Family of 6 Moving to Orange County. Looking for Low Cost of living! (Santa Ana: fit in, sales)

[Paula Lynn]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Why does a big shot real estate agent need to look for cheap housing in Temecula, which isn't anywhere near OC? Someone at the top of the business like you claim to be should be looking in Newport Beach. Do you call your clients A**HOLES?

You tell him

[Raelyn28]

Could I ask you a question? Why are you picking Orange County for your residency? You say that you are 1800 miles away? You are a real estate agent so I don't think it is a job transfer right? I am just curious as to what your motivator is? Just curious??? Also, have you ever visited the area???

Originally Posted by HarlowPartyofsix

I have heard so many things about OC and I am not sure what is true and what isn't. So many people have said that you need to make over 150/year to live comfortably. Is this true? Are there areas that are considered to be good areas that you can buy a home or rent for less than 3000/month? I have heard that Temecula,Ca is an up and coming area where the schools are great and cost of living is low. Are there any other areas even if they are not coastal and more inland that are considered nice?

Please respond with your opinions about areas that are considered safe with good schools in OC that have a relatively low cost of living.

[David Aguilar]

Anybody else find the title of this thread to be entirely ironic?

I'm going to start the thread: "Looking for a small town in the middle of Manhattan".

[Raelyn28]

I really don't think he has ever even visited the area. And some of his other threads are just as mind boggling.

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Anybody else find the title of this thread to be entirely ironic?

I'm going to start the thread: "Looking for a small town in the middle of Manhattan".

[impala666]

Originally Posted by HarlowPartyofsix

I have heard so many things about OC and I am not sure what is true and what isn't. So many people have said that you need to make over 150/year to live comfortably. Is this true? Are there areas that are considered to be good areas that you can buy a home or rent for less than 3000/month? I have heard that Temecula,Ca is an up and coming area where the schools are great and cost of living is low. Are there any other areas even if they are not coastal and more inland that are considered nice?

Please respond with your opinions about areas that are considered safe with good schools in OC that have a relatively low cost of living.

A very nice house will be for sale soon in Malibu, right next door to Barbra.

[HarlowPartyofsix]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

I really don't think he has ever even visited the area. And some of his other threads are just as mind boggling.

Wow people on here are so negative! You get about a 50/50 shot here huh? I responded to what I'd say was definately a smart a** comment and everyone attacks you!

The only thing mind boggling here is your need to make a comment like that. Nice! Really! Shows that you are definately here to help...

[HarlowPartyofsix]

Originally Posted by impala666

A very nice house will be for sale soon in Malibu, right next door to Barbra.

Thanks! Really!

[HarlowPartyofsix]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Anybody else find the title of this thread to be entirely ironic?

I'm going to start the thread: "Looking for a small town in the middle of Manhattan".

Again instead of helping you respond with criticism. Nice!

It is entirely possible that I will find LOW cost of living in OC. You act like OC is not the U.S.

How about instead of criticism you help me instead....

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by HarlowPartyofsix

Again instead of helping you respond with criticism. Nice!

It is entirely possible that I will find LOW cost of living in OC. You act like OC is not the U.S.

How about instead of criticism you help me instead....

That wasn't criticism, just a mere mention of irony.

How do I act like OC isn't the U.S.? And, why does OC being in the U.S. have any bearing on it's affordability?

Here you go,

First off, Orange County currently has a median listing price of $495,000 (realtor.com, June 26, 2009). Compare that with a national median listing price of $168,900 (NAR, May 2009). Considering that, I don't know how OC could in any way be linked with the words "Low Cost of Living".

My best calculations translate $3000/mo into a $450,000 home price. So we'll work with that, though I don't find that to be a "Low Cost of Living".

Costa Mesa
971 Union Ave, Costa Mesa, CA, 92627 - MLS ID#S579200 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

Rancho Santa Margarita
7 Las Alforjas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688 - MLS ID#S576518 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

Orange
2753 N Ashwood St, Orange, CA, 92865 - MLS ID#P664594 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

As you can see, $450K doesn't get you a whole lot -- it'd be interesting to know what $450K would get you where you currently live.

I'm sure that you are a great real estate agent, but how can you be sure that you'd be able to afford a home with that price tag? I wish you luck with that.

Even "low priced" Santa Ana comes in with a median listing price of $269,650, which isn't even worth that price tag IMO.

With OC, all you are really paying for is to have these things:
", CA" on your mailing address.
"Orange County"
The beach and Hollywood in reasonable distance.
Some, if not many people like the weather.

To me, it's not worth it, but to those that enjoy that area of CA, more power to you.

Good luck, and I hope you take this more as "helpfulness" and less as "criticism".

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Costa Mesa
971 Union Ave, Costa Mesa, CA, 92627 - MLS ID#S579200 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

Rancho Santa Margarita
7 Las Alforjas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688 - MLS ID#S576518 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

Orange
2753 N Ashwood St, Orange, CA, 92865 - MLS ID#P664594 - Single Family Home real estate - REALTOR.com®

As you can see, $450K doesn't get you a whole lot -- it'd be interesting to know what $450K would get you where you currently live.

Not to mention, the one in Costa Mesa is in a marginal neighborhood, the one in Orange backs to rail road tracks, and Rancho Santa Margarita is pretty far from everything, including jobs. Find properties without those issues and you're probably talking another $100k at least.