Deciding on the best place to purchase your next home can be difficult, especially if you’re on a budget to buy a home for $500-$600K. You’ve got to consider how much home you can afford, the quality of the neighborhood you want, and your own personal wish list. Luckily, if you’re searching for a home in Southern California, you really can’t go wrong.
Considering a homebuyer budget of $500,000 – $600,000, let’s break down what you can afford within the cities of Anaheim, Corona, and Long Beach. Each city presents its own pros and cons to consider, so let’s dive in.
Homes for sale in Anaheim, CA
Homes for sale between $500,000 – $600,000
Anaheim is a sprawling city with tons of affordable areas and neighborhoods to settle within. The city limits stretch from Los Alamitos in the West to the Riverside County line in the East. Over the past few years, Downtown Anaheim, in particular, has gone through a huge revitalization with trendy new restaurants and a resurgence of art and culture.
Home to tons of craft breweries, all kinds of entertainment, and of course the Happiest Place on Earth, Anaheim is an exciting place to settle in Orange County.
Top Anaheim Neighborhoods
The Colony: The Colony is a historic district of Anaheim that enjoys a lower crime rate and well-kept charming homes. The neighborhood boasts several schools, including a few private and religious schools, and a coveted location near the trendy Packing District.
Filled with Craftsman bungalows and Colonial Revivals, the tree-lined streets of Anaheim’s Colony Historic District offer tons of unique homes for sale. More affordable than comparable vintage homes in Orange and Fullerton, this neighborhood is perfect for buyers on a budget.
Anaheim Hills: A planned community in the eastern portion of the city, Anaheim Hills offers residents tons of green space including the Oak Canyon Nature Center and Deer Canyon Park. Including top-rated schools, several shopping centers, and parks, this upscale neighborhood is highly sought after in Orange County.
Anaheim Hills is full of large home lots, several boasting amazing city views, as well as condos and townhomes. Bordering on Yorba Linda, the city is similar when it comes to low crime rates and a high quality of life. Located near the Anaheim Hills Golf Course, the neighborhood is highly desirable.
Offered at: $549,000
3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1,380 sqft.
7723 E Portofino Avenue, Anaheim Hills
Located within Anaheim Hills, this condo has been beautifully upgraded with new wood floors, granite in the bathrooms, and new paint. Just a stone’s throw from the highly-rated Canyon Rim Elementary, you don’t even need the car to get the little ones to school!
Cool Things To Do In Anaheim
- Packing District – The Packing District is a former Sunkist citrus-packing facility that’s been transformed into a trendy collection of food stalls and eateries. Right in the middle of Downtown Anaheim, this communal gathering spot has over 20 local eateries including The Blind Rabbit, a secret speakeasy.
- Disneyland – Need we say more?
- The Ranch – Country fans rejoice. The restaurant and saloon offer a sophisticated setting for enjoying a steak and some line dancing.
- Angel Stadium – Catch our local MLB team at their finest. For additional fun, check out a Saturday game which always concludes with an impressive fireworks show.
- Visit a local brewery – There are tons to choose from, including quite a few clustered around Angel Stadium including Noble Ale Works, Golden Road, Brewheim and Backstreet Brewery.
Homes for sale in Corona, CA
Homes for sale between $500,000 – $600,000
If you’re looking for space and outdoor activities, Corona is the place to go. Venturing out of Orange County and into Riverside County’s popular city of Corona means buyers get more bang for their buck in the form of larger lot sizes and more square footage for your budget. Luckily, you are still close-by as Corona borders on Yorba Linda.
The community boasts tons of amenities for residents including 394 acres of parks, sports fields, playgrounds, skateparks, pools, and even a recreational airport. There are also tons of places for more outdoor fun including Santana Regional Park and Skyline Drive Trails.
Top Corona Neighborhoods
South Corona: The newest portion of Corona, this area is defined as any neighborhood located south of Ontario Avenue. Homes for sale in South Corona began being built in the early 2000s and include several multi-million dollar homes and custom estates. With access to great schools within the Corona Norco District, South Corona real estate is highly coveted.
Offered at: $580,000
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,633 sqft.
3053 Bavaria Drive, Corona, CA 92881
This spacious South Corona home is turnkey and features the original owner’s paid solar. The grand floor plan includes a generous kitchen, grand staircase, cozy fireplace, and downstairs bedroom or office with a full bath. Throw in a huge backyard with views and RV parking, and this home checks off all your homebuyer wishlist boxes.
Sierra Del Oro: Bordering on Yorba Linda, the scenic Sierra Del Oro neighborhood is popular among Corona homebuyers because of its convenient location just off the Green River exit on the 91 freeway. Within the community is Prado View Elementary School, Ridgeline Park with waterpark splash zone, and Serfas Club Park. If you’re looking for a home in Corona without venturing too far into the Inland Empire, this is the perfect spot.
Offered at: $564,999
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,314 sqft.
2901 Amber Drive, Corona, CA 92882
Offering one of the lowest prices per square foot in the community, this Sierra Del Oro home features amazing master bedroom views. It’s got brand new paint, carpet, and custom wood shutters with roll-up window covers. Including a main floor bedroom and bathroom, the kitchen has also been upgraded with new appliances and granite counters. The backyard is perfect for entertaining with a newer patio cover and electrical built-in.
Cool things to do in Corona
- Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa – The ultimate relaxing get-away, this health and wellness retreat is basically the theme park of all spas. Choose from 17 pools, adventure baths, red-clay based mud baths, sauna, and steam room when you getaway to relax and heal.
- Skull Canyon Ziplines – Nestled in the Estelle Mountain Nature Reserve, Skull Canyon offers a great opportunity to check out the local plants and animals. There are two different zipline routes you can take over 160 acres of untouched mountains.
- Pole Position Raceway – Some of the best indoor karting in all of Southern California – enjoy!
- Dos Lagos – This indoor shopping paradise includes more than 60 stores, restaurants, a cinema, two scenic lakes, and a bamboo bridge.
- Corona Heritage Park and Museum – A popular spot for school field trips, the buildings here were built in the 1910s and reformed into a railroad museum and art gallery. Catch the antiques and collectibles fair every summer or join in for one of the art classes including glass blowing, woodworking, or ceramics.
Homes for sale in Long Beach, CA
Homes for sale between $500,000 – $600,000
Long Beach is a sprawling city with dozens of different neighborhoods to choose from, including several historic districts. Technically located within Los Angeles County, Long Beach is a suburb all its own tucked between LA and OC. Offering beautiful beaches and marinas along with an active nightlife, it blends big city and beach fun perfectly.
Highly walkable and bikeable, the city is mostly flat with tons of bike lanes to get you around. Long Beach real estate is also unique and includes everything from beach bungalows to modern masterpieces. Several popular neighborhoods were built in the 1920s and include distinctive architectural styles including Craftsman, Mission Revival, Victorian, Spanish Colonial and more.
Offered at: $515,900
1 Bed | 1 Bath | 865 sqft.
800 E Ocean Boulevard #410, Long Beach, CA 90802
Located in the Historical Villa Riviera Building, 800 E Ocean Boulevard was originally built in 1928 and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Featuring fantastic amenities like a newly renovated sundeck and a grand common area and ballroom, this is truly a unique place to live. The original architectural integrity has been well preserved in this 1 bed, 1 bath end unit.
Top Long Beach Neighborhoods
Alamitos Beach: A popular coastal neighborhood, Alamitos Beach includes several large condo buildings along the beach and single-family residences as you move further inland. Originally built in the 1920s, this neighborhood features tons of Craftsman bungalows and other vintage architectural styles. The bike path running along the beach goes from Shoreline Village, runs through Alamitos Beach and goes to Belmont Shore to connect the most exciting parts of the city.
Offering a vibrant nightlife scene as well, Alamitos Beach includes the Broadway Corridor with tons of bars, restaurants, and businesses, as well as the 4th Street Corridor aka Retro Row along the northern border of the city.
Offered at: $599,900
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 840 sqft.
1751 E Erie Street, Long Beach, CA 90802
Just a few blocks from the beach, this adorable bungalow features hardwood floors and a newly updated bathroom with tile work and a bright skylight. Close to 4th Street Retro Row and the beach, shops like Casa De Luxe, restaurants, wine bars, coffee houses and more are just a short stroll away.
Bixby Knolls: Located just north of Downtown, Bixby Knolls is a hidden gem in Long Beach. While the coastal neighborhoods get most of the fame and glory, Bixby Knolls is a northern suburb that’s worth a good long look. You will find shopping and dining along Atlantic Avenue which has gone through a long-term revitalization over the years.
Characterized by wide tree-lined streets and million-dollar homes on larger lots, Bixby Knolls is exceptionally family-friendly and the perfect move-up neighborhood for those who love the unique culture of Long Beach.
Cool things to do in Long Beach
- Queen Mary – Around Halloween is the best time to visit when the Queen Mary puts on its Dark Harbor event and allows you to explore the ship’s nether parts for ghost-hunting tours and scare mazes.
- AquaLink – It’s a public transit system and it only costs $5 to be shuttled around the shoreline from downtown to the Queen Mary and Belmont Shore.
- Naples Island – The most wonderful time of the year is Christmas when the canals are dressed to the nines with lights and festive displays. Even if you can’t afford to live there, you can enjoy a cup of cocoa and the impressive dockside homes.
- Aquarium of the Pacific – More than 11,000 fish, sharks, penguins, and other water creatures call the Aquarium of the Pacific home. And there’s plenty of shopping and restaurants to explore afterward in Shoreline Village.
- Rosie’s Dog Beach – The only off-leash dog beach in all of LA County, this dog-friendly beach is perfect for you and your furry friend. There’s even a doggy drinking fountain!
The best place to buy is all about finding the right community that fits your lifestyle. For $500,000 – $600,000 you have tons of options to chose from in Anaheim, Corona, and Long Beach. For help narrowing down your search, work with a First Team agent near you or reach out to any one of our local offices.
