Relo from Chicago to O.C. (Long Beach, Riverside: home, living, suburb)

[travis2999]

I've been offered a position with a company in Riverside and I am looking to live in Costa Mesa. After looking at the travel time for about 45 miles its about an hour. Keep in mind that I am starting work at 2pm. My current drive from downtown Chicago to a suburb 30 miles away is at least an hour and this is at 6am. Is this a doable commute, please convince me I'm not crazy.

A couple of factors on why O.C. instead of I.E.

1. Friends in Long Beach, HB, and LA
2. I prefer not to live in I.E. ( nothing against it)
3. I rather be closer to the water ( I currently live 1 mile away from Lake Michigan)

Any other areas to consider would be appreciated.

Thannks

[ysr_racer]

I grew up on Lawrence & Pulaski YEARS ago.

Driving the 55 to the 91 at 1:00pm shouldn't be too bad, coming home late at night won't be a problem. My only concern is what if your hours change to 8:00am? You're still going against traffic, but it will be slow.

[travis2999]

Thanks for the input YSR. My hours won't change for quite some time, but I'll have to cross that bridge when it does.

[LagunaMom]

I used to live close to the lake, too! Lake Shore & Sheridan. Graduated from Lake View.

[HSP1161]

You might consider living near the 261 toll road. It's further from the water though and adds some expense.

That would give you a slightly shorter drive plus pressure relief from the 91, which you'll normally be against traffic, but it has a way of inexplicably clogging up randomly in either direction -- right around Green River and/or Serfas Club. Also 55 south in the evenings as you approach the coast can also be rather sluggish as folks head toward destination stuff. So you have the potential for a couple of choke points that would gum up your commute probably 1-2x per week, moreso in the summer.

Good luck!

[travis2999]

Nice, I'm at division and Clark..

[ysr_racer]

Originally Posted by travis2999

Nice, I'm at division and Clark..

How are those winters working out for you ?

[pattiab]

Definitely CM. You are in between your friends and your work and as OpenSky above mentioned, you can take the toll road and be home in no time. Hey if you love the water and you have the choice to live close by. . . DO IT BY ALL MEANS!!!

[travis2999]

YSR - last winter was brutal fortunately I won't have to go through that for a long time.

Patti - thanks for the reply and I agree with you.

Thanks everyone!

I'm still waiting to hear back from the relo specialist on details for the move. I've been searching for apts in CM on Turlia and Zillow. Any Info on good communities?

[travis2999]

Hi everyone,

I've been in CA since Monday and I don't miss chicago one bit. I've stayed in ontario and orange to get an idea of traffic at 5 am and it's been a breeze. I've haven't tested the waters of the costa mesa commute but I'm confident 50 miles will work just fine. My start time is at 2pm once my transition at work is comple. I've been looking up travels times on Google and it's always less than a hour. 50miles with beautiful landscape will be 30 miles in Chicago rush hour any day. Thanks to all..