Where to live between OC and LA (Long Beach, Glendale: apartment, to rent)

[Rutgers2010]

My boyfriend and I are looking for affordable (preferably under 1200), safe areas to rent an apartment between orange county and los angeles. We checked out a few in Long Beach but had trouble finding ones that had what we are looking for in terms of price, adequate parking, etc. What other cities would be worth checking out?

Thank you!

[nowincal11]

It depends where each of you need to be. Where in LA County and where in OC?

I wouldn't recommend Burbank if one works in Glendale and the other in Fullerton for example.

[bhcompy]

You can find something near Cypress College in Cypress that should work pricewise and definitely be safe

[Rutgers2010]

Originally Posted by nowincal11

It depends where each of you need to be. Where in LA County and where in OC?

I wouldn't recommend Burbank if one works in Glendale and the other in Fullerton for example.

He works near Venice Beach, I work in Costa Mesa and go to school in Irvine.

Thank you!

[nowincal11]

Oh wow. The easiest would be for you to have a minimal commute and live in Costa Mesa, Irvine, or Huntington Beach (all have 1 beds in decent neighborhoods in your price range) because you work in Costa Mesa and go to school in Irvine, which would mean he has a tough commute. Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley by the Freeway should put a 75 minute commute for him. Where his commute will get jammed up in the morning is around LAX north to Venice and in the afternoon around Long Beach.

If you choose to do the middle thing and both have a sizeable commute of about 45 minutes each, I would suggest Long Beach (which you didn't sound like you wanted), Seal Beach, or Carson (problem here is your commute to work and school is long). Cypress and Cerritos aren't bad either and it is about halfway traffic wise for each of you (his commute might be slightly longer at an hour).

[BRinSM]

at least one of you will have a miserable commute, if not both. my wife used to live in LBC before we were married and commute to costa mesa (30-60 minutes depending on traffic) and i would stay over sometimes. i worked in century city and had to be on the road before 6 to avoid traffic. i lived near LAX, so i would head home, finish getting ready then go to work. a couple of time i went straight into the office and it took almost 2 hours!!!! you may consider someplace like redondo beach, but you'd still be looking at an hour or more to each of your work locations. if i were you, i'd come check out both locations and determine which you liked more. after making that decision, have you or your bf find a job closer to the prefered location.