Moving to OC, can't figure out where to go?? (Long Beach: apartments, rentals) - Orange County - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

whollycali · 10-23-2011, 02:58 PM

Hello! I'm moving from Chicago to the Long Beach area in a month and after searching what I think to be the ENTIRE internet (ha!) - I still can't figure out where to live! I don't want to live in Long Beach bc we unfortunately are going to have to rent sight-unseen and I've heard a lot of back and forth like, you can rent near this street, but not that one, etc., safety issues...We're trying to narrow it down so my husband doesn't have a terrible commute to Long Beach for work. Garden Grove, Huntington Beach & Newport Beach seem decent? Trying to find a safe place to live w/ decent schools on our limited budget. Looking for a 2 bed for around $1500/mo. (Don't want to stretch the budget too thin as I assume it may take a while to find employment for myself) Any suggestions?

I did see the Montejo Apts in Garden Grove but I can't find any reveiws. Anyone familiar?

Thanks in advance guys! My head is spinning!

DinsdalePirahna · 10-23-2011, 03:50 PM

Garden Grove is generally pretty crappy (unless you are on the West Side) Same with Westminster. Stay away from Stanton, Santa Ana, Midway City.

Huntington Beach is pretty nice with good Schools (especially if you are near Edison, Huntington Beach HS or Marina HS) (but do not look at anything between Slater, Edinger, Beach and Gothard).

Downtown can get a bit crazy. But get better the further you get away from Main Street.

There are very few inexpensive rentals in Newport Beach, but parts of Costa Mesa will get you in Newport Harbor HS. (stay to the east side and extreme west side)

whollycali · 10-23-2011, 04:15 PM

Thanks! It's tough to figure out exactly where they are. Should I just post the names of the apt buildings? I appreciate your help! I've been looking for weeks and I feel like I'm just going in circles. We have a 6 year old & a dog so it's been tough to figure out. We also have had to rent in over 10 years so please excuse my renters-ignorance.

Charles · 10-23-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whollycali

Hello! I'm moving from Chicago to the Long Beach area in a month and after searching what I think to be the ENTIRE internet (ha!) - I still can't figure out where to live! I don't want to live in Long Beach bc we unfortunately are going to have to rent sight-unseen and I've heard a lot of back and forth like, you can rent near this street, but not that one, etc., safety issues...We're trying to narrow it down so my husband doesn't have a terrible commute to Long Beach for work. Garden Grove, Huntington Beach & Newport Beach seem decent? Trying to find a safe place to live w/ decent schools on our limited budget. Looking for a 2 bed for around $1500/mo. (Don't want to stretch the budget too thin as I assume it may take a while to find employment for myself) Any suggestions?

I did see the Montejo Apts in Garden Grove but I can't find any reveiws. Anyone familiar?

Thanks in advance guys! My head is spinning!

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bhcompy · 10-23-2011, 06:03 PM

Anywhere in Los Alamitos will be safe and close to Long Beach with good schools. That rent is about the average for a 2bd in Los Alamitos.

whollycali · 10-23-2011, 06:24 PM

Awesome- thank you!! It's nice to know there are helpful people in the area!

Fontucky · 10-23-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whollycali

Should I just post the names of the apt buildings?

Naw... people here at C-D go by nearest intersections, not apt building names when they rate an area you're interested in. Few people pay attention to the usually corny names they give those places.

whollycali · 10-23-2011, 09:09 PM

Ha! I'll keep that in mind. Will definitely be bothering you guys/girls again.

Vascodagama · 10-24-2011, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinsdalePirahna

Garden Grove is generally pretty crappy (unless you are on the West Side) Same with Westminster. Stay away from Stanton, Santa Ana, Midway City.

Huntington Beach is pretty nice with good Schools (especially if you are near Edison, Huntington Beach HS or Marina HS) (but do not look at anything between Slater, Edinger, Beach and Gothard).

Downtown can get a bit crazy. But get better the further you get away from Main Street.

There are very few inexpensive rentals in Newport Beach, but parts of Costa Mesa will get you in Newport Harbor HS. (stay to the east side and extreme west side)

The neighborhood west of beach, south of hiel, east of gothard and north of warner is good and very affordable.

ragnarkar · 10-24-2011, 08:04 AM

If anything, absolutely avoid any commute that takes you along 405 between Valley View and 605!!!!! This section will be very congested until mid 2012 due to the construction. If you must go through here, minimize the distance of your commute.

That apartment is smack in the middle of Koreatown in Garden Grove, one of the better ethnic neighborhoods (as opposed to the Vietnamese or Mexican areas.) But still, your commute will take you through the most congested areas of 405.

Generally speaking, all of the areas along 605 south of 91 are fine, except Hawaiian Gardens. The areas of Long Beach along 605 are the best areas in the city. You shouldn't have much trouble in Lakewood, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Cerritos, and La Palma.