Calling OC & vicinity experts... living in So Cal?

[cats mom]

OK all you CA experts... I'd love your input.

DH is looking at a job in Santa Ana

We're just doing some online research right now. Of course no way would he even entertain an offer until we were able to make a house hunting trip. We know the cost of living is crazy high there.

The thing is, we've made enough moves over the years that I know what looks good on paper does not always translate into a viable option - especially with your So Cal freeways.

So what I'd like to know is what areas would you suggest we take a look at that are a reasonable commute to Santa Ana?
Also, what areas would you absolutely stay away from?

We do have kids... so good schools and a safe neighborhood are a must.

I know it's a tough question because I'm not sure how much we would be willing to go on housing yet (too many unknown variables right now)

It's safe to assume that we would need to stay away from any multi-million dollar areas.

Say we had to stay under $850,000
Would that be do-able?

If not, what kind of numbers are we really talking for housing there?

Any insight would be much appreciated

 

[LisaL]

I sent you a PM.

 

[cookielou75]

Hi!

I have lived here my whole life. 2 years of it in Santa Ana. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about Santa Ana and surrounding areas. The great thing about Orange County, there is so many different areas, there is one that is bound to be a fit for you.

 

[xmelissax]

It absolutely is do able! The areas I love most that do have some multi million dollar houses but also some in your range are Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills. I have lived in both, and both have great schools. They are safe, beautiful, and conveinient. They are also a reasonable commute to Santa Ana, not far at all. You might also want to look at Villa Park and Orange Hills. These are areas a bit north of Santa Ana.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

Tustin and Irvine are great areas, too

 

[cats mom]

Thanks for the input everyone.

We've made one really quick trip just to get a feel for the area.

The real estate agent we worked with was all about So OC, so that's where we spent most of our time. DH tried the drive to where he would be working from Mission Viejo on a Mon. morning and it was not bad at all. No doubt the going home leg would be much worse though.

Next time we're going to try to focus a bit further north in some of the other areas you guys mentioned. We did take a quick drive up that direction on our way out of town (well, except Anaheim Hills since the fire kept us away) but we didn't look at any houses there yet.

It's certainly an adjustment getting used to the prices though!

 

[scorp111]

Just reading the thread......

I was asked today by my company if I would consider going to SoCal.

The demand list will be high.... but I am still undecided.

If I do, I might ask for more "safer" areas, as I have only visited once.

 

[Rapunsel]

scorp111

what might the meaning of more 'safer' areas do you mean???

Most of So Cal is safe.

I have been here 23 years an never a problem anywhere in all of LA..

Just the traffic is a problem...

 

[brergnat]

Irvine has one of the BEST school districts in the state, perhaps in the country.

Irvine is the SAFEST CITY in the continental U.S. It has the lowest per capita crime rate. It is a beautiful place. If I could live here for the rest of my life, I would.

I would HIGHLY suggest checking out Irvine. They are building loads of new homes here. $850,000 will get you a pretty nice midsized home.

Check out www.villagesofcolumbus.com. This is being built literally next door to where I live now. It is a gorgeous development so far, and VERY centrally located to shopping, restaurants, two major freeways (405 and 5), and again, in the best school district and safest city.

The drive to Santa Ana is 5-10 minutes, WITH traffic. Santa Ana is our neighbor to the north.

The best thing...Disneyland is 15 minutes away!

 

[Disney Dreams]

... The real estate agent we worked with was all about So OC, so that's where we spent most of our time. DH tried the drive to where he would be working from Mission Viejo on a Mon. morning and it was not bad at all. No doubt the going home leg would be much worse though....

Mission Viejo to most of Santa Ana is about a 45 minutes commute during normal "rush hour" traffic. 45-60 on the way back, depending upon where in Santa Ana and where in MV.

When looking at housing in So. OC, be sure to talk to your real estate agent about "mello roos." It is an additional tax that exists in many areas that you seem to be looking and really needs to be considered in your budget.

As for the prices, yeah, I call it a "Sun fee" on the mortgage. Just the cost of being able to enjoy the outdoors about 10 1/2 months of the year without rain or snow.

Good luck with your adventure.

 

[cats mom]

Well, we pretty much have year round rain and snow free weather here in AZ too (minus the monsoons of course) but I guess we get a break on the "sun fee" for all the 'it's so darn hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk' days we put up with in the summer.

Thanks again for all the info. I'm checking into everything you guys have posted about and the move is a definite go now.

 

[Albort]

scorp111

what might the meaning of more 'safer' areas do you mean???

Most of So Cal is safe.

I have been here 23 years an never a problem anywhere in all of LA..

Just the traffic is a problem...

hmm, Compton, Inglewood. *hides*

 

[brergnat]

hmm, Compton, Inglewood. *hides*

also, uh...Long Beach, Anahiem, Santa Ana...there are parts of almost everywhere that are "less than safe"

I can't believe someone from L.A. is surprised about someone wondering about safety. Every single night on the evening news, there is something about a shooting, high speed car chase, or robbery that happened somewhere in L.A. county.

Central and Southern O.C. are lower on crime, but even then there are some places in some cities that I wouldn't walk down the street alone...(parts of Tustin, Lake Forest...)

 

[Albort]

also, uh...Long Beach, Anahiem, Santa Ana...there are parts of almost everywhere that are "less than safe"

I can't believe someone from L.A. is surprised about someone wondering about safety. Every single night on the evening news, there is something about a shooting, high speed car chase, or robbery that happened somewhere in L.A. county.

Central and Southern O.C. are lower on crime, but even then there are some places in some cities that I wouldn't walk down the street alone...(parts of Tustin, Lake Forest...)

i agree. no place is safe. Hence all that drug bust in rich community. big Shock! right...

 

[eeyoresnr]

I was born about a half mile from Disneyland...lived in a house in Garden Grove about 2 miles from Disneyland (also a neighboring city of Santa Ana) til I was 18. got married, moved to New Mexico, back to CA (Edwards AFB) to Texas, to Florida...divorced and moved back to my childhood home in GG til 1999. raised my daughter there til she was entering high school. Then I left Southern CA for good. now i Live in NW Florida (the hurricanes suck) but the crime level is better here. there is just too much crime and gang activity in Southern CA. I miss my friends, but I don't miss the sounds of gun shots in the middle of the night. Went back in 2004 for a vacation...will never move back but will probably visit again in future.

good luck whatever you decide.