By Eric Engelbert

Ask people who live in Mesa Verde why they chose it, and the answers sound remarkably alike: more room, quiet streets, great youth sports and a location that makes the rest of Orange County easy to reach. As a Mesa Verde resident since 2007, I hear the same reasons from neighbors and from buyers who finally find a home here.

Mesa Verde sits on the Westside of Costa Mesa, bounded by the 405 freeway, Harbor Boulevard, Victoria Street and the Santa Ana River. Here are the reasons people love living in Mesa Verde.

1Larger Lots and Room to Breathe

In a built-out city like Costa Mesa, land is the one thing you cannot make more of. Many Mesa Verde homes sit on lots that are larger than those in much of the surrounding area, and in the State Streets pocket, lots often run 7,500 square feet or more. That means space for a real backyard, a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a play area or a future addition.

Larger lots also mean more privacy between neighbors and a more open feel on every block.

2Single Level Homes

Mesa Verde is known for its single story ranch homes. For families with young children, buyers planning to stay for decades and anyone who prefers to avoid stairs, one level living is a real advantage. Rooms flow easily to the yard, daily life is simpler and the floor plan works at every stage of life.

Single level homes also give buyers room to grow. A well-located ranch on a larger lot can be updated, expanded or reimagined over time. If a single story home is your goal, browse our guides to single level homes in Costa Mesa and single level homes in Orange County.

3Spacious Streets and Quiet Neighborhoods

Drive through Mesa Verde and you notice the difference quickly. The streets are wide, the blocks are calm and mature trees line many of them. Residential pockets such as the State Streets have low through traffic, which makes them popular for evening walks, bike rides and kids playing outside.

It feels like a neighborhood in the best sense: people know each other, and many owners stay for years. Learn more in our guide to homes for sale in the State Streets.

4A Family Oriented Community

Mesa Verde has a long list of places for families to spend time outside. Neighborhood parks such as Tanager Park, Moon Park, Mesa Verde Park and Smallwood Park give kids room to play, and Fairview Park offers trails, wetlands and the Goat Hill Junction mini train. Golf lovers have the Mesa Verde Country Club and the Costa Mesa Golf Course close by.

Add youth sports, neighborhood events and a steady stream of families who have lived here for years, and it is easy to see why Mesa Verde feels so welcoming.

Golfers on the course at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa
A round at Mesa Verde Country Club

5Youth Sports That Bring the Community Together

Youth sports are a big part of life in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa AYSO Region 120 and Costa Mesa Little League (CMLL) are both outstanding organizations, run by dedicated volunteers who give kids a great place to learn, compete and make friends close to home.

Entrance sign for Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa
Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa

Many games are played at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex, a large and beautiful park where kids play soccer and flag football. Saturday mornings there are a real community event, with families on the sidelines and neighbors cheering for each other's kids.

I have coached in CMLL, AYSO and flag football, so I have spent a lot of time on those fields with my own kids and with kids from around the community. It is a special place to raise a family.

Costa Mesa Little League baseball team and coaches celebrating on the field after a game
Celebrating after a Costa Mesa Little League game

6A Central Location Near the Beach

Mesa Verde puts you in the middle of coastal Orange County. Newport Beach and Huntington Beach are a short drive away, so a weekend beach day or a sunset walk by the water is easy to fit into a normal week. South Coast Plaza, John Wayne Airport and the best dining in Costa Mesa are also close by.

The 405 runs along the neighborhood's northern edge, and the 55 and the 73 are nearby, which makes it simple to get around the county without a long drive.

7Minutes to Irvine and the Job Centers of Orange County

Irvine is one of the main job centers of Orange County, home to the Irvine Spectrum, the Irvine Business Complex and many large employers. From Mesa Verde, it is a short drive on the 405, which gives you a quieter home life with a manageable commute. The same goes for the offices and businesses of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

For many buyers, that mix of space at home and a short route to work is exactly what makes Mesa Verde stand out.

Off-Market in the State Streets

If a single level home in the State Streets of Mesa Verde is on your wish list, I am working with an off-market single level, 4 bedroom home in the State Streets. Pricing and details are shared privately with my early access list. Text State Streets to 949-430-7501 to be included.

You can also browse all Mesa Verde homes for sale, or see what your Mesa Verde home is worth.

Thinking About Mesa Verde?

Whether you are buying your first home, moving up to a larger lot or downsizing to a single level, I would be happy to walk you through the neighborhood and help you find the right fit.

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