Moving from Denver to CA - How’s the Tustin area? (Santa Ana: rent, condo)

[Norrov]

Hey guys !

I’m still trying to decide between LA and SD. I was planning on checking out a few homes next week in the LA area. We have a budget around 900K but we’d like to stay below 750 if possible.

I know absolutely nothing about LA and my wife is from here (not LA.. up the hill) but even she’s lived in Denver for 10 years. I’m an engineer and she’s a pharmacist. I’m solid but she’ll need to find a job, and I know her field is saturated right now.

Found some homes in the the following areas: Garden Grove, Tustin, Anaheim, Ontario

Anywhere you’d suggest!?
Prefer a SFH, 3/2 or more around 2000sqft with a garage.

Property taxes are criminal here compared to CO ! Crazy.

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by Norrov

Hey guys !

I’m still trying to decide between LA and SD. I was planning on checking out a few homes next week in the LA area. We have a budget around 900K but we’d like to stay below 750 if possible.

I know absolutely nothing about LA and my wife is from here (not LA.. up the hill) but even she’s lived in Denver for 10 years. I’m an engineer and she’s a pharmacist. I’m solid but she’ll need to find a job, and I know her field is saturated right now.

Found some homes in the the following areas: Garden Grove, Tustin, Anaheim, Ontario

Anywhere you’d suggest!?
Prefer a SFH, 3/2 or more around 2000sqft with a garage.

Property taxes are criminal here compared to CO ! Crazy.

Tustin is good for the most part. Where it butts up against Santa Ana down by 5/McFadden/Redhill area it’s a little sketchy. They have their issues too. It’s not all waffles and pancakes.

Anaheim it’s ok in Anaheim Hills Area. Most of Anaheim is meh. Bad ok and good areas. Gotta research if you move there.

Ontario is ok and prices out for IE are still reasonable right now but they are going up. There is a huge new construction master planned community called Ontario Ranch.

Garden Grove is like Anaheim. Bad ok and good depending on area. Same as Anaheim research the area.

The property taxes aren’t that bad compared to some areas in the country which are higher. But you’re covered by Prop 13 as long as you don’t buy melloroos or a area that pulled a bond measure. You gotta pay them anyway so you can think what you want abput property taxes you’re not gonna get away from them. I wouldn’t waste the time trying to compare them to Colorado. You’re looking at completely different demographics, geographical and social scales. I mean in Texas you buy 1/2 the house price (monetary) and pay twice the property tax. And other states are insane imo with property taxes which are higher than California for what you buy.


Here is my suggestion. Move here and rent for a year. This will give you the breathing room to settle and start researching the areas that will fit your needs wants desire. Your wife is looking for work. Once she finds it you can start focusing on the areas that are cinvenient.
I mean say you buy a house in Anaheim but she finds work in Mission Viejo and you find work in San Clemente

[Danica32]

Are you moving because you have been offered a transfer within your current organization or a new job?
Living as close to your job as possible is important, so perhaps if you tell us where your job will be located we can make better suggestions.

Are you opposed to a condo or townhouse, do you have kids, therefore the need for schools?

[pacific2]

I would suggest renting for a year or two in a more central location like Irvine while your wife looks for, and settles into a job. Renting would also allow you to get to know the general area and not feel a need to rush into a purchase.

Has your wife checked Indeed.com? Granted pharmacy is not my field, I can't determine which job is "desirable," and much of what is listed seems to be per diem, but there are a lot of positions open if you set "Irvine" as the location.

https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=pharma...2C+CA&start=20

[caliguy92832]

The North Tustin area is nice. A lot of houses up in the hills. Communities like Cowan Heights, East Tustin, Lemon Heights, North Tustin, Panorama Heights, and Red Hill.

North Tustin, California - Wikipedia

[Danica32]

Originally Posted by caliguy92832

The North Tustin area is nice. A lot of houses up in the hills. Communities like Cowan Heights, East Tustin, Lemon Heights, North Tustin, Panorama Heights, and Red Hill.

North Tustin, California - Wikipedia

I am up in Lemon Heights and you are right, I think that the areas east of Newport Ave are the best, but on his budget it won't be possible. Maybe down close to Foothill, or even further west of Newport.

Another area OP, the city of Orange. There are homes in Old Town that are historic and offer a nice walkable neighborhood, but might be too high for your price.