Some people have modest dreams. They want to buy one of those new homes Ontario's suburban cities have so many of, get a decent paying job that they don't hate, and have a few kids. For modest dreamers, living in California is a hopelessly remote possibility. But California isn't all about multi million dollar mansions in Beverly Hills and being a movie star. There are people with modest dreams here, too. There are thousands of people in Santa Ana who are teachers and bank clerks and plumbers, just like you. Let us show you the very real possibilities in Santa Ana, California.

We'll cover the most worrisome aspect first, since it makes or breaks many people's plans. We're talking, of course, about money. Whether you think Santa Ana is expensive depends on where you're coming from. People who have just put up a Riverdale, Toronto house for sale will find it inexpensive. Rural homeowners will find it dear. To help you figure out where you fall on this scale, note that the cost of living is nearly 50% above the national average.

If you can afford your groceries, taxes, and other living expenses, though, you will find that now is an excellent time to buy a home in Santa Ana. Two years ago, the average price for a detached home was $613,000. Today, the effects of the mortgage crisis and the recession have brought listing prices down to an average of $316,000 and sale prices down to about $250,000. That's around the price you would pay for a place at Square One Condominiums in Toronto. It's a buyer's market right now, and if you buy before it recovers you could save up to $350,000, meaning homes in Santa Ana are within the budget range of more people than they were before.

What kind of homes can you find here? There are two types that are more popular than others. They are the condo and the detached home. Many condos are part of low-rose complexes, while some condos are the high rise variety, but mostly these are clustered around the South Coast Plaza area. Overall, the city is very suburban, so you will find more houses akin to Lawrence Park homes for sale than you will anything else. In terms of architectural style, the sunlight, palm trees, and Spanish roots of the Santa Ana area make Spanish Colonial influences, like red tile roofs and stucco arches, very popular.

Which neighborhood would be best for you depends on your lifestyle and the type of home you want. The most popular ones right now are subdivisions like Riverview West and Bristol Manor. You neighbors there might be bankruptcy lawyers, California film industry professionals, university professors, business people, and their families.