Job in Irvine - Where to live? (Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa: apartments, rental)

[ninnty]

I have a job offer in Irvine. The area is so large, I don't even know where to begin

Some background:

I've been to Sherman Oaks and love the valley area. Obviously way too far, but someplace with the same feel would be nice

I'm coming with a baby, so safety and family friendly are important.

My budget may be low for the area, since I'm still paying off student loans. I'd like to get something for around $1100 for a 1 bedroom.

I don't have money for eating out or recreation anyway, so living in the "middle of the action" isn't important.

Any suggestions?

[pacific2]

I don't know where you could possibly get a place that's safe and family friendly for $1100. I suspect that you will have to increase your budget to a minimum of about $1500-$1600. Then, maybe check Lake Forest.

On second thought, maybe I focus too much on South County, and other people may know of good places in Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, etc.

[OCbuyerAM]

1100 is going to be impossible; At least when I checked a couple years ago, 1300 for a Studio will be your minimum. Two bedroom will run about 1800-2000. You need to stretch to about 1600.
Some Irvine Company Apts (The Irvine Company owns a huge amount of rental apartments in the area) will give you a deal to get 2 bedrooms for 1600ish for 6 months or so as a promotional deal.

If you find something in Irvine, don't worry about the location. All of Irvine is perfectly safe. Actually, from what you are asking, anything South of Irvine is lovely. North/West of Irvine many areas are still great, but you can't blindly throw a dart on any location in those cities and know its fine.

For 1100 you could probably squeeze 1BR in costa mesa, but it won't be in the best place.

If you can expand to 1600 or so, you will have serious 1 Bedroom Options in Irvine. Its silly that 2 Bedrooms cost an extra 200-300 dollars, but that is how the market here functions.

[kasuga888]

You can try cities like tustin, santa ana, fullerton etc. 1100 prob wont get you anything in Irvine unless you can get into some income restricted place

[BRinSM]

sherman oaks is nothing like irvine or really anywhere in that area. areas of long beach are somewhat similar, but your budget won't get you into the nicer parts of pretty much anywhere in LA/OC.

[vincentwu817]

You won't have problems finding a place to stay for that money, but you will probably be doing some commuting. I would research the lowest prices in Irvine first AND then consider moving further out then determine the difference in gas money. If the difference comes out to be little, I would just stay in Irvine. Earlier this year, the cheapest studios in Irvine were going for high 1300s in nice neighborhoods with good walk scores.

[fanningplumbers]

Around 1200-1500 would have you set with a nice apartment in Irvine