Commutes to UCIrvine and USC - where to live? (Long Beach: apartment complexes, renting)

[Belfi]

I and my husband are considering moving to LA for graduate studies. The problem is that I have admission from UCIrvine and he is going to attend USC.
We are looking for a place to live! An affordable safe neighborhood for 2 students with easy access to bus or metro for both of us.
Any suggestions?
We are now considering living in Irvine. Would this commute be crazy for my husband?

[RandalR]

Originally Posted by Belfi

I and my husband are considering moving to LA for graduate studies. The problem is that I have admission from UCIrvine and he is going to attend USC.
We are looking for a place to live! An affordable safe neighborhood for 2 students with easy access to bus or metro for both of us.
Any suggestions?
We are now considering living in Irvine. Would this commute be crazy for my husband?

Irvine is a better place to live than anywhere halfway in between the two schools, but he couldn't commute by bus. Either he changes direction and goes to UC Irvine, too, or he gets a car and puts up with a hellish daily commute.

[BRinSM]

Long Beach!

[NaplesRes]

Long Beach is halfway and Long Beach is better than Irvine in my opinion.

[jayolm]

Living in Irvine for someone who will have to commute to USC is just not feasable. Please don't, he will be about 1.5 hrs to 2 hours on the road, both ways (3-4 hours total). Even by bus or metrolink would take forever. Irvine is way to far away from USC.

Try picking a city in between. Long Beach is a good choice, almost right in the middle. But somewhat still out of the way for him to go to USC. Perhaps try a north Orange County or southeast LA city, like Cerritos, or La Palma, or Lakewood. Somewhat in a better location for both of you to commute to school, and all pretty nice areas, although not as nice as Irvine. As the other poster said, see if he can transfer to UC Irvine!

[NaplesRes]

Two graduate students (without children I assume) want nothing to do with Irvine. I urge you to do some personal sightseeing of the areas. Irvine is clean and safe, but very cookie cutter and incredibly bland. It's very much a car culture, far from the ocean (hot), and full of only chain eateries and shops. Many families do like it though because there are good schools and you get a lot of house for your dollar.

Given your commutes, I think you should live in Belmont Shore. It's not a great drive for either of you but it is halfway and is manageable for both (particularly since you're students and you can probably flex your drives). Belmont Shore is an upscale, walkable town, on the ocean with a ton of shops and eateries, etc. It's a great mix of singles, couples, and families. The house range from small cottages to very large homes and they all have lots of charm. Parking can be a challenge so try to get a place with a garage if you're renting.

[Any1234]

Currently, I am in the same situation. Can you kindly let me know what you guys did at the end? It will be really helpful if you can share your experience and advice. Thanks in advance.

[1200RT]

Given that this post was 3 years ago, might not get a reply.

Are you in exactly the same situation (USC and UCI?)?

[timtemtym]

The post was 13 years ago. I am mad they didn't come back and update.

If you are in the same situation, definitely move somewhere close to an Orange County line Metrolink station.

The USC student can take that to union station then transfer to the LA Metro (free if you use your metrolink ticket). The UC Irvine commuter can drive or use the metrolink to an OCTA bus.

Fullerton and Anaheim both have lots of apartment complexes within walking/biking distance to a station.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

The post was 13 years ago. I am mad they didn't come back and update.

lol apparently math (or reading, or both) is hard for me today