Costa Mesa that bad? (Los Angeles, Huntington Beach: crime, neighborhoods, college)

[hollyschwartz]

Costa Mesa is a great city. It's so close to the beach and the prices are more affordable than Newport or Huntington. The schools are part of the combined Newport-Mesa Unified School District. There's lot of wonderful areas. Like any town there are the coveted neighborhoods/streets and the less than perfect ones. Do your research (as you are) and give it a try if you like areas with more nightlife, music venues, arts, and unique shopping opportunities.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by hollyschwartz

Costa Mesa...there are the coveted neighborhoods/streets and the less than perfect ones.

Which are more often than not within spitting distance of each other.

[ca_north]

Originally Posted by OC Investor2

This happened 12 years ago, so your memory might not be that far off. It was'nt a drill. There was a story in the Register about it the next day. Plus, It was a sunday morning. I doubt the SWAT team does tactical training on sunday mornings.

I stumbled onto this thread late, but news-searching reveals it was an armed robbery fugitive from Las Vegas. The arrest date was 8/3/98 at the Kona Lanes bowling alley. A random crook can cause mayhem or hole up in any town they want. It doesn't mean Costa Mesa is full of like-minded thugs. He could have been fleeing to Mexico along the coast, etc.

According to charts on this site, Costa Mesa's crime rate is well below the U.S. average (about 250 vs. 319). If one is moving to southern California, areas like Costa Mesa, south of the big smog zone, seem more appealing than the gridlocked inland mazes.

[DinsdalePirahna]

Costa Mesa is one of those very diverse quirky communities that offers a little bit of everything, warts and all.

The East Side is more like "Newport Beach Adjacent" South Coast Metro has some of the best suburban shopping in the United States.

The West Side is very Diverse. The closer you get to the canyon (south of Victoria) the nicer it gets, with lots of new remodels or new homes. North of Victoria can get a bit shady. Bristol street south of the 405 has a large Japanese community, with some very intersting restaurants and specialty shops. The beach is easy to access by a nice trail network.

You can't pigeon hole CM. Irvine is nice, but I prefer Costa Mesa.

[spark5]

The only area in Costa Mesa I would definitely avoid would be the area surrounding the DMV, but anywhere else is fine. The best areas imo is anything east of the 55(Newport Ave.) or the Mesa Verde area on the westside.

[Ampersanderson]

I've been lurking on C-D for some time and just started reading what people are saying about some areas I've lived in, and holy **** you guys are a riot. I lived in Costa Mesa for over 10 years and not once felt unsafe, even on Shalamar and Pomona. The only thing that would be a downside is some of the public schools but other than that it's a great city that has some of the most desirable weather in the country!

[Curbed Enthusiasm]

Originally Posted by Ampersanderson

I've been lurking on C-D for some time and just started reading what people are saying about some areas I've lived in, and holy **** you guys are a riot. I lived in Costa Mesa for over 10 years and not once felt unsafe, even on Shalamar and Pomona. The only thing that would be a downside is some of the public schools but other than that it's a great city that has some of the most desirable weather in the country!

I totally agree. The "worst" areas on the Westside pale in comparison to the bad neighborhoods of Los Angeles. There's just no comparison at all.

[preppyglam]

It really depends on the area in Costa Mesa. The "Back Bay"/East Costa Mesa is pretty nice, very old school, beachy Orange County...pricey little houses, some of them brand new due to the old house being torn down and remodeled...this is the part of town that butts up to Newport...the area where 17th turns into Westcliff. The west side of CM is much different.

I would skip Fountain Valley. Super generic, old. Nothing really special about that city. Nothing bad about it....but with your budget and the home prices right not- look in South County. I skimmed the previous posts and saw that some people mentioned SoCo already...much prettier, master-planned, better schools, lots of young families...you can get a SFH in SoCo, and maybe even Irvine right now.

Good luck!

[speedcat]

I'd say rent in Costa Mesa for a year,then when you're ready to think abot buying a house, try Irvine, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, Tustin to see the differences. Definitely wouldn't recommend Costa Mesa for buying a house because it really is not a true great investment I dont believe. It is transient, not 100% safe, no green spaces for kids, in all, mediocre. Unless** of course, if its much much cheaper, which it isnt.

[DodgeChargerRacer]

I would pass on Costa Mesa. South county offers a much higher standard of living and more value for your home buying dollar. You might have to use a toll-road or have a little bit of a drive on the freeways, but well worth it.