🧭 Moving to Orange County
Just moved to Tustin?
Curated by Simir Shah
Who lands here
Families who want Irvine-adjacent convenience with a bit more variety in housing, from older single-family streets near Old Town to newer homes and apartments around Tustin Legacy and Tustin Ranch.
The vibe
Small-town civic feel with big-city access. Old Town Tustin has historic buildings and local shops, while The District and Tustin Legacy bring big-box shopping and new parks. Community traditions like Tustin Tiller Days give it a hometown rhythm.
Schools
Tustin is served by Tustin Unified, which also serves parts of neighboring Irvine and Santa Ana. Schools are assigned by home address, so check TUSD's School Locator before you sign a lease.
Getting around
A car is the norm, but the Tustin Metrolink station connects to LA, Oceanside and the Inland Empire, and OCTA buses run on the main corridors. Kids 6 to 18 can ride OC Bus free through OCTA's Youth Ride Free program.
Finding your community
Tustin Library (OC Public Libraries) offers bilingual English/Spanish and English/Chinese storytimes, and its collection includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese titles. Residents get priority registration for city classes and camps.
Now go explore Tustin
A friendly orientation, not advice. Neighborhoods, schools and prices change and depend on your exact address — always verify school assignments and lease details directly. New to the area? Start with the New to SoCal hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tustin a good place for families new to Southern California?
Tustin is a compact, central OC city that pairs a historic Old Town with newer master-planned neighborhoods at Tustin Legacy, minutes from Irvine, Santa Ana and the 5/55 freeways. Families who want Irvine-adjacent convenience with a bit more variety in housing, from older single-family streets near Old Town to newer homes and apartments around Tustin Legacy and Tustin Ranch.
How are the schools in Tustin?
Tustin is served by Tustin Unified, which also serves parts of neighboring Irvine and Santa Ana. Schools are assigned by home address, so check TUSD's School Locator before you sign a lease.
Do I need a car in Tustin?
A car is the norm, but the Tustin Metrolink station connects to LA, Oceanside and the Inland Empire, and OCTA buses run on the main corridors. Kids 6 to 18 can ride OC Bus free through OCTA's Youth Ride Free program.