Help - I'm moving to the O.C. and I'm scared of condos (Long Beach: hardwood floors, fit in)

[samplesize]

I know this question was kind-of addressed below but I need help. My boyfriend has been offered a job at UC-Irvine, and I want to go with him, but I am totally scared of Orange County. We live in chicago, in a vintage 1920's apartment with hardwood floors and high ceilings, in a very liberal/ hipster neighborhood, where I can walk/bike everywhere. Oh and it is less than 800 dollars a month.

I know this is not possible in the OC - but is there anywhere with vintage charm? older neighborhoods? no gates? no republicans? with nice cafes and chill bars and maybe a food co-op? I prefer hills to the beach, but also love to be able to walk/bike to grocery stores, restaraunts and bars. and we're not rich - maybe we can afford 1200/month? and that's stretching.

I've lived a few places in the US, and never had trouble finding this kind of neighborhood, but looking at listings online and talking to people who went to school out there, I can't figure out where it would be near Irvine.

Please help.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by samplesize

.... in a very liberal/ hipster neighborhood, ...

I know this is not possible in the OC - but is there anywhere with vintage charm? older neighborhoods? no gates? no republicans? ...

Ouch.. I guarantee that Orange County can give your weeny Chi-town place in the country a run for it's money with "hipness".. ..That's not a word[hip] owned by liberals.

Santa Monica seems like your dream community. Unfortunately, that's over an hour away.. You may just have to "wait" it out for a few years in "bland", "boring", "out-of-style," "white", rich paradise.

[nevercoldcall]

LOL here we go again with "tolerant" liberals saying 'no republicans'... so much for being open minded....

[Angel Bear]

Sample,

I relate 'cause I'm from the Midwest too and live in an older, "charming" neighborhood.

Don't be afraid of the condos...We're in the market for one. It's kinda like a starter home. You'll be too busy outside enjoying the weather or working to have it be an issue

Regarding Orange County and Republicans...I've visited several times and I find people there to be much more open-minded and friendly than in any place else in the country So, don't worry about it You'll fit in just fine.

Newport is right...It is "paradise." It's a gorgeous place to live with a very high quality of life. I'd rather live there than any place in the world, well, maybe 'cept Hawaii, but that's for retirement LOL.

[Mel2882]

I don't have much advice for you, but...I am planning on moving to Chicago and your place sounds exactly what I'm looking for! What kind of a place is it that you rent for under $800? Which neighorhood?

[shadow42]

I don't think you will find anything like this in Irvine. First off, it is suburbia, not a city like Chicago. While you may be able to bike to the supermarket and other places, this will depend upon where you live in proximity. UCI neighbors the very expensive Newport Beach area. You may find that type of rent in a very small studio in an older apt complex...not sure, haven't rented in a while, but I don't think it will be easy for you to find. There are many apts near and around UCI that are mostly filled with students. Right in the area there is your basic shopping....supermarkets, some restaurants, hair salon, starbucks...etc. Personally, I would not bike lots out here...the drivers are very aggressive out her. I really think you will need to get a car. If you want to have the lowest rents possible you may try Costa Mesa...I lived there for a while and had a nice size one bedroom with dining area, den and separate area for my office and I payed about $1100/mo but that was about 6 yrs ago. You can check it out. The place is called Mediterranean Village on Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa. Not too far from UCI (would be a long bike ride though) and is proximal to shopping and post office. Was very convenient for me when I lived there and worked out of my apt. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[cassaka2]

Move to Davis. Nowhere near UCI, but one of the only places I can think of like you are describing within CA. Liberal, crunchy granola, bike-friendly....etc.

[colonel]

This county isn't worth living in anymore, the median house is $600K+, the traffic is USUALLY ALWAYS A NIGHTMARE and these idiots are still building more office buildings in IRVINE, STAY WHERE YOU ARE, I'm moving to RENO!
YOU won't have any money to go anywhere after paying your housing and fuel costs and the freeways don't allow it anyway unless it's at 3am.
I've been here since '87 and it's not what it should be or used to be and is only going to get worse..

[Angel Bear]

Personally, I would not bike lots out here...the drivers are very aggressive out here. I really think you will need to get a car.

Biking in Orange County is amazing! There are lots of bike lanes. And, well, my hubby rode tons in South OC and found the drivers courteous, meaning they don't honk at you or tailgate And, he said they waited patiently at one part of road that was sketchy. No one flipped him off or honked or was rude. It was a bikers' paradise according to hubby who's raced and rode all over the country. But, I guess after riding in Detroit area and in Detroit proper at times, we can handle most things LOL.

Also, I think there's a bus system for parts of Orange County. I have never utilized it in my travels there, but maybe someone else will chime in

I don't use my bike for transportation, just for training and racing, so I don't have experience with that anywhere really, but just wanted to give you another person's perspective

[RudyOD]

I say go for the Long Beach/Signal Hills/ Bixby Knolls area.