Moving to the beach (Long Beach, Irvine: apartments, rentals, how much)

[NicoleRenee01]

I've been looking online at some places but I'm unsure of where to move. I am almost 19 and I have a friend who is wanting to move with me. We are wanting to move out within the next year or maybe sooner, but I want to start finding some places soon.

We want to go to the beach somewhere in CA that is nice and pretty, but not outrageously expensive. Does anyone know of any good beaches we should go check out? Preferably somewhere near a UC or CSU. And if you know about how much apartments or houses to rent in that area are that would be great!

Thanks

Nicole

[EscapeCalifornia]

Define "outrageously expensive". Is $1700/mo for a 2/2 apartment or $2500/mo for a 3 bedroom house OK?

[NicoleRenee01]

I know california is expensive and the beaches are even more expensive. We are both college students with part time jobs. So we cant afford anything to much, but $1700/mo is what I would expect a decent apt to run.

But I think somewhere around $1000-$1200 would be more reasonable.

[bhcompy]

You can find a 1bd more likely at that price. Someone crash on a couchbed in the living room. There will be the occasional 2bd in that range, but usually not the best properties.

I'd check coastal Long Beach first, which has the only coastal CSU in the immediate area, though Dominguez Hills isn't too far from the beach

[Charles]

Look at HousingMaps to place craigslist rentals on a google map.

[killer2021]

definitely look in belmont shore area. It is close to the beach, cool night life and a couple miles to CSULB. With the recession you should be able to find a place in your budget.

Also avoid downtown long beach, definitely a shady place when I went there. Seemed like a bunch of gangsters standing on the street and then when we were driving like 2-3 cop cars drove past us. We couldn't even pull over because so many cars were parked on the street. Not sure what area we were in but it was pretty bad.

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by killer2021

definitely look in belmont shore area. It is close to the beach, cool night life and a couple miles to CSULB. With the recession you should be able to find a place in your budget.

Also avoid downtown long beach, definitely a shady place when I went there. Seemed like a bunch of gangsters standing on the street and then when we were driving like 2-3 cop cars drove past us. We couldn't even pull over because so many cars were parked on the street. Not sure what area we were in but it was pretty bad.

downtown lb is a gentrifying area. basically south of third is fine. more students are moving there because of the arts scene that is growing but still the majority of students live in belmont shore.

[losercore]

Costa mesa is decent and UCI is right there in Irvine. Costa Mesa offers great prices and generally younger crowds with a really good night life and Newport only a few minutes away. It's not on the beach because you have to go to Newport to get to the beach, but it's a beach feel and only a few minutes away.

Everyone is pointing out areas in LA County, not OC. The only UC/CSU schools in OC are UCI and CSUF. Both great schools. CSUF is not near the beach. CSULB is a great school too and Long beach is a fun town. It is not OC though. Some people want to make sure they are in Orange County and because you posted on the OC forumk i thought i would point that out.

[bhcompy]

LB is more like OC than LA, and directly on the border of it