Best place near Irvine, CA to live (San Diego, Santa Ana: apartments, condo)

[mattrock1988]

Hello netizens:

So there is the distinct possibility I might get a job out in Irvine, CA. However, I have heard that cost of living within the confines of Irvine is ridiculously high. I am currently a resident of the Pittsburgh (PA) area, and I want to keep my costs to a reasonable level. I realize things might not be as cheap as Pittsburgh in California, but I was curious if there were towns nearby Irvine (within a reasonable 30 minute commuting range) that offer better living costs?


Thanks,

Matt

[Dr. Vox]

Shouldn't this be in the Orange County section, and not San Diego? Here is the thing with Irvine, it offers one of the best districts in southern California for schools(University High School and Woodbridge High are some of the best public schools in the State of California). It is an incredibly safe place to raise a family, and their are good number of technology and buisnesses that operate out of Irvine. Lots of things to do for kids, as Irvine is geared towards families. Its very well maintained. That said, i could never live there. It's way too cookie-cutter for my taste. Every home has an association that operates like the Gestapo. Let's not even mention the Irvine police department. There are some of the strictest around. I feel Irvine is a great place to raise a family, but it all feels so robotic....nothing like when I drive down to Encinitas(The "Mecca" of So. Cal living in my opinion). I prefer quirkiness, and things that are different. Irvine is all Mercedes Benzes , Suits, well manicured lawns, houses that all look the same. Again, great schools, great place to live, very safe, and a good place to raise a family....just not a place for me!
As far as rents go...good luck with not paying a lot in Irvine. It's school districts, and low crime rates alone, drive up the costs. You're probably looking at a cool $1700(roughly) for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath(completely asinine, if you ask me), and that is for a older apartment/condo. Expect to pay around $2500 for a 2 bedroom that is luxury in that area. I have a friend here who rents a luxury 1 bedroom in Irvine, very close to the University Center, area near Von Karman, and his tiny and new 900 square foot apartment he RENTS, is 3 times...that's right, 3 times more a month than what I pay for EVERYTHING for my BRAND NEW second home in Las Vegas, Nevada, that is within walking distance to concerts and sporting events. Not trying to discourage you at all, just trying to show you how insane it is to live there, and quite frankly, Irvine, aside from the school districts, is one BORING city. Give me a city like Encinitas that has charm and character, and houses with NO HOAs, anyday of the week.

[photo4fun]

you can try to post this question in the Orange County forum. There are many good suggestions already ( just search for "irvine" in the search box or click here ).

good luck

[sschibuola]

Yes, by all means search the OC Forum. But since you're here.

I worked for 17 years in Irvine - but never lived there - mostly for the reasons Dr. Vox mentions.

A 30-minute commute covers a HUGE area in OC . . . from the virtually-unattainable beach-side mansions in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, to the barrios of Santa Ana. And everything in between.

I don't know about your personal situation, but assuming you are young and without children and want to experience what most people consider the SoCal lifestyle (i.e. beach) without spending a fortune, I'd look to Costa Mesa or Huntington Beach.

[getaann]

Moving to Irvine, Calif around August 24, 2012. I am thinking I would like to live near Google. Does anyone know if there are any nice reasonable apartments near Google in Irvine? Suggestions?? Moving from Tennessee. THanks

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by getaann

Moving to Irvine, Calif around August 24, 2012. I am thinking I would like to live near Google. Does anyone know if there are any nice reasonable apartments near Google in Irvine? Suggestions?? Moving from Tennessee. THanks

Irvine is in Orange County. This is the San Diego forum. You'll probably get better answers from the Orange County forum.

[thepinksquid]

Moving to OC forum.

[amsln]

We moved from SE PA a couple years ago...my husband's job is in Irvine so we lived there in an apartment (Somerset) for a few months while we checked out the area and looked for homes...I'd highly recommend doing that.

We decided on Laguna Niguel and really love it here. My husband takes the toll road to work and his commute is only about 20-25 minutes each way.

Good luck!

[Chava61]

My brother works for Google in Irvine and lives with his family in Mission Viejo.

[Coldjensens]

Any place similar to Irvine will be roughly the same cost. Most of the towns south of Irvine are nearly identical to Irvine, including cost. You might shave off 5% or so, but you can do the same by shopping around in Irvine and finding a good deal. Huntington Beach probably has the best bargains for beach communities, but still expensive, and a long commute.

North Orange County will be a little bit cheaper (Orange, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Westminister, Foutain Valley, Garden Grove and parts of Tustin (other parts are just Irvine light)). It is not hugely cheaper and not as pristine as Irvine and cities to the south. All of these towns have parts where you would probably not want to live, and parts that are neat. Old town Orange is one of the neatest places in OC. Santa Ana has some really neat parts and some pretty awful parts. Fullerton has a little bit of a downtown area that is pretty neat. The others are just basically bland, but also have some bad areas to avoid.