Fullerton, Orange or Brea 2bd for $1500? (Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos: apartment complexes, rental, landlords)

[OCADA]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to move to Fullerton, Orange or Brea and was wondering if I could score a decent place for around $1500 a month? I'd like 2bedroom and 1.5+ baths if possible in an area near the respective downtown areas.

I've done some research on craigslist, but its mostly flooded with ads from complexes that make me feel like I'm on a used car lot. I don't mind living in a larger complex, but I'm beginning to wonder if there is another way to find apartments in these areas. Any ideas?

[EscapeCalifornia]

What kinds of rents are you seeing on CL? I know what you mean about the used car lot but I think that's just part of the business. They're job is to fill units any way they can especially now. The big commercial rental sites will probably have even more expensive properties as they tend to cater to the bigger complexes with more money behind them while CL tends to have more small complexes. Do you live around here now? Just driving around looking for signs is a good way to find less expensive apartments.

[bhcompy]

i imagine you could find rents for that much in those areas. I pay 1400$ for a good 2bd in Los Alamitos and formerly rented for 1200$ in the same area, but bottom end apt.

[OCADA]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

What kinds of rents are you seeing on CL? I know what you mean about the used car lot but I think that's just part of the business. They're job is to fill units any way they can especially now. The big commercial rental sites will probably have even more expensive properties as they tend to cater to the bigger complexes with more money behind them while CL tends to have more small complexes. Do you live around here now? Just driving around looking for signs is a good way to find less expensive apartments.

Hey guys thanks for the replies.

I'm finding places between $1400-1500 but not as many as I expected.

I live in Huntington Beach and grew up in OC so I'm familiar with the above areas, though I wouldn't say I know any of them inside and out. I could just drive around, but I'm used to craigslist being my main source. Up in the bay area craigslist seemed to be the main way to find places and walking around only led you to overpriced rental companies. Down here it seems craigslist is full of companies and few small time landlords. I have no special affinity to either, but I just wanted to see if there are more options out there.

[sewkitty]

You might want to check online with the Orange County Register. (daily newspaper). The rent you have budgeted is well within the means as that area is around Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton Commuity College and the College of Optometry.

[celinehermain]

What I do is get a Google map of an area I am interested in, and then choose the 'search nearby' function and type in whatever it is I am looking for (usually food or antique stores) but in your case just type in "apartment" that way little complexes will show up, on the map and you can choose by location. There are many smaller apartment complexes in all three areas. Also once you find one, then use the "little man" to take a look at the complex from the street and see if it is to you liking. At that point you know the name and number and can call them (most are run by old ladies who don't do allot on the internet in my experience of looking a few years ago before I bought my house).
Good luck and don't forget to look for small local online versions of papers too - weeklys are a good place to look.

[Coldjensens]

If you want to rent a house, or a small apartment in a small privately owned complex, a lot of them are owned by older people and/or people fairly recently from other countries who are not that familiar with Craigs list. Some advertise in the paper, but many just put up a sign.