NEWPORT BEACH, CA—In addition to homegrown talent, Orange County is also drawing from Silicon Beach, even though a lot of attention has been on L.A. and the West Side in particular, CBRE SVP Carol Trapani tells GlobeSt.com. According to a recent report from the firm on tech talent, Orange County ranked #9 on CBRE's list of tech-talent momentum markets, a measurement of the change in tech job growth, as part of its fifth annual Scoring Tech Talent Report.

Orange County stood out in the report in a number of other key areas. The region saw its Millennial population increase 5.7% between 2010 and 2015, above the US average of 4.6%, and it had an increase of 23.3% in its tech talent labor pool from 2011 to 2016.

We spoke with Trapani about why Millennials may be drawn to the OC office market over other markets in the region and from which other markets those who are attracted to Orange County hail.

GlobeSt.com: What is attracting Millennials to the OC office market over other markets in the region? Trapani: The combination of the increase in tech degrees, Orange County's lifestyle and the fact the OC is one of the highest-paying job markets make it very attractive to the Millennial work force.

GlobeSt.com: What is the OC market doing to retain these Millennials as they mature and their priorities shift?

Trapani: The OC lifestyle has always been an attractive market for the experienced work force. The proximity to the major employment centers and the desirable residential and beach life allow for shorter commute times and a great environment to raise a family.

GlobeSt.com: From which other markets is OC drawing its tech talent?

Trapani: While a lot of the attention has been on L.A., and particularly the West Side, the OC is quietly becoming Silicon Beach South, as our head of research for the region has so poignantly called it. Millennials from all areas are looking to Orange County once they are starting to look for a bigger house and a quieter neighborhood. The population growth in the county is partially a reflection of that. It climbed 5.7% between 2010 and 2015, which is above the US average of 4.6%.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers take away from your report on tech-momentum markets?

Trapani: Compared with other West Coast tech hubs, the OC is one of the most desirable places to live and raise a family. It has a very competitive salary offering, and the tenant occupancy cost is a bargain. Orange County may not be the first thought of a Millennial worker because our area doesn't really have urban centers like San Francisco or West L.A. But as I've said before, where the OC shines is in its quality lifestyle, and that is particularly attractive to the more-established tech workforce. They want to be able to drive home easily without being stuck in traffic for an hour like they would be in a place like L.A.

We spoke with Trapani about why Millennials may be drawn to the OC office market over other markets in the region and from which other markets those who are attracted to Orange County hail.

GlobeSt.com: What is the OC market doing to retain these Millennials as they mature and their priorities shift?

GlobeSt.com: From which other markets is OC drawing its tech talent?

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers take away from your report on tech-momentum markets?

Instant Insights /

The OC is Quietly Becoming Silicon Beach South

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