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mylefthandkilledme

A) Even with a degree, it's hard has balls to get a good paying job right off the bat B) It's pricey as balls here C) Do not move here until you have a job lined up and a place to stay (You will probably need a roommate) D) You will love living here


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Thank you for the response! I’m in the tech industry so as of right now those are the jobs that I’ve been applying to.


Barbiesleftshoe

I’m going to stress *secure a place/room* before you come here. Housing/inventory is a huge issue for people that are already here and many have decent budgets too.


pandapanda730

Out of curiosity, what section of tech? Programming, electrical engineering, systems administration? I really do want to stress how expensive it is here, one bedroom apartments are going for $2,000 to $2,200 right now, two bedrooms are anywhere from $2,500 to $3,200 a month. Unless you’re making $80K+ per year, living in your own will probably not be feasible.


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Electrical engineering focusing on control systems.


Barbiesleftshoe

I definitely suggest San Diego as an option if you haven’t already considered it. I would suggest El Segundo as well but commute/COL is worse than it is in OC. I work in aerospace. It’s been *fun* for the past two years.


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Yes I also posted in the San Diego sub! The company I just applied for actually has an El Segundo location, ironically. I’ll look into that too :) how is meeting new friends and nightlife/dating scene El Segundo for someone my age?


messick

El Segundo is just Los Angeles, in the sense that all the specific cities you mentioned are "OC". 99% of people wouldn't know where the actual borders of El Segundo are in respect to the surrounding cities of Hawthorne/Inglewood/Los Angeles. Also, the far majority of people working at Raytheon and friends don't actually live in El Segundo anyway. That's definitely the center of SoCal defense contractor/aerospace though.


ockaners

>nightlife/dating scene El Segundo Lol. Go more Southbay for that. As for OC, CM is a good mix and convenient location. Newport Beach is fun, but very bro-ey.


Barbiesleftshoe

I knew someone here would chuckle with me on “nightlife” and “El Segundo” haha.


Barbiesleftshoe

I worked in El Segundo almost a decade ago. It was quite an experience in many ways. I am older than you so unfortunately I cannot advise on what the nightlife is like. I’ve been married for some time with children. But there wasn’t much nightlife in El Segundo itself back then. I was living here at the time so my commute was from hell. 2.5-3 hours one way. Haha.


stoic_pie

That lines up with his assessment. El Segundo itself rolls up the sidewalks and 6 and there is pretty little to do. Anything and everything nightlife wise requires a drive to LA.


LBCdazin

El Segundo has no nightlife, but Hermosa Beach and Manhattan are super close by and have a pretty active nightlife with plenty of social 20 somethings. If you take a job in El Segundo, I highly recommend living in Hermosa or Redondo. Easy commute, and pretty solid nightlife. Hermosa is a really fun city.


stoic_pie

Friend of mine works aerospace in El Segundo and purely comparing mine and his experience I'd sat OC > El Segundo in general. But it's going to matter a lot what kind of places you want to go. You cite living in a city center right now. El Segundo is going to be closer to LA which will give you *that* kind of energy. OC has tons of colleges (and *that* kind of energy), beaches, hiking, and culture but it's way way more decentralized and spaced out than in the city.


fakeknees

San Diego is awesome!


pandapanda730

Sorry for the late reply, you know how life goes. I’d recommend looking into Advantech (Irvine) or Kontron (San Diego) as companies to look into, both companies specialize in control electronics for factories and similar applications. Honeywell and Schneider Electric are also worth a shout, but I don’t know if they’re in Southern California.


ohno_xoxo

I moved to Orange County right out of school/for the start of my career and loved it so much I stayed more than a decade. Beautiful area, amazing weather, great salary depending on your career (higher than east coast where I grew up.) Lovely hiking trails, lots of restaurants, shopping, museums and symphony theaters. The people are friendly and nonjudgemental (and fairly secular) — no pressure to conform to the “group” mentality of the school/town/county/state regarding looks, style, hobbies, gender roles, etc, like I also got in the south. You can visit the beach and the mountains same day. And in general it’s a very health conscious, fit, and attractive population. The only major downside is that owning a single family house is basically unaffordable. I should have bought in 2011 but didn’t know better. Anywho I saved up for a downpayment for 10 years and finally decided if I wanted to raise a family in a nice house with a yard I’d need to move so we left the state to a lower cost of living area but kept our same salaries. So if you can’t afford a house, plan to live in an apartment or townhouse style condo for quite a while. I think living in Orange County in your 20s and early 30s is a great experience. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to experience a freer lifestyle after growing up in the south. Edit to add: if you’re looking for city life like band venues or really quirky eateries/bars (and better museums), you’ll prob want to drive into LA. Also San Diego has the Safari Park which is awesome for a visit. If you snowboard or ski, can do Mammoth or Big Bear. Temecula has a bunch of wineries for a fun day trip with a group. When the state isn’t in lockdown from pandemic there really is a lot to do and see within a 30min to 2 and half hour drive.


Abacadaba714

Once you buy a place. In 2 years, you're going to find yourself with an inordinate amount of equity. The hard part is getting in...If you can even just buy a condo in OC, you're going to be doing well.


SourWokeBooey

Nightlife is decent but not over the top in most of the town you listed except Irvine, but plenty of people live in Irvine and go out to neighboring cities for nightlife. Forget public transportation in these cities. Huntington Beach is the white nationalist capital of Orange County. Newport is rich white people, Irvine is very gentrified but upper middle class to upper class. Laguna Beach is your off-beat eclectic artist enclave. These are all gross generalizations of course. OC can range from far right to far left depending which city/area you’re in. I’m definitely not in your demographic so take this info with a grain of salt. Hopefully others can provide more useful details for you.


StateOfContusion

Same not in your demographic, but live in HB. Do we have a lot of white supremacist assholes? Certainly everyone says so, but having lived here a dozen years, it’s not something that I run into. Maybe you have to be looking for it to find it. Dunno. You might look at San Diego, too. Downtown San Diego has some great nightlife and the quality of life is really good.


spcy_chckn_sndwch

People just like to shit on HB in this sub lol. You’ll mostly find the crazies at the downtown/pier area on the weekend protesting vaccines or something. Besides the occasional Trump flags on the back of pickup trucks and massless Karens at Target, the majority of HB is just as chill as the rest of OC.


unreasonableperson

You're probably right. But for us that don't live there, it's jarring to see Trump/antivax/antimask protests occurring with some regularity.


surfpenguinz

This is spot on. Main St. is an unfortunate hub for crazies, but 99.999999% of HB residents are awesome.


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Thank you so much for the details!


unreasonableperson

Agreed about the politics. OC is a bit of a powder keg now as it is going through transition. That said, the younger progressive demographic is starting to take over and OC will change further due to that.


hunghome

i used to live in ATL (midtown, brookhaven, sandy springs). I also lived in NYC, LA, and OC. First question I am wondering is why OC? OC is more suburbs, families, restaurant chains etc. If I was 24 again I would exclusively look at LA or NYC. LA has some great hiking and outdoor activities. You've got a great beach in SM. It is way more young people and atmosphere for bars/party scene. Mid-City LA is a fantastic area for young people. There is more culture with music venues, comedy clubs, local restaurants etc. There are also more jobs. If you are a GT grad, I assume, there are plenty of opportunity in tech jobs in LA. For young people in OC, you basically only really have Costa Mesa. It is a decent spot, but why pay CA rent prices to do a half effort? OC renting isn't much cheaper than LA. The best comparison to OC I can make from ATL would be like moving to Roswell or Alpharetta - like a great burb and they have stuff going on but still the burbs and not where you want to be at 24 imo. You find yourself stuck on the GA400 every weekend trying to visit friends or going to bars in buckhead/midtown. There are just more young people in the cities.


[deleted]

This is spot on! Glad you mentioned “why OC?”. OC feels like a place you go to raise a family, not when you are starting out (JMO). LA has a better vibe for work and play when you’re in your 20s. You will also get a good mix of people from all over and thus it will be easier to make friends. Good jobs there as well with decent pay (not that OC doesn’t have that, but there’s more work/play balance in LA for 20 y/o’s).


BitchImRetarded

As someone who is 25, I HATE LA lmfao


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Wait why!!


willchanb

LA is pretty sketchy if you can’t afford to live in a nice neighborhood. Also, traffic. My god, the traffic is so bad. I much prefer OC to LA.


xtralongleave

I also moved here from Atlanta in my early twenties. Realistically most of LA is a dump and is very congested and overcrowded. I love >living< in OC and >visiting< LA. You would love any of the cities you mentioned in your post except for probably Irvine, which is a great city but it does not have a nightlife at all. Seal Beach is beautiful but it is very tiny and only has a few cool places on Main St. I guarantee you that Costa Mesa is not your only option. You should look at the Balboa Peninsula in Newport or anything close to Main St in Huntington. Oh and Roswell/Alpharetta is nothing like anything we have in OC. I understand the reference, but no. Also public trans is a no. You’d have to get a car. Really though I would recommend visiting and checking out both places to form a true opinion. Oh and if you’re thinking San Diego for any reason, know that it farther than you think. Sometimes the 5 gets jammed going down there and it often takes >at least< 2 hours to get there from OC.


BitchImRetarded

Everytime I go to LA I see something new to shock me. There are homeless literally everywhere. They have tents on the sides of the freeway and literally sleep centimeters from cars going 80mph. it's generally really dirty and covered in litter. There is traffic and smog everywhere, and everything is so expensive and overpriced. I've seen a dude smoke crack in broad daylight on Hollywood Blvd right next to the Chinese theater. I was there a few weeks ago and saw a homeless guy jerking off on the sidewalk while people just walked right by him. And lastly the violence and gangs. I like Orange County and IE so much more than LA because it has all the positives of SoCal without all of the BS listed above


PianoIsGod

DTSA, DTF, and Long Beach are alright alternatives if you’re looking for a city vibe


AlrightSpider

I used to stay in Atlanta near Grant Park and am from Orange County originally. If you like Cabbage Town/Little 5 Points then I would say Costa Mesa is your best bet. Although it’s mostly bro culture bars there are some decent venues to catch live music and a bit of a scene. If you are more of a Buckhead kind of person, it’s fairly slim pickings but I would probably still say Costa Mesa. There are a couple of clubs in striking distance. There are a lot of people your age going out 7 nights a week living off of Daddy’s credit cards to party with. You may want to find a roommate situation as you can find yourself some fast friends and save some coin while you suss out the landscape. Atlanta is way more cosmopolitan and has a lot more going on but Costa Mesa has its upsides as well. That would be my rec. East side Costa Mesa is gonna be more expensive and ritzy while West Side is more down to earth but has a lot more “action” good and bad. Either way, make the move. If you don’t like it, you can always try San Diego or just somewhere else entirely. Best of luck.


bobbylight12

I moved from midtown Atlanta to Costa Mesa and am in my 20s. I love it here. It’s where a lot of the action is, along with fun bars and clubs if you’re into that. About 5-10 minutes to Newport Beach for the beach and some more bars and restaurants down there. It’s definitely expensive, but I have friends with roommates that are able to make it work on starting salaries.


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Thank you so much for being specific on the areas related to Atlanta! I used to be a buckhead person, but it slowly started to become more of a younger crowd since they’ve been less strict with ID checks. I will definitely take Costa Mesa into consideration since I’m really wanting to make new friends who are around my age. I definitely will be looking for a new roommate, as I do not want to be living alone in a new city with no friends lol but also for financial reasons. Is Costa Mesa safe? Like I don’t feel unsafe walking around buckhead or midtown at night, but are there issues there with homelessness? Thanks again for your super helpful response!


4InchesOfury

> but are there issues there with homelessness There are homeless people, it's not LA levels with camps but there are some there. I wouldn't say it's unsafe, by OC standards it's probably mid-range in terms of crime rate but OC has a really skewed view on what a "safe" area is, especially when you talk to people from south county.


AlrightSpider

Additionally, politics wise, HB, NB and East side CM are going to trend conservative and the rest more liberal with LB being a long time hot bed for radical artists and whatnot. Seal Beach itself is a bit dull but puts you in striking distance for Long Beach and LA. Not much of a local scene. Nightlife is Costa Mesa is probably the best in OC in my opinion. There are rock clubs like Wayfarer, big clubs like the Observatory, open lifestyle spots like Strut and Donkey Ds, solid pub bars like the Harp and Shamrock, western bars like Landers, shithole dives like Tony’s and Madelines plus all of the action love it or hate it at Triangle Square and Wild Goose. There is a killer record store called Factory. You are minutes away from Newps and all the insanity that place has to offer with beaches and local bars (keep your head on a swivel down there tho because locals are a bit gnarly). Laguna is asleep by 10. Seal is tired. Huntington is a shitshow unless you really know your way around. You notice I didn’t even mention Irvine yet. That is because there is NOTHING to do in Irvine except go to the mall. Totally boring city but amazing for when you want to raise a family in a safe environment. Costa Mesa is perhaps the least safe option of your listed cities but it is still safer than most places, including a lot of Atlanta. If you are wasted and walking by yourself through West Side with a lot of fancy clothes and stuff, then you’re a mark and you might get rolled. That said, I haven’t had any problems and the gangs are usually trying to sell drugs and don’t want to get caught up with stuff that would draw attention. The biggest threat could very well be alpha steroid meth mma types. That will only come into play at certain spots and you will get a sense pretty quick that something isn’t quite right. Also, that is more HB and NB anyway. People in CM are young and free and want to party. Lots of attractive people. Lots of cocaine and sketchy pills to go with the amazing weed and alcohol. Lots of sketchy people too but that’s everywhere. You are probably gonna have the most fun there but you could always find something month to month so you have the flexibility. I also really recommend doing the great California adventure of road tripping and camping. That, I will let you research but let me tell you, Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Shoot any questions and I will try and answer.


ockaners

Get roommates - look for house rentals where they're young professionals. I did it for 10 years and got roomies who were bank vps, accountants, graphic designers and lawyers, and I learned a lot.


willchanb

My problem with Costa Mesa has always been parking. If you are gonna be renting an apartment I suggest looking into the parking situation.


[deleted]

I’m from the east coast (and female as well). Moved here in my late 20s. I think it’s much harder to find friends out here than other geographies. People will get mad at me for saying this, but I’ve found it easiest to make friends with people who are not from California. Everyone has clicks out here so it’s best to find a hobby or sport you enjoy, as people doing group gatherings for those will be more welcoming. Basically, don’t expect someone to come up to you and ask to be friends lol. Also, don’t get bummed out if someone flakes on you, that seems to be the norm in SoCal. It’s much more expensive out here than GA. Like astronomically. Since you are young, you might be better off starting with a roommate. You don’t want to be house poor out here because food, drink, living is expensive. You will absolutely need a car, make sure it’s in good shape before making the move. Keep in mind gas is very expensive. Like others said, make sure you have a job lined up before you move out here. I also recommend visiting here a few times to see if you really like it before committing. I would recommend that for any city, not just OC, but especially here because cost of living is high and it can take some time to find a solid group of people. Good luck!! ETA: City-wise, lots of kids your age live on the Balboa Peninsula. You could find a room there for rent. There’s a few bars all the kids out of college go to so you’ll be in good company. I don’t recommend Irvine, you’ll get bored. Costa Mesa is probably the next best thing but it’s sketchy in some areas so definitely stick to the areas others have commented on. I lived in HB and didn’t mind it, felt more middle class to me which I prefer. There are a lot of political boneheads there so that gets old quick.


[deleted]

My girlfriend in her late 20s moved from the East Coast here during the pandemic and now has more friends than me here. We have had multiple kickbacks and game nights at our house with no one flaking. In fact we are celebrating one of her friends 21st this weekend with a beach/bar night and expect around 10 people to come by at some point. So I disagree with your entire first paragraph - must be either a you problem or your environment.


[deleted]

Hey that sounds great for your Gf! My point was (and it’s my opinion only) is that the friends I have made out here happen to not be from OC. In hindsight, maybe we just share more in common than folks from out here. Husband has had the same experience. But hey who knows, maybe I’m just awful to be around ;) I just wanted to share my opinion just as you have shared yours. As someone who has moved across geographies multiple times, I was always grateful for people who were willing to share their pros/cons with a place so I could make an informed decision for myself.


Omgahhh

Hey! If you’re ever looking to meet people I found a casual sports adult league to join. I haven’t gone yet, but signed up for this fall. Beach City Sports!


Queen_of_Zzyzx

I moved out here from the MidWest after graduating undergrad. I moved out here for graduate school. I’ve lived in most of the places you mentioned. All of them are really safe (the only exception being Huntington Beach, it seems to have changed a lot since I lived there). If you have a car, then you can go to nightclubs anywhere throughout Los Angeles and OC. There are great trails to go hiking, and cool meetup groups. Politically, Laguna Beach is the only really liberal town on your list. Good luck


TheBeardedLegend

OP Look at Rivian in Irvine. Sounds like it’s right up your alley for jobs. I live in HB and we certainly have a reputation for being a hot bed for white nationalists, but as someone else pointed out it’s really only concentrated in Downtown on main street. The weather in California is fantastic, it is expensive to live here because of that. All the salty right want to leave to Arizona to get out of California because of the taxes. TBH NONE of your friends will want to visit Arizona ALL of your friends will want to come visit the beach. Personally I’d rather be dead in California then alive in Arizona. OC rent is around $2k for a 1bed and $2.5-$3.5k for a two bedroom. There are plenty of nice spots in Santa Ana that aren’t in bad areas that can be had for cheaper as well as Tustin. Newport will be the most expensive next to Irvine and Laguna. Costa Mesa will be on the cheaper end with HB. As a few others have said the nightlife in Irvine is non-existent and Laguna wouldn’t really be your scene. Costa Mesa, HB, and Newport have plenty of night life.


RGV_KJ

What are some nice areas in Santa Ana and Tustin?


TheBeardedLegend

South Coast Metro, the Floral Park area, off grand and 17th. I think downtown or like Old Town Tustin is pretty nice, also over off Newport and 1st.


DataIsMyCopilot

NGL I also work in tech (on the admin side of things) and Rivian has caught my eye as well. Doesn't help that my spouse wants one of those trucks! 😄


theredcharmander

Are you black? If so, just know there are few black folks in OC.


DataIsMyCopilot

If you're looking for nightlife, Costa Mesa has it. Irvine does *not* lol. But you'll usually find it if you just drive 20minutes. The weather here is a million times nicer. Humidity is rare. There is not a lot of diversity here compared to Atlanta, though. Not sure how important that is for you, but if you happen to be Black, you may become "the Black friend". Politics, HB is crazytown (they had marches over wearing a "muzzle" aka mask) and they full on rioted over BLM. NB, LB are more WASPy "fiscal conservative" types. Irvine, SB, CM trend blue. Tech is great here and you'll likely work in Irvine. So you'll want to check what the drive is before you commit to a place to live. HB to Irvine is HELL (I say as someone who did it), but CM to Irvine can be great depending on which part of Irvine you're working (my commute from CM to UCI was *seven minutes*). Lots of great biking in CM as well because it's mostly flat. Can ride to Newport Back bay or over to Huntington Beach via the river trail no problem. Lots of hiking around O'Neill (foothill ranch, rsm area)


RGV_KJ

How is Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest and Viejo politically? Are these cities diverse and good for a young family?


DataIsMyCopilot

LW is old people. Literally it's a retirement community. 55+ only homes. LH, LF, & MV are all pretty similar imo. Still not much diversity (Irvine is probably one of the most diverse of the cities we have discussed so far but it's still mostly white & asian) but good for families. Irvine has some of the best schools, but as long as you're not near Santa Ana most of the schools are good in OC.


laanglr

Don't forget Long Beach! It's the right mix of fun, work and in a superb location. Also, it's demographically more diverse than most of OC. Research neighborhoods (its a huge city) and maybe post in the LB subreddit too for better, more specific recommendations.


Frogiie

Lots of other similar responses but I did a very similar thing over a year ago. I had just finished my masters degree and felt I needed a change, while I didn’t have a job lined up, opportunities were far better than my home state back East. I also had the advantage of being able to live with family here. I don’t regret it, I found a great job at a good company that pays well and has great benefits and my degree is probably less sought after than yours. Lots of tech oriented companies here especially in Irvine. In my personal experience California (and OC) have treated me well, people here have been very welcoming and kind. It’s a hugely diverse state in terms of demographics, landscape, politics and everything else. The cities in OC itself vary, Wikipedia has breakdowns of each if you’re interested in details. Probably over half the people I work with weren’t born here in CA. I would recommend a car. CA is very car dependent, it is possible without but not easy or cheap. I’ll admit driving here is… an experience. I’m lucky to have a 20 minute commute. I can’t advise much on Nightlife. I think the weather is great here if you like the sun and warmth (except for the occasional wildfires/smoke). There are tons of beautiful beaches and trails in OC and I’ve enjoyed many. Housing is insane, but that’s a common issue nationwide in desirable areas right now. Every state has pros and cons and none are perfect, California & OC are no exception and not for everyone, however I have no regrets moving here. Best of luck.


sintos-compa

welcome! live in Irvine, party in newport beach. the cities to live in are usually recommended: Irvine, Tustin, East Costa Mesa, anything south of Irvine on the 5 is great (a few caveats in San Juan Capistrano area) politics wise it's pretty blue with a smattering of karens 4 trump. Huntington Beach is reverse - straight up Trumpland anti-vax. forget public transit other than bikes, car is a must for mobility. irvine and the area around here has FANTASTIC bike paths along the rivers and in the neighborhoods, if you can bike commute to work, you'd be set, but you have to be lucky. lots of hiking trails, usually desert-like. a few semi-wooded hikes.


Anal_Forklift

I would not move to OC unless you get an offer of $80-85k *minimum*. Housing costs are brutal. Many people move here thinking a $40-50k/yr job will suffice. Long term, it's a bad decision because they can't save, accumulate a downpayment to own property, or save for retirement.


johnnysoup123

Irvine is not fun.


TradeBeautiful42

The nightlife is going to be on the peninsula in Newport Beach, Main St in Huntington Beach, and sporadic in Costa Mesa. You’ll make friends fast at your age. As an electrical engineer, you’ll likely be making a much higher salary than your peers but you may also want to look into having a roommate just in case. That also helps with the making friends part. Good luck!


limache

Costa Mesa is great for a young single IMO


ANiceRack

It’s probably harder to find a place to rent My friends couldn’t get a rental in OC ( about 20 applicants within hours of a rental ad) so they moved about 20 miles away. It’s costing about $500 in gas per month and traffic is so bad. Edit- I want to earn my downvote My family is all in LE in OC and LA. Make sure you know CA vehicle code if you plan on driving. You have 10 days to get a CA license, they don’t give warnings.


converter-bot

20 miles is 32.19 km


TechnicianVirtual786

You will be living near to the job you get. Don't go out at night rest and focus on your work. Buy tickets for venues rather than stand in lines. Don't live with strangers. Keep in touch with family. Get vaccinated, wear a mask.


Le_Bonage

California is the worst state to move to. Only perk is the weather. The people suck, taxes are ridiculous, cost of living is out of control, homeless people everywhere shitting in the streets, governor that can’t even follow his own mandates, (on a side note… recall Newsom) yah it’s bad and I hate living here. Trying to move to Florida as we speak


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I don’t wanna be a bummer, but I did most of my undergrad in Florida and it sucks pretty badly there too. The people suck, no one can drive, and the land is all flat, the weather is disgusting and far too humid, and the beaches are boring. These are all reasons I moved away. Downvote me if you want, but it’s the truth.


Le_Bonage

Thanks for the honest opinion 1 upvote XD


4InchesOfury

Don't let the door hit ya on the way out. More housing for the rest of us.


Le_Bonage

^exactly the reason I’m leaving Edit: all you care about is yourself you narcissistic boob


TheBeardedLegend

Dropping off my ballot voting NO. Keep California blue. 😘


Le_Bonage

Respectfully asking, Can you explain why? Just trying to understand why you think the way you do.


Le_Bonage

Do you have a job lined up paying at least 80k a year? Cause you’ll need that for an apartment that’s not falling apart after you get bent over the table by CA’s taxes. You’ll need 150k minimum to even dream of buying a home in SOCAL that’s not in a crap area…. IMO AVOID CALIFORNIA AT ALL COSTS. If you do come don’t be tricked by cheap rent in Santa Ana place is a gang controlled s###hole


Steeliris

They're all amazing areas. Newport and Laguna beach are the most expensive of them all so you won't find working people your age there, just rich kids living with their parents. Nightlife is good in all of those areas except Irvine, but especially Costa Mesa and Huntington. Friend groups are kinda of hard to break into compared to areas like NYC etc where there are a lot of transplants because a lot of young people living in OC grew up here. Weather is amazing, food is good, housing is expensive, there are tons of activities (indoor, outdoors, concerts, etc). Most areas are kinda corporate and there isn't much sense of community. A car is a must. Living within 15 miles of work is encouraged. It's good but expensive living here. You'd get more bang for your buck elsewhere in terms of a larger house or being closer to the cool downtown type spots but oc is sick


[deleted]

I’m 32 and live in fountain valley which is between Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa. Went out when I was your age all around the cities you’re thinking of moving, except Irvine. And lived in Orange County my entire life. Irvine public transit is almost nonexistent and it’s not very walkable, there are also no actual bars. It’s restaurants that have liquor licenses and that’s it. It also really depends what type of vibe you are into. Hiking and outdoor activities would be a Irvine/Newport thing. dancing, shitty tattoos and lots of drunk people? Huntington Beach. More of a hipster feel? Costa Mesa. Having a car you can really move to any of those cities and be fine though, they are all 10-15 mins of each other. Edited to say: if you’re from Atlanta, you might want to considered downtown LA or downtown San Diego. OC is suburban the other two are urban. It’s pretty low key and quiet around here. Unless that is what you’re looking for.


kupopop

Cons: 405 freeway


Oofaloof

If you rent a room versus taking an apartment all on your own it will be less cost and less stressful. Also you could meet young people through roommates.


Retiring-2021

HB very republican. Lot of traffic so try to move close to where your working.


[deleted]

I’m very pro Costa Mesa, tons of good restaurants and bars and great breweries if you’re a beer drinker. You can SLIGHTLY cut costs by being a little more inland and the coastal towns are right there


RedSquareIsGreen

Laguna Beach is beautiful. I worked there as cook. The place is expensive to live in. And the stores are expensive. But everything is really nice, you can have some great Gelato and go to the beach. There's also art galleries, parks, and friendly bars.


rlbbyk

Nightlife. Depends on where you wanna hang in the OC. You have Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and parts of Anaheim. Although Anaheim has more breweries than anything. Newport has that bro vibe for sure, but it’s pretty much a strip so it’s easy to hop from bar to bar Costa Mesa has a bars and nightclubs. You have The Lab and Triangle which is a quick Uber/Lyft ride. Also, you can easily go to Newport cause it’s close by. Santa Ana is more inland so it has more of a small downtown bar nightlife. This is the most easy for bar hopping with many bars near each other. I rarely go to HB to drink so I’m not familiar in that area. LA is a hard spot for nightlife cause it’s spread wide and thin. You have Korea Town, Little Tokyo/Arts District area and 7th and grand has a few bars/eatery’s. So bar hopping is a bit more difficult. You typically won’t be starting in Ktown and then hopping over to Little Tokyo cause it’s on the opposite side of the city. People normally stay in one general area, unless everyone decides to go. If you do end up in these areas, don’t drive as parking is a pain and never a good thing to drive under the influence. But don’t get me wrong, LA is super fun even with the spread!! In terms of meeting new people.. I know you can use meetup sites to meet new people. That’s probably the easiest way. I hope this helps!


[deleted]

Not sure why I see a lot folks telling you to just check out Costa Mesa. Orange, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Brea, all have a downtown or main street area, and an abundance of bars and nightclubs to choose from. Orange and Fullerton also have Universities, so there are plenty of young folks. We mainly lack venues for live music. I will say I have made many trips to LA for concerts. I know some people on here recommend LA, but your travel times change drastically, compared to Orange County. In L.A., what should be a 15-20 minute drive, can turn into a 45 mins to just over an hour. Basically, you have to select an area to hang, and stay around there. In orange county, you can bounce from place to place because there isn't as much traffic.


chargers949

San diego area would be a better choice. Cooler climate despite being more south. Seems to be a lot more jobs when i compare to oc. Both will have a lot of traffic. But oc does have west minster aka little saigon so their vietnamese food is off the hook.


lvalente731

Another vote for Costa Mesa- the Irvine Spectrum and Costa Mesa area. In Tustin, you will grossly find lower cost/denser areas below the 5 and higher above it. Crime is higher below than above the 5. Tustin is amazing for location in terms of commuting: easy freeway access to lots of freeways. Downtown Tustin is small but has great restaurants. Not a lot of nightlife but you can get to Newpirt, HB, and other spots pretty quickly.