Relocating to California from Michigan (Long Beach, Santa Ana: apartment, renting, condos)

[NoelleImani]

I will be relocating to California in June for a job in Santa Ana (405 and Harbor Blvd area.. not too far from South Coast Plaza). My fiance and I are both 24, black, lesbian professionals. We also have a small (under 10 lbs.) dog. I'd prefer to be in between LA and work but I'd consider renting somewhere in the opposite direction as long as I could keep my commute time under 45 minutes. I'd prefer something relatively updated in a decent area for about $1500/month for a 2BR. Whether it's and apartment or condo doesn't matter and I'm not pressed to be in a community with a sizable black or lesbian population but I would prefer to be somewhere that would be considered age appropriate for us. Being near the beach is a definite plus. I've been looking in HB as well as Belmont Shores but I tend to keep finding properties in that "Slater Slums" area that everyone says to avoid and everything that I find in Belmont Shores that I like tends to be about $1800. I'm relocating from the Detroit area so I have more than enough street smarts to deal but a relatively safe location (no gang violence or anything like that) that's pet-friendly with a decent looking interior are top priorities. Can anyone suggest anything?

[BayAreaHillbilly]

If you'd be comfortable in an area that is quasi barrio (not an 80 - 90% Hispanic one, but one with a mix including say 25 - 40% Hispanics) that would open a few horizons. Of course, it's not entirely crime free but nothing like serious hood. For example the "barrios" of OC - they are not like ELA / Compton but are certainly not picket fence suburbia.

[mayorhaggar]

I'd definitely explore Long Beach, it's about a 30 minute rush hour drive from the Santa Ana area, and the rents are cheaper than Orange County. Alamitos Beach is pretty nice and is the area between downtown and Belmont Shores. Downtown has a lot of new condos but a lot of riff-raff. The area just east of downtown has some older condo-style buildings which are decent, but mixed in with a lot of run-down apartment buildings with a lot of riff-raff types. I think Alamitos Beach has less riff-raff, especially if you're closer to the beach. Belmont Shores is nice but yeah it is expensive.

Also the area just west of CSU Long Beach is nice, there's an area with a bunch of apartment buildings on quiet shady streets around Los Altos Park, maybe check out that area.

[blind spot]

Welcome from a fellow Detroit transplant! I agree with the Long beach suggestion. I would also suggest Costa Mesa for beach proximity and commute time. I live in north orange county and have driven to Irvine in the morning before (which isn't too far off) , and it's a pain, so I recommend living as close to work as possible.

Hit me up if you want other advice, it's quite an adjustment moving here from MI.