Need some specifics on Huntington Beach- slater slums, etc. (Costa Mesa: apartments, condos)

[hellosd]

We are trying to coordinate a move from the east coast and are looking at some places in Huntington Beach, but we need to get a better idea on areas to avoid. I've seen alot about the "Slater Slums" but can anyone explain how far this area extends? Are there any other areas to avoid? We are looking for a 2 BR rental near a good elementary school and have seen a bunch in the $1500 range but that seems too good to be true. Specifically, there are some behind the harbor near the border of the naval weapons station, and a bunch of complexes off Beach Blvd./Edinger. Any guidance you can offer is appreciated!

[EscapeCalifornia]

The Slater Slums are between Slater and Warner and between Beach Blvd. and Gothard. There's also some older and somewhat crappier looking units north of Warner up toward Edinger. Can you post some specific complexes you're looking at. HB, like a lot of OC is hard to get too general about because you can have a crappy apartment or condo complex full of illegals within a 1/4 mile of very nice, $700k single family homes.

[hellosd]

Thanks EscapeCalifornia. Some of the places I've seen advertised are Huntington Villas, Ocean Breeze Villas, and just some random apartments without names at Beach & Aldrich, Beach & Florida, Beach & Garfield, and Warner & Sims. Our primary concern is safety and proximity to a good elementary school. I can't imagine any of these are that nice inside for the rents they're charging, but we need a place to start out with until we get established.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Huntington Villas - Too close to the Slater Slums. I'd avoid.

Ocean Breeze Villas - Hill illegal alien factor from what I've seen and read.

Beach and Aldrich - Not dangerous area but very, very congested with cars. I think I've been past there and the apartments are pretty old and overcrowded looking.

Florida Ave - Runs parallel to Beach Blvd for a few miles. TONS of apartments, condos, duplexes. In general, the more rental housing per square mile, the less desirable an area.

Beach and Garfield - Did you see something on Valley Circle? I saw a reasonable rental there a couple months ago and drove by. The little homies standing around outside didn't give me the warm and fuzzies.

Warner and Sims - Its Huntington Harbor which is a good area. Probably the best of the ones listed. Like Florida St., there's a lot of rentals and condos in the block.

I've recently moved (local move) too and looked at some rentals in HB and didn't really find anything I liked either. There's a lot of nice houses in HB but the apartments have a high surfer/stoner/skater kid and illegal alien factor. So its a good place to buy, not the greatest place to rent unless you've got some big bucks. Unless you have to be in HB, you should also look at Fountain Valley. Stay west of Euclid and south of Warner. The schools are good too.

[hellosd]

Thank you- that information is very helpful and will help us to narrow our search. Too bad about HV- cheap with lots of amenities, so I knew there had to be a problem with it.

[MissusMinxy]

I live IN THE SLATER SLUMS, and well yes this isn't the most desirable place to live, I livei in a great complex and the managers are wonderful and when you need something done, it's done. I guess you could live in a "BETTER" part of any city and rent rent from a "SLUM" Lord, or you can get a bit more for your money and save up till you can move or afford a better place. If your coming here from any other part of the contry you will be in sticker shock for sure whe you seee what the aoartments actualy rent for. My brother and his wife ren a three bedroom 2 bath, 2 car gragage with laundry facilities for 1650.00. I love my little apartment and I have never had any problemn with anybody or is there EVER any problems here at this complex, not a lot of drama or misfortune. I'm not onoy saying this to defend where I live but I say this because I grew up here in "Surf Dity" and I used to in fact hung out here when I was a teenager, and who would have thought I would actually choose to live here after having grown up and being fully aware of it's reputation. Good Luck to you, Costa Mesa is a nice place as well and so is Tustin, but beware each area does have it's low income housing and therefor the riff raff goes. See you in Cali

[TXtoCAL]

What about the Warner/Edwards intersection?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by TXtoCAL

What about the Warner/Edwards intersection?

If you're referring to the apartments in the northwest corner, its a step up from the Slater Slums, but not by much.

[TXtoCAL]

Hi, It is the condo complexes near there, not the apartments.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by TXtoCAL

Hi, It is the condo complexes near there, not the apartments.

I'm not too familiar with the condos there. Be sure to check them out at various times of day before committing to anything.