By Jessica Ryan
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
6 min read
Reviewed by Martin Pаnауоtоv
Editor
Martin is founder of MoveAdvisor, formerly MyMovingReviews.com.
356 movers in Lake Forest
"Victory moving company is, by all means, the best company I ever hired! Highly rated professional movers made my moving day so nice and easy! Highly recommended moving company for Los Angeles and Orange County areas! Thank you so much Victory team!"
"Excellent Van Lines responded to my request with a great price. They had two representatives dispatched to my home in a short time and they got the job done. The gentlemen were timely, courteous and professional. I will definitely request Excellen..."
"The movers were amazing! They moved my mother from Texas to Florida. Marcelo helped me with my move during the whole process. I received a lot of calls, but Marcelo was professional very patient with me. He explained everything in detail and spent..."
"You are a 5 star company. If I could give you more stars I would. We have used you twice now, and both times you were on time, polite, professional, and were quick! you could tell you cared about doing you very best both times and it showed. Will ..."
"DO NOT RECOMMEND. I had used this company on April 16, 2026, to move from Poway to Del Mar. The two movers were hard workers at the time, even though the manager was difficult. Because of those movers, I hired them again on August 25, 2026, for a ..."
"Moved me from Agoura Hills to Westwood. I didn't have much furniture, mostly boxes, and my movers Alex and Max didn't waste time around. They finished the entire move in less than 3 hours and kept my expenses down."
"I believe Hawaiian Van Lines deserves a full 5 stars for the way they handle customer feedback and complaints. I experienced a small issue during the process, but Ben went above and beyond to make things right with his understanding and care. I wa..."
"By far the best moving company ever. When I say no head aches . easy and smooth . Yes my price went up a little for some materials. But the foreman was very knowledgeable and explained to me why . which I totally understand . Being my first move I..."
"I used moving services of this company for two times, one on 2016 and the second time on 2017, both of these times they were just excellent, professional fast and affordable. Unfortunately, In 2020 I called their phone number requesting their usua..."
"These guys were awesome. They made my move much easier. They were quick, affordable and professional. Thank you."
"They were on time, did not stop until they unloaded the last item and put it in it proper place in the new house. Made sure that we were happy with everything that was taking place, kept us informed, very professional. They will be my first choice..."
"The crew and my planner made moving with kids a breeze. There was less work for me because they moved the cribs, packed them up, and took them apart. Because they were so good, I would tell everyone about them."
"Despite the horror stories about interstate movers, we had a great experience with NorthStar. Starting with meeting Alejandra and Cesar, then working with Ron and, finally, getting to know George and his crew was an amazing experience despite all..."
"This is a team of dedicated and efficient movers who made the task fun! The quote process was efficient and accurate, and the team was always available to address our concerns and update the quote as needed. We highly recommend them for your next ..."
"I hired dominant moving for a local move in San Diego County of my small 2 bedroom apartment. Javier and David were awesome in the move. Tony was amazing while booking in the phone. Paid less than estimated."
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.