Are there any safe areas in Santa Ana at all? (Riverside: for sale, real estate)

[wrcousert]

I lived in Santa Ana back in the early 70's and it was okay then. It was a four-plex apartment at Goldenwest & Aurora, across Fairview from Calvary Chapel.

It's probably been 37 years since I was last in the neighborhood. What's it like today?

[skatersollie]

Most of the offices in my area are dying out exept for the so called "medical dispenaries" I have to lock the office door because of all the annoying foot traffic...

[LisainCali]

Yes, there are good areas in Santa Ana. For example, Jamboree and Main (by John Wayne airport), Santa Ana Heights is VERY expensive.

If you are looking for a safe place to live for less money, how about Rancho Santa Margarita? Awesome community. Or there are condos in Dana Point/San Clemente and even Newport Beach, yes!, that are cheap and are in much better areas. San Juan Capistrano?

Unfortunately, Santa Ana has a bad name. You have not mentioned your price range, so I am guessing that it is $100,000 or less. In that case, you might want to go a bit east into Corona. Honestly, that is a great town to live in and you can get a lot for your money these days.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by LisainCali

Yes, there are good areas in Santa Ana. For example, Jamboree and Main (by John Wayne airport), Santa Ana Heights is VERY expensive.

Uh, Jamboree and Main is Irvine. Santa Ana Heights is an unincorporated (or recently annexed) section along Santa Ana Ave in Costa Mesa/Newport.

[xani]

Yes, you're right, I'm at the low end of the budget, 100K, so Newport beach, San Clemente, etc are out of reach. I was looking at the cluster of condos located around Warmer and Raitt streets.
It would seem like the nicer areas in Santa Ana would be too expensive for me. I'm looking into north SD county and Temecula valley as well at this point. I wanted to be closer to OC job market, especially Irwine... and Santa Ana is the only option in OC for the price. Rancho Santa Margarita sounds nice but is just a bit outside my price limit.

When you're buying with a budget, you have to be sure you're not at the lowest end for the area/town, because you'll get crappy place with problems.

[ragnarkar]

You could look into Garden Grove.. it's comparable to the better areas in Santa Ana and might not be much more expensive.. for a reason though (since it's further away from where most of the jobs are.) If your commute is an issue, try Tustin (outside of the Tustin Ranch), also comparable to the better areas of Santa Ana. My friend rents an apartment in Santa Ana around MacArthur and Main, within walking distance of Irvine.. says not much different from Irvine and pays Santa Ana rents. I'm not sure how much the condos in that area would cost.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by xani

YI'm looking into north SD county and Temecula valley as well at this point.

You're going to find much better values in the Temecula Valley. The prices in Temecula are very reasonable for what you get in terms of amenities, safety, etc. North SD county is expensive.

[xani]

Trust me, there's nothing in Tustin that comes down to 100K, neither in Garden Grove. May be in Garden grove (like only a couple of units under 100K were sold in the last year). Looks like my money are just not getting me anywhere near OC.

[xani]

Originally Posted by user_id

You're going to find much better values in the Temecula Valley. The prices in Temecula are very reasonable for what you get in terms of amenities, safety, etc. North SD county is expensive.

Yes, I thought about it a lot. I like Temecula valley a lot (except the lack of employment)
And true north SD county is more expensive than Temecula valley, though property values in north county
are similar to southern part of Temecula Valley.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by user_id

You're going to find much better values in the Temecula Valley. The prices in Temecula are very reasonable for what you get in terms of amenities, safety, etc.

....long commute times to OC....