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

[RobE]

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.

You might be able to get something cheap out in Murrieta, where they have 6,000 foreclosed homes (for a city of around 100,000, that's quite a trick), but as with Temecula, to go to anywhere fun or to a major business center is a schlep.

Look, given the state of California's economy, replete with 11% unemployment (it is probably more like 20% if you count undermeployment) and the real estate market still having yet to bottom out, if I were you, I would stay put. It is tough to make it in SoCal without a six figure income.

[Raelyn28]

Be careful about your Santa Ana comments, there is someone on this forum who loves that city and it isn't me....

Originally Posted by RobE

Yeah. I am a former Orange resident and don't like the neighborhood around Ashwood nor do I like the neighborhood for the property on Coolidge, since both of those neighborhoods have been headed downhill for a while now. Mind you, they aren't as bad as Santa Ana (yet), but you will want better than what they offer.

[itsjustme313]

Wow, why are some of the responders being so mean to this poor guy?? All he's asking is for advice and suggestions on the area (when you're not from an area or haven't "lived" there...it's hard to know the reality, so asking people like you who DO live there or near there sounds normal and reasonable to me). I think he meant "lower" cost of living. I'm sure he's smart enough to realize OC is expensive.

That's what I used this board for, was to get real true personal opinions or answers to my questions about areas I've never lived in to get a better idea. Very confused as to why all the mean replys to him.

[Raelyn28]

What guy are you talking about itsjustme?

Originally Posted by itsjustme313

Wow, why are some of the responders being so mean to this poor guy?? All he's asking is for advice and suggestions on the area (when you're not from an area or haven't "lived" there...it's hard to know the reality, so asking people like you who DO live there or near there sounds normal and reasonable to me). I think he meant "lower" cost of living. I'm sure he's smart enough to realize OC is expensive.

That's what I used this board for, was to get real true personal opinions or answers to my questions about areas I've never lived in to get a better idea. Very confused as to why all the mean replys to him.

[itsjustme313]

The original poster.

[Raelyn28]

He originally posted on a thread that is on page three (post #5). I think people were really offended by a comment that he made regarding stealing someones' car and wife to go along with it. He was making really arrogant off-the-wall statements and then getting really nasty and defensive when he was called on it.. I didn't notice anyone being mean to him.

Anyway, check out the thread...

Originally Posted by itsjustme313

The original poster.

[bonzai]

I would love to know how it all goes for you. Our family has always been intrigued by LA. We live in AL, but haven't been able to like it. The people S#@K big time, cheap to live here, and beautiful city. But, people are not welcoming to outsiders, plus it's racist.
Nothing is perfect, you know, I met a family from CA here in AL, and they tranfer back to CA they lasted 4 years here. Very nine people, I miss them. Good luck, and please post your experience in CA.

[KaraG]

I agree that finding a nice rental home for less than $3000 would be easy enough just about anywhere away from the beach in OC. But will a landlord/property management company rent to a new real estate agent coming to town? How would he prove income? With no more no-doc mortgages, I don't think he can get a mortgage until he can prove self-employed income in the new area for 2 years.

[Dirk Bonner]

Farmers' markets ain't cheap and neither is much of the stuff at Stater Bros.

Great prices at Henry's, Jordan's Market, $.99 Stores...there really are some fine values...but you have to know how to shop.

[HarlowPartyofsix]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

He originally posted on a thread that is on page three (post #5). I think people were really offended by a comment that he made regarding stealing someones' car and wife to go along with it. He was making really arrogant off-the-wall statements and then getting really nasty and defensive when he was called on it.. I didn't notice anyone being mean to him.

Anyway, check out the thread...

You know.. I didn't say anything of the sort! It seems you must have some axe to grind with agents. How about you learn to read!