I LOVE this comment - this is the EXACT same thing I got from people when I moved to Fresno - your friends love living there because THEY DO NOT LIVE IN LA - both Irvine and Newport Beach are in Orange County - very specifically different from Los Angeles. Most people unfamiliar with the area tend to look at all of southern california as LA - but that is simply not true.

I love Newport beach - in fact , I was born there. And I grew up in Irvine with my cousins so I am very familiar with it. - both cities are very nice , posh towns with practically zero graffitti - beautiful yards and awesome weather almost year round. The people are a little stuck up - but it's only cause they are used t living in the lap of luxury - at least your way less likely to get car jacked or end up in a riot.