Short-Term Apartment Rental in Orange County (San Francisco, Irvine: rentals, motel, month to)

[muziklvr]

Can somebody please help me? I am looking for temporary housing (furnished or unfurnished) for about four months in order to see if I can live in southern California so I don't need (or want) to sign a year long lease but can pay month to month; nothing expensive. I've looked on all the apartment rental sites for the Orange County area with no luck. I would love to live near a college campus (within a mile or so) but not necessarily too close to it. I need to have public transportation nearby with easy access to shopping/stores. I started looking at the Fullerton area.

I don't want to have the responsibility of having a car anymore (just sold mine). I have lived in northern California (San Francisco/Pacifica) around year 2000 and worked in walking distance of my home so my car sat in garage most of the time. Plus, if I need a car for any long distance type driving, I can rent one. Any suggestions??? I'm open to any part of the Orange County area. Currently in Chicago, IL. I am looking to move from Chicago within a month or so. Any suggestions? Thank you so much. I'm ready to Go.

[woodrough]

The Irvine Company does short term rentals in at least some of their properties. But I think they're all furnished, and it might not qualify as "nothing expensive" for you. Expensive is relative. What is your budget? Obviously, a short term rental is going to be much more expensive than a longer term one.

[wrcousert]

I think you can get a decent motel room with kitchenette for about $200 per week. Some of them aren't so nice, so be sure to ask around first.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by woodrough

The Irvine Company does short term rentals in at least some of their properties. But I think they're all furnished, and it might not qualify as "nothing expensive" for you. Expensive is relative. What is your budget? Obviously, a short term rental is going to be much more expensive than a longer term one.

All the places I've ever looked will do month to month but charge at least $200/mo above the 1 year price. So yeah, possible but not exactly cheap.

And moving to OC and insisting on relying on public transportation is about like moving to Manhattan and insisting on driving a jacked up F450 truck.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

And moving to OC and insisting on relying on public transportation is about like moving to Manhattan and insisting on driving a jacked up F450 truck.

It can be done. Keep to the majior streets and you'll be fine. You can use a bicycle to go a few miles beyond them. Take a cab occasionally. it will still be cheaper than owning your own car.

[muziklvr]

Thanks everyone for the advice and feedback. I'll get a car later but right now just like any other metro area with a transit system, I can navigate myself pretty efficiently as long as there is an alternative way I can get around; and if I need a car, I can rent one or just jump in a taxi. I've done this is NY and Chicago so I think I can do it in Orange County. I don't want the headache of a car at this time and all that comes with it especially if I'm not going to be using it. I love bicycling anyway as an alternative to getting around in the nearby areas. And the housing part was more important than the transportation part, so I'm going to take that advice as well and look for something temporary w/kitchenette for starters. thanks again.

[nurserosie]

But oc is not a metro area. And jumping in a cab ? Not likely. U would have to call one. And then wait awhile. So not practical.
Yes there are buses. But that's about it in oc.

Biking if you are into that

Good luck