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10-01-2007, 10:52 AM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
5 posts, read 4,532 times
Reputation: 10
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Job offer in Irvine...where do I start?
Hello, and thank you to all in advance....I'm sure there's a ton of simular posts, but I found this board and thought I'd throw it out there...
I have just received a job offer, in IRVINE, CA. what to do, what to do...
I currently live in New England south of Boston about 55 miles. We love the water, sailing, surfing, beaches. etc.,- I grew up in New England as a boy, and have been back here 9 years after a stint of 10 in Seattle.
My question/issue is this : where can we "safely" begin to look to live around the Irvine area, that I might actually be able to afford? I like to not drive 60+ miles to work everyday, and maybe NOt live in a "shack"....am I dreaming?
What are some decent areas withing say, 20-25 miles of Irvine that would have safe, decent, housing in the maybe 300-400K range. I dont know if this is even possible....
If there are any "basics" I should know about the areas surrounding Irivne, and which ones to avoid, that would be awesome!
anything you got, we'll be listening...
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10-01-2007, 11:02 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Orange County CA
5,641 posts, read 5,197,525 times
Reputation: 2372
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The median home price in Orange County is over $700k. $300k doesn't buy a 1 bedroom condo in a bad area. $400k might buy a condo, but certainly not a house, at least not in a safe area. Modest houses in decent areas start around $550k.
You may have to adjust your perceptions of time and distance when you move to Irvine. 20-25 miles can be a 90 minute drive during peak times. If you want to live within 30 minutes of Irvine, you'll have to live fairly close. Irvine itself is very safe and clean, some would say too much so. Other good cities nearby are Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Tustin, Orange, Fountain Valley, and Huntington Beach. Avoid Santa Ana. Also avoid Garden Grove and Westminster except for the far west ends.
Last edited by EscapeCalifornia; 10-01-2007 at 11:15 AM..
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10-01-2007, 11:20 AM
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Members Only Jacket
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Redwood City, California
4,125 posts, read 2,560,425 times
Reputation: 1129
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300-400k will get you a starter 2/2 Condo in Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo or Lake Forest. All of those are clean areas 30min to Irvine (depending on traffic).
For a free standing house it will cost at least 600-700k for a standard in the above areas.
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10-01-2007, 12:57 PM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
5 posts, read 4,532 times
Reputation: 10
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thanks so far
Good insights and advice so far.....I think if this happens, and I accept, I may need to (should?) rent for a while and see what's what in the area overall....
The complication? Pets.......I have 2,14 year old small terriers (very clean mind you) and a cat(indoor/outdoor).....Is renting pretty hard out there, with pets as well? I'm thinking condo/duplex or something for 6 months or a year maybe.....I hear southern CA is a lot more "pet friendly" than the rest of the country, but I dont know if that pertains to renting property.....
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10-01-2007, 02:48 PM
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Not a member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
124 posts, read 171,782 times
Reputation: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSTRCWCA08
Good insights and advice so far.....I think if this happens, and I accept, I may need to (should?) rent for a while and see what's what in the area overall....
The complication? Pets.......I have 2,14 year old small terriers (very clean mind you) and a cat(indoor/outdoor).....Is renting pretty hard out there, with pets as well? I'm thinking condo/duplex or something for 6 months or a year maybe.....I hear southern CA is a lot more "pet friendly" than the rest of the country, but I dont know if that pertains to renting property.....
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Rancho Santa Margarita is the smartest choice for people on a budget.
It has great people. It's new, and it's relatively cheap.
I wouldn't necessarily say that renting in high end complexes is much different from renting in high end elsewhere. The only difference is 99 percent of all apartment houses around South OC are luxury and will have intense rules because of that.
Also check out Ladera Ranch, Ladera Ranch, Orange County California New Homes It's very charming. They have rentals on this link.
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10-01-2007, 06:46 PM
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USA-CA-L.A. Metro-Orange County-Mission Viejo
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
2,332 posts, read 2,237,009 times
Reputation: 1024
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If you don't have kids, go the way of a condo. You will not come close to a detached home in Irvine, Mission Viejo, or Rancho for 400k. What are you able to pay per month in rent? Most nice complexes will be 1,100-2,000 (depending on number of rooms) per month.
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10-01-2007, 09:26 PM
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Not a member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Orange County
265 posts
Reputation: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach50Thunderdart
300-400k will get you a starter 2/2 Condo in Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo or Lake Forest. All of those are clean areas 30min to Irvine (depending on traffic).
For a free standing house it will cost at least 600-700k for a standard in the above areas.
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Lake Forest borders Irvine...just voted the safest city in the country....it isn't a 30 minute commute.
400K will buy you a house in the area. Houses are now staying on the market for months. Come out for a visit...you'll love it. I moved here from Maine...everything you want, you will find...except good seafood.
I live in Laguna Hiils...four miles from Irvine. Excellent area. |
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10-01-2007, 09:48 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Orange County CA
5,641 posts, read 5,197,525 times
Reputation: 2372
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Parrotpaul
Lake Forest borders Irvine...just voted the safest city in the country....it isn't a 30 minute commute.
400K will buy you a house in the area. Houses are now staying on the market for months. Come out for a visit...you'll love it. I moved here from Maine...everything you want, you will find...except good seafood.
I live in Laguna Hiils...four miles from Irvine. Excellent area.
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Where are the $400k houses in Lake Forest? I just did a realtor.com search for a 3/1.5 SFR in Lake Forest under $500k and the cheapest one listed was $479k. |
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10-01-2007, 11:27 PM
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USA-CA-L.A. Metro-Orange County-Mission Viejo
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
2,332 posts, read 2,237,009 times
Reputation: 1024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia
Where are the $400k houses in Lake Forest? I just did a realtor.com search for a 3/1.5 SFR in Lake Forest under $500k and the cheapest one listed was $479k.
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Yep, there are no 400k single family detached homes in Lake Forest. It is possible to buy a decent condo though for 400k. |
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10-01-2007, 11:41 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: So Cal
321 posts, read 415,681 times
Reputation: 67
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I would be surprised if you can find a single family in Santa Ana under 400K. Sadly 400K doesn't much anywhere in So Cal
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