worst areas in Santa Ana (Anaheim, Orange: rentals, houses, buying)

[Wesleytf]

I'm just curious what areas are most dangerous(especially in regard to gang activity) and should be avoided if at all possible. I know it can be block to block, but are there any especially "bad" areas? I already know floral park and historic french park are the nicer end, but what's the worst of the worst?

[EscapeCalifornia]

In general avoid anything between Euclid St. and the 55 freeway and between the 22 freeway and MacArthur Blvd. as places to live. Traveling there isn't a problem though.

[Wesleytf]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

In general avoid anything between Euclid St. and the 55 freeway and between the 22 freeway and MacArthur Blvd. as places to live. Traveling there isn't a problem though.

aka all of santa ana? seriously, anyone got any tips on the worst of Santa Ana?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Wesleytf

aka all of santa ana? seriously, anyone got any tips on the worst of Santa Ana?

I'm only half joking. Why do you want to live in Santa Ana to begin with?

Looks like it was another fun night in Santa Ana last night.

Two dead, three injured in separate shootings | police, semelsberger, people, friday, three - News - OCRegister.com

[Wesleytf]

it's very close to where my wife works and most OC places. It's affordable. I don't mind not living in affluent, conservative, all white areas, and I'm looking at the options somewhat methodically. If Santa Ana's really that bad I'll rule it out and be asking quite a few more questions about, say... Anaheim (likely the next place I'll be researching).

[ocexpo]

Well are you hispanic? You would probably feel very out of place in a city like Santa Ana if you are not. I am not being racist, just trying to be honest. Santa Ana really is not a good city to live in.

Are you set on that 300K budget? I can probably suggest some rather nice areas (and listings) if you are willing to go up to 350K.

[ArthursChoice]

Originally Posted by wesleytf

aka all of santa ana? Seriously, anyone got any tips on the worst of santa ana?

that's what i was thinking! Lol! The worst part of santa ana is santa ana!

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by Wesleytf

,,,,it's very close to where my wife works and most OC places. It's affordable.

It only seems affordable till you weigh the costs. The fact it seems so cheap is the warning flag.

[Wesleytf]

Originally Posted by ocexpo

Well are you hispanic? You would probably feel very out of place in a city like Santa Ana if you are not. I am not being racist, just trying to be honest. Santa Ana really is not a good city to live in.
Are you set on that 300K budget? I can probably suggest some rather nice areas (and listings) if you are willing to go up to 350K.

Since it is our first home, I'd really rather not stretch too much. We'll be putting in offers next off-season (likely starting in December/January), so hopefully that will present some better deals. From what I've read the market is still going down, so that may help, too. What is $350k now may be more in our budget when buying time comes around. I'm also hoping now that the moratorium on forclosures is up we'll be seeing more on the market around that time. I'll be looking into listings that have been on the market a while and possibly making some low offers on places that just haven't moved.

FWIW we're white but we've both lived in places where we were the minority and are not uncomfortable with it. We've even discussed becoming ex-pats down the road... but I digress...

For now, we're trying not to get into the trouble that got us into this housing debacle in the first place--we DON'T want to live outside our means. If this means living in a Hispanic community, so be it.

[ocexpo]

Originally Posted by Wesleytf

Since it is our first home, I'd really rather not stretch too much. We'll be putting in offers next off-season (likely starting in December/January), so hopefully that will present some better deals. From what I've read the market is still going down, so that may help, too. What is $350k now may be more in our budget when buying time comes around. I'm also hoping now that the moratorium on forclosures is up we'll be seeing more on the market around that time. I'll be looking into listings that have been on the market a while and possibly making some low offers on places that just haven't moved.

FWIW we're white but we've both lived in places where we were the minority and are not uncomfortable with it. We've even discussed becoming ex-pats down the road... but I digress...

For now, we're trying not to get into the trouble that got us into this housing debacle in the first place--we DON'T want to live outside our means. If this means living in a Hispanic community, so be it.

Wesley, I do believe you are right, December/Jan may be a good time. But do not expect the market to keep going down that much. The median house and the median income in Orange County is about where it should be...which usually signals a flattening in housing prices or even the start of an upswing. I just ask you not to wait too long, there are many eager young couples like you who are on the brink of being able to finally afford to buy in OC and when we hit that point where young couples can afford to buy houses and trade in their rentals, you will likely see a sellers market return.