In one of the safest and most educated cities in the country, Woodbridge High students are both extremely privileged and often ignorant to the “real world,” deeply influencing the course of their lives.
The so-called Irvine Bubble–a colloquial term expressing Irvine’s sheltered, controlled state, distinct from the chaos of the rest of the world–is infamous throughout the country for its unique qualities.
According to the City of Irvine, the city has won many awards throughout the years, including “Best City to Live in” by The Orange County Register, seventh place in Wallethub.com’s “Most Serene City in the United States,” fourth place in Wallethub.com’s “Best City in the U.S. to Raise a Family,” “Safest City of its Size for Part I Violent Crime” according to the FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime
Report, and many more.
Irvine is also known for its strict “masterplan,” which has dictated neighborhood designs and land use since the 1960s, furthering its uniformity. Almost the entire city is controlled by the Irvine Company, led by billionaire Donald Bren, according to Michael Waters and John Gittelsohn’s Bloomberg article, “Irvine, California: How One Billionaire Controls the Hottest Housing Market.”
“Irvine Co. owns about 75% of the apartment units in the City of Irvine…almost every shopping center in Irvine…many of the city’s office spaces…golf club and a solar panel installation business…even the Irvine Standard, a community newspaper delivered to residents,” Waters and Gittelsohn wrote.
With such a unique history and atmosphere, many controversial opinions have formed regarding the city and its effect on residents. Many describe it, “A nightmarishly ‘safe’ suburb…100% culture free, 100% personality free,” as one user on Urban Dictionary put it. Its identical looking neighborhoods, careful planning, and lack of small businesses lead many to see it as almost dystopian.
Additionally, many criticize Irvine for its lack of diversity. While there is a variety of ethnicities in Irvine and a large immigrant population, it is rather homogeneous in its income levels and viewpoints. Much of Irvine’s culture is shaped by upper-middle class nuclear families, mostly college educated, politically moderate, and employed in technology or management sectors. Consequently, this often leads to a limited world-view, or a very limited idea of what “a life well-lived” can mean, especially with Irvine’s intense focus on education.
Some, like junior Sofia Zamorano Higuera believe this can pose as a mixed blessing at times. “[Irvine is very] education-centered, where people really focus on school and success [and] it pressures me a lot…[but] this type of environment where everything is planned will help me succeed in the future,” Higuera said.
But, it is clear that in general, though there are some concerns, most students are extremely grateful to have grown up in this city. Being able to live in an area with parks, clean spaces, and little danger is very beneficial both for one’s physical and mental health, especially for families with children.
Furthermore, Irvine Unified School District, recognized as the best school district in Orange County by Niche.com, provides top-tier public education, setting students up for success. Being able to live in a city where 70% of residents have at least a Bachelor’s degree and the median household income is $114,027, according to the City of Irvine, provides students with many positive role models.
Many, like junior Allison Mateus Guzman, deeply appreciate this. “Living in Irvine…motivates me to work hard for a successful future, reminding me of the kind of place I want for myself and my family,” Guzman said.
Additionally, as the U.S. National Institutes of Health states in their article, “The Impact of Role Models, Mentors, and Heroes on Academic and Social Outcomes in Adolescents,” “An association between having a role model with positive outcomes, such as elevated self-esteem, performance in school, and resilience has been established.”
Many students’ families moved to Irvine for these exact reasons, cultivating their pride in being residents of this city. “My family decided to live here because my parents saw the opportunity for a
better lifestyle and, primarily, to increase the chances of having a better future for me and my sister,” Higuera said.
Yet, many wonder how students of Woodbridge High will experience the world once they leave Irvine. For one, students will be prepared academically for whatever university or job they apply to. But, some worry how they will fare in other cities, since their “street smarts” are less developed. In areas that aren’t as safe, organized, or clean, many Woodbridge High students who lived their whole lives in Irvine report feeling lost or out of place.
For most, Irvine is not just a hometown, but the origin of the standards by which they will forever measure their life. Though the long-term impacts of living in Irvine remain somewhat unclear, overall, as junior Madeline Kha expressed, those who have the opportunity to grow up here are extremely lucky.
“Living in Irvine has definitely given me a high standard when it comes to safety, cleanliness, and education…I would want my future children to grow up in a place with strong schools, safety,
and opportunities similar to what I experienced here,” Kha said.
