Finding a place to call home! (Santa Ana, Anaheim: for sale, apartment, rental)

[melbon7462]

I grew up in Southern California and I love it. I have been away for about 4 years on the East Coast, due to the fact that my hubby is Military. His enlistment will be up soon, and we really want to move back to Southern Califronia. The question is where. We would love OC area but it is so pricy. He works in IT and I will soon be a RN graduate. If you can shed some light on areas of OC that are not too pricy but a great place to raise a family would be great...(if such a place exists). Thanks!

[Charles]

What will your price range or rent budget be? (Considering two incomes or one? If two, day care too?)

[melbon7462]

I am thinking 2,000 Max per month

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by melbon7462

I am thinking 2,000 Max per month

That'll rent you a 2 bedroom apartment in any nice part of OC. Avoid Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim (Anaheim Hills is good though), Stanton, Buena Park, parts of Orange, parts of Costa Mesa, parts of Westminster. Pretty much the rest of the county is OK.

[melbon7462]

now what are the chances that could be my mortgage on a house?...Not possible huh?..I was looking into Rancho santa margarita, it seemed a little less pricy then surrounding areas. But still I can only afford a one bedroom town home. So I guess it might be too difficult for a family starting out to try in live in such a expensive area.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by melbon7462

now what are the chances that could be my mortgage on a house?...Not possible huh?..I was looking into Rancho santa margarita, it seemed a little less pricy then surrounding areas. But still I can only afford a one bedroom town home. So I guess it might be too difficult for a family starting out to try in live in such a expensive area.

It depends on how much money you put down. Bring enough cash to the table and your mortgage can be as low as you want. Remember that buying a condo in a newer area of OC has two additional expenses: Association dues which can add $300/mo or more to the cost of your housing, and mello-roos which can take your property taxes from 1.1% up to 1.8-2% per year. $2000/mo PITI+HOA isn't going to buy much here unless you've got at least an extra $200k burning a hole in your pocket.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by melbon7462

So I guess it might be too difficult for a family starting out to try in live in such a expensive area.

See my screen name.

[melbon7462]

yes where do you live now? lol pretty funny!

[kturbe]

For $2000 a month you can find plenty of places to rent in South Orange County which is all pretty nice. If you are considering buying then your best bet is to to get prequalified first. There a ton of new programs out for first time buyers (are you a first time buyer) VA loans and FHA requirements are also available and become more available to the OC as prices have fallen. You also have to consider your tax savings if you are renting at 2000 a month you can afford to a higher mortgage payment once you offset your taxes.

Rancho Santa Margarita is a nice family town with some excellent homes for sale and priced well below market. You can find a rental as well.

The cities surrounding the area as also as nice and you save a little on taxes and mello roos if you are looking to buy. Mission Viejo was just noted Safest City in America, with Lake Forest right behind it. These cities both border RSM.

It never hurts to get prequalified at least then you know what you can afford and have an understanding of what programs are available.

Should you need any other info on the area, just let me know.

Best of luck

[houkat]

I appreciate reading your response we are alos looking to relocate to the are will be coming in March to survey the area would appreciate any ideas or thoughts. Would most likely rent at first keeping home in Indiana until know for sure that we have sustainability. Looking at change of cost of living etc... any information on areas would be great

Thank you in advance