Costa Mesa · Relocation

Relocating to Costa Mesa

Help choosing where to live in Orange County and a search planned around your move date.

A central base in Orange County

If your new job is in Irvine, Newport Beach or elsewhere in central Orange County, Costa Mesa is worth a close look. You have access to the 55, 405 and 73, John Wayne Airport is close by, and Newport Beach's beaches and restaurants are next door.

Costa Mesa has its own destinations too: South Coast Plaza, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and a strong restaurant, coffee and local business scene.

I'm Jeanette Nelson of Jeanette Nelson Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty.

Getting to know the city

Costa Mesa isn't one uniform market. Eastside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde and the Westside each feel different, and the homes can change block to block, from older cottages to remodeled homes, condos, duplexes and newer construction. Start with my Costa Mesa guide, then we'll plan a drive through the areas that fit.

Buying from a distance

When you can only visit a few times, I line up the right homes before each trip, and online photos and video tours help narrow the list. I coordinate with your lender and escrow between visits. Also considering the coast? See relocating to Huntington Beach. More on my relocation page and buying process.

The three sides of Costa Mesa

Eastside: next to Newport Beach, near the Back Bay and 17th Street, with cottages, bungalows, remodels and newer custom homes.

Mesa Verde: established streets, mature landscaping, and many homes with larger yards near parks and golf.

Westside: established pockets, newer development, condos and townhomes, convenient to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, and still evolving.

Let's start with a conversation

Tell me where you're coming from and when. Reach out here or call (714) 366-8575.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costa Mesa close to Irvine?

Yes. Costa Mesa borders Irvine and has access to the 55, 405 and 73, plus John Wayne Airport nearby.

What are the main areas of Costa Mesa?

Buyers often compare Eastside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde and the Westside, which each feel different.

Can I buy a Costa Mesa home before I move?

Yes. Jeanette plans your visits and coordinates with your lender and escrow between trips.

Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa at a glance

Where Character Meets Coastal Living.

The homes
Eclectic. A mix of residential zoning and development patterns: single-family homes alongside duplexes and other multifamily properties, condos, townhomes, accessory units, older cottages, remodeled homes and newer construction. Architecture, lot configurations and property types can vary street to street.
Why people choose it
People choose it for its variety and personality, and to enjoy neighboring Newport Beach's beaches, restaurants, shopping and coastal lifestyle without Newport Beach home prices. Eastside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde and the Westside each feel different.
Getting around
Access to the 55, 405 and 73, and close to Irvine, Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.
Nearby
South Coast Plaza, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a strong restaurant, coffee and local business scene, and Newport Beach next door.
The trade-off
Versus Huntington Beach: Costa Mesa is not a beach city. Parts of Eastside Costa Mesa are very close to the ocean, but there are no miles of coastline, beachfront bike path, pier or surf-town setting outside your door.