For Kelly Hema and her family of four, this is the California dream: settling into their new home atop the city in time for the holidays.
“We were so excited to celebrate Thanksgiving and now Christmas here,” Hema says, standing in the California Great Room of her Portola Springs home. “The holidays are a time of celebration and new beginnings — the perfect time to celebrate as a family in our new home.”
Hema and her family lived in Woodbury Village for five years and chose to stay in Irvine because of the city’s natural beauty. They chose Portola Springs because of its easy access to nature, schools, parks and shopping. And they chose The Bluffs for its breezy, open-air California lifestyle.
“We feel our purchase in Portola Springs is also an incredible investment that will only increase in value,” she says.
Last year, Portola Springs added a new high-tech elementary school; a new 32-acre hilltop sports park; a new community center; three new neighborhoods overlooking the city; and new trails that lead to Irvine’s Northern Open Space Preserve.
“I am a Realtor and see high demand for Portola Springs,” Hema says. “I sold a home to a client in our same community. They will be moving in just in time for the holidays also. It is really special to share that experience with them.”
In 2015, when Hema and her husband bought their home in Woodbury Village, they first experienced all that Irvine’s Master Plan has to offer: from safety and schools to nearby shopping, parks and open space.
“Everything is so green and beautiful,” she says. “The beauty of the city made us fall in love, and we knew Irvine was where we wanted to live.”
Also, because their Woodbury home was built by Irvine Pacific, they sought another community built by Irvine Pacific – in this case The Bluffs.
“From our new home,” she says, “we have spectacular city views and can even see Catalina Island on a clear day.”