Is $30,000 to $35,000 plus commission too low to live on in Irvine? (Santa Ana: real estate, apartments)

[the city]

I have been offered a recruiting position in Irvine and it would pay $30,000 to $35,000 a year plus commission. I would plan on living as close to work as possible. The job would be near John Wayne airport. Is that income for a single person with no debt do-able? Is it possible to find a room for rent in a studio or with room mates for $700 a month?

Thanks for the insight.

[saibot]

With roommates, maybe. Alone in a studio, no way.

Back in 1996, my husband and I rented a 1-bedroom apartment in that general area (Lake Forest) for $775. Since then, rents have about doubled. Sad to say.

[the city]

For having my own room in Irvine would that be possible?

[RudyOD]

Originally Posted by the city

For having my own room in Irvine would that be possible?

No. I paid $700 to rent a room (shared bathroom) in a decent area of Santa Ana. This was 3 years ago. I don't see, unless you get really really lucky, how you would get anything in Irvine for that price.

If the job is near John Wayne, you have other options like Costa Mesa, Santa Ana (near South Coast Plaza is decent), and even Tustin/Orange if you don't mind a commute down the 55. If you INSIST on Irvine, be prepared to SHARE a room.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Originally Posted by the city

For having my own room in Irvine would that be possible?

If by "your own room" you mean as part of a 3 or 4 bedroom house, maybe in Irvine, but probably yes in the surrounding areas.

$70K is barely livable for someone living on their own in the nicer cities in the Irvine/Newport area.

[the city]

So how far would Costa Mesa and Santa Ana be from the John Wayne aiport area? Which would be closest?

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by the city

So how far would Costa Mesa and Santa Ana be from the John Wayne aiport area? Which would be closest?

Google?

[saibot]

I'm not sure if John Wayne Airport is in Santa Ana or Costa Mesa, strictly speaking. They're both that close, adjoining the airport. In fact, the airport is abbreviated SNA for Santa Ana.

[RudyOD]

Originally Posted by the city

So how far would Costa Mesa and Santa Ana be from the John Wayne aiport area? Which would be closest?

First, I recommend you put John Wayne Airport on your search engine and click on Google maps. Zoom out a little, and then look at the surrounding area. While keeping your map centered on John Wayne Aiport, put in Santa Ana on your map search. It will show you the Santa Ana city boundaries. Clear and repeat this for Irvine, Costa Mesa and Newport. What you should see is that John Wayne Airport is bordered by all four cities (though, I believe, technically within Irvine), with Santa Ana to its North, Irvine to its Northeast, Newport Beach to its Southeast and Costa Mesa to its West and Southwest.

Of those cities, Irvine and Newport Beach are out of your price ranges for the living arrangements you are seeking. Santa Ana and Costa Mesa will be more favorable. For Santa Ana, stick to near the South Coast area. For Costa Mesa, I would ask around. I don't not much about the city itself, but from what I read here on City-Data there appears to be dramatic differences in neighborhoods (from really expensive, luxury real estate, to low-end cram Santa Ana style apartments). I find Costa Mesa to be really attractive in that it has lots of great bars, restaurants, and eclectic areas like the OC Mart Mix (where the original Portola Coffee Lab is located <3), the Lab Anti-Mall, The Camp etc (and Ikea! lol). Also, when I visit its bars I tend to run into an unusual amount of internationals (most likely due to the airport itself), which makes it an extra fun experience.

Another option just up the freeway, is Fountain Valley. Though, again, I don't know much about that city and how it compares to others OC in terms of affordability and QOL.

[the city]

This is the address:

18818 Teller Avenue, Irvine, CA 92612

On a map it looks like Costa Mesa is closer. It looks like on a map from Santa Ana that I'd have to get on the freeway.