recommend places to live for young professional east coast couple? (San Diego: sales, apartment complexes)

[goldenshell84]

I posted on the LA board but I think my post is more appropriate here. We are thinking of moving to California because my husband has been offered a position in/near Irvine. He'd be moving around a lot but my understanding is that Irvine would be home base.

I am 24, he is 30, and we are east coasters who have also lived in the Midwest when we were younger. We like being in areas that are young (but not over the top trendy young), and are also very walkable with lots of restaurants and stores (maybe bars too) at your footsteps. Anything near the beach would be a plus, as would anything new.. or a townhouse. Friendly communities would be good as we do not know anyone in the area.

Could you give me recommendations of towns (or even particular apartment complexes) where I should start looking? Our price range is negotiable - I might not be working for a while so probably in the $2500/mo range would be good to start with (obviously less is better if possible).

[bhcompy]

In OC itself, coastal Huntington Beach(basically around the pier and north along the coast to Golden West) would be a good start.

At your range you may be able to find something near the Newport Peninsula in Newport Beach, but not sure. That place is definitely beach-side walkable.

Sunset Beach, Surfside, and Seal Beach all may offer something, but are a bit farther from Irvine. Those three are all great surf towns with Seal Beach being the most walkable but also the most lowkey/family friendly despite a lot of nice dive bars and youthful restaurants. Seal is the most affordable of the three.

Now, in Irvine itself, there is a decently walkable area around the Spectrum, but that is the trendy place and you'll have to drive for more things than you would elsewhere I mentioned. This would not be near the beach though.

Outside of OC, you might like the coastal areas of Long Beach, which is on the border of OC and isn't a terrible drive to Irvine(but isn't great either) by LA traffic standards. Belmont Shore, Naples, Downtown, etc are coastal districts in Long Beach and all of them are fairly youthful and fairly affordable for waterfront/waternear property. The reason for the low pricing is the quality of the waterfront though. It looks great, but you have no waves due to the breakwater and water quality isn't great due the areas being adjacent to the Port of Long Beach. Makes for a great place to jog or fly a kite though(especially at Bluff Park)

That said, anywhere you look, don't expect an East Coast vibe. Beach towns in So Cal are mainly surfer/resort town type places. You won't find the urban style of many east coast cities here

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

In OC itself, coastal Huntington Beach(basically around the pier and north along the coast to Golden West) would be a good start.

At your range you may be able to find something near the Newport Peninsula in Newport Beach, but not sure. That place is definitely beach-side walkable.

Sunset Beach, Surfside, and Seal Beach all may offer something, but are a bit farther from Irvine. Those three are all great surf towns with Seal Beach being the most walkable but also the most lowkey/family friendly despite a lot of nice dive bars and youthful restaurants. Seal is the most affordable of the three.

Now, in Irvine itself, there is a decently walkable area around the Spectrum, but that is the trendy place and you'll have to drive for more things than you would elsewhere I mentioned. This would not be near the beach though.

Outside of OC, you might like the coastal areas of Long Beach, which is on the border of OC and isn't a terrible drive to Irvine(but isn't great either) by LA traffic standards. Belmont Shore, Naples, Downtown, etc are coastal districts in Long Beach and all of them are fairly youthful and fairly affordable for waterfront/waternear property. The reason for the low pricing is the quality of the waterfront though. It looks great, but you have no waves due to the breakwater and water quality isn't great due the areas being adjacent to the Port of Long Beach. Makes for a great place to jog or fly a kite though(especially at Bluff Park)

That said, anywhere you look, don't expect an East Coast vibe. Beach towns in So Cal are mainly surfer/resort town type places. You won't find the urban style of many east coast cities here

I agree with this mostly. I would just clarify that LB gets a bad rap for water quality but it's actuall only west of the pier that is a problem. east of the pier and all of alamitos bay gets high water quality marks. Peopl swim, kayak, sail, etc all the time. there are no waves due to the breakwater so if you want to surf you have to head really to huntington. even seal has pretty small waves so the "real" surfers tend to go to hb.

[OC Investor2]

Good advice from both BH & Naples.

If you are interested in Irvine proper check out the Irvine Apartment Communities website. They have extensive info on most of the apartment offerings in Irvine, the newer parts of Tustin and some in Newport Beach as well.

Huntington Beach would be a great area for you as would Belmont in Long Beach (semi-long commute though). Another typical spot for 20 somethings is Costa Mesa. CM is a bit grittier then HB or LB and alot grittier then Irvine/Newport, but look into condos on the east side or in the Mesa Verde area.

Lastly the area around South Coast Plaza - technically in Santa Ana, but usually refered to as "South Coast Metro" to distance itself from Santa Ana's bad reputation - was big with young singles back in the 90's when I moved out here, think this is still true. Try to stay between the north side of the 405 and Macarthur. Lots to do in the area, which is also home to the Performing arts center if you are into theater/music/dance. I know they recently put up some complexes just north of the 405 on the backside of the OCPAC complex as well.

[dakicka]

Originally Posted by OC Investor2

Good advice from both BH & Naples.
Lastly the area around South Coast Plaza - technically in Santa Ana, but usually refered to as "South Coast Metro" to distance itself from Santa Ana's bad reputation - was big with young singles back in the 90's when I moved out here, think this is still true. Try to stay between the north side of the 405 and Macarthur. Lots to do in the area, which is also home to the Performing arts center if you are into theater/music/dance. I know they recently put up some complexes just north of the 405 on the backside of the OCPAC complex as well.

I agree OC Investor, the area around South Coast Plaza is fairly happening. I am from NJ and moved to OC almost 3 yrs ago, first 1.5 yrs- Irvine= boring, last year- Laguna Hills= beautiful but also sleepy, now considering one of those nice newer/revitalized apartment communities across from the OCPAC. They are pretty 'happening' 'trendy' and filled with 20's/30's and seem like a great environment to make new friends as I always hear of pool parties and special events going on for residents. Definately a bit costlier- for a 1 br apartment, runs about 1600 for a decent one. They do have studios for 1200 though. I'm also considering a possible move to San Diego- around downtown, little italy, and there abouts. It just seems so much more conducive to people used to a more metro/dressier environment like NJ/NYC, and people who need more 'action.' While OC is beautiful and has great things to do, for the 20's/early 30's scene, it's quite boring.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by dakicka

' While OC is beautiful and has great things to do, for the 20's/early 30's scene, it's quite boring.

Only if you're an urbanite, hipster, etc. If you love the outdoors, surfing, dive bars, good restaurants, etc, it's a great place

[dakicka]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Only if you're an urbanite, hipster, etc. If you love the outdoors, surfing, dive bars, good restaurants, etc, it's a great place

outdoors yes lots to do, obviously because the weather is always nice, but the nightlife is HORRIBLE, and that's why I say it's 'boring' for a 20's/30's since most people in that age like to do things at night- lounges/bars/nightclubs. That scene is dead around OC, in fact very few places have permits for dancing= strange.

Yes, certainly the day-time scene is great since it's always sunny and you can hit the beach any day of the year.

[bhcompy]

I disagree. OC has LOTS of great dive bars, sports bars, and some pretty good pool halls. It just depends on what you want. The upscale metropolitan bars service an older crowd mostly, and that may be what you are talking about, but that isn't OC anyways. I'm a 20 something myself, and all my highschool and college friends have great times hanging out at bars or at Hawaiian Gardens Casino playing poker at night. Like I said, not a great atmosphere for an urbanite, but for those with more basic needs, there is a pretty robust market for small bars, late night dining, and some other activities.

[socalphilly]

Originally Posted by dakicka

I agree OC Investor, the area around South Coast Plaza is fairly happening. I am from NJ and moved to OC almost 3 yrs ago, first 1.5 yrs- Irvine= boring, last year- Laguna Hills= beautiful but also sleepy, now considering one of those nice newer/revitalized apartment communities across from the OCPAC. They are pretty 'happening' 'trendy' and filled with 20's/30's and seem like a great environment to make new friends as I always hear of pool parties and special events going on for residents. Definately a bit costlier- for a 1 br apartment, runs about 1600 for a decent one. They do have studios for 1200 though. I'm also considering a possible move to San Diego- around downtown, little italy, and there abouts. It just seems so much more conducive to people used to a more metro/dressier environment like NJ/NYC, and people who need more 'action.' While OC is beautiful and has great things to do, for the 20's/early 30's scene, it's quite boring.

Where is that? Across from the OCPAC? I'm not familiar with the OC but I will be working in Santa Ana and did to find a place to live with a young scene. Thanks

[rlowe87]

Goldenshell84, it seems we have common interests about where we like to live. Unfortunately, I do not have any information for you about OC but would like to ask you a question I recently graduated from college and am looking for a job in the health industry. My boyfriend is a sales rep. We currently live in Indianapolis and love the east coast and the west coast. I was thinking the west coast was too expensive so I have been looking at the east coast--where did you live in the east coast? Were you in the Carolina's by chance? I am looking for an affordable trendy place near a beach. Pleas let me know what you think--thanks for the advice.