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The Mission Viejo Where I Grew Up: A Love Letter To My City

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

 

The Mission Viejo Where I Grew Up

 

I love this picture! I have loved this spot since I was a little girl. It's actually about at the intersection of Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel.....at the corner of La Paz and Moulton Pkwy. We used to drive down La Paz to this intersection to get to Laguna Beach, and even when I was in high school, when you got to this spot you couldn't see a single street light.

Mission Viejo is still beautiful. The manicured lawns and landscaped streets still sit in the shadow of Saddleback Mountain...but it's not the "country" that it was when I grew up. We were considered a farm town in many ways. We were 20 miles away from a supermarket or fast food. The Mission Viejo Company Headquarters actually had a small "market" in it's lobby for essentials; milk, diapers, bread, peanut butter.

We used to roam these hills all day long in the summers. I imagine anyone over 40 years old can say that about where they grew up. I learned to avoid snakes and trains....what were my parents thinking? No cell phones of course, we knew the time by the location of the sun in the sky.

I love Mission Viejo! I love how it's grown up and it's been a wonderful place to raise my kids. They grew up I a very different Mission Viejo...but as it grows and changes, it's soul has stayed the same.

 

 

Comments(9)

Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Lived in Huntington Beach in the mid 80's. Was a fun place to live. Remember the wide open spaces of Laguna Beach and Mission Vieljo. Curious when the picture was taken. Is it like that today?

Mar 23, 2013 03:51 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Karen, nice tribute to your area.  Like many places in CA, there has been a tremendous amount of suburban sprawl.  I had a great time growing up in Northern California, and all the places I used to play are now pretty much developed.  Sad, but progress marches on.

Mar 23, 2013 03:54 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Bill: No it doesn't look like this at all...this is a corner with condos and a Target. Mission Viejo has done a lovely job of growing up beautiful, but the wild is all gone. This is probably 1970s

Gary: Thanks....I just love it. I know progress happens, but I also wish it would stay the same. :)

Mar 23, 2013 03:58 AM
Betsy Schuman Dodek
Washington Fine Properties - Washington DC Area Real Estate - Potomac, MD
SearchPotomacHomes.com

Karen,

It's amazing the change that has happened since we were kids in our hometowns! Thanks for sharing.

Betsy

Mar 23, 2013 04:03 AM
Kim Peasley-Parker
AgentOwned Realty, Heritage Group, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Karen,  Very nice post about how life changes.  Whenever I go back to my hometown I am amazed at the changes.  Even in Sumter, I am amazed by the changes since I first drove into town.

Mar 23, 2013 04:44 AM
Lori Bowers
La Quinta, CA
The Lori Bowers Group

It sounds like you had a good life as a child and how lucky to grow up in Mission Viejo

Mar 23, 2013 06:31 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Karen,

Life does change and looks like it's changed for the good in your area where you grew up..you should try and take a picture at the same spot and see the comparison!

Mar 23, 2013 06:32 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Karen -- a great tribute to your town, in spite of the changes.  I agree with you about the changes that come across as the years move along.  I am now working in an office space that was in midst of woods we used to play in when I was growing up.

Mar 23, 2013 06:59 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

love Mission Viejo! Very beautiful part of the country only been there a few times but there is nothing bad there, except for traffic

Mar 23, 2013 11:11 AM