big move to orange county (Los Angeles, Santa Ana: low income, for sale, real estate)

[bjsacry]

We are a family of 5 thinking of moving somewhere in orange county from montana. My husband would like to attend bible school in santa ana. We where wondering what are the best family areas to live in oc on a students budget. He is an electrical contractor but may not be able to work full time...Any ideas?????

[Charles]

Originally Posted by bjsacry

We are a family of 5 thinking of moving somewhere in orange county from montana. My husband would like to attend bible school in santa ana. We where wondering what are the best family areas to live in oc on a students budget. He is an electrical contractor but may not be able to work full time...Any ideas?????

What exactly is a student's budget (for a family of 5)?
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[EscapeCalifornia]

Where in Santa Ana is the school?

Construction is pretty dead and half of Santa Ana is some kind of contractor who'll work cheap so competition is tough on someone trying to support a family.

[bjsacry]

My husband currently owns his own electicl bis. but the economy where we live is terrible. The school is a small (I think) school of ministry. As far as a students budget...I am not sure, I guess it all depends on the job he can get and how much he will be able to work. We are use to a pretty good income, so this is going to be a huge change. We are willing to live more simple and even settle for a 2 bedroom as long as it is in a good neighborhood. Knowing that this will be a temporary life style we can make it work. I would just appreciate any and all info...Thanx

[bhcompy]

Cost of living will be a big difference. A 2bd apt in a good area will run anywhere from 1200-1600. In a great area it will cost on the higher end of that or more. You really need a set budget though

[jkanderson521]

bjsacry, what ages are your kids, the schools in most of the affordable areas are terrible and with the recent school budget cuts, likely to get worse. Contractor work is very slow, almost non-existant and there is tremendous competition.

2bd apt in an area with a good school system will be definately at the high end of what bh said, maybe higher, perhaps you would want to look at renting a small house which might be a better value than an apt.

I would suggest parts of Fountain Valley, Tustin, Orange, perhaps Fullerton. Avoid Santa Ana, Garden Grove and points northward.

Anything in South County will be pretty good but would be a communte and more expensive. However, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, RSM, and parts of Aliso Viejo have reasonably affordable areas that are a tolerable commute given the right time of the day.

I wish you and your family the best on this big change

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jkanderson521

the schools in most of the affordable areas are terrible and with the recent school budget cuts, likely to get worse.

Oops, I forgot to post this important tool.

School Performance Maps

[Coldjensens]

You can set up a tent at that campground in Newport Beach. It might be cheaper at the state campground down by trestles or out at Trabuco Oaks.

Try old town orange. There are quite a few converted garage apartments behind many of the homes.

[PrincessJoyce]

I relocated from California in 2008. So glad I did. The rent and home purchases are going thru the roof. I suggest you stay put and look at other states to relocate to. There are other issues, crime, gangs, high taxes, and the economy is faltering. I lived in four cities in California. Redondo Beach was the best. But I would not move back tommorrow if I was paid a million dollars.

[Raelyn28]

Listen it sounds like you do not know what you are getting into. Listen to all these locals and posters here. You will probably either live in a dump or like one person said pitch a tent. You cannot make it in Southern California on a low income and have any quality of life. Also, did you check the racial diversity and are you ready for that? Missouri is very different from Southern Cal and you will be in a culture shock. I know because I moved from Omaha Nebraska to California and I didn't have kids. I moved away from OC because I had kids. Stay put... Move to somewhere in the Midwest if there aren't bible colleges there. There are lots of bible colleges everywhere. The west coast is having extreme problems with their economy right now. The midwest is alot more stable.