Job in Irvine, need some help on specific issues (how much, lawyer)

[pumpkinmamma]

One more question: we're a European/Asian couple. Would it be easy to find imported groceries and things we're familiar with such as baguettes, pates, curry powders, coconut milk etc?
We'd be happy to adapt to whatever's available of course.
I read about a huge asian community in westminister. Are there other areas?

[luckodeirish]

Westminster and Garden Grove --Vietnamese
Irvine - Chinese and Korean, some Japanese
Others will have some more to add.
Yes, you can find anything here, some of the items you listed can be found in the "normal" grocery stores, the others in specialty groceries. Within 5 miles of me are Korean, Japanese and Indian specialty grocery stores.

[robbybee]

Long Beach has a huge Cambodian community, just to add to the list. In fact, I understand that there are more Cambodians in LB than in Cambodia.

You should be able to find "ethnic" markets nearby, no matter where you live in OC.

[DinsdalePirahna]

costa mesa.:
Mitsuwa Marketplace Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa Store - Japanese Food Specialty Store In The United States

[pacific2]

Hope all goes well with the contracts.

What are approximate rates for a domestic helper?

Housekeeping rates vary depending upon whether you use a service, or make private arrangements. There are additional charges for extras like heavy duty cleaning. I haven’t used anyone in years, but I paid about $60/visit for basic housekeeping when I last did so privately.

There are a lot of hungry people in this economy, so things are always very negotiable with private individuals. They’re pretty easy to find because they leave flyers in the doorway. Sometimes, you just hear about good housekeepers through friends. Unfortunately, the most glowing reports (with trustworthy and reliable long-term working relationships) I’ve heard are from friends/colleagues who just happen to live in LA.

Here are links to some of the better known services (I notice Molly Maid cars around here a lot):

Merry Maids - Request a Quote

House Cleaning & Maid Services | Molly Maid Professional Housekeeping

One more question: we're a European/Asian couple. Would it be easy to find imported groceries and things we're familiar with such as baguettes, pates, curry powders, coconut milk etc?
We'd be happy to adapt to whatever's available of course.
I read about a huge asian community in westminister. Are there other areas?

Asians live throughout Orange County, with concentrations in a few areas, and luckodeirish and robbybee seem to have covered that very well. You should have no trouble finding the foods and condiments you need. I have heard, though, of people making special trips to Westminster, because the variety is probably much greater there.

BTW, Diamond Bar (LA County, but very close to OC) also has a lot of Asian shops.

[Coldjensens]

Santa Ana has a large Tonkin population. Is Tonka Asian? I always thought it was a toy truck, but what do I know?

[Aqua Bliss]

Originally Posted by pumpkinmamma

One more question: we're a European/Asian couple. Would it be easy to find imported groceries and things we're familiar with such as baguettes, pates, curry powders, coconut milk etc?
We'd be happy to adapt to whatever's available of course.
I read about a huge asian community in westminister. Are there other areas?

pumpkinmamma, you will feel right at home in Irvine/South OC. I am white and my wife is asian, we have a 5 month old son - we live in the community of Woodbury (Irvine) and there are plenty others just like us we see them walking with their kids every day. It's funny even on the posters for the community they have a white/asian couple - we joke about it.

You can actually find pretty much everything you want in Irvine itself. There is a 99 Ranch/Asian market on Jeffrey/Walnut. The best bakery around is 85c in Diamond Jamboree center, you will find great croissant, baguette, etc. there. For curry powder, coconut milk, you can find those at the Asian markets in irvine, and there are some persian markets in the shopping center on Culver and the 5 (next to Caspian restaurant), and also an Indian supermarket next to Bank Of America in the Irvine Marketplace on Jamboree and Irvine Blvd.

There will always be somewhere else farther away that you can go to find something potentially more ethnic or to save a dollar or two, but with the price of gas, me and my family are more than happy to do all of shopping in Irvine and support local businesses.

[pacific2]

FWIW, The Center Stage Studio, a performing arts program located in tiny Aliso Viejo, is something else that may be of interest to both kids and adults (They even accept toddlers):

The Center Stage Studio, Musical Theater Kids Camp Orange County, CA

http://www.thecenterstagestudio.com/schedule.pdf

[Marv101]

If living in Irvine would strain your budget, Costa Mesa or Tustin would both be very solid choices in which to live, as would any of the other cities listed on this thread; all of them are very safe, and have outstanding schools.

[pumpkinmamma]

If I could ask for you guys to help me out a little more here.

Assuming net monthly take home pay of $5500 (after health insurance, all taxes), how would you realistically allocate it among the following:
- rent
- car(s)
- car(s) insurance
- gas
- groceries (2 adults 1 child)
- TV/Phone/Internet
- cell
- utilities
- trash
- entertainment
- anything else you can think of