Social Worker Category

Long Beach is a very unusual area. Belmont Shore is great, but you are looking at some higher rents.

http://www.apartmenthunterz.com/california/apartments/Belmont-Shore/Belmont-Shore.html

You might want to consider Fullerton or Orange (the City). It's still going to be tough in the amount you're looking at. You may have to go way inland.

The median house price ( what you can really expect to pay) just went to $ 640,000 in O.C. this month. And you don't get much for that. Rents are following suit.

What city are you moving from?
 
You can go from rough to nice in one cross street. If it's beach your looking for not all of of Long Beach is near the beach. Some of it is quite far from the beach. As a matter of fact I think the only part that as actually "near" a beach is Belmont Shore (I'm not promoting Belmont Shore - I just know it's a nice area).

Is there something in particular you desire? Mountains? Beach? Sterile living :-)

If you are from Vancouver, then from what I gather the cost of living will not bother you.
 
I am from just outside of Vancouver and currently live at home :) so I havent had to deal with high rent for some time now...

I know that I wont be able to afford a place near the beach and since my job is in Placentia, I wouldnt want to be commuting in the rush hour traffic.

I would like to live in a city that is not a "sleepy town"...hopefully it has some sort of night life in terms of bars, restaurants...I am in my late twenties so I'm not really looking to be club-hopping. A nice, safe area (and yes sterile living!) with some greenery around would be great.
 
Option 1

Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Niguel - all nice and sterile. This where Peter and Polly Perfect live with 2.5 kids, a BMW, a Benz and a Suburban. You might only need one roomate as I think you could get a place for about $2,100 per month.

Option 2

Newport (excellent at your age) but you might need to go with three or more people.

Option 3

Downtown Huntington Beach (HB)

Same as Newport but not quite as "up there".

Option 4
Suburbs of HB
Between HB and Newport - not bad (I live in this area). Many houses but there are some nice apartments for about $1,800 per month.

East Costa Mesa - Maybe - but be careful. Houses can be nice but apartments can be trashy.

Other Options

I believe that Downtown Orange is Nice as is Fullerton.

If you're looking for a half hour commute then move across the street from work. Remember this still L.A. no matter how you slice the pie and everything is always an hour away.
 
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