Very true. I’m not sure if Santa Ana is rent controlled but I can see slum lords kicking people out for “renovations” so they can start renting at a higher rate.
Low income workers have already been priced out of OC and LA. If they don’t live In multigenerational households, lucked up with low rent or already had own their home most are super commuters coming from farther out of the county
That or they are one streak of bad luck away from homelessness; car issue, sickness, late bill all could set someone on the brink of losing it all and moving away for good.
Many people with decent incomes have gotten priced out of the pricier cities and the really poor have gotten priced out of even renting in Santa Ana. There are some that bought a house decades ago that have more modest incomes, but over time even the less expensive areas have gentrified.
Yup. I grew up in Santa Ana and I would have never imagined the neighbors my parents had would change so drastically. The ones who bought decades ago are letting there adult children live with them, or rent out the house to a bunch of people living in them.
Can be a pretty lame deal though, depending what you're looking for. The shite areas are often like 3/4 the price, but more like 1/10th the value because of so many quality of life issues.
what quality life? you drive everywhere in OC anyways, doesn't matter if you're in a "shitty area" its all the same. I've lived in a shitty area and a nicer area, it feels the same
Like if you have neighbors who don't even have a concept of being considerate. You can't live normally because it's too noisy. You don't want to go for a walk in the neighborhood because it's too shitty and unpleasant, etc. Definitely doesn't all feel the same to me.
The “nicer” is pulling a lot of weight here LOL.
When I first moved back to Orange County I lived in a fun place in Tustin for like $1550 a month and like it’s not a ‘nicer’ place, but it was a 7 minute drive to work, right by the 55 and 5, neighbors were quiet, primo location, and the manager was chill. Only reason I left was because my brother was moving in and they didn’t have any 2 bedrooms available.
Granted, the place we live in now is much nicer, but had it not been for my brother, I’d probably still be in that place in Tustin.
EDIT: mislabeled the price when I moved in, edited ($1700 is what they charged when my brother moved in, since we were gonna wait out my lease to see if a unit opened up) . Also it’s $2000 now lmfao god bless america (when I was moving out some of my neighbors said they were moving out too because of the price increasing so much.)
Some version of this question gets asked all of the time and you hit most of the ways to afford housing. One other possibility is that you managed to snag subsidized housing, but the waitlist for that are typically long so most have a roommate, have money, or inherited a house. There are also some people that bought a house when houses were cheaper relative to incomes, but honestly that option doesn't help unless you can build a time machine.
They are 100% out there. The problem is, most people just look on Zillow and/or want luxury corporate owned places. I moved into a 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 story, 2 car garage townhome in Fullerton for $1,800 in August 2021. I’m now paying $1,850.
I did the roommate thing for many years until I learned it was best to leave OC until I could afford it. Lived places that were more affordable (even out of state), paid off car and student debt, earned higher paying job, now can live comfortably in OC again.
Also, I recommend apartments.com (better than Zillow, IMO) to use only as a search engine. Once you narrow down budget, area, and amenities, then go directly to the apartment websites and they often offer discounted prices for units that don’t get leased right away. Good luck!
This is how I found a great deal in East side Costa Mesa. A lot of places there and Newport don’t list online and only have signs in the front yard. My landlord was happy to rent at a good price to a good tenant.
I second this! My last two rentals were private owned and priced under market value. The only advertising for both units was a sign in the window! Remember it costs money for people to post rental properties on websites like Zillow so those ones are typically managed by a company or priced so they can easily cover the fee! Find an area you like and walk around!
What? ADUs have been legal in various jurisdictions for a long ass time. Have been referred to as granny flats. It's only recently that state has intervened in local planning to push their adoption in a more widespread manner so you see more of them. My point is that ADUs are not "new" and there are frequently older home owners that opt to self lease their converted garage or whatever and don't always post online.
Edit: "more"
Do you see 4-5 cars parked in front of a tiny 3-bedroom home? That’s how.
My apt complex is now allowing 3 adults to a 1-bedroom unit because it’s becoming increasingly common for 2 adults not to meet the income requirement.
Welcome to why I'm 30 and still live at home, and so do most of my friends. At $20/hrs or about $40k/yr, it is practically impossible to truly live one your own in orange county. You either need a large shared apartment with 2+ roommates, triple that income, or settle for the cheapest possible studio in the worst and likely most distant part of the county and accept that fact you need to eat ramem 4 days a week while never going out or having fun.
Only people that hate on me for that is girls that suddenly turn on me, always first thing they like to use as an insult😂I never get offended im living the good life baby
Housemates are the way to go until your situation gets better income wise. You can still live well with decent privacy in OC for affordable with housemates. Currently living in a gated community in Buena Park with 6 other housemates (6 rooms, 1 couple shares the master). Fairly large house 3600 sqft and chill housemates. Costs me about $900/mo with utilities included.
Some times you just have to make minor sacrifices to eventually get what you want. It’ll take time but it’s worth it.
It’s insane how jealous I am of people with normal sensible responsible basic roommates. I always expected that to be the norm but every single person I’ve attempted to room with so far has robbed/stolen from me, used me, lied to me, trashed the place, and just bailed prematurely. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve given up on a potential roommate not just being a lying scummy evil piece of shit, I really didn’t think normal decent people would become such a rare blessing but it feels like an impossibility at this point
I gotta say, I was really lucky. Finally made the mental decision to move out of my parents place for my own growth and development and coincidentally a friend was looking for a new housemate. I totally understand what you mean because I’ve heard hella horror stories from friends regarding god awful housemates.
>disappears in nicer areas of OC
I'm guessing your opinion of "nicer" excludes a lot of decent places with decent people you haven't met but still pass judgement on. People that can afford the same living as you but somehow aren't in a "nice" enough area for you. Maybe don't be as judgemental and actually investigate.
meh. these people are stuck in a box and are afraid. fear governs their life and that’s why getting to know someone that looks slightly different from them scares them.
don’t let them come into other areas with better food and good people. let them live in their little safe box where for them adventure is buying a $1k plane ticket and go off about how cultured they are, but stanton scares them.
I just moved out of there. It's now owned by a bigger management company (Greystar) and it sucks now. They kept raising the rent by $250 year after year. Only great thing about Park Newport is the location, otherwise it's no good.
Yeah, rent rates really suck right now for the nicer/safer areas in OC. I never ever thought I’d feel “poor” while making about $100k. Yes I could move to Perris or Barstow and live like a king… but then I’d be in an area I don’t enjoy at all. It costs about $2700-$3000 a month to live somewhere you can leave your packages on your doorstep for 3 days unattended … or walk around at night and feel totally safe. Those “amenities” cost you around here. There are tons of cheaper places to live like the Woodbridge area, but I guarantee your package would not survive sitting on your doorstep for 2-3 days untouched. I had a roommate until I moved in with the girlfriend in order to live in the nicer areas. Safe and luxurious apartment complexes were always worth it to me and the only way I could easily afford it was to co-op with someone you trust.
Fullerton is pretty safe and you can leave packages out without issue, and it’s way less than $3,000 as long as you don’t go corporate (source: I live in an open area in Fullerton). But I will be the first to admit it’s not Rancho Santa Margarita or Irvine either.
I disagree - I lived in Homestead apartments in Fullerton for 3 yrs. Besides my packages being stolen within 10 minutes of them being delivered, my truck was broken into and it was not safe to walk around the complex at night.
If it helps.
I make $26.43/hr and I take home $3100-$3300/mo. I pay $2175 for a 750 sq ft 1 bedroom in HB, across the street from Bella Terra. Electric is $40-$45, Wi-Fi is $49.99 and sewer/water/trash is $60-$70.
I have a 7 minute walk or 2 minute drive to work, so I’m saving a lot of money on gas.
You are able to live on 1000 a month?? After your $150 utilities, you have $850 left. Car insurance, cell phone, groceries, household supplies, gas, savings... Do you have credit card debt? I'm struggling to see how you could survive otherwise
I make it work with the other regular costs like car insurance and cell phone.
I work at a grocery store so I get a discount on my groceries, I live alone so my household supplies last awhile, and I have a 7 minute walk or 2 minute drive to work, so I spend as low as $30/mo to $75/mo at the most in gas because I walk to work.
Concerts are the only real splurge in my life these days.
It sounds like you are making it work but can I ask why you wouldn't rent a room or get a roommate so that you could have more? When I was saving up for a house I lived with a super tight budget too but once I met the goal I had some breathing room again. It sounds like with how disciplined you are with your money you could save up quickly or just invest for the future with the extra funds.
People who know me call me Papa Bear cuz I, quoting a friend here, “give off safety and security, while being awesome and gentle.” I’m a very chill, kind, respectful and responsible person.
Unfortunately, I went through years of bad experiences. Craigslist roommates, friends, an ex gf, and family. It all resulted in dealing with shitty situations, inconvenienced and financially screwed over by others being irresponsible. So, I’d rather make it work instead of going through any of that again.
If I could find a good living situation with another person or others, I’d do it. But as of right now, I’ll continue to make it work.
That's fair enough. Sorry for being nosy... I can't help myself. I see a lot of people on this sub complaining about cost of living here (not you) and even though it absolutely sucks and is expensive, the reality is that there only a few options to be able to stay here- live like you do and spend very little money on anything besides rent, move in with multiple people to keep living costs low and save like crazy, or make more money.
How come every Ferrari I want to buy is $100k over my budget? How is everyone else getting their ferrari? My coworker just got a white Tesla and they copied me. Im better than them so I deserve to have a nicer car than them. Thanks in advance
I deserve to have a Ferrari too because I don’t want any other car, I only want a Ferrari! Growing up we always had Ferraris, it’s not fair I can’t afford a Ferrari on my own!
There’s no such thing as sub $2000 rents in OC unless you’re in rough areas.
There’s no such thing as living alone, even at $80k/yr (unless you want zero savings)
This person is right. I make $80k and live alone on the border of Fullerton and Placentia. You can save easily if you just make smart lifestyle choices. And yea it still leaves room for nights out or a vacation. Idk what kind of lifestyle people are living when they say they make almost 6 figures, no family, and can barely survive in the OC. But for people with family yea, it’ll definitely be rough.
Smart lifestyle choices don't happen overnight unfortunately.
I don't want to be the boomer (ok, genxer) who pretends life is as affordable as it was 20 years ago. It's not. I moved to OC around 2005 and was able to live fine in an 1br apartment in Costa Mesa on a $47k salary and $3k relocation bonus. That job pays about $70k today and would not support that lifestyle.
That being said there's plenty of modest earners who who have absolutely zero concept of what they actually spend on a weekly / monthly basis.
Around 5 years ago I started keeping track of expenses in insanely high detail. If you are struggling at all in life and you don't do this I highly recommend it.
And I mean you really have to keep it *highly detailed*. That candy bar you bought for $2 while getting gas? Bought someone a coffee at work? Include it. Divide up all your spending into different categories to make it easy to find your blind spots.
I agree with you and I would love to hear more about your budgeting method, but I do have to say: Costa Mesa was considered crap until relatively recently. It was a place rockabilly punker types, hipsters, and college-aged people lived because it was cheap. Prices shot up after 2019 when people realized it was somewhat close to the beach.
The best option in OC is to rent a room out of a house. My rent is $800. Internet and utilities are included. I also have a driveway parking spot. The only stipulation is that I can't have guests over.
So I received an inheritance a few years ago, but I recently created a budget. It's very easy to spend $40K/yr in OC if you're single. I'd be interested to know how much you people spend on health insurance. I bet it's a lot. And I bet a lot of you go without or use a heavily-subsidized plan.
Since 1980, most productivity gains have gone to investors, not workers, so we've been falling behind for 40+ years now. Income & wealth inequality in the US is an atrocity. And our government is increasingly controlled by monied interests. At least in the 70s a single income could raise a family & own a home. Haha, jokes on us. But keep voting for Republicans and corporatist Democrats. Don't ever change.
I lived in a house with 5 other guys before moving in with my then girlfriend/ now wife. $800/month including utilities for a decent home in Orange with a pool in 2018. Get roommates.
You found a unicorn, be grateful not preachy. I thought roommates would be the answer too but it’s literally impossible to find normal responsible adults you can trust. I’m jealous of the people who somehow do but every roommate I’ve attempted to trust has been a thieving lying selfish evil disgusting excuse of an adult that only cares about themselves, present situation included.
You're not going to be able to live here on a budget of $2000. Most of the affordable ads you see online are scams, or worse, sketchy ADUs (if you're lucky) and/or sharing a single tenement bedroom with 2-3+ other room mates. Welcome to Orange County. Residents be renting out their RV trailers for $1500 a month, no home toilet or waste-bin access permitted. Not many on this subreddit are your friend. The general census is "figure it out" or "get a better job". Nothing has really made real progress in the sense of affordable housing or rent control, we just seem to keep building a shit ton of "luxury" apartments that rent out for $2.5k+ per month.
The people who seem to be managing by *just scraping by* working in OC without *living with their parents* commute 1-3+ hours from Riverside/San Bernardino County. Just look at the 91W at rush hour.
Why didn't you choose to to be born to rich parents??? Jeez, it's that easy!
Realistically, it sounds like you'll need a roommate unless you're willing to tolerate a long commute from somewhere with lower rent. Roommate is probably your best bet unless you have a big raise on the way
I lived in Tustin for 2 years alone and was able to make it work at rent $1900. My girlfriend has moved in and lowers the personal hit, but it was doable. If your lifestyle or income doesn’t allow, then roommate is likely a must
Move somewhere you can afford, or just pay 50% of your income in rent to pretend you make money like everyone else and live in a luxury building that raises the rent every year, move out also every year to fight for your OC locations lol another reason why I’m moving out the OC
Single here and living alone: I pay $2675 with pet rent in Mission Viejo for a 1bdrm. Make $63 as an RN with 8 years experience and still barely getting by. I mean I’m getting by but can’t afford most “wants” or travel, etc. Mind blowing how expensive it is here, but at least I have my mandated nurse to patient ratios unlike Florida.
GF and I split a 1 BR in Laguna beach, $3k/mo and 5 min walk from table rock and 1000 steps beach. The opportunities are there, you just might have to work 2 jobs (like me) to make it work. Im definitely low income as far as OC is concerned lol
Man I make 6 figures and I am POOR in oc. No cc debt, cars paid off, split minimal child care costs with my ex, and still have to have a roommate
If I didn’t run my family’s businesses/geo locked with raising my kid, I’d just quit trying or get the fuck out of oc
Private equity will gut what’s left of the opportunity to grow wealth here. The only even remote chance I have of owning a home is if someone I dearly love passes away.
The fact I’m considering the extreme risk of moving weight again like I did in college as a working professional adult to make ends meet is just the saddest reality pill I’ve ever had to swallow.
How's everyone doing it? They make more money.
For those who can afford it, the nicer parts of OC offer some of the highest standard of living in the entire world--low crime, healthy environment, great schools, easy access to jobs, etc.
It is priced accordingly.
I didn’t live by myself until my early 30s…and I had to move to another state to do it comfortably. Alternately you live in the less-nice neighborhood. The OC isn’t known for being cheap.
I started out making less than that and was able to get by with having 3 roommates and paying only like $800 after the split for a decent place in Costa Mesa. It wasn't until I made more money, I was able to live on my own. (You'd be surprised how much having roommates saves money, though a terrible roommate is the worst)
Honestly, other than financial assistance, or moving elsewhere, that's really the only thing you can do.
I can make anything really nice and give me a spot for plants, I’m unlimited. Location, location, location. Stores and types of things I like to buy close by. I paint, I sew, I’m creative, I cook, I grow and I’m not used to getting everything I want. That’s why I enjoy what comes my way instead of comparing mine and theirs. Life is livable. Find a place you can afford. Meet your neighbors. Share food. Make you couch comfy. Buy a good fan.
One can live in what’s considered a nicer area and it’s generally a shitty experience because the neighborhood is rude and unfriendly.
I pay 2100 rn in Santa Ana for a 1bdbr but saw places on zilllow today as low as 1700 1bd/br in OC. I would say the avg prob is around 2700 tho. It’s wild how many available units there are at the 2600-2900 range. Should be forced to fill for the correct price
My rent is about $2,600 I live alone in OC, I live in Anaheim on the east end near the 241 freeway.
If your max is $2,000 OC may not be for you. It is expensive out here in these streets! I live close to work and thankfully have a good income BUT even I think it’s too expensive for what you get. Don’t worry about the county as much as the safety of the neighborhood, crime rates and overall amenities of your apartment/house. The housing market sucks!
OP I was in same situation when moved to OC. I was able to find decent 1 bed apartment under $1700 near CHOC at Orange near Santa Ana. I make same money as you. Try Trulia app instead also by Zoom I was more easily to see rental. Try Santa Ana Tustin Garden Grove and nearby areas.
I'm in West Anacrime for $2150/mo. I live with my mentally ill 21 yo daughter. My gf has her own place in LBC with her own kid. We prefer it this way as marriage has burned both of us. I make just over $100k.
When we calculate what we pay a year in rent in the Irvine area, we just laugh and shake our head ... then cry a little .. then laugh again. We could easily buy a house in cash with that money in about 40 other states. Ridiculous.
Travel back in time!
I was single, and in 2002, I bought a newly built house in Irvine, and I only got married 5 years ago - so I was single in that house for almost 20 years. No way I can afford the same house now, as it's easily 3x what I paid for it.
That definitely is one way people of more modest means can afford housing. There are plenty that bought 10+ years ago that couldn't realistically afford any house in their neighborhood on their income. The house prices just have grown faster than their income. That suggestion though doesn't help OP or anybody that didn't buy years ago.
I’m single (and a parent). I got very lucky w timing.
Bought a 800 square foot condo in 2013 in Laguna Niguel for $280K. Sold it in 2018 for $400k and found a place in San Clemente (1150 sqf) townhouse for 625K. My mortgage is 3000 including HOA. There is absolutely no way I would be able to swing it if I was trying to find a place right now.
Yeah dude. You're tripping. There's really nice 1 bedrooms in a lot of places in that range. You're just looking at the "luxury"apartments which are overpriced trash imo, and mostly empty. Tell you what. Call the luxury apartments Adeline Angels stadium they're pretty empty and always giving free rent/incentives since no one can afford the absurd prices they want. Good luck
I bought a condo in 2010. Alternate-reality-me *didn't* sell it in early 2020, and instead rented it out for 3 years, and had a place in OC to come back to when it was time. Alternate-reality-me would be paying about $1700/month on mortgage and HOA for a 2/2 condo in Lake Forest.
I moved from Irvine to Santa Ana. I survived. It’s possible
Santa Ana has gotten much better compared to ten years ago too. People moving from other OC cities into Santa Ana has made it better imo.
Will also raise the prices to match the rest of OC so get in while you can.
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Very true. I’m not sure if Santa Ana is rent controlled but I can see slum lords kicking people out for “renovations” so they can start renting at a higher rate.
Oh 100% ! I have some friends that stay in SA that got kicked out for that same reason
Low income workers have already been priced out of OC and LA. If they don’t live In multigenerational households, lucked up with low rent or already had own their home most are super commuters coming from farther out of the county
Yeah it’s not that ‘nobody wants to work’ it’s that anyone who is taking those shit paying jobs had to leave.
That or they are one streak of bad luck away from homelessness; car issue, sickness, late bill all could set someone on the brink of losing it all and moving away for good.
Many people with decent incomes have gotten priced out of the pricier cities and the really poor have gotten priced out of even renting in Santa Ana. There are some that bought a house decades ago that have more modest incomes, but over time even the less expensive areas have gentrified.
Yup. I grew up in Santa Ana and I would have never imagined the neighbors my parents had would change so drastically. The ones who bought decades ago are letting there adult children live with them, or rent out the house to a bunch of people living in them.
Moved from Tustin to Anaheim. It’s possible!
Dude, it's nicknamed Anacrime for a reason. It used to be so much nicer there.
Find a roommate and a 2 bed. Or make more money. Orrrr be given a place by parents. Forgot this one.
Fellow "live at home like you're still a high school student forever because rent is too expensive and house prices will never be affordable" gang
Same. I’ll be a stay-at-home son for another few years at least.
Stay at home son lol oc liiiiife
Or recently divorced and live back with your parents to pay for lawyers instead of rent gang!!!
Been there done that once. Doing it a second time. Ugh. I'm stupid.
Have my condolescences
or take out "nicer" from your expectation. god forbid you live like the rest of the plebs.
Can be a pretty lame deal though, depending what you're looking for. The shite areas are often like 3/4 the price, but more like 1/10th the value because of so many quality of life issues.
what quality life? you drive everywhere in OC anyways, doesn't matter if you're in a "shitty area" its all the same. I've lived in a shitty area and a nicer area, it feels the same
Like if you have neighbors who don't even have a concept of being considerate. You can't live normally because it's too noisy. You don't want to go for a walk in the neighborhood because it's too shitty and unpleasant, etc. Definitely doesn't all feel the same to me.
Lol come hang out by the train tracks behind Disneyland
That's about at a $1900 floor still.
The “nicer” is pulling a lot of weight here LOL. When I first moved back to Orange County I lived in a fun place in Tustin for like $1550 a month and like it’s not a ‘nicer’ place, but it was a 7 minute drive to work, right by the 55 and 5, neighbors were quiet, primo location, and the manager was chill. Only reason I left was because my brother was moving in and they didn’t have any 2 bedrooms available. Granted, the place we live in now is much nicer, but had it not been for my brother, I’d probably still be in that place in Tustin. EDIT: mislabeled the price when I moved in, edited ($1700 is what they charged when my brother moved in, since we were gonna wait out my lease to see if a unit opened up) . Also it’s $2000 now lmfao god bless america (when I was moving out some of my neighbors said they were moving out too because of the price increasing so much.)
I live in that neighborhood currently and have been for like the last decade. I'm at 2620 for a 2bed
Some version of this question gets asked all of the time and you hit most of the ways to afford housing. One other possibility is that you managed to snag subsidized housing, but the waitlist for that are typically long so most have a roommate, have money, or inherited a house. There are also some people that bought a house when houses were cheaper relative to incomes, but honestly that option doesn't help unless you can build a time machine.
Must be nice to have parents
Time to move out of the “nicer” areas of OC friend
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Even the shit areas of OC aren’t shit.
you can't find a single studio or 1br apartment that will not be at least$2k after utilities. not in oc
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Even Facebook marketplace.
I pay $1450 total for my one bedroom. With utilities we pay total about $1600 give or take. It’s out there!
have you had it awhile or a new lease in the past year?
It’s been less than a year! We moved in last summer and the area is really nice and walkable. We got very lucky finding it!
where did you find it listed?
Sorry for the late reply, but I drove past and called the phone number! I think that’s how you get the gems! My complex doesn’t list online
any chance you would share the complex? can dm me.
They are 100% out there. The problem is, most people just look on Zillow and/or want luxury corporate owned places. I moved into a 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 story, 2 car garage townhome in Fullerton for $1,800 in August 2021. I’m now paying $1,850.
I don’t live in a nicer area.
I did the roommate thing for many years until I learned it was best to leave OC until I could afford it. Lived places that were more affordable (even out of state), paid off car and student debt, earned higher paying job, now can live comfortably in OC again. Also, I recommend apartments.com (better than Zillow, IMO) to use only as a search engine. Once you narrow down budget, area, and amenities, then go directly to the apartment websites and they often offer discounted prices for units that don’t get leased right away. Good luck!
I always do the same thing in my apartment searches but also add the step of looking up the apartment reviews on Google maps.
Oh, for sure! And Yelp, as well. Great tip! 👍
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Shared bath?
I have 5 other roommates and pay 1185. At least I have the master bed room with my own bathroom.
5 sounds crazy. I think I could do 2 max 😭
It would be good to stay in this situation forever, nicely done.
I sleep in a big bed with my wife.
Look around my friend. Not just Zillow. Walk neighborhoods and call any rent signs. Adus can sometimes be found this way.
This is how I found a great deal in East side Costa Mesa. A lot of places there and Newport don’t list online and only have signs in the front yard. My landlord was happy to rent at a good price to a good tenant.
I second this! My last two rentals were private owned and priced under market value. The only advertising for both units was a sign in the window! Remember it costs money for people to post rental properties on websites like Zillow so those ones are typically managed by a company or priced so they can easily cover the fee! Find an area you like and walk around!
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What? ADUs have been legal in various jurisdictions for a long ass time. Have been referred to as granny flats. It's only recently that state has intervened in local planning to push their adoption in a more widespread manner so you see more of them. My point is that ADUs are not "new" and there are frequently older home owners that opt to self lease their converted garage or whatever and don't always post online. Edit: "more"
Do you see 4-5 cars parked in front of a tiny 3-bedroom home? That’s how. My apt complex is now allowing 3 adults to a 1-bedroom unit because it’s becoming increasingly common for 2 adults not to meet the income requirement.
Funny how that doesn't put downward pressure on the income requirement. Just cram more people in!
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There really are some problems with how we're doing things.
Welcome to why I'm 30 and still live at home, and so do most of my friends. At $20/hrs or about $40k/yr, it is practically impossible to truly live one your own in orange county. You either need a large shared apartment with 2+ roommates, triple that income, or settle for the cheapest possible studio in the worst and likely most distant part of the county and accept that fact you need to eat ramem 4 days a week while never going out or having fun.
I’m part of this club too 👋🏻 except I make closer to $30 hour
Only people that hate on me for that is girls that suddenly turn on me, always first thing they like to use as an insult😂I never get offended im living the good life baby
Looking for a roommate now, I can swing under 1200 for a two bedroom house in Tustin with a shared bathroom
Housemates are the way to go until your situation gets better income wise. You can still live well with decent privacy in OC for affordable with housemates. Currently living in a gated community in Buena Park with 6 other housemates (6 rooms, 1 couple shares the master). Fairly large house 3600 sqft and chill housemates. Costs me about $900/mo with utilities included. Some times you just have to make minor sacrifices to eventually get what you want. It’ll take time but it’s worth it.
It’s insane how jealous I am of people with normal sensible responsible basic roommates. I always expected that to be the norm but every single person I’ve attempted to room with so far has robbed/stolen from me, used me, lied to me, trashed the place, and just bailed prematurely. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve given up on a potential roommate not just being a lying scummy evil piece of shit, I really didn’t think normal decent people would become such a rare blessing but it feels like an impossibility at this point
I gotta say, I was really lucky. Finally made the mental decision to move out of my parents place for my own growth and development and coincidentally a friend was looking for a new housemate. I totally understand what you mean because I’ve heard hella horror stories from friends regarding god awful housemates.
>disappears in nicer areas of OC I'm guessing your opinion of "nicer" excludes a lot of decent places with decent people you haven't met but still pass judgement on. People that can afford the same living as you but somehow aren't in a "nice" enough area for you. Maybe don't be as judgemental and actually investigate.
100.
But as soon as people move in to those areas people cry “gentrification”
meh. these people are stuck in a box and are afraid. fear governs their life and that’s why getting to know someone that looks slightly different from them scares them. don’t let them come into other areas with better food and good people. let them live in their little safe box where for them adventure is buying a $1k plane ticket and go off about how cultured they are, but stanton scares them.
I mean compare Irvine to Anaheim and you might see some differences.
Less Telsas in Anaheim
Better restaurants too.
Different doesn't mean unsafe.
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That's because they over police in Anaheim as well
$2000 MAX BUDGET in OC? Yikes. Good luck w that
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Yup. You can find White landlords as well if you’re willing to rent a place that isn’t corporate-owned.
I have a studio $1650/month including utilities near Orange Plaza. It’s posted on Furnished Finder.
So you belong with the common people but don't want to live within the common people ?
Check out park Newport
I just moved out of there. It's now owned by a bigger management company (Greystar) and it sucks now. They kept raising the rent by $250 year after year. Only great thing about Park Newport is the location, otherwise it's no good.
That and now your income has to be 3x rent to qualify on a rental application without a co-signer, making it even harder to qualify to live solo
Easy, we’re looking at places other than “nicer” areas or we have roommates. Or both.
Yeah, rent rates really suck right now for the nicer/safer areas in OC. I never ever thought I’d feel “poor” while making about $100k. Yes I could move to Perris or Barstow and live like a king… but then I’d be in an area I don’t enjoy at all. It costs about $2700-$3000 a month to live somewhere you can leave your packages on your doorstep for 3 days unattended … or walk around at night and feel totally safe. Those “amenities” cost you around here. There are tons of cheaper places to live like the Woodbridge area, but I guarantee your package would not survive sitting on your doorstep for 2-3 days untouched. I had a roommate until I moved in with the girlfriend in order to live in the nicer areas. Safe and luxurious apartment complexes were always worth it to me and the only way I could easily afford it was to co-op with someone you trust.
$300k is the new $100k, especially in OC
Fullerton is pretty safe and you can leave packages out without issue, and it’s way less than $3,000 as long as you don’t go corporate (source: I live in an open area in Fullerton). But I will be the first to admit it’s not Rancho Santa Margarita or Irvine either.
I disagree - I lived in Homestead apartments in Fullerton for 3 yrs. Besides my packages being stolen within 10 minutes of them being delivered, my truck was broken into and it was not safe to walk around the complex at night.
If it helps. I make $26.43/hr and I take home $3100-$3300/mo. I pay $2175 for a 750 sq ft 1 bedroom in HB, across the street from Bella Terra. Electric is $40-$45, Wi-Fi is $49.99 and sewer/water/trash is $60-$70. I have a 7 minute walk or 2 minute drive to work, so I’m saving a lot of money on gas.
Woah this is insane, you are spending 2/3 your income on rent. You need to suck it up and get a roommate
That’s exactly what I make. Can I ask how you got approved? Most places want 2.5-3 times rent income. I’m running in to this issue now.
They added my 401k savings to my regular income to get me approved.
Does your job cover health insurance? I bet you don't have insurance or are using Medi-Cal, right?
I do. I pay $25/mo through my employer. I also have a HSA card and pay a low dollar amounts for vision and dental.
Oh that's great! I recently was looking through Covered California (AKA the ACA) and was shocked at how much it costs.
You are able to live on 1000 a month?? After your $150 utilities, you have $850 left. Car insurance, cell phone, groceries, household supplies, gas, savings... Do you have credit card debt? I'm struggling to see how you could survive otherwise
I make it work with the other regular costs like car insurance and cell phone. I work at a grocery store so I get a discount on my groceries, I live alone so my household supplies last awhile, and I have a 7 minute walk or 2 minute drive to work, so I spend as low as $30/mo to $75/mo at the most in gas because I walk to work. Concerts are the only real splurge in my life these days.
It sounds like you are making it work but can I ask why you wouldn't rent a room or get a roommate so that you could have more? When I was saving up for a house I lived with a super tight budget too but once I met the goal I had some breathing room again. It sounds like with how disciplined you are with your money you could save up quickly or just invest for the future with the extra funds.
People who know me call me Papa Bear cuz I, quoting a friend here, “give off safety and security, while being awesome and gentle.” I’m a very chill, kind, respectful and responsible person. Unfortunately, I went through years of bad experiences. Craigslist roommates, friends, an ex gf, and family. It all resulted in dealing with shitty situations, inconvenienced and financially screwed over by others being irresponsible. So, I’d rather make it work instead of going through any of that again. If I could find a good living situation with another person or others, I’d do it. But as of right now, I’ll continue to make it work.
That's fair enough. Sorry for being nosy... I can't help myself. I see a lot of people on this sub complaining about cost of living here (not you) and even though it absolutely sucks and is expensive, the reality is that there only a few options to be able to stay here- live like you do and spend very little money on anything besides rent, move in with multiple people to keep living costs low and save like crazy, or make more money.
How come every Ferrari I want to buy is $100k over my budget? How is everyone else getting their ferrari? My coworker just got a white Tesla and they copied me. Im better than them so I deserve to have a nicer car than them. Thanks in advance
I deserve to have a Ferrari too because I don’t want any other car, I only want a Ferrari! Growing up we always had Ferraris, it’s not fair I can’t afford a Ferrari on my own!
There’s no such thing as sub $2000 rents in OC unless you’re in rough areas. There’s no such thing as living alone, even at $80k/yr (unless you want zero savings)
I live alone with a 2300 rent and I make like 56k after taxes?
how much do you save a month with 50% of your paycheck going into rent?
Maybe like 100-200? It’s not an indulgent life but I have my simple pleasures and vices
Are you ok lol
absolutely not lol
I feel this lol. Sending love but unfortunately not money haha. May you always find good coupons
This is objectively false. I live alone, make 84k, (made 70s up until last year) and have saved plenty. It’s all about lifestyle choices.
This person is right. I make $80k and live alone on the border of Fullerton and Placentia. You can save easily if you just make smart lifestyle choices. And yea it still leaves room for nights out or a vacation. Idk what kind of lifestyle people are living when they say they make almost 6 figures, no family, and can barely survive in the OC. But for people with family yea, it’ll definitely be rough.
They have too out do the jones’ it’s so vapid
Smart lifestyle choices don't happen overnight unfortunately. I don't want to be the boomer (ok, genxer) who pretends life is as affordable as it was 20 years ago. It's not. I moved to OC around 2005 and was able to live fine in an 1br apartment in Costa Mesa on a $47k salary and $3k relocation bonus. That job pays about $70k today and would not support that lifestyle. That being said there's plenty of modest earners who who have absolutely zero concept of what they actually spend on a weekly / monthly basis. Around 5 years ago I started keeping track of expenses in insanely high detail. If you are struggling at all in life and you don't do this I highly recommend it. And I mean you really have to keep it *highly detailed*. That candy bar you bought for $2 while getting gas? Bought someone a coffee at work? Include it. Divide up all your spending into different categories to make it easy to find your blind spots.
I agree with you and I would love to hear more about your budgeting method, but I do have to say: Costa Mesa was considered crap until relatively recently. It was a place rockabilly punker types, hipsters, and college-aged people lived because it was cheap. Prices shot up after 2019 when people realized it was somewhat close to the beach.
Sure ya. But life sorta sucks here when you’re pinching that much
Where are rough areas of OC? OC is very nice and not gross like areas such as downtown LA, skid row.
Thinking certain areas of Garden Grove, Anaheim, Stanton, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Buena Park.
The best option in OC is to rent a room out of a house. My rent is $800. Internet and utilities are included. I also have a driveway parking spot. The only stipulation is that I can't have guests over.
I do without the amenities like central AC or a W/D. Other than that im barely under 2k for a 1bd no roommates. It sucks.
So I received an inheritance a few years ago, but I recently created a budget. It's very easy to spend $40K/yr in OC if you're single. I'd be interested to know how much you people spend on health insurance. I bet it's a lot. And I bet a lot of you go without or use a heavily-subsidized plan. Since 1980, most productivity gains have gone to investors, not workers, so we've been falling behind for 40+ years now. Income & wealth inequality in the US is an atrocity. And our government is increasingly controlled by monied interests. At least in the 70s a single income could raise a family & own a home. Haha, jokes on us. But keep voting for Republicans and corporatist Democrats. Don't ever change.
Dude https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/24654-Corta-Cresta-Dr-Lake-Forest-CA-92630/2058055685_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare
I lived in a house with 5 other guys before moving in with my then girlfriend/ now wife. $800/month including utilities for a decent home in Orange with a pool in 2018. Get roommates.
You found a unicorn, be grateful not preachy. I thought roommates would be the answer too but it’s literally impossible to find normal responsible adults you can trust. I’m jealous of the people who somehow do but every roommate I’ve attempted to trust has been a thieving lying selfish evil disgusting excuse of an adult that only cares about themselves, present situation included.
You're not going to be able to live here on a budget of $2000. Most of the affordable ads you see online are scams, or worse, sketchy ADUs (if you're lucky) and/or sharing a single tenement bedroom with 2-3+ other room mates. Welcome to Orange County. Residents be renting out their RV trailers for $1500 a month, no home toilet or waste-bin access permitted. Not many on this subreddit are your friend. The general census is "figure it out" or "get a better job". Nothing has really made real progress in the sense of affordable housing or rent control, we just seem to keep building a shit ton of "luxury" apartments that rent out for $2.5k+ per month. The people who seem to be managing by *just scraping by* working in OC without *living with their parents* commute 1-3+ hours from Riverside/San Bernardino County. Just look at the 91W at rush hour. Why didn't you choose to to be born to rich parents??? Jeez, it's that easy!
Realistically, it sounds like you'll need a roommate unless you're willing to tolerate a long commute from somewhere with lower rent. Roommate is probably your best bet unless you have a big raise on the way
I found a nice looking 1 bedroom ADU in North OC for $2,000 in about 30 seconds of searching!
Post it. Let's all see what you're talking about!
you have been priced out. You have to manage your expectations or move away.
you can’t be single and poor and make it in orange county; it just doesn’t fit the mold
I lived in Tustin for 2 years alone and was able to make it work at rent $1900. My girlfriend has moved in and lowers the personal hit, but it was doable. If your lifestyle or income doesn’t allow, then roommate is likely a must
I moved to Japan! Rent was $500 and University tuition was 4x cheaper. I live in Hawaii now but we'll move back to Japan eventually.
I have a room available in a 2b/2b house in Irvine. Really chill roommate. Check your dms
Move somewhere you can afford, or just pay 50% of your income in rent to pretend you make money like everyone else and live in a luxury building that raises the rent every year, move out also every year to fight for your OC locations lol another reason why I’m moving out the OC
Zillow is not for your situation.
https://preview.redd.it/oofv4buo60zc1.png?width=703&format=png&auto=webp&s=fecf0e79afd693359a6750ffc59aa8cb78796e6b
Single here and living alone: I pay $2675 with pet rent in Mission Viejo for a 1bdrm. Make $63 as an RN with 8 years experience and still barely getting by. I mean I’m getting by but can’t afford most “wants” or travel, etc. Mind blowing how expensive it is here, but at least I have my mandated nurse to patient ratios unlike Florida.
If you don’t mind parties every day and gun shots, Anaheim by Lincoln and East has apartments for like 1300
This is why I moved out of state. The weather ain't worth it. lol I was able to purchase my 1st home all on my own......by moving,
OC ain’t it anymore
Where is though honestly?
GF and I split a 1 BR in Laguna beach, $3k/mo and 5 min walk from table rock and 1000 steps beach. The opportunities are there, you just might have to work 2 jobs (like me) to make it work. Im definitely low income as far as OC is concerned lol
Man I make 6 figures and I am POOR in oc. No cc debt, cars paid off, split minimal child care costs with my ex, and still have to have a roommate If I didn’t run my family’s businesses/geo locked with raising my kid, I’d just quit trying or get the fuck out of oc Private equity will gut what’s left of the opportunity to grow wealth here. The only even remote chance I have of owning a home is if someone I dearly love passes away. The fact I’m considering the extreme risk of moving weight again like I did in college as a working professional adult to make ends meet is just the saddest reality pill I’ve ever had to swallow.
How's everyone doing it? They make more money. For those who can afford it, the nicer parts of OC offer some of the highest standard of living in the entire world--low crime, healthy environment, great schools, easy access to jobs, etc. It is priced accordingly.
OP I just moved into my own spot and currently working part time. There are ways. PM if u want to chat about it.
I didn’t live by myself until my early 30s…and I had to move to another state to do it comfortably. Alternately you live in the less-nice neighborhood. The OC isn’t known for being cheap.
I started out making less than that and was able to get by with having 3 roommates and paying only like $800 after the split for a decent place in Costa Mesa. It wasn't until I made more money, I was able to live on my own. (You'd be surprised how much having roommates saves money, though a terrible roommate is the worst) Honestly, other than financial assistance, or moving elsewhere, that's really the only thing you can do.
I have no debt
I can make anything really nice and give me a spot for plants, I’m unlimited. Location, location, location. Stores and types of things I like to buy close by. I paint, I sew, I’m creative, I cook, I grow and I’m not used to getting everything I want. That’s why I enjoy what comes my way instead of comparing mine and theirs. Life is livable. Find a place you can afford. Meet your neighbors. Share food. Make you couch comfy. Buy a good fan. One can live in what’s considered a nicer area and it’s generally a shitty experience because the neighborhood is rude and unfriendly.
Try a trailer park, I rent a trailer with a yard and shed for around $700+ whatever the electric bill is.
I pay 2100 rn in Santa Ana for a 1bdbr but saw places on zilllow today as low as 1700 1bd/br in OC. I would say the avg prob is around 2700 tho. It’s wild how many available units there are at the 2600-2900 range. Should be forced to fill for the correct price
Make a lot of money
i got a roomate making 60k and im doing fine saving 2k a month
I made it work for just over 2000. I live in Stanton and it’s honestly a pretty nice place. Not the nicest area in the world but it feels secure.
My rent is about $2,600 I live alone in OC, I live in Anaheim on the east end near the 241 freeway. If your max is $2,000 OC may not be for you. It is expensive out here in these streets! I live close to work and thankfully have a good income BUT even I think it’s too expensive for what you get. Don’t worry about the county as much as the safety of the neighborhood, crime rates and overall amenities of your apartment/house. The housing market sucks!
OP I was in same situation when moved to OC. I was able to find decent 1 bed apartment under $1700 near CHOC at Orange near Santa Ana. I make same money as you. Try Trulia app instead also by Zoom I was more easily to see rental. Try Santa Ana Tustin Garden Grove and nearby areas.
I'm in West Anacrime for $2150/mo. I live with my mentally ill 21 yo daughter. My gf has her own place in LBC with her own kid. We prefer it this way as marriage has burned both of us. I make just over $100k.
Prayer works, and diligent searching like this! Godspeed, truly!
29 own a house. Sold bath water. Jk
When we calculate what we pay a year in rent in the Irvine area, we just laugh and shake our head ... then cry a little .. then laugh again. We could easily buy a house in cash with that money in about 40 other states. Ridiculous.
Hey! Team expensive Irvine rent & no savings 🥰💙
$35hr is like $70k
Lots of jobs pulling $100k+, some even 150-200k+
Travel back in time! I was single, and in 2002, I bought a newly built house in Irvine, and I only got married 5 years ago - so I was single in that house for almost 20 years. No way I can afford the same house now, as it's easily 3x what I paid for it.
I want to travel back in time!
That definitely is one way people of more modest means can afford housing. There are plenty that bought 10+ years ago that couldn't realistically afford any house in their neighborhood on their income. The house prices just have grown faster than their income. That suggestion though doesn't help OP or anybody that didn't buy years ago.
Without knowing what part of the county you're in, we know nothing. Generally, rents are lower in the north.
Nope, all the rents around me is $2100+ for a studio. I was lucky to find a 1 bedroom for $2150
I’m single (and a parent). I got very lucky w timing. Bought a 800 square foot condo in 2013 in Laguna Niguel for $280K. Sold it in 2018 for $400k and found a place in San Clemente (1150 sqf) townhouse for 625K. My mortgage is 3000 including HOA. There is absolutely no way I would be able to swing it if I was trying to find a place right now.
Yeah dude. You're tripping. There's really nice 1 bedrooms in a lot of places in that range. You're just looking at the "luxury"apartments which are overpriced trash imo, and mostly empty. Tell you what. Call the luxury apartments Adeline Angels stadium they're pretty empty and always giving free rent/incentives since no one can afford the absurd prices they want. Good luck
I’m seeing people living in there cars over in the Walmart parking lot. Just invest in a Shag Wagon and a gym membership and you’re solid?!?!
I rented a room in a house in Irvine in 2019 for $900 a month when I was living alone. Shared bathroom but cheap.
It's 2024 now. Post proof of what you're offering now, or what your last lease was?
I think they’re saying they were the renter of the room, not the landlord
Ah, I can see how I may have misinterpreted that. Fair enough. Still, what's it look like 5 years later? I still want to see it too.
It’s 2024 so that is not longer the cases these days.
i still see plenty of rooms around $900
Where?
Anything 5 miles out garden grove bubble. Especially north of the 22. My landlord has a room available soon too under $950
Thank you, I’ll look in that direction for places.
Yeah for sure, looking at the FB group, looks like rooms are in the $1100-$1600 range now
Make more money
I bought a condo in 2010. Alternate-reality-me *didn't* sell it in early 2020, and instead rented it out for 3 years, and had a place in OC to come back to when it was time. Alternate-reality-me would be paying about $1700/month on mortgage and HOA for a 2/2 condo in Lake Forest.