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[fluffydelusions]

My fiancce wants to get out of NYC and move to Cali, orange county area specifically. What are some nice areas to live out there? I work from home so commute is not a concern for me. Also we are paying $2000/mo here for rent if that helps any.

 

[HKnightz]

I think irvine is supposed to be one of the safest cities in the nation. There are a bunch of cities in the oc though (Fullerton, Anaheim, Brea, all the way down to San Clemente). You should probably let us know what else you'd be looking for other than "nice"

 

[Clydefrog]

I would advise the highlighted area

I live in Newport but if I were to pick anywhere I could, I'd move to Laguna Beach.

 

[Lambtron]

I am going to follow this thread. I would like to find somewhere reasonable and safe to live in SoCal.

 

[see5harp]

$2000/month can get a pretty decent place most parts of the OC. I was born in Huntington Beach and it wasn't so bad. Why does your woman want to be in the OC? Personally I'd choose Nor Cal over So Cal if I had a choice. For $2000 you might be able to rent a one bedroom apartment in San Francisco.

 

[maxcriden]

A friend of mine used to live in Tustin and was pretty happy with it. I looked at Orange and it seemed decent. Neither would be on the level of the highlighted area above, which are really nice (apart from Seal Beach which IIRC is more decent than super nice). Personally my wife and I lived in Redondo Beach previously and really loved it there. That's north of the OC and closer to LA, though. Beautiful area, though.

 

[sqwarlock]

Following this thread because I might be getting a job offer very soon for a job out in Irvine. Would be moving from Phoenix by myself, and have been worrying about where to go. I'm looking at east/south-east Costa Mesa, South Coast Metro, Aliso Viejo, and east Irvine.

 

[Instro]

Yorba Linda

 

[AlphaSnake]

My fiancce wants to get out of NYC and move to Cali, orange county area specifically. What are some nice areas to live out there? I work from home so commute is not a concern for me. Also we are paying $2000/mo here for rent if that helps any.

I left NYC for Orange County...Florida.

But just be clear of a few things, cost of living is HIGHER in California's Orange County than New York City.

1) Taxes are higher
2) Gasoline is more expensive
3) You absolutely NEED a car.
4) Real estate is a tick higher than NYC in many areas, so $2000 is a doable budget, but just be aware that you won't be saving money living in a nice area in OC. You may find yourself spending a tad bit more.

Otherwise, good luck and do A LOT of research. There are a TON of really shitty areas in Orange County - I'd generally avoid anything near downtown Los Angeles, for example. Places like Long Beach and Comtpon are also the obvious no-nos you want to stay far from.

 

[MangoMoustache]

I used to live in Costa Mesa, right at the end of the 55 freeway. It was a one bedroom apartment for around $1,200 a month. It was really nice. Costa Mesa is probably one of the more affordable areas, while still being nearby everything else. Orange County is a really sweet place.

 

[CaptainSlow]

I have family in Orange, San Clemente and Irvine and they're both great. I'd love to live there someday. If you want to live by the ocean, San Clemente is the best though.

 

[Rhaknar]

Thread made me feel like watching The OC again (well, the first season)

 

[sqwarlock]

I used to live in Costa Mesa, right at the end of the 55 freeway. It was a one bedroom apartment for around $1,200 a month. It was really nice. Costa Mesa is probably one of the more affordable areas, while still being nearby everything else. Orange County is a really sweet place.

What was the name of the complex? PM me if you don't feel like disclosing it publicly.

 

[fluffydelusions]

I left NYC for Orange County...Florida.

But just be clear of a few things, cost of living is HIGHER in California's Orange County than New York City.

1) Taxes are higher
2) Gasoline is more expensive
3) You absolutely NEED a car.
4) Real estate is a tick higher than NYC in many areas, so $2000 is a doable budget, but just be aware that you won't be saving money living in a nice area in OC. You may find yourself spending a tad bit more.

Otherwise, good luck and do A LOT of research. There are a TON of really shitty areas in Orange County - I'd generally avoid anything near downtown Los Angeles, for example. Places like Long Beach and Comtpon are also the obvious no-nos you want to stay far from.

That is going to be a change. I haven't driven in um like 15 years lol

 

[maxcriden]

That is going to be a change. I haven't driven in um like 15 years lol

He's right, though. You will be driving, every day if you want to leave your house. It's a big change from NYC life for sure. But it's very freeing in a way, too.

 

[FStop7]

Irvine is corporate hell. It's literally owned by a corporation. It's a McCity.

How much time have you and your fiance(e) spent out here? You really need to visit and explore before committing to a spot where you want to live. This place is a A) massive on a scale that's hard to describe and B) wildly diverse in terms of climate, lifestyle, etc.

 

[jb1234]

That is going to be a change. I haven't driven in um like 15 years lol

Yeah, the Los Angeles area definitely isn't NYC in terms of transportation. But the good news about driving is that you never really forget how to do it (assuming you knew how in the first place and with a lot of the drivers on the road, even that is debatable).

 

[greatestjediever]

I'm from Garden Grove and went to Irvine for undergrad and worked in the Newport Beach for most of my life before moving to DC.

For $2000 a month there's a lot you can afford though beachside property might be a stretch. Is your budget the same?

Also, what kind of life are you looking for? Do you prefer quiet and suburban (prob a little nicer in terms of quality of properties) but a longer commute to the nightlife? Or do would you rather be closer to things to do?

Also, what city would you guys be working in? Are you fine with commutes?

Best of luck regardless. Most of my friends and family all still live in the OC and I'd like to move back some day.

 

[No Love]

I live north of the 405/Bellflower Blvd, near Cal State Long Beach, east of the Long Beach Airport.. Very awesome, nice, pleasant area. I nicknamed it "Pleasantville" because it's so peaceful and calm, nice wide open spaces.

If you can rent a house around here, I recommend it. It's close to most major freeways, there's tons of stores of any kind you'll need, you can get to any part of LA/Orange County with relative ease, the beach is 10 mins away... it's great.

 

[Septimus Prime]

You'll actually most likely need two cars--one for you and one for your fiancee.

But I will second that Irvine is super nice. Don't expect to own property out there, but for renting, it's a great place to live.

 

[Calamari41]

I would advise the highlighted area

I live in Newport but if I were to pick anywhere I could, I'd move to Laguna Beach.

This map is accurate. I would also pick Laguna Beach but good luck with your budget there.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Irvine - Safe, Boring and expensive
Costa Mesa -- Not as safe, cheaper, cooler shit to do
Newport - Expensive, Safe, close to beach
Santa Ana - Sketchy areas, cheaper, some cool places to go
Laguna Beach - Expensive, Beach, cool shit to do
Anaheim - dont know much about it

PS I live in Irvine zzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[BobLoblaw]

I moved from TN to Orange County, Orange to be specific. Love it. Orange, Tustin, and Irvine are nice. Only been to the coast areas a few times, but they're really nice too...if you can afford it.

 

[Brakke]

Fullerton is p good.

 

[Ken]

irvine is booooooooring

it is pretty nice and safe though, i guess.

 

[Calamari41]

Honestly if I were able to pick a spot completely blank-slate like you are able to, I would center my search in the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa/Irvine triangle. The further northwest you go, the more "industrialized" and "urban" you get. The further southeast you go, the less developed you get. If that makes sense. I guess another way to say it is that the further north you go, the more it looks like LA, while the further south you go, the more it looks like the locations from "Real Housewives of Orange County"

 

[BriareosGAF]

Irvine is corporate hell. It's literally owned by a corporation. It's a McCity.

How much time have you and your fiance(e) spent out here? You really need to visit and explore before committing to a spot where you want to live. This place is a A) massive on a scale that's hard to describe and B) wildly diverse in terms of climate, lifestyle, etc.

Irvine is truly terrifying; I used to live in Tustin right on the border with Irvine and that was quite close enough. We'd often hang out in Balboa and Newport Beach in the summers, which was fun in small doses. Living on the coast is nice but ridiculously expensive, and there are so many hassles with parking and neighbors and what not if you don't have incredible amounts of money to get enough land to avoid that. If I had to move back there I'd be looking for something out in the range country or farther south, maybe Rancho Santa Margarita. Actually I just looked at I can't even find anything over an acre listed there.

And the traffic, ugh. Might as well just kill yousrelf now and be done with it.

At least you can have a burrito from Jalapeno's before you go.

 

[op_ivy]

it would be a bit of a commute, but i LOVED living in san dimas. backed up right against the mountains and wilderness (saw my first wild bear in san dimas!). small (ish) town feel. a bit country. also, i hear their high school rules. or at least their football team.

also,, went to college at csu fullerton. thats a nice area too (yorba linda/placentia). but still, if i had to go back, i love san dimas

 

[eudaemonic]

Irvine - Safe, Boring and expensive
Costa Mesa -- Not as safe, cheaper, cooler shit to do
Newport - Expensive, Safe, close to beach
Santa Ana - Sketchy areas, cheaper, some cool places to go
Laguna Beach - Expensive, Beach, cool shit to do
Anaheim - dont know much about it

PS I live in Irvine zzzzzzzzzzzz

Never had a problem with Costa Mesa. Lots of blue collar working Mexican families though so if the idea of people with tanned skinned and rough fingers makes it unsafe, then yeah. I've either lived on the border of Newport and Costa Mesa or in Costa Mesa the past ten years. I love the area. Tons of amazing things to eat and do surrounding it.

Santa Ana I would agree with though. That does have sketchy areas.

Best thing to keep in mind too as the closer you are to the beach, the cooler the temp will be and you'll be less likely to catch on fire. One mile away can easily be a five degree difference on some days.

 

[Calamari41]

One thing to note for sure is that Costa Mesa is slowly earning a reputation as a culinary hotspot in OC. If you're into that kind of thing, it's worth researching.

 

[thezerofire]

Irvine is really boring, as is Tustin outside of its Old Town (I lived in Tustin Ranch for 18 years and Irvine for 4). Costa Mesa is the most fun city in my opinion

 

[Casimir]

.

 

[Ken]

Irvine is really boring, as is Tustin outside of its Old Town (I lived in Tustin Ranch for 18 years and Irvine for 4). Costa Mesa is the most fun city in my opinion

are you still there at zot zot land

 

[thezerofire]

are you still there zot zot

nope, graduated in '13. I live in SF now

zot zot

 

[Ken]

nope, graduated in '13. I live in SF now

zot zot

grats

zot zot

 

[Letterbomb]

I would highly, highly recommend you settle in either Mission Viejo or San Juan. Both are safe, clean, and have plenty to do. On top of that, they're both extremely close to the coastline as well as the larger cities. Unsure about expenses though. Safe to say it won't exactly be cheap. It is SoCal, after all.

 

[Five]

Irvine - Safe, Boring and expensive
Costa Mesa -- Not as safe, cheaper, cooler shit to do
Newport - Expensive, Safe, close to beach
Santa Ana - Sketchy areas, cheaper, some cool places to go
Laguna Beach - Expensive, Beach, cool shit to do
Anaheim - dont know much about it

PS I live in Irvine zzzzzzzzzzzz

This is a great summary. The only reason Costa Mesa gets marked as "not as safe" is because Irvine has many years won the title of safest city in the country. Like, hobos and poors get kicked out kind of safe.

I live in Newport right next to the fairgrounds, probably within walking distance of where MangoMoustache says he lived. It's really quite great in this general area. It gets a lot more expensive the closer you get to the coast, though.

 

[davepoobond]

Irvine has a lot of nice houses.

Northern Orange County cities are more like LA and are closer as well, if you desire easier access to LA county.

 

[the_firewithin]

Fullerton
parts of Anaheim
Cypress
HB
Irvine really nice
Newport and Laguna nice but expensive
most of buena park

 

[Sectorseven]

Where in Cali do I move for perfect weather and none of that smog shit?

 

[zeopower6]

In downtown Anaheim here. It's nice and they've been building TONS of new apartment complexes here... but no one is moving in. =_=

 

[PeregrinSe7en]

Come to Fullerton (were im from). very pleasant town full of many quality restaurants and shops. lots of quite neighborhoods if that's what you like OP.

 

[the_firewithin]

Where in Cali do I move for perfect weather and none of that smog shit?

mainly the beach cities at least smog wise

 

[Vice]

Where in Cali do I move for perfect weather and none of that smog shit?

The Bay Area

 

[maxcriden]

mainly the beach cities at least smog wise

Yep! This is why living in RB was so awesome. A few pics I took while living there, this was a 10 minute walk from our apartment:

 

[Angelus Errare]

Yorba Linda if you're white.

Fixed. Fuckers are racist as THEE fuck there.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

My fiancce wants to get out of NYC and move to Cali, orange county area specifically. What are some nice areas to live out there? I work from home so commute is not a concern for me. Also we are paying $2000/mo here for rent if that helps any.

Be prepared for $2500+ rent for any thing in Orange County.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

Where in Cali do I move for perfect weather and none of that smog shit?

Not in Los Angeles. The Smog is trapped the by the Surrounding mountains and a temperature inversion that prevents smog from being blown over the mountains

 

[eudaemonic]

Yep! This is why living in RB was so awesome. A few pics I took while living there, this was a 10 minute walk from our apartment:

I don't know if they're still talking about doing it but the last rumors I heard they were gonna tear down that whole strip and rebuild. Love going to Naja's and that little churro booth has some of the best churros I've had in my life. It's kinda stinky at the moment though since this happened.

Where in Cali do I move for perfect weather and none of that smog shit?

The weather for the entire state is far from perfect as far as I'm concerned considering the drought we're having. Beach though for less smog since it generally gets pushed inland by the ocean winds.

 

[AlphaSnake]

That is going to be a change. I haven't driven in um like 15 years lol

Holy shit. Yeah...you're going to need two cars. Don't get anything shitty either, because you'll need something that won't break down on the endless highways California has. So that means you also need car insurance, registration fees, inspection fees, etc. At the very least get a pair of Nissan Versas to get you around or Chevy Sonics.

Are you guys guaranteed employment in California? Have you considered Florida? You can go a lot further on your income in Florida than in California, and have a better quality of life as we don't have state taxes and our sales tax is pretty low.