Just had an interview in Irvine... (Santa Ana, Costa Mesa: apartment, rentals, crime)

[Maideneer]

I live on Long Island, NY so I am used to things being expensive but holy hell, this is like another planet! Why is a 2BR apartment minimum $1700?! Where do the "blue collar" folks live? I pay $1200/month now for a small 2BR, but this is crazy!

How much should I be bringing in to live near Irvine?

[DinsdalePirahna]

Irvine is a spread out city.

You may find something in Costa Mesa if you work are near the university or Airport Area.
Try Lake Forest is you are in the spectrum area.

You will be paying out of your butt if you opt to live in an Irvine Company Apartment.

Another caveat is that most private rentals do not have refrigerators, you will have to buy one.

I used to live in the Port Jefferson / Miller Place Area (suffolk). You will find the transition very easy.

I would bring enough for three months rent, plus security. Then another 1500 per month for living expenses.

IKEA is a good place to find starter furnishing for an apartment

[Maideneer]

I live in Nassau County nearer to NYC and I'm really all set up to go furniture wise, that's not what concerns me.

I just don't wanna blow my entire month's income on rent and still be stuck with everything else that comes with living.

I never heard of such a thing...no frig? Well that's pretty insane.

The job I am interviewing for is near to where 405 and 5 meet near Alton Parkway. I talk live I've been there, but I haven't yet honestly, so I'm only going off a Google map. I have been to OC before though so it's not like I'm flying totally blind.

Is there really no such thing as a $1200'ish apt.? That's crazy if true, or unless I'd be living in some neighborhood full of questionables.

[ysr_racer]

$1200 will get you a one bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita.

[oc919]

Originally Posted by ysr_racer

$1200 will get you a one bedroom in Rancho Santa Margarita.

True. You need to look outside of Irvine (RSM, MV, AL, LN) where commute to Irvine is not that bad and rentals will be cheaper than Irvine.

[ExeterMedia]

Originally Posted by Maideneer

Is there really no such thing as a $1200'ish apt.? That's crazy if true, or unless I'd be living in some neighborhood full of questionables.

Yes, in parts of Tustin/Santa Ana bordered by the 55, McFadden, and Dyer Road. You can probably get a 2 bedroom from the $1100 to $1300 range. It's definitely a blue collar community, but very close to Irvine and IMO, it's not exactly full of crime or dangerous but some people have different tolerances when it comes to certain ethnic groups.

[Maideneer]

Originally Posted by ExeterMedia

Yes, in parts of Tustin/Santa Ana bordered by the 55, McFadden, and Dyer Road. You can probably get a 2 bedroom from the $1100 to $1300 range. It's definitely a blue collar community, but very close to Irvine and IMO, it's not exactly full of crime or dangerous but some people have different tolerances when it comes to certain ethnic groups.

I'm from NYC, nothing phases me lol. I also tend to speak plainly and un-PC. What types of ethnic groups? Black, Mexican, Muslim, Jewish, Asian?

I prefer white communities, but not overly WASP type or stuck up princess types, I guess I'm looking in the wrong county? haha

[ExeterMedia]

Originally Posted by Maideneer

I'm from NYC, nothing phases me lol. I also tend to speak plainly and un-PC. What types of ethnic groups? Black, Mexican, Muslim, Jewish, Asian?

I prefer white communities, but not overly WASP type or stuck up princess types, I guess I'm looking in the wrong county? haha

The area I'm talking about is hugely hispanic. I'd guess in the range of 60-70%. Personally I've visited friends in the area and never felt unsafe, or in danger. I think commute wise, it would be a good location for anyone working in Irvine. You could take the freeway but if the freeways are slow, you could take side streets as well.

If you prefer white communities, then you would probably feel more at home in South County. Even Irvine, which is completely safe and great, but expensive, is not majority white anymore.

But, South County would be very hard, if not impossible, to find a 2 bedroom apartment with a decent commute to Irvine, in the $1100 range.

[mrsltd]

Hispanic here could mean anything from literally "over the border yesterday" to 4th generation American. And in Tustin 92780, percentage is more like 50% - 60%, with quite a few Asian groups thrown in. There's everything here.

[mrsltd]

Actually, you MAY find a refrigerator with your rental. I have in each place I have lived in.....just stick to the smaller complexes (10-20 units in size)...they also make for great deals.