What he HELL does everyone do in OC to make money? (Santa Ana: credit card, home)

[Mr. Fantastic]

Probably not.

[impala666]

I buy cars in OC .............. Very good deals!!!!!!!!!

[dantheman420]

Originally Posted by impala666

I buy cars in OC .............. Very good deals!!!!!!!!!

Yeah before I moved I bought my car in OC. There are good deals on fairly new cars because of the super rich that buy a new car every year.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by dantheman420

Yeah before I moved I bought my car in OC. There are good deals on fairly new cars because of the super rich that buy a new car every year.

So, there is a plus side of having all those flashy, snobby, spoiled rich people around here after all? he he...

[SurfGhetto]

I am poor as poor can be in Orange County standards, and i love my quaint little life here in south orange county. You only add fuel to the yuppy fire by acknowledging their activities. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of this area, spend more time checking out the positives. My neighborhood is safe and clean and close to the beautiful ocean. I could easily buy a house in San Bernardino county for the rent i pay on my one bedroom apartment, but i prefer not to live next to meth labs.

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by SurfGhetto

Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of this area, spend more time checking out the positives.

Originally Posted by SurfGhetto

I could easily buy a house in San Bernardino county... but i prefer not to live next to meth labs.

I love it when moralizers don't practice what they preach.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by SurfGhetto

I am poor as poor can be in Orange County standards,

You and I should have a "poor off" to see who is closer to the limit.

Me: one income, four kids, 1998 F-150 with 190K miles on it (which is at RSM ford right now for a $600 repair...), bag lunches, vanpool, no gym membership, clothes from salvation army (no kidding), starbucks maybe twice a month, restaurant meal maybe once a month, basic cable, basic el cheapo cell phone service, mow my own lawn (I may be the last person in OC to do that), A/C only when it is like above 90F outside.

[wsugrad03]

I haven't had the pleasure of reading this entire thread, but I think about this topic every time I visit O.C. I have family living in Laguna Niguel, and I just love the area. I feel like I'm on vacation every time I visit. But, the more people you know the more you realize how it's all a charade. You hear the term "40K millionaires" a lot down there. 20-30 something kids still live with mom and dad, and lease Audi/BMW/Mercedes up to the kilt. They own 2-3 top of the line designer outfits, and $200 sunglasses, and they just loaf around and cruise. Some people know actual millionaires and flap around in their coat tails, but most people earn the median salary and are complete posers. The people with money are business owners and executives (most likely tied to the tech and entertainment industry).

You have the same thing in the Valley. Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Westlake Village, etc...I've never seen so many luxury cars in my life. As much as I would love to live in O.C. and be surrounded by the natural beauty, ocean, and sunshine, I'm not going to bankrupt my lifestyle to do it. I don't know the real median income manages a financially responsible living down there. Until the financials make sense, I'll continue to visit and vacation in the area.

[nowincal11]

Originally Posted by wsugrad03

I haven't had the pleasure of reading this entire thread, but I think about this topic every time I visit O.C. I have family living in Laguna Niguel, and I just love the area. I feel like I'm on vacation every time I visit. But, the more people you know the more you realize how it's all a charade. You hear the term "40K millionaires" a lot down there. 20-30 something kids still live with mom and dad, and lease Audi/BMW/Mercedes up to the kilt. They own 2-3 top of the line designer outfits, and $200 sunglasses, and they just loaf around and cruise. Some people know actual millionaires and flap around in their coat tails, but most people earn the median salary and are complete posers. The people with money are business owners and executives (most likely tied to the tech and entertainment industry).

You have the same thing in the Valley. Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Westlake Village, etc...I've never seen so many luxury cars in my life. As much as I would love to live in O.C. and be surrounded by the natural beauty, ocean, and sunshine, I'm not going to bankrupt my lifestyle to do it. I don't know the real median income manages a financially responsible living down there. Until the financials make sense, I'll continue to visit and vacation in the area.

Certainly on the money for parts of the Valley. People living with their parents into their mid to late 20s earning $40K, but that allows them to lease the BMW and Audi and drive around town with expensive designer clothes. You never see these people are expensive restaurants or clubs unless they are with their very wealthy friend. I notice a lot of people my age that just hang out in their cars and drive from place to place to hang out outside.

[00molavi]

Originally Posted by Charles

Me: one income, four kids, 1998 F-150 with 190K miles on it (which is at RSM ford right now for a $600 repair...), bag lunches, vanpool, no gym membership, clothes from salvation army (no kidding), starbucks maybe twice a month, restaurant meal maybe once a month, basic cable, basic el cheapo cell phone service, mow my own lawn (I may be the last person in OC to do that), A/C only when it is like above 90F outside.

Actually not bad, in my case I do the repairs on the car myself, Starbucks only when we are on vacation, like once a year, restaurant definitely less than once a month, most like 2-3 times a year. Mow my own lawn, do all car service myself, paint, plumbing, you name it.

I have since moved to the Santa Clarita area, but the financial side is the exact copy of South OC (if not worse). I keep doing what I do. My neighbors have stopped starring at me when I mow or work on our cars.