Irvine CA (Orange, Mission Viejo: 2009, apartments, lease)

[affluent]

Hello I am 26M single (getting married in Summer 2007). I have accepted a job in Irvine (Addr: Jenner, Irvine CA) which will be paying me $85K/yr. I accepted it because I want to move out of Oklahoma (Where people are different than what I expected when I moved from UK through internal company trasfer) My girlfriend will be completing medical school and moving to CA in summer 2007. Guys I want your help. I want to know which areas I should look for renting 1 bed apartment. My priorities are good neighbourhood and close to work (I can spend $100-$200 more for this). The other thing I was wondering was will my girlfriend be able to find a job somewhere nearby Irvine (BTW She is a radiologist)?
Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions....
KP

[Josh22]

Are you looking for places to rent in Irvine, or around Irvine? If you're looking to rent in Irvine, EVERYWHERE in Irvine is safe.

If you're looking for safe areas around that, they'll be extremely easy to find. Irvine, El Toro/Lake forest, Mission Viejo - those are the 3 safest cities in California, and arguably 3 of the safest in the country. All 3 of them are in the top 10 safest cities in the country, and all 3 cities are right next to each other.

Irvine is a excellent choice and you'll be able to easily afford a 1 bedroom apartment in Irvine if you're making 85K a year. In Irvine you're looking at about $1300-$1800 average price for a 1 bedroom apartment. So even if you're renting a 1 bedroom for $1,800 a month, and use $1,000 a month for all other expenses such as food, electricty, etc, luxury spending, etc, you'll be paying $2,800 a month average in living expenses, or $33,600 a year in living expenses. That's still well under the 85K a year you're making.

[affluent]

Thanks Josh22 for your suggestions. Looks like I'll probably start looking for apartments in Irvine and the places suggested by you.

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by affluent

Hello I am 26M single (getting married in Summer 2007). I have accepted a job in Irvine (Addr: Jenner, Irvine CA) which will be paying me $85K/yr. I accepted it because I want to move out of Oklahoma (Where people are different than what I expected when I moved from UK through internal company trasfer) My girlfriend will be completing medical school and moving to CA in summer 2007. Guys I want your help. I want to know which areas I should look for renting 1 bed apartment. My priorities are good neighbourhood and close to work (I can spend $100-$200 more for this). The other thing I was wondering was will my girlfriend be able to find a job somewhere nearby Irvine (BTW She is a radiologist)?
Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions....
KP

I'm with Josh on this one. Irvine is a really safe, clean, nice area in which to live. I'd live there if I could afford to! As Josh mentioned, the cities surrounding Irvine are just as nice and safe. Lots of shopping and dining in Irvine. Very family-oriented, and nice feeling of community as well.

As far as jobs go, the Irvine area (and much of Orange County, for that matter) is a hotbed for all kinds of good-paying, professional positions, especially in healthcare. Your girlfriend shouldn't have any problems landing a good job at any of the area medical centers and hospitals. Good luck!

[Des_Demona]

Oh Irvine is a WONDERFUL community to live in. It's very nice and safe. With your income you should be fine as long as your girlfriend is working as well. And a radiologist? There are a TON of jobs in that area for her profession. It sounds like a match made in heaven for you. I'm sure you'll like it better than Oklahoma. Just so you know, the city is mostly Asians. I'm just saying that so you're not suprised but that's the main reason it's so safe and clean there. Good luck on your move.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by Des_Demona

Just so you know, the city is mostly Asians. I'm just saying that so you're not suprised but that's the main reason it's so safe and clean there. Good luck on your move.

Irvine's Asian population is not the main reason that it's relatively "safe and clean." It's a "master-planned" community that was designed by William Pereira that just happens to have good public schools, which in turn attracted upper-income Asians and Asian Americans. Overall, Irvine's a good place to live if one doesn't mind the relatively uniform architecture of many of the residences in the different "Villages" and some of the restrictions imposed by the homeowners' associations.

[OCCASparky]

Think of Irvine as a relatively modernized west-coast Levittown...pretty cookie-cutter, yet relatively stable. The rents you've been quoted are accurate and there's lots to do around that area.

Just be ready for the traffic. It's a bear EVERYWHERE.

[helpful123]

HI there! I am looking to get out of my lease which ends by Oct. 2009. I pay 1620 a month in Irvine and it's walking distance from two huge shopping centers that have loads of entertainment, 2 movie complexes, dining, shopping, book store, name it! Please let me know if you are intersted. I also have an add on Craig's list. It's a quiet place and really nice.

[blessedin08]

Originally Posted by Jonah K

Irvine's Asian population is not the main reason that it's relatively "safe and clean." It's a "master-planned" community that was designed by William Pereira that just happens to have good public schools, which in turn attracted upper-income Asians and Asian Americans. Overall, Irvine's a good place to live if one doesn't mind the relatively uniform architecture of many of the residences in the different "Villages" and some of the restrictions imposed by the homeowners' associations.

Thank you,I was thinking the same thing when I read that part(LOL) I am black and live in Irvine(own a home) and was not aware Irvine was safe and clean because of the asians.Glad I didn't move in a all white or any other race neighboorhood,I would be ducking bullets everyday


To the orginal poster with that income you will be just fine.Everyone seem to be right on for the most part. There will be plenty here for you to do and your friend will have no problem getting work.