Should I take a job in Irvine and move to OC (from NY)? (San Diego: ski resorts, neighborhoods)

[2for3triplecheez]

I'm currently deciding between two job offers. One is in Irvine and the other is in New York (Manhattan).

Southern California intrigues me because of the weather. To be honest, I am sick of the weather here in the Northeast. However, I have family and friends here. I do not know anyone in Orange County. I have a few friends in LA from when I used to work there a couple years ago. I remember the weather in west LA being extremely pleasant, and I was thrilled with all the stuff to do there. I hated being stuck in traffic. New York is dirty and the people are rude, but I enjoy the convenience and having the option of public transportation (not to mention places being open until really late at night).

I am 26 and single. I imagine that my salary from the Irvine job will allow me to live a comfortable single lifestyle in Orange County, especially since I do not have a family to take care of. On the other hand, the salary offered by the position in New York is about 30% more. I could probably save money by living in New Jersey (areas like Hoboken or Newport in Jersey City) and commuting to Manhattan. The hours will be much worse in New York, probably by about 20-25% a year. The dilemma is that, working in New York, I probably won't have the time or energy to enjoy all that the city has to offer; in Orange County I would have much more free time on my hands, but have fewer things to do and fewer people to spend the time with. As a kid, I grew up in suburbia, but I've spent most of my adult life in big cities.

If I were to take the position in Irvine, where should I live? I'm not a big fan of commuting more than 30 minutes each way, and I hate being stuck in traffic (although I do enjoy singing while I drive). I'd like to be close to where younger professionals live and go out. Not sure how close I want to be to the beach, since I don't surf. I guess I wouldn't mind being close to it.

[Love2dive]

Originally Posted by 2for3triplecheez

I'm currently deciding between two job offers. One is in Irvine and the other is in New York (Manhattan).

Southern California intrigues me because of the weather. To be honest, I am sick of the weather here in the Northeast. However, I have family and friends here. I do not know anyone in Orange County. I have a few friends in LA from when I used to work there a couple years ago. I remember the weather in west LA being extremely pleasant, and I was thrilled with all the stuff to do there. I hated being stuck in traffic. New York is dirty and the people are rude, but I enjoy the convenience and having the option of public transportation (not to mention places being open until really late at night).

I am 26 and single. I imagine that my salary from the Irvine job will allow me to live a comfortable single lifestyle in Orange County, especially since I do not have a family to take care of. On the other hand, the salary offered by the position in New York is about 30% more. I could probably save money by living in New Jersey (areas like Hoboken or Newport in Jersey City) and commuting to Manhattan. The hours will be much worse in New York, probably by about 20-25% a year. The dilemma is that, working in New York, I probably won't have the time or energy to enjoy all that the city has to offer; in Orange County I would have much more free time on my hands, but have fewer things to do and fewer people to spend the time with. As a kid, I grew up in suburbia, but I've spent most of my adult life in big cities.

If I were to take the position in Irvine, where should I live? I'm not a big fan of commuting more than 30 minutes each way, and I hate being stuck in traffic (although I do enjoy singing while I drive). I'd like to be close to where younger professionals live and go out. Not sure how close I want to be to the beach, since I don't surf. I guess I wouldn't mind being close to it.

There is a lot more to do in OC than in NYC IMO, if you want 4 seasons, you are only a few hours away from ski resorts in OC and great beaches minutes away. Nice people and very clean.

[bhcompy]

being a mid 20s single guy i would probably look at huntington beach if you want a down to earth crowd or newport beach/laguna beach for upscale

[killer2021]

both cities are about the same if you ask me.

[slang75]

Take if from someone that left the vibrant cities of the northeast to come to Irvine...no way would I leave NYC for OC. OC is pure boredom compared to NYC and Irvine is the center of that boredom. Stay in the northeast until you want to settle down and then make the move. If you want warm weather year round move to LA. Weather isn't everything.

[Love2dive]

Originally Posted by slang75

Take if from someone that left the vibrant cities of the northeast to come to Irvine...no way would I leave NYC for OC. OC is pure boredom compared to NYC and Irvine is the center of that boredom. Stay in the northeast until you want to settle down and then make the move. If you want warm weather year round move to LA. Weather isn't everything.

Not everyone is into the club scene. OC is a great place, it's near LA and San Diego, yet you actually have neighborhoods. I like NYC to visit, be there many times, love the night life and restaurants, but not a good place to live.

[2for3triplecheez]

Originally Posted by Love2dive

Not everyone is into the club scene. OC is a great place, it's near LA and San Diego, yet you actually have neighborhoods. I like NYC to visit, be there many times, love the night life and restaurants, but not a good place to live.

Yeah, New York is definitely a stressful place to live. The people are definitely rude (made LA people seem like saints, though inside that tough exterior New Yorkers tend to have a soft spot too, it's just hard to tease out) and the city is quite dirty. It's vibrant, though, and I can see myself missing the energy if I move away.

How is the bar hopping / clubbing scene in OC? One of the great things about New York is that you don't have to drive, so you can do quite a bit of bar/club hopping. Are there places you can live in OC where it wouldn't be crazy to walk to available nightlife? How easy or hard is it to make new friends?

I wish I were more into outdoorsy stuff... the surfing, hiking, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, camping etc in OC would be so much more enticing if I were into things like that. Is it hard to get into? The only outdoor activity I've enjoyed in my life was playing pickup basketball when I used to work in LA.

[Mach50]

For 20 & Single ..there is no place like NYC.

My wife and I lived in Manhattan (10th & Hudson) for 2 years before moving here, if you are not really an outdoors person, OC will probably disappoint you, Manhattan is king.

Yes I know all about Manhattan hours too, but that's why there is such good nightlife, Trust ME OC does not compare.

I agree with what Slang75 said: "weather isn't everything"...plus in NYC the winters are mild and snow is shoveled for you.

I just think OC is a family place.

[2for3triplecheez]

Originally Posted by Mach50

For 20 & Single ..there is no place like NYC.

My wife and I lived in Manhattan (10th & Hudson) for 2 years before moving here, if you are not really an outdoors person, OC will probably disappoint you, Manhattan is king.

Yes I know all about Manhattan hours too, but that's why there is such good nightlife, Trust ME OC does not compare.

I agree with what Slang75 said: "weather isn't everything"...plus in NYC the winters are mild and snow is shoveled for you.

I just think OC is a family place.

I'm torn because I feel like I will appreciate the weather and family-friendly environment of OC more in the next 4-5 years.

[twnxn]

You are definitely comparing apples to oranges (and no pun intended). If you like the convenience of thinks around you, night life, fine dining, musuems, not having to drive everywhere, but can put up with the colder weather in the winters, the crowd, faster pace, then go with NYC.

If you prefer nicer weather, outdoors, beaches, more laid back lifestyle, less urban setting and can put up with driving more, the sprawl, less night life then go with OC.

It is a personal choice. In terms of living in OC, check out Huntington Beach, Newport Beach (definitely not NYC).

I'm beyond the night life, clubbing stage of life, so OC is fine with me. But, again it is just a personal choice that you have to weigh.