they have adequate insurance and they are subject to criminal background clearance by the California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Agency: California Public Utilities Commission
Address: SSRS Unit 505, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298
Phone: (800) 848-5580
Website: www.cpuc.ca.gov

The CPUC controls privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, along with passenger transportation companies.

What do people move within California?

Ever wondered which are the most popular move sizes when people move locally in CA?

Studio (7%)
1 Bedroom (22%)
2 Bedroom (26%)
3 Bedroom (22%)
4 Bedroom (7%)

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Check out our detailed moving guides:

How much does it cost to hire movers

As it turns out, the cost to hire professional movers will effectively solve the ever-present dilemma of whether you should hire a mover or do it yourself. The cost depends on a number of important factors, including the type of the move itself (local move or a long distance). See the breakdown.

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