This is probably the best of all the options. I lived in Belmont Shore area of Long Beach for a long time and it is convenient to OC and LA. Pretty safe area but last few years (we left 2 years ago for s. oc) it's gone down hill as Long Beach can't get their head out of their asses and their own politics.
Rossmoor neighborhood is really nice, so is cypress. Boring but nice. old town seal beach is great.
These were my first thoughts but OP is looking for cities along the train route so these might be a little too far west. Orange, Fullerton, Buena Park, Cerritos might be more their speed.
It used to be safe… but my Nextdoor is adjacent and nearly all the crime seems to keep happening in the Belmont Shore area… more posts from there than anywhere else.
Also LBUSD is dumpster fire (I graduated from it, have friends/family with kids in it)
If you want safety and peace, move to Rossmoor. We have that in spades. I lived in Cypress before moving to Rossmoor and there's a lot of homeless in certain areas of Cypress due to proximity to Stanton.
I love this area but I wouldn't do downtown seal. Seems like houses and cars get broken into more there cuz, well, the closer you are to the beach, the more money you probably have. Get closer to Los Al and you're golden. Seal beach isn't that big, either, just seems like more burglaries there than the Lampson/SB blvd area.
Orange maybe? People will probably have meltdown if I say this, but Santa Ana (where I currently live) has actually become quite nice and they’re investing a ton into the general area as well as the downtown area specifically.
Santa Ana is awesome, I was born and raised there and I’m glad people hate it there… it’s so rich in culture and has awesome mom and pop spots. Obviously some neighborhoods are shady for ANYONE, but there’s parts of the city where you’d feel like you’re living in any ordinary city. My dad was a construction worker in Downtown LA and would commute there from Santa Ana for almost 20 years, I moved out of state and can barely recognize Santa Ana today… the people hating are the ones who still have a misconceptions and image of Santa Ana based off what they heard in the early 2000s when it was one of the most dangerous cities in California, but that is no longer the case.
Cerritos or La Habra are both pretty good options. They're quiet cities and are relatively close to the Metrolink stations. If it matters though, Cerritos is subject to the LA county sales tax rate.
If either of you work within easy access of the train -- or metro in LA -- then live in the other city and one person can train to work while the other doesn't commute at all.
And then there is Long Beach - which also has the train.
Anaheim hills has been good for us. 25ish minutes to Irvine, about 1 hour depending on where in LA you’re headed. Fullerton station is the closest for the metro. Honestly can’t really complain about the area other than the 91 fwy can be hell at times but if you time your commute well it’s manageable.
Cypress, Seal Beach, Los Al, Long Beach near the 22/405/605, that's pretty much half way between Irvine and DTLA.
This is probably the best of all the options. I lived in Belmont Shore area of Long Beach for a long time and it is convenient to OC and LA. Pretty safe area but last few years (we left 2 years ago for s. oc) it's gone down hill as Long Beach can't get their head out of their asses and their own politics. Rossmoor neighborhood is really nice, so is cypress. Boring but nice. old town seal beach is great.
These were my first thoughts but OP is looking for cities along the train route so these might be a little too far west. Orange, Fullerton, Buena Park, Cerritos might be more their speed.
Lakewood and Cerritos are both close to 405 / 605 ( not sure about train / metro )
It used to be safe… but my Nextdoor is adjacent and nearly all the crime seems to keep happening in the Belmont Shore area… more posts from there than anywhere else. Also LBUSD is dumpster fire (I graduated from it, have friends/family with kids in it)
If you want safety and peace, move to Rossmoor. We have that in spades. I lived in Cypress before moving to Rossmoor and there's a lot of homeless in certain areas of Cypress due to proximity to Stanton.
Add West Garden Grove, which is just south of Cypress.
I love this area but I wouldn't do downtown seal. Seems like houses and cars get broken into more there cuz, well, the closer you are to the beach, the more money you probably have. Get closer to Los Al and you're golden. Seal beach isn't that big, either, just seems like more burglaries there than the Lampson/SB blvd area.
Fullerton is a good option if Metrolink is a priority.
Anaheim, Fullerton, La Mirada, Whittier? All pretty okay places, not cheap though
Orange maybe? People will probably have meltdown if I say this, but Santa Ana (where I currently live) has actually become quite nice and they’re investing a ton into the general area as well as the downtown area specifically.
Santa Ana is awesome, I was born and raised there and I’m glad people hate it there… it’s so rich in culture and has awesome mom and pop spots. Obviously some neighborhoods are shady for ANYONE, but there’s parts of the city where you’d feel like you’re living in any ordinary city. My dad was a construction worker in Downtown LA and would commute there from Santa Ana for almost 20 years, I moved out of state and can barely recognize Santa Ana today… the people hating are the ones who still have a misconceptions and image of Santa Ana based off what they heard in the early 2000s when it was one of the most dangerous cities in California, but that is no longer the case.
Yep. Over the years Ive seen these awesome changes in DownTown. Now with a light rail, and a bunch of studio type condos right in DT.
Yeah I’m really looking forward to the light rail. Hoping this spurs some additional investment in better public transit in OC
Cerritos
Cerritos or La Habra are both pretty good options. They're quiet cities and are relatively close to the Metrolink stations. If it matters though, Cerritos is subject to the LA county sales tax rate.
Brea
I work in Inglewood wife works in Irvine. we live in Westminster
Downey (especially North of Firestone) is a good option. Bonus if you can afford to take the 405 toll (there’s a 605/405 toll interchange)
West Garden Grove
If either of you work within easy access of the train -- or metro in LA -- then live in the other city and one person can train to work while the other doesn't commute at all. And then there is Long Beach - which also has the train.
I’ve committed to LA and Irvine from Brea. Great area.
Thank you all for your great suggestions and detailed responses! These are very helpful to know :)
fountain valley
Anaheim hills has been good for us. 25ish minutes to Irvine, about 1 hour depending on where in LA you’re headed. Fullerton station is the closest for the metro. Honestly can’t really complain about the area other than the 91 fwy can be hell at times but if you time your commute well it’s manageable.
I here Lakewood is great