How to find a good apartment? (Irvine, Mission Viejo: apartments, rent, hotel)

[junglebike]

Hey guys,

So I'm looking at Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills primarily (thanks for your help on this in my previous thread!) Might consider Irvine as well -- ideally within 5 miles of the El Toro Y. Hoping to spend $1600-$1800 on a 2br, hopefully within walking distance to groceries and a couple of decent restaurants. Don't care so much about a brand new place, fitness centers, pools, etc.

We're in upstate NY right now, and will be driving out for a late June arrival. Planning on getting a hotel and looking for a July 1 move-in date if possible. Any advise on resources to find promising apts prior to our trip? I've been looking at apartmentratings.com -- the reviews are generally 50% horrible and 50% glowing. I think (I hope) the only people posting these reviews are spurned tenants and apt. mgrs in disguise.

If you have a bead on specific complexes I should look at, general advise, or good review sites -- let me know! Thanks a lot, guys.

[Snaily]

Have you tried craigslist? I would try to identify the major companies and give them a call (in Irvine its all IAC, not sure about the areas you cited though).
But also, in OC most of the apartments are decent (particular in the areas you mentioned), I think its a different experience than looking for apartments on the east.


Also, I did what you did when I moved to PA from CA, and it didn't end up good. You may think about flying out to secure a place, it may even be cheaper as you may not find something in your time frame (I'm moving to CA in 2 months, I"m giving myself 2 months to find a place. Luckily I have someone I can stay with rent free).

[junglebike]

Yeah, I've been looking on craigslist. What worries me is these reviews -- Lots of the apts i'm interested in have horrible reviews. But I look around, and almost all of the complexes have at least a couple of them. This makes me think that they're being written by dueling apt. mgrs and I should ignore them all.

Anyone had any experience with The Arboretum at Lake Forest?

Maybe I'll look into a short-term option first...