Late 20's moving to Orange County from Baltimore (Long Beach, Huntington Beach: apartments, for rent)

[topstar169]

I am a 29 year old man moving to Orange County for a new job opportunity and am looking for some feedback on the best areas to live. Currently I have some properties I have been researching in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach as these will be the easiest locations for commuting purposes.

While I don't party as much as I did in my younger 20's, I still look to go out on the weekends. I'd also like to be within a short cab ride or walking distance to the night social scenes these towns have to offer.

If anyone has any opinions on the towns I've listed above I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by topstar169

I am a 29 year old man moving to Orange County for a new job opportunity and am looking for some feedback on the best areas to live. Currently I have some properties I have been researching in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach as these will be the easiest locations for commuting purposes.

While I don't party as much as I did in my younger 20's, I still look to go out on the weekends. I'd also like to be within a short cab ride or walking distance to the night social scenes these towns have to offer.

If anyone has any opinions on the towns I've listed above I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

I've never lived in Long Beach or Newport Beach, so I can't comment on them from that perspective, though I have went out in NB many times when I was younger. I am a huge HB cheerleader, so perhaps I'm biased but, I'd recommend HB (again, take my opinion for what it's worth since I'm not as familiar with Long Beach as I am OC).

West HB is known for nightlife and 20-somethings, especially the HB Harbour. Even just looking for HB rooms for rent you'll notice many ads for 20-somethings in West HB looking for others that are also into going out. I particularly like the more quiet East HB since it's more single family homes and 30-somethings, but West HB might be just the ticket you're looking for.

Depending on where you're commuting to, NB might be a more considerable commute, too. Just something to consider.

Either way, good luck and have a safe move!

[nurserosie]

Good luck trying to get a cab. Try drinking less so you can drive

Our public transportation is non existant

[TimTheEnchanter]

Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are your best bets and the only place in Long Beach I'd consider is the Belmont Shore area.

At 29 you are probably cool in HB a couple more years until they think you are too old and shove you south to Newport.

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by nurserosie

Good luck trying to get a cab. Try drinking less so you can drive

Our public transportation is non existant

How about the OP's question?

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are your best bets and the only place in Long Beach I'd consider is the Belmont Shore area.

At 29 you are probably cool in HB a couple more years until they think you are too old and shove you south to Newport.

lol That sounds about right. Or, until you're done with partying and move to East HB.

[Coldjensens]

If you want a lively urban atmosphere, Long Beach is your closest answer. Orange country is suburbia plain and simple. that is why people laugh when you mention riding in a cab. All three places depend on where you are.

Long Beach is a city. There is a beach there somewhere, but it is not a place people go to to go to the beach.

Huntington and Newport are not cities. They do not really have a downtown. Newport Beach has a colleciton of villianges (Corona Del Mar, Balboa, Balboa Island, Lido Peninsula, and the first beach area on the peninsula which is generally known simply as "Newport Beach" However the City of Newport Beach also includes lots of family type subdivisions, mostly for rich people. Balboa is lively in the summer, crazy more than lively. Heavily infested with tourists. Lots of stuff to do like rent a boat, hop the flyer to catalina, ride a ferris wheel, go to the beach. Some neat places to get drunk too (no dancing though, not allowed). In the winter it is just a small town on the beach. Corona Del Mar is high end (really high end) with a nice family beach. Newport Beach area is a bit older, more stoners and drunks in that area, but loads of all other kids of people too. Some really nice bars and resturuants. Lido Peninsula is just shops and boats with nice houses and a few apartments. Lido Island is home to some famous basketball player who is reported to be a total jerk. Loads of celerberties in the whole area, but this particular guy is well known for loud long parties and being really nasty to neighbors. Places like newport Crest as subdivisions of large homes on tiny lots for really really rich people to live in.

Anyway moving on. Huntington beach is more of a surfer dude type place. It is also packed with tourists. The buildings are across coast highway form the bach rather than right on the beach like in Newport. It tends to be a younger crowd, less family oriented and more of a party hearty kind of place (around the beach). Other areas range from calssy, wealthy, red necky, just nice upper middle class subdivisions all kinds fo things. A decent number of bars and resturuants along and near the beach strip. Being a bit older than much of the rest of orange County, H.B. has a smidge of character.

Long beach is a City. Like any city is has noce and horrible areas. Downtown gets decently busy on weekend nights. If you live close enough you cna walk from plac eto place downtown and yes you can even take a cab. You can also catch a train to LA. You can swim and windsurf and stuff in Long Beach but the City is pretty industrial and the water is kind of icky. Long Beach is mroe focused ont he City, it is not really a beach town.

Consider Seal beach as well. quieter calmer and more pleasant than the others. It is nicely located not far form Long Beach or Huntington if you want some night life. Seal beach is one of hte most overlooked places in Orange County.