Homeless in southern/inland OC (Los Angeles, Long Beach: mortgages, hotel, houses)

[StuckInLAX]

Hi Everyone--long time lurker, first time poster here.

For several years I've wanted to move to LA. In fact, like many, it's been a dream of mine. However, I took a trip out there two weeks ago, and was shocked that on every other street corner--without fail--there would be homeless people. It was particularly bad in Santa Monica and outside Union Station--but they were everywhere. In fact, one was particularly aggressive right outside my LAX hotel (he came out of nowhere and walked up to me when I was waiting for a bus and, when i didn't donate, he wished I died of cancer). Not a big deal, I know, but it gave me the hibby-jibbies. And, keep in mind, this is coming from someone who lives in NYC.

So, as someone who's never been to OC, I wanted to know if a similar problem exists in southern OC, particularly Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and the more inland areas of Irvine and Santa Ana.

Thanks!!

[Vascodagama]

Originally Posted by StuckInLAX

Hi Everyone--long time lurker, first time poster here.

For several years I've wanted to move to LA. In fact, like many, it's been a dream of mine. However, I took a trip out there two weeks ago, and was shocked that on every other street corner--without fail--there would be homeless people. It was particularly bad in Santa Monica and outside Union Station--but they were everywhere. In fact, one was particularly aggressive right outside my LAX hotel (he came out of nowhere and walked up to me when I was waiting for a bus and, when i didn't donate, he wished I died of cancer). Not a big deal, I know, but it gave me the hibby-jibbies. And, keep in mind, this is coming from someone who lives in NYC.

So, as someone who's never been to OC, I wanted to know if a similar problem exists in southern OC, particularly Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and the more inland areas of Irvine and Santa Ana.

Thanks!!

There are street beggars in Newport and Huntington now but not nearly as bad as some areas in LA like Santa Monica, Venice or downtown LA. I just started noticing beggars on the street corners where people waiting at traffic lights will give them money. I see people living in cars throughout the city. They probably feel safe in OC compared to other areas. A few days ago I was at Shoreline Village in Long Beach and saw many homeless that would aggressively come up to you and beg for money. It’s a growing problem and will get much worse before it gets better. Our government is currently doing nothing to fix the problem, they are making it worse.

[robbybee]

Homelessness is an ongoing and growing problem in OC. There are people who stand at the end of freeway offramps, outside convenience stores and supermarkets. Many are legitimately struggling, others are just "working" it for the free money - I have heard of some pulling in $200 per day or more.

There is also a growing number of "Motel Families" in Orange County. These people are one half-step away from being in the street as well. It's not anything new but it is certainly a growing issue - and one with no easy answers.

But that being said, there have been very few times when I have been "accosted" by a homeless person, other than asking for a dollar. But the overall situation in OC is nothing when compared to the situation in Downtown Los Angeles. It just comes with the territory.

I can understand a homeless person's desire to be in SoCal rather than Wisconsin, y'know?

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by robbybee

Homelessness is an ongoing and growing problem in OC. There are people who stand at the end of freeway offramps, outside convenience stores and supermarkets. Many are legitimately struggling, others are just "working" it for the free money - I have heard of some pulling in $200 per day or more.

There is also a growing number of "Motel Families" in Orange County. These people are one half-step away from being in the street as well. It's not anything new but it is certainly a growing issue - and one with no easy answers.

But that being said, there have been very few times when I have been "accosted" by a homeless person, other than asking for a dollar. But the overall situation in OC is nothing when compared to the situation in Downtown Los Angeles. It just comes with the territory.

I can understand a homeless person's desire to be in SoCal rather than Wisconsin, y'know?

Instead of begging in front of grocery stores, wouldn't it be better to stand outside of a Home Depot or Lowes and ask people if they need help planting that rose bush? I think they'd get more help if they tried it that way.

[Vascodagama]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

Instead of begging in front of grocery stores, wouldn't it be better to stand outside of a Home Depot or Lowes and ask people if they need help planting that rose bush? I think they'd get more help if they tried it that way.

The illegal's will chase you away

[Charles]

A lot of homeless people have a higher net worth than a lot of people in Orange County. Assuming the homeless person has zero net worth, that is higher than people (and there are lots of them) who are underwater on their mortgages. They have negative net worth.

So, next time a homeless person asks the dude in the BMW for a handout, the BMW dude should turn it around and ask the homeless guy for a few bucks.

[Fontucky]

As I was at Stater Bros loading groceries into the trunk of my 1997 beater, a woman in a late model SUV pulled up and asked if I could spare some gas money.

The nerve.

[pacific2]

And, keep in mind, this is coming from someone who lives in NYC.

So, as someone who's never been to OC, I wanted to know if a similar problem exists in southern OC, particularly Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and the more inland areas of Irvine and Santa Ana.

I moved here from Manhattan, and there is absolutely no-o-o-o-o-o way that Orange County’s homeless problem compares to that of NYC. Occasionally, there are a few homeless regulars near some shopping centers ( I sometimes see them in Laguna Niguel at the corner of Heather Ridge Road and Pacific Park Drive); and Laguna Beach is well-known for having a relatively large (compared to the rest of OC, but tiny by NYC standards) homeless population.

BTW, Huntington Beach is in North OC; and Newport, Irvine and Santa Ana are in Central OC. Santa Ana has its own set of concerns, because there are lots of poor immigrants in that city. Some who would otherwise be homeless, may be living doubled, tripled, or quadrupled in houses and garages. Some live in the streets.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

As I was at Stater Bros loading groceries into the trunk of my 1997 beater, a woman in a late model SUV pulled up and asked if I could spare some gas money.

The nerve.

Was she hot?
Did you give the money?
Did it "work out" for you? (If so, where was the Stater Brothers?)

[Charles]

Consider checking out the thread I started:

//www.city-data.com/forum/orang...s-legends.html