Moving for a job in Anaheim and looking for place to live - 25y/o single male (Huntington Beach: apartment)

[movingbacktoCA25]

I recently was offered a job working in Anaheim near the Dad Miller Golf course off of I-5, and am hoping to get some advice on where to live in the area. I am originally from California, but have lived in Boston and Salt Lake City for the past 8 years. My current thinking is to rent a room or temporary housing to get a better feel for the area, but I am not sure where to concentrate my search.

In terms of what I'm looking for:
- I'd like to have a maximum commute time below 45 minutes working roughly 8-5 M-F schedule
- Have a relatively young, active and lively community.
- Relatively easy access to either the beach for surfing or the mountains for hiking and mountain biking (one or the other seems reasonable?).
- I'd prefer the area to be walkable or have a downtown feel. Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. would be nice (I have relatively low standards coming from SLC).
- In terms of budget, for once I get fully settled, I'd like to spend no more than $1000 per month for rent (a studio or shared house would be fine).

So far I've been considering the city of Orange and Huntington Beach (if possible with the commute) areas, and wanted to know if I am on the right track.

Any help on finding a couple of different areas where I can concentrate my search on getting a feel for the northern OC area would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Galaxie Girl]

Originally Posted by movingbacktoCA25

I recently was offered a job working in Anaheim near the Dad Miller Golf course off of I-5, and am hoping to get some advice on where to live in the area. I am originally from California, but have lived in Boston and Salt Lake City for the past 8 years. My current thinking is to rent a room or temporary housing to get a better feel for the area, but I am not sure where to concentrate my search.

In terms of what I'm looking for:
- I'd like to have a maximum commute time below 45 minutes working roughly 8-5 M-F schedule
- Have a relatively young, active and lively community.
- Relatively easy access to either the beach for surfing or the mountains for hiking and mountain biking (one or the other seems reasonable?).
- I'd prefer the area to be walkable or have a downtown feel. Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. would be nice (I have relatively low standards coming from SLC).
- In terms of budget, for once I get fully settled, I'd like to spend no more than $1000 per month for rent (a studio or shared house would be fine).

So far I've been considering the city of Orange and Huntington Beach (if possible with the commute) areas, and wanted to know if I am on the right track.

Any help on finding a couple of different areas where I can concentrate my search on getting a feel for the northern OC area would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Orange and HB are generally good areas, but have sketchy parts. Since you mentioned having a downtown, also consider Fullerton, another city that is somewhat good with sketchy parts. Anaheim has some decent areas too.

[movingbacktoCA25]

Thanks for the help. Is it feasible to commute from HB or the Costa Mesa area within about 30-45 minutes during peak hours during the week?

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the areas that it's feasible to commute from without feeling stuck in my car all day. Are there any favorable traffic patterns to get to my office at roughly the Brookhurst and Lincoln intersection just off I-5 during peak hours?

Thanks again for any advice.

[jayolm]

To answer your question, I'd say yeah it would probably take you 20-30 minutes during peak hours to get to Anaheim from HB (depending on how far north you are), and 45 minutes from Costa Mesa which is farther south. Again, during peak hours.

$1,000 bucks monthly rent unfortunately will only get you a studio near a nice downtown walking distance place. HB is great if you're near Main St by the pier, anywhere else and you wouldn't really be near the action. Costa Mesa is pretty hip too with bars / restaurants, although not as good as HB, because its spaced out throughout the city and doens't have as much of a downtown / beach feel. You could consider Orange and like the poster above said, Fullerton, both of which are pretty close to Anaheim and have a downtown area with bars / restaurants, albiet not as youthful as HB or Costa Mesa, and with a different vibe. I'm guessing you're 25 from your screen name, so I'd say Costa Mesa or HB would be more to your liking. If you're say 30+, Fullerton or downtown Orange may be more your speed.

[Lahdidah]

Originally Posted by jayolm

To answer your question, I'd say yeah it would probably take you 20-30 minutes during peak hours to get to Anaheim from HB (depending on how far north you are), and 45 minutes from Costa Mesa which is farther south. Again, during peak hours.

$1,000 bucks monthly rent unfortunately will only get you a studio near a nice downtown walking distance place. HB is great if you're near Main St by the pier, anywhere else and you wouldn't really be near the action. Costa Mesa is pretty hip too with bars / restaurants, although not as good as HB, because its spaced out throughout the city and doens't have as much of a downtown / beach feel. You could consider Orange and like the poster above said, Fullerton, both of which are pretty close to Anaheim and have a downtown area with bars / restaurants, albiet not as youthful as HB or Costa Mesa, and with a different vibe. I'm guessing you're 25 from your screen name, so I'd say Costa Mesa or HB would be more to your liking. If you're say 30+, Fullerton or downtown Orange may be more your speed.

While I agree with your summary of the city "vibes," can you get a studio for $1,000 anywhere in Orange County? I just went through the apartment hunting process, and the ONE UNIT I found for $990 was in a dumpy complex in a sketchy part of Anaheim.

I'm a long time Costa Mesa resident (12 years), and I don't think you can find a studio in CM for $1,000, unless it's really poorly maintained. Costa Mesa is a city of fast food restaurants and car dealerships. It is, however, close-ish to the beach and has slightly milder weather than Orange or Fullerton, and it's got some nice outdoorsy stuff to do that's more accessible and less crowded than Newport or Huntington. 1 bedroom in Costa Mesa start at about $1,400 on the lowest end.

I'd say if your budget is that tight, you need to find a roommate. You could definitely share for $1,000.