Is Living in Orange County really worth the hype? (Los Angeles: for rent, co-op)

[YLresident]

Originally Posted by mrsguevara04

Currently live in Irvine and looking to move out of state. I can say overall Orange County is nice especially the beaches during summer but not a place for a middle class family to afford a decent sized house. The diversity is great! Money is what seperates the classes. Irivne is nice, clean and safe. Home owners association is alive and kickin so if you like recieving letters because you have too much dirt showing in your front yard, then this is the place for you. I would stay in OC if I was single, under 35, had money to spare and enjoyed traffic. It isn't for everyone but it is for some.

The only reason my family's prolly still here is b/c we bought in 1987. Now, our house would cost at least $700K (more if we were to upgrade)... Very few places in Yorba Linda, however, have HOA's or mello-roos--even though hundreds (maybe thousands) of new large housing tracts have been built in the last 10 years. It's just not something popular in our city--Irvine, though, is like all associations (don't they have that 99 year lease thing, too?).

OC now is most enjoyable for upper/middle class families and upper/middle class renters... somewhat for college-age folks, too--but only if you like the college dive bar scene, or are content just hanging around with really great people. I had a great OC college experience hardly stepping foot in clubs or bars. ^_^

Definitely not for everyone, though... if you need excitement--maybe LA or San Francisco.

[JCheng91]

yes, if you have a professional job with high income or else no it isn't.

[boi2socal]

Living anywhere is based on one's priorities, income, etc.

I am a young person and love Orange County because I can live in a comfortable suburban situation but also have the advantages of Los Angeles. The negative - it is expensive and I'm barely getting by. Unless things change in the mid term I will likely leave. But for now it is a great place to be - even struggling.

But I could see it being a less than great place for someone with a few kids working an average middle income job that has a commute and missed out on reasonable home prices.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by boi2socal

Living anywhere is based on one's priorities, income, etc.

I am a young person and love Orange County because I can live in a comfortable suburban situation but also have the advantages of Los Angeles. The negative - it is expensive and I'm barely getting by. Unless things change in the mid term I will likely leave. But for now it is a great place to be - even struggling.

But I could see it being a less than great place for someone with a few kids working an average middle income job that has a commute and missed out on reasonable home prices.

This post hits the nail on the head. This is what I've been writing all along.

Single, no kids, decent job? Sure enjoy SoCal, don't worry about school districts or buying a home.

Married with kids? A nice place to live with good schools often means having to commute from home to where the work is. Traffic. Long commutes. No disposable time to enjoy the amenities.

[losercore]

As for the OP.

From someone born and raised in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Newport...It's not worth it at all. I moved away for college. Came back and was looking for an out right away. Found one in the Mid West and the ONLY thing OC has on the Mid West is the weather.

[oc2nyc]

I have lived in North OC my whole life (42 yrs). This is a great place to live while you are young, if you have the income , and you do not have to commute. But to raise a family here? Tough!
The freeway today, Saturday, on the 405 was bumper to bumper all day. Where do all these people come from? Oh yeah, other states because it is warm. I am trying to get my kids to go away to college and find a better place to live and raise a family because they will never be able to afford to do it here. I am afraid they will be living at home until their 30's.
We are trying to relocate as soon as possible just so we can own a home and go on vacation. I think that if you are young you might as well give it a try, but don't expect it to be easy. Other than the weather, which I have to say is pretty much the same all year round, there is not much benefit to living here. Some of the areas in South OC were beautiful at one time, but it seems that everyday more housing goes up and the beauty become obsolete. I don't know if it will ever stop, and that scares me. Basically I feel that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere so you might as well give it a shot,just don't expect a perfect life unless you have the money to pay for it.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by losercore

Found one in the Mid West and the ONLY thing OC has on the Mid West is the weather.

I'm 98% with you (also, besides weather: parents, friends, some ethnic food conveniences, no Trader Joes, etc.)

Colorado instead Midwest.

Had the best of both worlds:

LA: single in my 20s and 30s, clubs, chicks, camping, fishing, parties, beaches, skiing, bands, sports, etc.

Colorado: married in my 40s, four kids, excellent schools, housing less than $150/sqft, plenty of jobs in both Colorado Springs and Denver, no traffic, equivalent weather (actually better, not as hot) May through November, more interesting weather December through April (still just as sunny as SoCal).

Here are examples of the interesting weather (and these pictures aren't reversed):

Denver in May


Denver in December

[BreaOC]

Originally Posted by bigd8200

I recently received a job offer in Irvine, CA (Orange County). As great as the weather is and the proximity to the beach and mountains, I really wonder..... IS IT WORTH IT? Many people I talked to want to get out because it is expensive, traffic sucks, overcrowded, etc.

I would like to know from those who are living in Orange County or who have lived there in the past if it is truly worth LIVING and WORKING there! Defend the place you live or vent your frustrations. I want to know the good and bad to living and working there. Some people talk like it is paradise while others say it is overrated for numerous reasons (cost of living being a major factor).

When I interviewed in Irvine, I fell into the "southern california mystique" as most non-Californians do. I want to make an educated and wise decision before I decide to move out to "paradise."

OK. I grew up in OC, my family moved to the Midwest and after living in a couple cities up there I couldn't stand being away from OC. Like everyone has said there is horrible traffic and it is very expensive. A recent report I read stated that if you are planning on renting, the average renter needs to be making at least $15.37/hr to live somewhat comfortably. Of course that's an average, and areas such as Irvine will require higher pay to live, but your pay should be adjusted to compliment that. Try to get a home or apt near where you are working if possible. Irvine is very mundane, as in everything looks the same, but that is because Irvine is one of the largest planned communities in the nation. It's basically a big housing development that got to call itself a city. However, being a planned community your never far from everything, that's how it was planned. Close to shopping, schools, etc. True OC isn't a city, it's a county duh. It has traffic because it's part of a metro of over 17.7 million people. It's not crammed together like NYC, that's why we live here!!! Plus, beaches, shopping, sunshine, comfy temps year round. It's great, but not every area is for everyone. Give it a try, if you don't like it I'm sure your business has other locations you can transfer to. Best of luck!!!
P.S.- I've included a lil write up that may quench your OC thirst LOL:

Despite what some popular TV shows and films may want you to think, there's more to Orange County than beaches, shopping malls and beautiful people (although truth be told, there are plenty of all three here). And believe us when we tell you that nobody here calls it "the O.C." Orange County (named for the groves of oranges that used to grow here) is a diverse area made up of 34 cities that range from large and bustling to small and downright sleepy.Orange County has a lot of variety to offer those searching for jobs, apartments for rent and a new place to call home.
It's not hard to live the good life in Orange County, where 42 miles of beaches afford visitors and residents year-round opportunities for swimming, surfing and boating, plus tide pools where you can get up close and personal with marine life. Orange County is probably most famous for the Disneyland Resort, which includes the ever-popular Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Lots of locals buy an annual pass and visit the theme parks as often as they like. Other attractions in the county include Knott's Berry Farm (another theme park with scream machines galore), Balboa Island, the Crystal Cathedral and the Discovery Science Center. History buffs will appreciate the Mission at San Juan Capistrano as well as the Richard Nixon Library. Ready for more of the good life? Go shopping in one of Orange County's huge shopping malls, like the South Coast Plaza, which sells a mind-boggling $1 billion worth of products each year.

[oc2nyc]

Uhh, if you can afford to do all this yeah it's a great place. If you are trying to raise four kids and save for college, not so good. Yes OC has a lot of activities but many of them cost money. Sometimes I think that if my kids didn't have so many places to go it would be nice. Because they have shopping, amusments park, and attractions around every corner, some children here seem to lack imagination. I admit that my kids are so used to being able to ride to the shopping centers that they become bored at the drop of a hat, and it is costing us to keep up with their social schedule. We say NO quite often, and they usually have to use their own money, but it just seems like almost too much of a good thing. I look forward to living in a area where things are close, but not so jam packed that every sqaure inch around us is a strip mall or some sort of attraction. And yes, before you all attack we do go to the beach and enjoy the ocean for "free", but even that is not what it used to be with all the areas to shop within steps from the sand, and please , the water..ick! Basically I feel that So. Cal was a great place at one time but it's gotten out of control, and it is definitely not worth it!

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by BreaOC

OK. I grew up in OC, my family moved to the Midwest and after living in a couple cities up there I couldn't stand being away from OC. Like everyone has said there is horrible traffic and it is very expensive. A recent report I read stated that if you are planning on renting, the average renter needs to be making at least $15.37/hr to live somewhat comfortably. Of course that's an average, and areas such as Irvine will require higher pay to live, but your pay should be adjusted to compliment that. Try to get a home or apt near where you are working if possible. Irvine is very mundane, as in everything looks the same, but that is because Irvine is one of the largest planned communities in the nation. It's basically a big housing development that got to call itself a city. However, being a planned community your never far from everything, that's how it was planned. Close to shopping, schools, etc. True OC isn't a city, it's a county duh. It has traffic because it's part of a metro of over 17.7 million people. It's not crammed together like NYC, that's why we live here!!! Plus, beaches, shopping, sunshine, comfy temps year round. It's great, but not every area is for everyone. Give it a try, if you don't like it I'm sure your business has other locations you can transfer to. Best of luck!!!
P.S.- I've included a lil write up that may quench your OC thirst LOL:

Despite what some popular TV shows and films may want you to think, there's more to Orange County than beaches, shopping malls and beautiful people (although truth be told, there are plenty of all three here). And believe us when we tell you that nobody here calls it "the O.C." Orange County (named for the groves of oranges that used to grow here) is a diverse area made up of 34 cities that range from large and bustling to small and downright sleepy.Orange County has a lot of variety to offer those searching for jobs, apartments for rent and a new place to call home.
It's not hard to live the good life in Orange County, where 42 miles of beaches afford visitors and residents year-round opportunities for swimming, surfing and boating, plus tide pools where you can get up close and personal with marine life. Orange County is probably most famous for the Disneyland Resort, which includes the ever-popular Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Lots of locals buy an annual pass and visit the theme parks as often as they like. Other attractions in the county include Knott's Berry Farm (another theme park with scream machines galore), Balboa Island, the Crystal Cathedral and the Discovery Science Center. History buffs will appreciate the Mission at San Juan Capistrano as well as the Richard Nixon Library. Ready for more of the good life? Go shopping in one of Orange County's huge shopping malls, like the South Coast Plaza, which sells a mind-boggling $1 billion worth of products each year.

We moved from Irvine to Keller TX. We miss some of the aspects of SoCal but the below data says it all for us. Keep in mind that when we are talking about housing in Keller we are not talking about 1200- 1800 sq. ft. houses.

Estimated median household income in 2005: $82,827 (it was $72,057 in 2000)

Irvine $82,827California: $53,629

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $683,400 (it was $316,800 in 2000)

Irvine $683,400California: $477,700


Estimated median household income in 2005: $91,700 (it was $86,232 in 2000)

Keller $91,700Texas: $42,139

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $232,400 (it was $173,000 in 2000)

Keller $232,400Texas: $106,000