Cost of living for single male in Irvine (Mission Viejo, Lake Forest: for sale, real estate)

[chaitanyakr]

Hi there,

Can some on help me with the present cost of living in Irvine?

I am looking for details like the minimum amount required for a single male to live with moderate life style in Irvine.

When I said moderate lifestyle, I meant the below.

Accommodation - 1 bedroom furnished apartment for rent.
Food - I mostly cook so cost of groceries. Restaurant food - monthly 5 times approximately.
Transportation - Public transport. if not available, a car for lease and gas.
Entertainment/Travel - Leisure travel and visits to nearby places twice a month.
Utilities - Internet, mobile phone, TV

Did I miss any thing?

I have a job offer in Irvine and my prospective employer porposed a pay of $80000 a year. Should I ask for more?

My office is located at Irvine Center Drive, Ste890, Where can I stay such that the rents are not so high and can still commute daily to office with in 20-30 min?

Also what are the tax rates applicable for single expats in California?

Thanks,
Chai

[pacific2]

People in this area usually rent unfurnished apartments. In a pinch, you might want to rent furniture from Cort until you settle in:
http://www.cort.com/locator?city=irv...5&cityType=all

My office is located at Irvine Center Drive, Ste890, Where can I stay such that the rents are not so high and can still commute daily to office with in 20-30 min?

Irvine apartments are expensive and Irvine Center Drive is within easy commute of Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills.

Check this:
HotPads - Map Search for Real Estate, Apartments and Houses for Rent, Foreclosures and Homes for Sale

I don’t know about this site’s accuracy, but you might want to look at this:
Average cost of Food & Drink for Single Men in IRVINE,CA | Bundle

Scroll down for other expenses.

I have a job offer in Irvine and my prospective employer porposed a pay of $80000 a year. Should I ask for more?

It really depends upon the average salary for your profession in this area. Check this:

Job Salaries | Simply Hired

Accommodation - 1 bedroom furnished apartment for rent.
Food - I mostly cook so cost of groceries. Restaurant food - monthly 5 times approximately.
Transportation - Public transport. if not available, a car for lease and gas.
Entertainment/Travel - Leisure travel and visits to nearby places twice a month.
Utilities - Internet, mobile phone, TV

Although this person moved to nearby Aliso Viejo, you might find his observations about comparative costs to be useful: (Post #23)
//www.city-data.com/forum/orang...iso-viejo.html

Good Luck!

[ferretkona]

At 80K a year you will be fine. Rent cheap and purchase a house a few months later.
Figure state and federal taxes to be about 30% and you will get a small refund.

[robbybee]

Originally Posted by chaitanyakr

Hi there,
Did I miss any thing?

Only the cost of prostitutes. Their rates are higher in SoCal too!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

At 80K a year you will be fine. Rent cheap and purchase a house a few months later.

Buy a house on $80k?

[DinsdalePirahna]

Why would a single male want to live in Irvine? (or any part of south county)

[jwblue]

Originally Posted by DinsdalePirahna

Why would a single male want to live in Irvine? (or any part of south county)

Easy access to HB and Newport.