New to Laguna Woods? Start Here

Welcome to the Village. You do not need to learn everything at once. Here is the order most new residents find easiest.

Day 1

1. Get your Resident ID card at Resident Services, Community Center, 24351 El Toro Road (Mon-Fri 8-5). Bring photo ID and your closing or lease papers. The card opens clubhouses, pools, fitness centers and the bus.
2. Set up gate access. Ask about the RFID vehicle decal ($25 per vehicle) so the gate arm lifts for you, and register your guests on dwellingLIVE or by calling Gate Clearance 949-597-4301.
3. Save the two numbers: Resident Services 949-597-4600 and Security (24 hours) 949-580-1400.
4. Create your Resident Portal login at portal.lagunawoodsvillage.com to see your account and submit service requests.

First week

1. Know your Mutual. Your manor belongs to United Laguna Woods Mutual (co-op), Third Laguna Hills Mutual (condo) or Mutual Fifty (Towers). Rules, assessments and alteration permits come from your Mutual; shared amenities come from GRF. Pick up your Mutual's New Resident Orientation packet at Resident Services.
2. Learn trash, recycling and parking rules for your building - they differ by Mutual and by cul-de-sac. Your orientation packet has the schedule.
3. Ride the bus once. Easy Rider routes run Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with your Resident ID. See Transportation.
4. Walk through a clubhouse. There are seven; each has a different mix of rooms, studios and courts. See Things to Do.
5. Submit your first service request (even a small one) on the portal so you know how it works before you need it urgently.

First month

1. Join one club. There are more than 200. Use Find a Club - by interest, with a contact to call.
2. Try a class. Recreation (949-597-4273) and the Saddleback College Emeritus Institute run classes in the Village.
3. Visit the Village Library (more than 30,000 items) and the fitness centers.
4. Meet Social Services (949-597-4267) before you need them: caregiver resources, counseling, support groups, Medicare questions.
5. Attend one Board or Mutual meeting, in person or online, to see how decisions are made.
6. Before any remodeling, call Manor Alterations 949-597-4616. Permits come first; contractors second.