Orange County Economy/Living (San Diego, Huntington Beach: sales, apartments, rent)

[Nick Anico]

Hello Everyone,
Me and my girlfriend are moving to Orange County in July. We're looking at apartments in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Mission Viejo. We are both 27 and have a place to stay while we get organized. I've been doing research but I'm just looking for some honest perspective. I am currently in sales but have 10 years of cooking and kitchen management experience. My girlfriend is in human resources and also has extensive management experience. With this recession we are in I'm a little nervous about finding work but neither of our jobs here(N.J.) are stabile, so we both don't mind leaving them behind. Basically, how rough is it out there?

Also, we don't have and don't plan on having any kids. We just want to live in area that is pretty young and cultural with rent around $1,000-1,400 with no plans to buy. We don't mind living in a small studio as long as we are in a good area. We also plan on finishing college there. Sorry to be so long winded but can anybody help. Thank you.

[bhcompy]

if you're looking for suggestions based of the cities you mentioned, if you find something in your pricepoint in costa mesa or huntington beach, those would be your best bets for what you're looking for. irvine and mission viejo much less so.

[Humanoid]

You can find a 1-bedroom in the 1000~1400 range in south orange county. But the job market is getting bad in Orange County because it was essentially home to many of the corrupt lenders and associations that created the housing bubble. Also, a lot of the mortgage money is not flowing into the area anymore (because lenders are closing HELOCs, not allowing cash-out refis etc) which effects all business.

Try checking out:

Irvine Housing Blog

Its about housing, but they talk about general economic issues in orange county too.

[kturbe]

All the cities you mentioned are nice choices. Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa will be a little more laid back then Irvine, Mission Viejo. Both MV and Irvine are rated very highly in terms of safety, etc. Many younger couples like Irvine, but it is more expensive then the other areas.

You will also be able to find a home within your price range. I just helped a young couple rent a nice 2 bed in Lake Forest for $1425 a month. You might want to also check out Aliso Viejo and Tustin Ranch. Keep in mind everything is only 20-30 minutes away so any city you live in, social activities are fairly close by.

As with everywhere the economy is tough but I do believe OC will recover much quicker and we are starting to see some recover.

[Unkllars]

What would you be finishing college in? Have you looked at schools at all? That might also shed some light on where to look. Also, have you searched monster, jobs, craigslist, and other sites for employment? There seem to be a lot in HR and in sales, but it depends what you want to sell. Hope I helped, even if just a little

[crzzycindy]

Hey, Pisan do you cook back home Mama Celest style? I haven't had good Sicilian food since I moved here in 1975. Irvine or Mission Viejo would be good areas the rents are high as are all rents. Now days they do credit check and want your first born or 10 years of gasoline as security. LOL Laguna is good too even San Diego. Lot of night life and eat places in San Diego as well as attractions. Now for the how rough is it out here. I am ready to leave and move to Georgia or S.C. It's cheaper back there but you have to pick the area because of jobs. Either way you will pay.

[Nick Anico]

Thanks for the help everyone, I know you get the same questions over and over again so any help is appreciated. Both of our families are trying diligently to deter us from leaving and all of the negativity gets to you after awhile. But the truth is rent in New Jersey, especially near the city, is also becoming unaffordable. So I guess it's "out of the frying pan and into...the other frying pan" for us. In response to crzzycindy, my cooking style is pretty generic due to the fact that I never worked in a restaurant, I was an industrial chef for a massive catering company. But I can make a decent "sauce"
(we call it gravy) thanks to my Great Grandmother who I was fortunate enough to have around for half of my life. Thanks again.