Too far from Irvine? (Anaheim, Orange: apartment, lease, condo)

[cltr1812]

Hi Guys,

I have a few questions to ask as I'm not too familiar with OC yet. Currently, I work in Irvine but live in Tustin and my lease is coming up soon. Of course, I'm looking for something cheaper but safe since I have a child. I was considering Lake Forest, Orange, Anaheim but not sure.

I found this house in Anaheim off Lincoln and East. What do you think of the area? And would it be too far to drive back and forth each day considering my son would be in school in Anaheim?

What are some good places in Orange that hasnt been taken over by gangbangers? Lake Forest or any other areas that are remotely close and cheap? I dont want to keep paying almost $2g for rent.

HELP!


Merry Xmas to all!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Lincoln and East in Anaheim isn't such a great area. The nicer parts of Anaheim and Orange are east of the 55. Lake Forest is nice but there's a couple of pockets that aren't as good. The problem with OC is that the nice areas where you'd want your kid to live are expensive. If its cheap, there's probably a good reason.

I've found California School Performance Maps (elementary schools) to be a good guide to the quality of a neighborhood. Crappy areas = crappy people = crappy school scores

[cltr1812]

Thanks alot. This is helpful but I see I might have to stay right where I am in Tustin

[bhcompy]

Are you renting a house? Nothing else should be $2k, and $2k is pretty low for a house in a safe area with decent+ schools in Orange County

[cltr1812]

The 2k is renting an apartment here in Tustin. I didnt want to continue to pay that amount of pocket. I would like something cheaper of course but safe for my son that has ADHD.

[luckodeirish]

If your son is in a good school and is doing okay I would stay put. Moving him to another school, different environment, different teachers, etc might upset him enough that you would end up spending more time trying to stabilize his school situation. Finding a place cheaper won't end up being worth it IMHO. Good luck!!

[cltr1812]

Yes, he's doing really well in school but he'll start middle school in Sept. So that means new school, new teachers and new student. And since thats the case, this would be the perfect time to move. Plus when my lease is up in March, my rent will increase $200 more. I cant afford that and thats why im looking to move somewhere cheaper. At least I will be able to stay put for a few years hopefully and still be able to survive versus living paycheck to paycheck.

Originally Posted by luckodeirish

If your son is in a good school and is doing okay I would stay put. Moving him to another school, different environment, different teachers, etc might upset him enough that you would end up spending more time trying to stabilize his school situation. Finding a place cheaper won't end up being worth it IMHO. Good luck!!

[cltr1812]

Benmore at Orangethorpe/ Acacia what about this area in Anaheim? safe or not. please let me know.

[OC Investor2]

I have family off Lincoln in Anaheim. It is not the best area. Not the worst, but not the best. Call it middle/lower middle.

The problem for that area, and any part of Anaheim proper, is that even if you find a home in a good "pocket" somewhere, odds are the local school pulls from the good pocket AND the not so good surrounding areas. Then you may be forced to reinvest your rent savings into private schooling to ensure quality of education.

If you are working in Irvine & looking for something reasonably close with good schools you may want to look at the north end of the toll road - Yorba Linda & Anaheim Hills. Lower COL and some really good schools in the area. just factor in the tolls impact on your commuting cost to make sure you come out ahead. Good Luck!

[bhcompy]

You should be able to find an apt/condo for rent in Lake Forest for less than that. Hell, a 2bd in Irvine is ~$1700.