Homes For Sale In Placentia, CA
Average Home Prices
Average Home Statistics
In Terms ofAverage Home Prices
Per Square FeetTable of Contents
- A quick history of Placentia, CA
- Living in Placentia, CA today
- Placentia, CA real estate and homes for sale
- Investing in Placentia, CA
- Top neighborhoods in Placentia, CA
- Top schools in Placentia, CA
- Things to do in Placentia, CA
- Moving to Placentia, CA
- Find the perfect home for you and your family in Placentia, CA
Placentia
Latin for “a pleasant place to live,” Placentia, California lives up to its name with its sunny Mediterranean weather, lush hiking trails, and historic sites. This charming city of just over 52,000 residents is the place to be for anyone seeking the perks of a convenient location in Orange County, California and the relaxed vibe of a suburban community.
Once a 20th-century agricultural town, Placentia is now home to 11 neighborhoods and quickly becoming a bustling city with fantastic options for homes for sale and welcoming small-town appeal amid rapid urbanization.
A quick history of Placentia, CA
Placentia originated as part of the Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana granted to Juan Ontiveros by the governor of Mexico in 1837. Today, the 35,000 acre property is the site not only of Placentia but also the neighboring cities of Anaheim, Brea, and Fullerton.
Three decades after the land grant, new settlers began buying parcels of Ontiveros’s ranch and building the community that would later plant the famous Valencia orange groves, putting Placentia on the map.
An oil boom in the early 20th Century led to further population growth, turning the orange packing town into a thriving city. While all but a few oil wells have been decommissioned since, Placentia remains a fast-growing city, attracting new residents with its convenient location, pleasant weather, family-friendly neighborhoods, and a tranquil suburban way of life.
Living in Placentia, CA today
Placentia today is known as a sunny city of upwardly mobile professionals working in education, manufacturing, and healthcare. Tech savvy, many of the area’s younger population work from home in specialized fields, while their children attend the district’s top-rated schools.
Placentia residents also make time to relax under the warm California sun. Because of the city’s proximity to parks and beaches, you can easily go for a walk among the 7,000 tall trees that make up the city's urban forest. On weekends, you can go on a short drive with the family to enjoy the beaches at Newport Beach or try the latest rides in Disneyland.
Placentia, CA real estate and homes for sale
While parts of the city reflect Placentia’s urban nature, the majority of Placentia, CA homes for sale are detached single-family units with three to four bedrooms in quiet suburban neighborhoods. Built between the 1970s to 1990s in the ranch architectural style, these houses make up a picturesque community that you would love to come home to at the end of a busy day.
Homes in Placentia feature expansive yards where your kids or pets have plenty of space to play. Many homes come with welcoming outdoor spaces, complete with a backyard pool, barbecue areas, and other amenities.
Homes built at the turn of the 20th century also make up part of Placentia’s real estate inventory. These properties come in classic California bungalow styles and have been excellently preserved over the years.
In Placentia’s busier neighborhoods, you will also find condos and townhomes with one to four bedrooms and fantastic community amenities. Some older single-family homes have also been turned into apartments.
Investing in Placentia, CA
Home prices in Placentia range from around $700,000 to over $1.5 million, with the typical property coming with 3 to 5 bedrooms and square footage ranging from approximately 1,300 to over 3,500. Real estate in the city has been enjoying above average appreciation rates in the last decade, with prices going up by around 6.66% per year.
Buyers looking to invest in Placentia, CA homes for sale may want to start their search in these top neighborhoods which have enjoyed high appreciation rates in the last 20 years:
- City Center
- Placentia North
- Livingston Avenue and Roanoke Street
- Kraemer Park
- La Jolla
Top neighborhoods in Placentia, CA
- Here's a closer look at five of the top neighborhoods where you'll find gorgeous Placentia, CA homes for sale.
City Center
Known for its safety and walkability, Placentia’s City Center attracts college students and a community of professionals working in the manufacturing and other industries.
Homes in the area are in the $650,000 range, and many are just a 15-minute drive away from school or work. Condos and apartments are the predominant types of properties here.
The neighborhood is an ideal place for student housing, with some of California's top universities located within a 12 mile radius, including:
The neighborhood is an ideal place for student housing, with some of California's top universities located within a 12 mile radius, including:- Fullerton College – Established in 1913, Fullerton College is the oldest running community college in California.
- California State University, Fullerton – CSUF is known for its strong academic programs in business, engineering, and communications. It is also home to the 26-acre Fullerton Arboretum.
- Chapman University – This private institution prides itself on its film, business, and health sciences programs.
Placentia North
Known for upscale homes priced at least $1 million, Placentia North is a tranquil community of long-time homeowners. If one is looking for a taste of suburbia, this is the place.
Homes in Placentia North are larger with three to five bedrooms and spacious yards. The majority of these properties were built from 1970 to 1999, but a good number were built between the 1940s and the 1960s.
Placentia North is home to professionals who wish to have an easy commute to work but live far enough to relax in a tranquil atmosphere. The average driving time to work from the neighborhood is around 15 to 30 minutes.
- Livingston Avenue and Roanoke Street
The Livingston-Roanoke neighborhood is home to a diverse mix of professionals and college students, resulting in a vibrant community where walkability is a key feature. A popular residential choice among young families and students of nearby universities, the Livingston-Roanoke neighborhood features walkable restaurants, coffee shops, and services that are especially busy during college season.
Homes in Livingston Avenue and Roanoke Street are typically priced in the $1 million range with three to five bedrooms and spacious indoor and outdoor living areas.
- Kraemer Park
What sets Kraemer Park apart from other Placentia communities is the abundance of open spaces. Located in the area are two public parks and stretches of green space where residents can take a break from the bustle of daily life.
Living in Kraemer, you can enjoy a softball game at Kraemer Memorial Park or head to Tri-City Park to spend the day launching model sailboats or fishing. The average driving time to work is just a short 15 to 30 minutes.
Homes in this close knit community have an average price of around $1 million.
Top schools in Placentia, CA
Living in Placentia, CA gives you access to the award-winning Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD), which serves the community. Rated A+ by Niche.com, PYLUSD schools are known for their rigorous academic and college preparatory programs.
PLYUSD students have earned record-breaking test scores in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. They have also won accolades not only in the Academic Decathlon but also in the visual and performing arts and more.
These are some of the top schools in the district:
Fairmont Elementary Graded a perfect 10 by GreatSchools.org, Fairmont Elementary students have achieved above average test scores in math, science, and English.
Kraemer Middle School Apart from their strong academic program, Kraemer allows children to explore their budding interests through various student organizations, including clubs in theater, chemistry, hip-hop, and math. Niche.com also gives the middle school an A+ for their dedicated teachers.
Valencia High School Graded A+ by Niche.com, the high school offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate Program. Valencia has produced 80 senior IB graduates in the last year alone, along with a 98% pass rate on AP exams.
La Jolla
With its rows of three to four unit apartments, La Jolla is a bustling neighborhood for people who wish to live close to the downtown area and have easy access to the 57 Freeway, which bisects the neighborhood.
Many homes in the area were built from the 1940s to the 1960s, with a few built between 1970 and 2000. A good number are rental properties, and are among the most sought after rentals throughout the county.
Home prices in the area are typically in the $780,000 dollar range.
Things to do in Placentia, CA
Living in Placentia, CA isn’t just about school or work. There will always be time for fun too!
Here are some of the best things to see and do in the city.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Placentia, CA offers both the excitement of city living and the calm energy of being close to nature. These are just two of the many Orange County parks weekend warriors can quickly access from the city:
Kraemer Memorial Park – You can hold birthday picnics, barbecues, and friendly basketball games in this neighborhood park. It also features playgrounds and expansive open grassy spaces where kids can run around.
Tri-City Park – This 40-acre wildlife sanctuary is perfect for avid bird watchers and cyclists. The park also has an 8-acre lake for fishing and model sailboat enthusiasts.
Revisit Placentia’s history
While the city has moved on from its orange picking days, Placentia continues to preserve its small-town roots through its living museums. History buffs will surely enjoy these time capsules of Placentia’s rich agricultural heritage:
The Bradford House – Built in 1902 on 1.5 acres of land, the Bradford House’s stately halls lets visitors imagine the life of one of Placentia’s founding families. The Victorian home is two stories tall and once had 15 rooms to shelter and entertain a family made prosperous by the Valencia orange industry. Apart from historical artifacts, guests can also enjoy seasonal concerts on the property.
George Key Ranch Historic Park – This ancestral home from the 1890s is another product of Placentia’s agricultural boom. Here, guests can see the actual farming equipment residents used to grow Placentia’s famous oranges. In the summers, visitors can still harvest the fruit in the property’s grove.
Have fun with the family
A family-friendly community, Placentia and the neighboring areas offer activities that residents of all ages can enjoy:
Visit the Orange County Zoo – The OC Zoo provides its resident animals with an environment that closely resembles their natural habitats. There is also a petting zoo with barnyard animals where children can learn more about these furry and feathered creatures. Outdoorsy folks may opt to go on horseback trail rides and hikes within the zoo’s location, Irvine Regional Park.
Drive to the nearest amusement park – Strategically located in Northern Orange County, Placentia is less than 12 miles away from Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, two of the most famous amusement parks in California.
Join the Placentia Heritage Festival and Parade – Held in the fall, this annual celebration takes place in Tri-City Park and is host to a business expo, indie food brands, carnival games, and even a car show.
Shop and dine
Placentia boasts a community of small businesses that adds to its charm. Not only do these businesses give Placentia a character that's all its own, they also serve to highlight the city's rich cultural and agricultural heritage.
Placentia Farmers Market – Held weekly at Placentia Town Center, this community market features fresh produce grown by local farmers and allows residents to meet face to face with local farmers.
Old Town Placentia – The city’s main shopping district reflects its deep Mexican roots and is host to several small but well-loved restaurants, like Tlaquepaque and El Farolito.
Hecho en Mexico – For two decades, this award-winning family-owned gift shop has been offering patrons colorful artisanal crafts they won’t find anywhere else.
Moving to Placentia, CA
More progress awaits Placentia residents, including:
New developments – Two mixed-use apartment complexes, a townhome project, and a veterans' village are lined up to maximize Placentia’s unused lots.
New attractions – Two shopping centers and a Marriott hotel are in the works, bringing more excitement and attracting new visitors to the city.
Revitalized downtown – An exciting makeover for Old Town is underway, which includes plans for more walkable paths and a Metrolink station.
Find the perfect home for you and your family in Placentia, CA
Placentia, CA embodies the ideal suburban community where you can enjoy a tranquil, family-friendly way of life and easy access to urban conveniences and places of work. If this is the lifestyle for you, we can help you find the perfect home in the city.
For over 20 years, IMPACT Properties has been helping buyers and sellers close the best transactions in Placentia, Yorba Linda, and other Southern California communities. We also offer relocation services to make your transition to your new home seamless and enjoyable.
Our founder, Aaron Zapata, and our expert Realtors can guide you to the Placentia, CA homes for sale that match your needs, preferences, and real estate goals, and we go above and beyond to help you own the home of your dreams.
If you are ready to sell your home in the area and relocate to a new community, we have the expertise to help you get the best price for your property and close a sale fast.
Explore your options and call us today at 888.508.0518. You can also send us an email or leave us a note here on this website.