Seal Beach or Huntington Beach -- Differences, Pros, Cons (Stanton: apartments, rent)

[NJerseyBorn]

Hi, I'm considering living in Huntington Beach or Seal Beach......

How would you describe the diffences between the two. What are some pro and cons?

Also, I'm single, 29 year old male, and will be making 50k. So I won't be rich but won't be poor. I'll be living in a cheapest apartment I can find in those two cities, or have roomates until I find a girlfriend or wife.

[bhcompy]

The simplest way to put it is that Seal Beach is more of a slow relaxed beach atmosphere(family friendly) while Huntington is where all the people that haven't given up on their college partying(or are still in college) go, though the atmosphere is a bit different around Huntington Harbor(more like Seal).

Basically, if you like it laid back, Seal Beach. If you like a more lively atmosphere, Huntington

[DinsdalePirahna]

Seal Beach is very laid back.
Huntington BEach has different areas. Most of the city is very family oriented. The Harbour Area is laid back.
Downtown is essentially a college town without a college (and a retarded commuter population).

[Oldwestgambler]

Seal Beach is nicer and I wished we bought there. We picked Huntington Beach and wished we didn't. Huntington Beach is Stanton with sand. Seal Beach is very nice.

[NJerseyBorn]

Originally Posted by Oldwestgambler

Seal Beach is nicer and I wished we bought there. We picked Huntington Beach and wished we didn't. Huntington Beach is Stanton with sand. Seal Beach is very nice.

What does that mean...what don't you like about stanton.

[mrsltd]

Originally Posted by NJerseyBorn

What does that mean...what don't you like about stanton.

Ignore that. There are sections of Huntington Beach that resemble Stanton (think Oak View, a heavily Latino area in the northern part of the city), but most of the city is not like Stanton. Actually, not all of Stanton is like the Beach Blvd. section that I presume the poster had in mind. Huntington Beach, for one, is quite a bit more expensive than Stanton and most of the other inland cities as far as housing prices go.

[Oldwestgambler]

Originally Posted by NJerseyBorn

What does that mean...what don't you like about stanton.

Stanton is pretty ghetto. I think there isn't a lot to like about it. Stanton does serve a purpose. It helps keep other cities property values and rents higher. I have driven around Stanton off Beach Blvd and I'm sorry, it doesn't get much better even in the residential areas. I can't imagine why someone would pick Stanton if they can afford a nicer and safer city. Do you really want your friends and family to visit you in Stanton? Really?

[OC Investor2]

Originally Posted by NJerseyBorn

Hi, I'm considering living in Huntington Beach or Seal Beach......

How would you describe the diffences between the two. What are some pro and cons?

Also, I'm single, 29 year old male, and will be making 50k. So I won't be rich but won't be poor. I'll be living in a cheapest apartment I can find in those two cities, or have roomates until I find a girlfriend or wife.

I would chose HB if I were you.

Seal Beach is dominated by 2 groups - families & seniors. It is home to the original Leisure World, one of the first post war planned retirement communities so that big concentration of seniors heavily flavors the community vibe. It is also a sought out area for families, so I think on average it would be more expensive then HB and has more SFR and fewer apartments then HB.

HB has alot younger vibe - sometimes to young for some poeple. The closer you get to "downtown" - the area off main street by the pier and ocean - the younger it seems to get.

$1500 is tight for an OC beach community. Also there are some complexes in HB, particularly near slater and beach blvds.- AKA the "Slater Slums" - that have mexican immigrants families jammed into apartments and stacked up like cordwood. So be careful where you rent at.

Lastly, you did'nt mention where your work would be, but try to get as close to your job as you can. Quality of life in SoCal is inverse to the length of your commute. If you are thinking of moving here w/o a job, reconsider. The job market is realy bad here right now.

Good Luck!

[Capo1213]

Hey, NJersey, let me translate into Jersey for you (I speak Jersey). Huntington Beach is like a really nice, but bigger Point Pleasant. Seal Beach is like a really nice, but bigger Manasquan. That help?