single mum and going to OC (Irvine: rent, income, price)

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by singlemom

Escapecalifornia, how long have you been in the area if I may ask?

All my life. I was born in Santa Ana, grew up in Fountain Valley, and now (barely) own a house here.

[singlemom]

Oh how comforting...Thank you for all your help. Sorry to have taken so much of your time.

[kturbe]

There are a lot of good areas close to the campus. Costa Mesa, Tustin, Orange are all relatively close and cheaper then Irvine. Depends on what amentities you want in the home. If you come a little south, then you have Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo all very safe and note to expensive for the area. In the south you can rent 2 bed/2 bath for about $1400.00-$1800.00 again depending on the details and area.

[RobE]

How would you all rate the apartments in the eastern half of Orange? When I lived in the area 20 years or so ago, there were some decent apartment buildings up around the Orange Mall (which is called The Village now, iirc).

There are also apartments and condos on W. LaVeta Ave right on the Orange-Santa Ana border, but they have become party havens for Chapman University students and parking is pretty untenable. If you decide to rent, though, at a place like LaVeta Grand aparrments, get the units that face Lemon Street. They are apparently quieter. But keep in mind that the apartments will be quite a bit shabbier than the model they show you. Do not, though, rent any apartments up Lemon after LaVeta Grand. They are illegal alien havens and there is gang activity up above Chapman. Also, none of the apartments on Glassell north of Chapman are good for a decent single mom. More partying and more illegals.

Good luck. I hope you have a good time here. But I also help it shows just what unfettered illegal immigration can do to a once nice area.

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by singlemom

If it gets too expenssive I may look for another single parent and get a larger apartment or house to share. But looking forward to be a "mature student". I already have a PhD but want change of direction. Going to do Forensic Psy Masters with Argosy as they have exactly what I want and a lot of online classes. Now with this knowelegable forum about the area, I am feeling more comfortable in settling in.

It has alway been my contention for someone w/kid(s), a private house is best even if U have to share w/another single. There are a number of older small homes in Costa Mesa. Irvine is nice and expensive though the schools are top notch.

[singlemom]

Thank you all. Yes if I would find a house to share with another single parent it would be ideal. But I feel safer in an apartment since I am alone with the little one, perhaps because I lived in an apartment in London all my life. In Bucks, here in PA I have a house, but spend all night worrying if someone is going to come through the front door, back door...I guess I am not used to a house. And Bucks county is safe, I still worry. I think because I lived in London all my life and am used to serviced apartments.

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by singlemom

Thank you all. Yes if I would find a house to share with another single parent it would be ideal. But I feel safer in an apartment since I am alone with the little one, perhaps because I lived in an apartment in London all my life. In Bucks, here in PA I have a house, but spend all night worrying if someone is going to come through the front door, back door...I guess I am not used to a house. And Bucks county is safe, I still worry. I think because I lived in London all my life and am used to serviced apartments.

There are vast # of apt offerings within 1
click radius of the Sunflower St. district both in Costa Mesa and S.A. Some are very large gated condos converted to rentals or just large rental complexes while others are duplex/4 plexes. Sprinkled in are middle class private homes. A shopping lg shopping center is in this radius as well the Music Center if U are "long hair". I no of several good complexes if U wish a referral. As a former contractor, now retired, I've seen quite a # of these places.

[singlemom]

Ramfeb31 that is great. Any information is great. And gated communities are something I am looking at, but in Irvine it seems so very costly. I was looking at rent.com and apartments.com

[singlemom]

Does anyone know anything about this community in Irvine? Especially about closeby schools. I have an opportunity to get one bed there in June as they run some special offer in about 3 weeks. Just spoke to someone who rents there and it sounds good. But again, it always "sounds" good. So wonder if anyone who lives in the area can comment please. Thank you.

Just an information for those who are looking apart from credit check taking lease i June:

- one bed apartment with patio and garage $1585 (discounted from $1635)
- need a proof of min gross income of $4400 per month
- $200 deposit only
- estimated $180 per month for utilities (excl. TV and internet)
- garage included
- if not enough credit, 2 months rent needed for deposit
- good facilities for kids (activities on site)
- club house etc.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Wow that's quite an income requirement for a 1 bedroom apartment.