Possible relocation from Austin Tx to Irvine Ca (Garden Grove, Orange: apartment, rentals)

[KidEgo]

Hi all,

My family (wife, 3 1/2 year old daughter, and myself) are considering a job opportunity in Irvine Ca. I am currently employed in Austin Tx and make around 80k a year total compensation.

I have a few questions.

1. What are family / good school neighborhoods in or near Irvine?
2. How much does rent cost to live in the areas mentioned in #1? Depending on current rent cost, we would be interested in renting a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment.
3. How much more would I need to earn to rent a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment in those areas?

Basically, I'm trying to assess if the job move is feasible based on the desired parameters above? In other words, would 100k be sufficient?

Thanks,
- Kid

[Matt Kim]

What can you/do you want to spend on a house payment or rent?

[KidEgo]

Originally Posted by Matt Kim

What can you/do you want to spend on a house payment or rent?

Currently, we pay 1700 a month for our house here in Austin. This includes property taxes, homeowner's insurance, etc.

Our only other debt is our car that we pay around 270 a month on.

[Matt Kim]

Irvine is kind of spread out. There are newer, more expensive areas, and older (30 year old) neighborhoods.

Google some rents there. I'll tell you what I think of the areas. All of Irvine is pretty safe.

And remember, you won't have to heat or cool your home most days in socal.

[KidEgo]

Originally Posted by Matt Kim

Irvine is kind of spread out. There are newer, more expensive areas, and older (30 year old) neighborhoods.

Google some rents there. I'll tell you what I think of the areas. All of Irvine is pretty safe.

And remember, you won't have to heat or cool your home most days in socal.

Thanks Matt! We'll definitely do our research on current rents. I'll write if I have specific questions.

[Matt Kim]

It's a great place to raise a family.

The weather today was fine while the rest of the country was howling.

I hope it works out for you.

[GirlsRUs]

Originally Posted by KidEgo

Hi all,

My family (wife, 3 1/2 year old daughter, and myself) are considering a job opportunity in Irvine Ca. I am currently employed in Austin Tx and make around 80k a year total compensation.

I have a few questions.

1. What are family / good school neighborhoods in or near Irvine?
2. How much does rent cost to live in the areas mentioned in #1? Depending on current rent cost, we would be interested in renting a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment.
3. How much more would I need to earn to rent a 2 or 3 bedroom house or apartment in those areas?

Basically, I'm trying to assess if the job move is feasible based on the desired parameters above? In other words, would 100k be sufficient?

Thanks,
- Kid

Wow, can we trade relo's?! I'd love to trade Irvine for Ausin, TX I'm a fan of Texas, what can I say. That said, Irvine is safe, clean, and generally a good place to raise a family.

Welcome to CA! You'll love the weather.

[bhcompy]

$1700 is kind of the mid/lowend for 2bd apt rentals in Irvine. Better rental prices a little south in Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, etc. Still nice family areas. Also western OC(Fountain Valley, Western Garden Grove, Los Alamitos) will have a bit more affordable prices(think $1500 for a 2bd apt), but that is a bit of a commute. All of the areas I mentioned are good family areas with good schools, btw

[TXTrnsplant]

Also looking at a similar relo - Round Rock, TX to Lake Forest. The comments here have been helpful. What is the "water" situation in Orange County? Of course, TX is in the middle of a historic drought, but it's got me thinking about long-term water planning, and I was just wondering how Orange County is doing in this area.

[bhcompy]

Water situation is fine. Aqueducts bring water in from various river sources and the water rights are secure. The local aquifer is replenished through water reclamation. There's also a desalination project in the works