Finally Moving To LA/OC, Need Advice on Where to Live! (Long Beach: 2014, rental)

[Blitz2014]

Hey all,

So posted a few weeks back, but now its getting real, as my wife and I have contracts, so we are trying to decide where to live.

My wife will be working at Miller Hospital (Long Beach).

I think I most likely will choose 3 part time jobs in:

1. Irvine
2. Laguna Niguel
3. Orange

So where do you suggest is best to live, being close to Miller Hospital/Long Beach as well as Irvine/Laguna Niguel/Orange?

- Also, how far is commute from:

1. Long Beach to Irvine
2. Long Beach to Laguna Niguel
3. Long Beach to Orange

Any of these brutal commutes with traffic?


Also:

- We are in our mid 30s
- Looking to start a family (no kids yet)
- Will rent when we move this summer
- Interested in Townhouse or Condo, Renting, 2 bedroom/2 bathroom
- Moving from NYC, so we like something a bit urban, like Park Slope/Bay Ridge/Hoboken
- Would like Liberal Areas (not super liberal), some nice bars/restaurants (Like Brooklyn)
- Budget is around $4500 for monthly rent

On my prior post, people suggested Belmont Shores and Bixby Knolls

- Any other suggestions?
- Should we live in OC, and if so, where?

Thanks!

[Cloudwalker]

"Moving from NYC, so we like something a bit urban, like Park Slope/Bay Ridge/Hoboken
- Would like Liberal Areas (not super liberal), some nice bars/restaurants (Like Brooklyn)"

That will be difficult to find in Orange County, which is solidly suburban. It's a shifting mix politically. Was more solidly Republican, but definitely trending purple although still fairly conservative overall. You will find good schools there, but could be bit of culture shock. Personally I find it very Stepford Wives, but I do understand why people like it there. It's clean, fairly safe, decent amenities, good schools.

Given she is the one at the moment with the definite and full-time job, I would keep her commute minimal by renting in Long Beach for 6-12 months while you get the lie of the land. It just sounds closer to the kind of environment you are seeking anyway. The commutes from LB to Irvine and Orange will be 45-60 min (25-30 min if you can leave before 7), longer to Laguna Niguel.

[Astral_Weeks]

Looking for something urban (like Park Slope) in Orange County is like looking for snow in Phoenix. Forget about it.

I agree with Cloudwalker. Try Long Beach as a starting point.

[Grune D]

OC is not “liberal”

[skygazer1]

Originally Posted by Blitz2014

Hey all,

So posted a few weeks back, but now its getting real, as my wife and I have contracts, so we are trying to decide where to live.

My wife will be working at Miller Hospital (Long Beach).

- Also, how far is commute from:

1. Long Beach to Irvine
2. Long Beach to Laguna Niguel
3. Long Beach to Orange

Any of these brutal commutes with traffic?


Also:

- Moving from NYC, so we like something a bit urban, like Park Slope/Bay Ridge/Hoboken
- Would like Liberal Areas (not super liberal), some nice bars/restaurants (Like Brooklyn)
- Budget is around $4500 for monthly rent

Thanks!

1. LA/OC is nothing like NYC! Are you sure you want to move for urban reasons? Bars/restaurants/entertainment districts are spread far and wide, miles and miles apart, no urban centers like in Brooklyn. Socal is the "infinite suburbs" of America.
2. Coastal Cali is generally more Liberal than Red, but you will find a mix of all types, for sure.
3. Your rental budget for 2 people/ 1BR will give you plenty of options in Long Beach area. You could even get a house for that price.
4. Long freeway commutes are the norm, and can be a real drag on your time and stress, not to mention gas prices are abt the worst in the nation

So, my recommendation would be find a place near the 405 fwy from Cal State Long Beach to Westminster/Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley.

[skyway31]

I'd recommend the area of Huntington Beach North/west of Beach blvd, south/east of Goldenwest, and south/west of Slater. Mostly downtown HB, which is not to be confused, solely, with the couple of blocks with a lot of bars on the far, ocean end of Main st. It's a charming area and between walking and biking you can get whatever you need. I had lived in SoCal for nearly 20 years, had been out at the bars on Main st many times, and didn't really know about this area before a few months ago!

[Angelino19]

The city of Long Beach is urban and very liberal. The same is not true for Orange County.