Newport Beach Or La Jolla, CA (Huntington Beach, Irvine: affordable apartments, condos, credit card)

[uncertain25]

My husband and I have been looking to move for a while. We looked at many states and considered many of the things that were important to us. We really liked both Portland and Seattle. Except everyone in Portland said my husband would have no chance of finding a job in less than a year (even though the OR unemployment is actually 2% lower than here in CA). And many people warned me that Seattle has the worst traffic in the nation, which is one of my biggest pet peeves.

My husband hasn't been able to find steady employment for the last two years (he works in IT field) and I have been supporting us soley on my $15/hr job. Luckily we have no kids to support so our hole of an apartment is our only major expense.

My husband has recently switched fields and is now working as a plumber and making decent money. He has two job offers for even better money, one offer in Newport Beach CA and the other in La Jolla CA. We are thrilled since both are very beautiful areas. But both cost much more than where we are living now, probably because of how close they are to the beach.

Which do you think is the better place to live, considering we have job offers in both places? I have been to both, they are beautiful. We like cooler weather, but I think both places are both equal in that respect?
We do prefer suburban areas for safety reasons, clean streets, less gangs and graffiti. However, we are not snobs and wouldn't want to be outcast because we dont drive expensive cars or dress fancy. We are laid back people, we shop at walmart and target and ross and sometimes the mall if we cant find what we are looking for at the more affordable stores. We are traditional people so I think Orange County may be better...Republican wise?

Also I would be getting a new job. Do you think I have a better chance in Newport or La Jolla area? Which has the better job market overall? Which has more affordable apartments and condos? We dont live off of credit cards and would like to live within our means.

Thanks!

[CA4Now]

You're aware that these two cities, while beautiful, are probably among the most expensive to live in California?

[Curmudgeon]

Born in La Jolla, raised in Newport Beach. I'd opt for the latter as there are more affordable areas somewhat inland but still in easy access to the beach. But both are expensive. Good luck!

[cl723]

La Jolla is much nicer than Newport but really expensive.

[agnt.starling]

Originally Posted by uncertain25

Which has more affordable apartments and condos? We dont live off of credit cards and would like to live within our means.

Thanks!

If you & your husband end up deciding your both wanting to go to Newport Beach, would you consider Costa Mesa?? its nearby NB....and my cousin resides there off of 17th street & Irvine if u google it... (really nice area & centrally located near everything, within walking distance, in nice Condo, prices they could afford..... Her hubby has a decent job in the Medical Field & off and on she's employed, her choice. Her son attends the nearby schools that she states are really good & they really love it there (they came from Newark, NJ), at first really homesick, but she loves it now, just throwing that out there......

little side note, I'm a Walmart/Target/Ross (etc) kinda person myself, and they are allover the place (TG!)

Good luck w/whatever you decide,...

[zoomba]

Costa Mesa is a lot cheaper but closer to Newport. You're going to have a VERY tough go of it, however.

[uncertain25]

Thanks for the input everyone. Yes I know these are very expensive places to live but they are the places with the highest paying job offers also.
Just today we got a job offer for Monterey CA which is also pretty high paying, and I think thats about 7 hours north of OC?

We are open to taking any of these jobs since the money is pretty good but just dont know which is the best to live. So now its between La Jolla- Newport Beach- Monterey- CA.

I have been to Costa Mesa and I have lived in Huntington Beach so I know that area a little bit, although not a lot. We found Costa Mesa (the parts that we did spend time in) more of a hot spot for young singles who like to party and drink and stay out late and go to clubs and bars. This may not be the whole city of course, but just the parts we saw.

My husband is 30, Im 26 this month, and I guess some people would consider us still a "young couple". But we have the life style of an older couple I would say. We work hard, like to go to bed at a reasonable time, would rather spend money on a peaceful vacation than a wild party, we like our quiet and alone time, we dont have kids and are not planning any (as we really enjoy our quiet). I joke that we would fit right in to a 55+ community! We are conservative types, enjoy the gym, church, walking the malls and window shopping, low key dinners, jogging on the beach at sunrise or sunset (not lying in the sun at prime time in a tiny bikini). I hope this gives a good idea of our personality.

That said, which do you think would be the best fit for us? I know they are all pricey but that just seems to be where we have found the good job offers. We love nature and beach breezes and safe suburban areas without a lot of party noise.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by uncertain25

Thanks for the input everyone. Yes I know these are very expensive places to live but they are the places with the highest paying job offers also.
Just today we got a job offer for Monterey CA which is also pretty high paying, and I think thats about 7 hours north of OC?

We are open to taking any of these jobs since the money is pretty good but just dont know which is the best to live. So now its between La Jolla- Newport Beach- Monterey- CA.

I have been to Costa Mesa and I have lived in Huntington Beach so I know that area a little bit, although not a lot. We found Costa Mesa (the parts that we did spend time in) more of a hot spot for young singles who like to party and drink and stay out late and go to clubs and bars. This may not be the whole city of course, but just the parts we saw.

My husband is 30, Im 26 this month, and I guess some people would consider us still a "young couple". But we have the life style of an older couple I would say. We work hard, like to go to bed at a reasonable time, would rather spend money on a peaceful vacation than a wild party, we like our quiet and alone time, we dont have kids and are not planning any (as we really enjoy our quiet). I joke that we would fit right in to a 55+ community! We are conservative types, enjoy the gym, church, walking the malls and window shopping, low key dinners, jogging on the beach at sunrise or sunset (not lying in the sun at prime time in a tiny bikini). I hope this gives a good idea of our personality.

That said, which do you think would be the best fit for us? I know they are all pricey but that just seems to be where we have found the good job offers. We love nature and beach breezes and safe suburban areas without a lot of party noise.

Monterey is also very expensive but of the three places, that would be my choice. It's gorgeous there.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by uncertain25

I joke that we would fit right in to a 55+ community! We are conservative types, enjoy the gym, church, walking the malls and window shopping, low key dinners, jogging on the beach at sunrise or sunset (not lying in the sun at prime time in a tiny bikini). I hope this gives a good idea of our personality.

How about Irvine? Your husband would easily be able to commute to a job in Newport if you lived there.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by pacific2

How about Irvine? Your husband would easily be able to commute to a job in Newport if you lived there.

It's a former cow pasture. That's special!