Relocation to HB

[SLCA4]

Hello All,

I used to be a regular on this forum years back and somehow navigated away, but still have been an active Audi enthusiast. I was wondering though if I could pick the brain of someone who is possibly in the local area of HB, Newport, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa - from what I understand they are all pretty close together.

The company I work for has offered me a job, with salary increase, to move to HB. I was wondering if someone or anyone could shed some light on a few things,

Any recommendations first off on the cities I listed? I am from Utah and I do travel into SoCal (Fountain Valley) a few times per month, but I stay in hotels and leave a few days later. I have no idea if the city is nice or not. I am looking to rent a place so if you have any pointers that would be great!

Also a livable salary. I know a tough question as we all could have different perceptions of what a "comfortable" living could be. My salary is in the 120-140k per year range. As I look around, it seems that with rent in the 1800-3500 range, its doable, but wanted a real life perspective.

Any insight would really help, or anything else i need to take into consideration.

Thanks,

David -

[AirmattRS5]

Living and working in socal for 20yrs, I can say that FV offer the best of both world. Excellent location next to all the beach cities without the exorbitant cost of living associated with it. With 120k-140k range, you're more than living comfortably in the FV area.

[dhcivic27]

You have a family/kids, single? If your doing HB, get close to main st or close to downtown HB. HB has a young family vibe, surfing is big too and bike around the city or walk. Mid 30s to 40s vibe. People are mostly friendly and chill. Like to party? Go HB or Long Beach. Belmont shore/heights and Alamitos in Long Beach (don't go anywhere else in Long Beach) even feels younger cause of the college community (cal state long beach). However, if you have a car, be ready to rent somewhere with a garage cause its not parking friendly. Seal beach is even quieter, too quiet IMO. Feels like old community. Newport is a high class/high end area. Costa Mesa is a hit and miss. Very mix crowd depending on where you end up. Fountain Valley feels like a blue collar community. Not bad, but nothing great either.

[dhcivic27]

Look at Zillow.com for rent. If it's too cheap or to good to be true, usually it is. Neighborhood is not that great reason for cheap rent. If the rent is high, means that the neighborhood is a high demand or a prime location.

[MetalMan]

I grew up in Fountain Valley until age 7, then moved to H.B. and lived there until 3 years ago (age 22). I've also lived in Tustin and Irvine, and recently my wife and bought a $350k townhouse in Costa Mesa near the fairgrounds. She and I both work in Santa Ana.

The next place my wife and I buy will hopefully be in H.B., but where we live now is not too bad either.

Fountain Valley is pretty bland. It's slogan is "a nice place to live" but that would only be because there's nothing bad there. Not much to do but raise a family IMO.
Personally, I'm not a fan of Long Beach. I try to not go further into it than the 405 or 710, though I run the Long Beach half marathon every year.
Seal Beach is like dhcivic27 described. Mostly old it seems. My mom's cousin and her husband bought a $3+ million home on the beach, and it's definitely a nice area.
Costa Mesa is a great place if you end up in the right area. There are pockets of good spots here and there, but it's easy to miss them.
H.B. is definitely family-oriented. Personally I would recommend living a bit further from Main Street toward Costa Mesa especially if raising a family.

[rjpeaks]

if you are single - like DH said, closer to downtown is fun. now there are alot of 909'ers (i guess i will have to explain this one - another time) who have moved there so there is a random factor.

i live in Southeast HB (92646), 85% bedroom communities, two areas of apts/condos - schools are good, Hawes, Peterson, Eader (Beavers), then sowers MS, Edison HS. Huntington High and Dwyer MS are also fine. Huntington is a big city - if you look at a map you will see the different areas - i have a ton of friends who grew up near Bolsa Chica.

many Costa mesa families bring their kids down here to go to school b/c of their school. Personally i would not move into Costa Mesa unless it was Mesa Verde. even then, well i like where i live. I can ride a bike to the beach (where i surf) in 15 mins max

feel free to PM if you have any questions.

[dhcivic27]

909ers with their brodozers? lol

[SLCA4]

I really do appreciate all the information. I have been poking and looking around the internet, but it seems most info was asked and/or posted years ago. I had a feeling if i asked here I could get some real world perspective. Much appreciated!

I am a single person, somewhat - just ended a 10 year relationship. I am early 30's, looking for a place in a probably more social area, although I am not a hard-core party kinda person. I like to have a good time, but not really a "Get Smashed" nightly kind of guy.

Kinda of crazy, but as mentioned - I am just newly single. This is kind of my first real, on my own kind of experience as I was in a relationship from 20 or so until now. I do love the water, so the atmosphere, etc in that regard is my vibe. I have loved to travel to the area over the last little bit and feel lucky to have landed this job - I start October 6th,

Not to change this as well from a relocation to a conversation about ladies - but in your guys experience, hows that vibe? Like I said earlier, i get to travel to the area a few times per month and after meetings I head to the beach in HB and/or to Newport a few times. it seems the ladies are just off the chain, or it could be that way as everyone is in swimsuits, etc running around. Whats your guys thoughts on that? Girls looking for a good times, easy to find a chic, or?

If anyone else has any other tid bits its much appreciated! rjpeaks I will PM you,

thanks guys,

David

[rjpeaks]

do it - i will give you my ell number and you can ask away. this area is great (IMHO) as its close to Newport, Long Beach, Costa Mesa.

I will say that it will take about 15 mins to get to the fwy...

if you cannot get a date here....

but it seems like you have your stuff together, i doubt that will be an issue. there's a few people on here that live in HB. I think Metal's parents live in my track.

I just named my newest Program Park City.

Where are you going to work? you don't have to tell us the employer BTW...

[Slave IV]

Yeah, I think HB or NB is a perfect place for a guy in your situation. Should be able to find a lot of fun. HB especially because it's more of a friendly locals town whereas NP can get stuck up with the rich and rich tourists.

[dhcivic27]

I suggest HB. It sounds that you'll fit right in the HB community. Get a spot south of Adams Ave close to Main Street. Super chill community. Single, but don't need to get hammered every night? Downtown HB is still a great place. Peeps chill in their front porch instead of hiding in their back yards. Police is great too, they respond fast.

[MetalMan]

Being 25 I've experienced a decent amount of night life around DTHB (downtown Huntington Beach), Newport, DTSA (downtown Santa Ana), DTF (Fullerton), and at 21 spent a short stint in DTLB (Long Beach).
Overall I think my favorite for "having a good time" is actually DTSA, and my wife enjoys it too. Can get mildly ghetto but you don't deal with the bro's in DTHB.

Newport... a whole different animal. Can be lots of fun, and super packed. Mostly Caucasian, and the average height is surprisingly tall (I fit right in... 6' 3"). Good luck meeting any ladies during the "night life" though, as they tend to have their own prerogative.

There are some random spots around Newport/Costa Mesa that are pretty cool too, like Triangle Square for example.

DTHB is usually a good time, and my primary "stomping grounds" for when I was single, but I never really met any girls there.

[rjpeaks]

i saw your PM - i will respond in a bit - i have a new PRD that needs to be drafted.

[SLCA4]

Hey all,

I think I am settling in on HB based on the info provided. As far as work goes, I work as the Director of Talent and Retention for a transportation company. I have been in HR for the last several years, but this role is more operations and strategy.

[Squatteee]

I'll vote HB for you too over the other choices. Altho I temporarily moved away to care for my mother, I will be back. HB has a good mix of family and single living. Biggest factor for me has always been that HB's douche factor is lower. Still has that small town friendly get to know a lot of good folks. Even tho I don't sleep in HB anymore I'm still down there 3 to 4 days each week. Just can't seem to stay away...