Where??? To move with children in LA County? (Huntington Beach, Oceanside: apartment, for rent)

[december33]

Hello everyone,

Could you please offer me some good suggestions?

I currently live in the Santa Monica area, I have two young children (under the age of 5). We are in a one bed apartment paying $1475. I've grown to love this place for it's beauty and safety and location however, it is not longer practical to be here as I crave a more spacious abode for my family - and somewhere where the dollar will stretch a little further.

I'm open to Orange county as well as LA county - ideally somewhere scenic, within easy driving distance to the coast - somewhere with a very good school system, family orientated and somewhere I can actually rent a HOUSE as opposed to apartment living. I cannot go beyond $1550 in rent - do I have any viable options? Someone mentioned Oceanside, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Costa Mesa, - I'm not familiar with these places.

Can anyone offer any suggestions or further insight?

Thank you in advance.

[graciously]

think those places would be very ideal for your family but they are pretty far though or almost way out of area.

[EscapeCalifornia]

You're not going to rent a house in any parts of OC that I know of for $1550/mo, especially once you throw in the requirements of safe neighborhood with good schools and close to the beach. You might get a 2 bedroom apartment for that if you look. Try $2500 for a house.

[Charles]

Where is your job?

Is this a two income family?

Originally Posted by december33

Could you please offer me some good suggestions?

do I have any viable options?

Are you open to leaving Southern California?

[NJ-201]

Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Malibu, Hollywood ... look for these areas.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by NJ-201

Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Malibu, Hollywood ... look for these areas.

Are you joking or did you not read the post?

[MtnSurfer]

You should probably widen your net and look beyond LA & OC. Even Ventura is more affordable. But when you also mention good schools near the coast prices tend to go up. Here is Monterey we found a 3 bedroom house for $2000/mo and it is a pretty good deal. Maybe somewhere in Central CA near Pismo or SLO would be more affordable as well.

Of course the other option is to look at another state. But if you really like CA you may not be happy just to get a bigger house. For example we moved to CO with the birth of our third child and were able to buy a nice, newer home with a big backyard. But we eventually moved back to CA because I missed living near the coast. It really depends on what more important to you and your family. For some it is that bigger house. In those cases Texas, CO or even Oklahoma make more sense. It is a trade off. CA coastal RE is generally pricey even to rent. You could potentially move until you advance more in your career. Then return when a better paying job opens up.

Derek

[fatmancomics]

That sounds like a very small budget for renting a house in any decent neighborhood. You can get a two bedroom apartment for that price in some decent parts of the San Fernando Valley but not a house.
Give us more specifics about your situation other than what you're looking for. Like how much money you make on a monthly basis. Will you be needing day care? Why do you want to rent and not buy? What's your "race" and cultural background (I could've been politically correct and not brought up this one but let's face it, it matters)?

[JohnG72]

No house for you.

Not on $1500 a month. Not in a safe area with good schools.

You can rent a two bedroom apartment in Huntington Beach or in Burbank, both models of suburbia.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

No house for you. Not on $1500 a month. Not in a safe area with good schools.

Absolutely agree. That's why most families end up moving further east of L.A. Very few young families can afford the west side. Maybe later in your career, december.