which is more expensive L.A or Orange County? (Santa Ana: budget, apartments)

[jacaranda]

Hello. I'm new here to city-data and am not very good with computers so I hope I don't accidentaly step on anyone's toes. Er, anyway, i live in L.A county, the S.F valley and am thinking about going to UC Irvine. Money is VERY tight and my family and I are on something of a fixed income and am wondering if it's more expensive rent-wise etc. for a family to live in Orange county? I know about some online sources but they're not always helpful...sure I can look at some pretty affordable places but gawd knows how safe the neighborhoods are. Anyways, just as a matter of fact, if anyone knows, is it generally cheaper or more expensive in Orange? Thank you!

[NaplesRes]

That is like asking which is more expensive, California or Florida. Both LA and OC have ridiculously expensive areas and very low rent areas and everything in between. Generally, regardless of county, the closer you are to the coast the more expensive. The housing market in OC has been hit harder (particularly in the newer south county areas) than in LA. Since you're renting that won't matter but you'll have plenty of options around UCI or at least within driving distance.

[occdn]

If you are going to live in Irvine, you will have a hard time finding anything to rent under $1400 per month single bedroom. Live with roommates, on outskirt cities to lower the cost.

[killer2021]

seems about the same rent wise to me. The bad areas have low rent and the good areas higher rent. I'd say irvine rents that are close to the campus are probably 25% higher than usual from what I've seen.

This is a nice site that will help you:

UC Irvine Student Housing - Off Campus Housing - Local Apartments & Rates

If you are on a tight budget you'll need a couple roommates so that will probably be somewhere a long the lines of 500-800 in housing bills.

You should also check craigslist room/shared section on a daily basis. Sometimes you can get a good deal on a private room for the same amount (500-800). Lots of people have extra space in their gigantic houses and need some extra cash.

[jacaranda]

Thank you for your answers and it gives me what I was looking for, just a basic idea about O.C in general. Thank you especially killer2021 for your response! You've helped me with my plans and that means alot.

[EricJess123]

Sorry But Irvine California is very expensive!!!

And so is the Surronding Area's Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Tustin and Costa Mesa you wont be able to rent for less the 1500

But Santa Ana Is Very Cheap But in a terrible area and half of the city doesn't speak english

sorry maybe try Cal State Northridge

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by EricJess123

Sorry But Irvine California is very expensive!!!

And so is the Surronding Area's Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Tustin and Costa Mesa you wont be able to rent for less the 1500

But Santa Ana Is Very Cheap But in a terrible area and half of the city doesn't speak english

sorry maybe try Cal State Northridge

Yes, its generally expensive but if you look around you can catch some deals. I'm currently paying $1350 for a 2/2 in Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza. Its a small complex owned by an independent landlord as opposed to a big corporation. He keeps the rent low to discourage high turnover and only advertises with a sign out front. You won't find places like this on the rental web sites or magazines but they are out there.

[antibes]

Originally Posted by jacaranda

Hello. I'm new here to city-data and am not very good with computers so I hope I don't accidentaly step on anyone's toes. Er, anyway, i live in L.A county, the S.F valley and am thinking about going to UC Irvine. Money is VERY tight and my family and I are on something of a fixed income and am wondering if it's more expensive rent-wise etc. for a family to live in Orange county? I know about some online sources but they're not always helpful...sure I can look at some pretty affordable places but gawd knows how safe the neighborhoods are. Anyways, just as a matter of fact, if anyone knows, is it generally cheaper or more expensive in Orange? Thank you!

Orange County is more expensive overall but its also much nicer than SF or LA area. If you want to find cheaper places in OC, you'd have to look inlands and not near the coastal areas. Some inland areas are nowhere near LA as far as crime goes - but they are often quite b-o-r-i-n-g. This is why most people prefer the coastal areas. The positives is that there has been a lot of efforts the past few years to improve on 'ugly' areas and to beautify them more.

You can always find a room to share around $500 a month inlands, sometimes maybe even a little cheaper. You'd need to shop around. A car is a must for a student and public transportation is bad in the OC. I don't know what price range your family would really find a house in, because it all depends on what standards you are looking for. On the lower end, I would guesstimate about $2000-2500 a month rent for a house inlands. And that's not necessarily going to be a nice or large house.
Many students etc look for roommates and flats on the OC section of craigslist.org
Good luck!

[antibes]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Yes, its generally expensive but if you look around you can catch some deals. I'm currently paying $1350 for a 2/2 in Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza. Its a small complex owned by an independent landlord as opposed to a big corporation. He keeps the rent low to discourage high turnover and only advertises with a sign out front. You won't find places like this on the rental web sites or magazines but they are out there.

I agree. But for that price and within the $1800 range, renters can find a 2 bedroom flat even in Huntington Beach area - if they want to be near the coast. But as you say, you'd sort of find them from the signs outside the buildings, not in ads.