Moving to OC alone help? (Santa Ana, Orange: transplants, apartment, leases)

[jake976]

I am planning to move from a small town in Utah to OC this summer or fall. I am 20 and have always lived at home so this will be a big change. After I achieve residency and work for a year I would like to to to Orange Coast College located near Costa Mesa. Is this area pretty safe?

I'm coming from a town where we leave our houses unlocked all day when we are gone and never lock our vehicles so i'm not real used to the city.

Are there good housing options in this area? I would need to find one or more roomates to share an apartment.

What is minimum wage in this area? The cost of living is like 170% more here so I would think the wages would be more.

Is it hard to meet people around this area? I can't go to college for a full year after moving so i'm worried about meeting people.

Also, if anyone else is thinking about making a similar move. Hit me up It would be nice to know someone else in the area and not be completely alone!

Thanks! Hope I don't sound too ignorant.

[brunodog]

Utah is Utah,

OC and LA is for the strong to live and the weak to leave.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by jake976

I am planning to move from a small town in Utah to OC this summer or fall. I am 20 and have always lived at home so this will be a big change. After I achieve residency and work for a year I would like to to to Orange Coast College located near Costa Mesa. Is this area pretty safe?

I'm coming from a town where we leave our houses unlocked all day when we are gone and never lock our vehicles so i'm not real used to the city.

Are there good housing options in this area? I would need to find one or more roomates to share an apartment.

What is minimum wage in this area? The cost of living is like 170% more here so I would think the wages would be more.

Is it hard to meet people around this area? I can't go to college for a full year after moving so i'm worried about meeting people.

Also, if anyone else is thinking about making a similar move. Hit me up It would be nice to know someone else in the area and not be completely alone!

Thanks! Hope I don't sound too ignorant.

Most of Costa Mesa is pretty safe. It would be fun to find an apartment in Balboa village (Newport Beach) if you Can find something affordable. Most of it is very expensive. Otherwise, Costa Mesa may be your Best bet.

Wages are higher, but not as much higher as cost of living. Jobs are scares and at unskilled entry level, you re competing with hundreds of thousands of Mexican and South American immigrants. Most of the traditional high school and college jobs (fast food, yard care, child care, house cleaning, janitorial, car wash, etc) are taken by immigrants (legal and illegal). Thus, it can be quite difficult to find work. However all of the young people that I know looking for that kind of job, have been able to find something. I known by chance that you Can do very well at In & Out Burger if you stay long enough and perform well enough to get into management.

If you like the outdoors, you can do a lot of things for free. You do not need as much clothing.

It is not at all hard to meet people. People are more open and outwardly friendly than most places. The problem is that many of them will prey on you, or move on as soon as they meet someone who can provide more social, or other advantages. Friendships tend to be plentiful, but often shallow ans short lived, at least at first. However that will eventually change as you locate and get to know the more "real" people.


No you do not sound ignorant. For a 20 years old it appears that you are thinking things through and obtaining information to make rational decisions more than most 20 year olds. At least you are not walking around Costa Mesa looking for a place to live and a job and wondering what you will do if you do not find both of them today.

You need a car.


Try some online roomate services. It will be hit and miss and you may have to change a few times, but you will eventually find someone who is not flakey. Do nto sign long term leases. Otherwise you may get stuck with a flake.

[RobE]

You aren't going to be able to leave your doors unlocked anywhere in Orange County. Orange Coast College is mostly known as a party school, but they have a good Japanese program. I can't speak to any of their other majors. I personally liked Santa Ana College better myself.

Costa Mesa is a pretty mixed bag. I personally wouldn't live there, but if you can get a place more toward the Newport Beach side you'll be okay. Rents will be a lot more expensive and the minimum wage doesn't really reflect the cost of living. So it will definitely be a financial struggle.

I assume you're a Mormon. There are quite a few Mormons in Orange County, so you might try finding a connection in OC through your church.

[robbybee]

I like Costa Mesa (I lived there for about 25 years and I graduated from OCC) but there are some parts of the city that are less desirable than others. The Eastside is overall the better part.

You will find lots of ads for available rooms but you should expect to pay $500 - $700 per month. Start with Craig's List but don't use that as your only reference. There are more thieves and cons in SoCal so you must be careful not to be taken advantage of. It's easy to make friends out here if you are a friendly person. You may very well find that the majority of people you meet are transplants from other parts of the country.

Have at least 3 to 4 months of a cash cushion because there is a lot of competition for jobs and it may take a while for you to find something decent.

Just don't burn any bridges as you depart Utah...

[radiojunkie2006]

Everything mentioned above is true. Moving from small town Utah to a large metropolitan area like OC will be a culture shock. Leave everything in your mind related to small town living back in Utah and tough it out. Keep an open mind and don't compare where you're from to where you will be living. You'll do alright. Good Luck!