Santa Ana job - where to live? (Anaheim, Huntington Beach: apartments, condos)

[Axiom]

We're trying to decide whether to accept a job offer. Not sure whether it makes financial sense or not given the high cost of housing, but we're still considering it.

Job would be near Harbor just south of SR22

Good schools are a must.

We have friends who used to live in Mission Viejo and since we've been hearing how much they miss it for several years now... we started by researching that general area. (certainly not tied to MV specifically)

Looks like some good schools to choose from in both Capistrano and Saddleback districts out that way.

Assuming a commute of 25 miles or so I'm getting mapquest times of 20 to 30 minutes. Of course I'm not buying that... but how bad is it really?


As a backup I've also got a couple of schools on my list in the Placentia/Yorba Linda district.
Looks like a bit shorter drive at 15 miles or so.
Would heading that direction be an easier commute or not?
That appears to be a more established area with older homes. Am I reading that right? Stiil nice or no?


The whole move thing used to be so much easier pre-kids or even just pre-teen kids.

[bkeast]

Well, Mission Viejo is definitely very nice, but very expensive. Do you have a specific budget to consider? Brea is also very nice, as is Placentia. Stay away from Anaheim and certain parts of Orange (some parts of Orange are still nice). Above all else, stay away from Santa Ana except for work! It's really crime and gang infested, with terrible schools. I think you're on the right track with MV, though; it's a very nice city. Good luck.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Your commute from MV would be awful. I think Eastside Costa Mesa or Huntington Beach might be worth considering. Costa Mesa is part of the Newport-Mesa school district. [By the way, I heard a rumor that some kids from Costa Mesa were placed at Newport Harbor HS????(which is one of the top schools)... ] I wouldn't bank on using Newport's schools, but it could happen. Costa Mesa's schools are still quite good.

Huntington Beach is even more family friendly than Costa Mesa. It has hit the top of the Morgan Quitno "Safest in the U.S." list a couple of times.


(EDIT: I forgot... Fountain Valley is also a good option. )

[Axiom]

Thanks for the input. I was afraid that was the answer I'd get about the Mission Viejo area.
Darn!

Huntington Beach looks interesting. I just assumed that prices would be exponentially more the closer you got to the coast. I'll have to pull up some listings there and take a look.

How about heading up to Anaheim Hills or Placentia from that part of Santa Ana?

We'd like to stay under a million but still want a single family home in a nice, safe neighborhood... and did I mention that schools are important?

Doable?

Thanks again for the feedback.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by Axiom

How about heading up to Anaheim Hills or Placentia from that part of Santa Ana?

We'd like to stay under a million but still want a single family home in a nice, safe neighborhood... and did I mention that schools are important?

Doable?

Anaheim Hills is excellent. I have heard their schools are amazing. Placentia doesn't have exclusivity of Anahiem Hills and actually has a small gang problem.
Please look into this article on crime in Placentia-http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/communities/placentia/article_1567155.php


Yorba Linda is another favorite. Home of Richard Nixon. Again, Yorba Linda is another OC city ranking consistently in the "Safest Cities in the US" survey. Currently, the city is working on improving their downtown. Here are some photos of the old one: http://community.webshots.com/album/135127855ZSaHnv


Huntington Beach property values don't necessarily increase exponentially near the ocean. Quite a few guard-gated communities are not anywhere close to the beach. Some of the small cottages and apartments near downtown/PCH are occupied mainly by surfers and college students. Although, Huntington Harbour and Seacliff are two neighborhoods held in very high regard.(expensive and near the beach)

Very few neighborhoods in Huntington are undesirable. This is a rather upscale city for a population of 200,000 (which is mostly single family homes, and upscale townhouses/condos). Here are few major shopping/commercial downtown developments that will soon further enhance Huntington Beach:

http://pacificcityhb.com/
http://www.cimgroup.com/cities/hunti...ingType=office


Also, here's a tool for finding a good school district:- www.Greatschools.net

[Axiom]

Thanks Newport

I'll check out all the info you provided.

I've discovered Greatschools, lots of good info. there.

Right or wrong, PC or not, when I pull up a school that has a rating of 2 on a 1 - 10 scale and 96% of the population is on free or reduced lunch... I know to steer clear.

Honestly though, I'm just as wary of schools who score a 10 and have only 2% on reduced lunch. Not sure I'd like the kind of pressure my kids would be likely to experience in that kind of setting. Any bets on what the student parking lot would look like at those schools?

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by newportbeachsmostwanted

(EDIT: I forgot... Fountain Valley is also a good option. )

Ya better remember it, darn it!

But I already sold my house.

Having said that, it's a good little "bedroom" community and I'm sure you could get some decent deals (if 700K is a "deal").

[Sage of Sagle]

Don't overlook Fountain Valley. Down Harbor to Warner, west to Brookhurst/Bushard/Magnolia. Still have family and 4-5 friends who live there, and recently took the kids down for a soccer tournament. Houses are very nice, yuppie area, good schools, etc. It borders the more "family/bedroom" area of Huntington Beach (once you cross Yorktown I believe) but it's a quiet place to raise kids.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by Axiom

Any bets on what the student parking lot would look like at those schools?

Competitiveness isn't a problem in HB, Fountain Valley, or Costa Mesa. I think that's more Newport Beach and Laguna Schools.


Student parking lots will be average vehicles(Nissans, Jettas) and maybe a BMW or Mercedes here and there.