Oh North County how I miss Thee

[BarTopDancer]

I need your help - and with the diverse location of this board I think I can get it.

Most of you know I live in south county. I recently moved from Laguna Niguel (not to bad) to Rancho Santa Margarita. I hate it here. Too sterile, too snotty/hoity-toity. It's completely different then LN and another world from HB. I want to move north.

I'm thinking Anaheim/Anaheim Hills, Fullerton, Orange, Orange Hills, Costa Mesa (ideally) but I don't know much of the area anymore. Does anyone know of decent (safe) areas in these cities? I'd like to be around the 55 and/or the Santiago Canyon or 241 since I work in RSM.

Thanks

[wendybeth]

Spokane County is pretty northish.

[lizziebith]

I know a great couple of areas in the surprisingly swanky town of Fullerton. Is that just too north for you?

[BarTopDancer]

Depends where. I've become comfortable with a commute. My friend lives in Fullerton off of Brookhurst. I just need to be able to get to the Canyon or the 241 to commute to work.

WB - that is a little to far north.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I would say if you're going West, there's Simi Valley, but then there's that Ventura curtin! ;) I was looking around there some months ago too, but now there's no reason to live down there. Saw some nice places on realtor.com . Good luck!

[BarTopDancer]

I should add that I am still renting. Can't afford to buy yet.

[lizziebith]

Any of the neighborhoods of of Harbor (east or west side) between Commonwealth and Brea Canyon are great: walking distance to all the downtown stuff, and easy access to the 91 FWY. Fullerton was the only OC city I was truly happy in!

I'm even happier now in L.A.!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I should add that I am still renting. Can't afford to buy yet.

They have rentals too. :p

[Morrigoon]

Btd: need to know your price range.

Our old place in Costa Mesa was up to 1300 or so when we left (for the 1-br, but pretty spacious 1-br) Nice place, Harbor just south of Adams (Mesa Verde). Only real "issue" is I had a FedEx stolen off my doorstep - and I had an upstairs apartment. Probably just the damn teens though, as our unit was right across the walkway from the clubhouse, which was also two stories and had an outdoor balcony just across from the apartment.

Go for the upper floor, you'll appreciate the ceilings.

[BarTopDancer]

My landlord has gotten really creepy and I'm on the prowl for a new place.

1st choice:
Area: Costa Mesa/Huntington Beach no furhter inland than Hamilton and Magnolia and with a 55fwy exit. I do not want to drive past the 55 on the 405 during rush hour.

2nd choice
Off the 5, no furhter north than the 57.

Requirements - no over/under neighbors (or really really good soundproofing in the ceilings and walls). Not off a major street (the physical unit). Washer/dryer or hook-ups. Garage or carport and decent guest parking. Patio or balconey where I can keep my bbq.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

As you've moved about 4 times in the last 5 years, I wouldn't dare to recommend anywhere.

[Prudence]

Dude, if you're going to say your landlord is creepy, you need to give gossipy details.

[BarTopDancer]

As you've moved about 4 times in the last 5 years, I wouldn't dare to recommend anywhere.

3 times in the last 6 years. First place (in HB) I was there for 2 years and the rent went too high for what I was getting.

Second place (the place I just moved from) I was there for a little over 2 years and would have stayed put until I could have bought something but it had mold and the landlord was non-responsive.

[MouseWife]

I also don't appreciate it when they landlord tells you they're coming by and you don't have to be there.

We've always worked around it, my being at home.

But, what we've done is change the locks every place we've ever lived. No idea who has keys to the place and I like peace of mind that no one will just come in.

What I also don't get are people who give their keys to family members. And said family members also come around when they want, unannounced!!!

Anyone do that here?

Good luck with your current situation. What is his visit for?

[Prudence]

I give keys to family members but they would never EVER come over unannounced. I have my keys to my brother's place and it's about 2 minutes away from here, but I wouldn't even drop by and knock on the door unannounced, much less use the keys without permission.

[MouseWife]

See, I wouldn't mind that. I have a key to my moms house {essentially my home, too} but I would not ever just let myself in. I respect privacy that much.

I know of two people who gave their keys to their mom/m-i-l and did not count out them dropping in at any time. :eek:

When my friend told me I was flabbergasted.

I would like some one to have a key to my home in case of a lock out. I have seen my neighbor lock herself out quite often and while I'd love to offer to keep a key for her {as she always comes to borrow my phone} not being close neighbors it would be odd.

*sigh* just remembered the days when we could sleep with just the screen door shut. And it wasn't a metal security one. Okay, it was the 60's....

[BarTopDancer]

I found out he wants to do a walk-through because he is going to put it on the market in February.

I point blank asked if he was going to sell before I moved in and he said no. Nice.

[Kevy Baby]

We've got you beat!

We lived in a house where the landlord said he wanted to do a walkthrough. No big. Two weeks later, there is a knock on the door and it is the person who bought the house (TWO WEEKS previously) and he says he wants to move in in about three weeks.

It took another two before we were served with a 30-day notice to quit (an eviction notice). And then the old owner was surprised that we didn't pay our last month's rent (we forfeited our security deposit that was equal to a month's rent).

Fvcktard

[BarTopDancer]

I'm a bit concerned about that. But I can't stress about the things I can't control. I will be here when he brings the realtor by. I will also get in writing that he 1) is lowering my rent and to what amount 2) will let me know when the place sold and 3) terms and conditions of the showing. He said he is listing in Feb. I plan to be out, or almost out by then.

[MouseWife]

What a chump.

I do not like living in a house for sale.

Once we did and I had told the realtor that I had had a miscarriage and would be in bed so that it wouldn't be good to come by{I was alone}. She did anyways and when I didn't answer the door she came in anyways. She then proceeded to try for a few minutes to open the door to the room I was resting in{shaking it and trying to open it...a locked door...how rude, huh?}. I got up and flung the door open and said 'I told you I would be resting all day'.

They gave us such grief. One day we were having a family bbq, house full. I told them and that it would not be a good time to come by. It was an in-laws house and we heard back that the people who we didn't let see the house bought the house they went to next. Cry me a freakin' river.

The next house that went for sale we moved out of. The next one also and then the next one we stayed until we found this place.

Marla, I am sorry that you have to move so quickly. Or do you? Will the new owners raise the costs or do you know at all?

[BarTopDancer]

Marla, I am sorry that you have to move so quickly. Or do you? Will the new owners raise the costs or do you know at all?

I have no idea what is going to happen. He needs me in here because without my rent he will have zero income on this place. I have no idea who the new owners will be and if they are buying it to rent or buying it to live in.

I have a friend who I may be able to live with for awhile if I put my stuff in storage. This place was supposed to hold me over until I was done with school and could afford to buy. The Spring semester is about to start - I do not need this now :(

[mistyisjafo]

I live in Orange by the Circle (aka PLAZA) and it's a great, quiet neighborhood. But the bonus is that downtown Orange, although a little snoozy still has a few great places to hang. Lots of places to rent by Chapman University too. Especially in the "off" season for school. It's a perfect spot since we're right beyond the Orange Crush.

Also suggest moving inland to where Jamboree & Chapman meet. Its a perfect in between area.

[Kevy Baby]

How about 1313 S. Harbor Street in Anaheim?

[CoasterMatt]

How about 1313 S. Harbor Street in Anaheim?

Too many critters, especially mice.