Amethyst St, Garden Grove

Garden Grove has a bit of a bad reputation as being over run by renters or people that do not take good care of their homes. This area is an amazing exception, though. Everyone maintains their homes and it is a quiet street where hardly any renters live. You can not hear the 22 freeway at all, but, you are still conveniently close to it! Nearby Valley View Street also has grocery stores and casual dining restaurants. There isn't anything fancy, but, it gets the job done. For entertainment, there is a bowling alley and cheap movie theater (all movies are $5), but, both are pretty ghetto. It is ironic that this street and the neighboring streets are named after gems as this neighborhood is definitely a diamond in the rough.

There is a nice park nearby that is always empty, if you want to go play ball with your kids. Beyond that and the previously mentioned bowling alley and movie theater, that is about it for local entertainment. Your kids are safe running around the neighborhood with the neighborhood kids during the day, but, it is best to keep them in at night. Not that the neighborhood isn't safe, but, my friend did have someone rob her home while she was at work one day, but, that can happen even in the best neighborhoods. Just be prepared with an alarm system.

All up, for the price of homes in this area and the great neighborhood vibe, it is an affordable place to raise a family in the OC while giving your kids room to run around.