"He didn't really like where he was living," Mitchell said. "It's a young
crowd down there and Shawn was growing out of that. He looked at Lido
Isle but decided on a home up
north."
Newport also appeals to athletes because of its proximity to Los Angeles,
the entertainment capital of the world. They are expected to shoot
commercials, appear on radio talk shows and sign books.
"Athletes want that proximity to Los Angeles without all the urban
crowding," said sports and entertainment superagent Leigh Steinberg,
whose office is in Newport Beach.
Steinberg should know, considering his list of endorsement-friendly
clients, such as NFL quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Drew Bledsoe.
Traveling to Orange County also has had some athletes dreaming of the
California coast when their careers are finished.
"Steve Young, Troy Aikman, and Warren Moon have all expressed interest
about living here," Steinberg said. "Some of these guys are frightened
off by the high expense of living here. I know it sounds strange, given
some of their salaries. But the competition is fierce here in Newport.
There are a lot of people, even from different countries, looking to buy
here."
Newport has its share of competition. Laguna Beach would probably be more
in demand, but there are only two roads leading into town, making access
difficult. Dana Point is home to southpaw pitcher Randy Johnson, but he
plays in Arizona and he was looking for an oceanfront home.
Aside from its location, Newport has plenty to offer: fine dining,
spacious beaches and panoramic ocean views. Perhaps most important is
privacy. With so many celebrity types living in one area, no one is
really interested in bothering others.
"It's an area you can live in private without being disturbed on a daily
basis," said Brian Foxcroft. "There are a lot of people with new money
moving here. It's one of the best places you can possibly live."
