Is it possible?

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Is it really possible for a 22 year old to live comfortably in a nice apartment in an area of orange county or LA? I really want to move to california next year once I've graduated from school but it justt seems like its going to be so hard. I don't know anyone so I won't have a roommate right away. Should I try and search roommates.com or something? I mean I know you have to be kind of picky with what kind of roommate you choose. How will I Find one if I don't know anyone? I'm hoping I don't get really lonely and homesick moving there and starting a new life. I'm sure it would get kind of lonely in a 1 bedroom apartment by yourself too. Are people in LA and Orange County friendly? I usually don't have a problem making friends but who knows. Should I try and make friends on myspace before I move there or what? I just don't want to be dirt poor living in CA with no friends and nothing to do.:uhoh21: How do I know what areas are good to live in and what areas are bad? I really don't want to live in a neighborhood where I'm going to get shot lol

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg.
Ojai is an artistic, small town with charm. Most of the people who live in Ojai commute to other cities in Ventura County to get to their workplace. The summers are very hot and the winters are chilly, sometimes snowy, due to the town's inland location near the mountains.

Thanks. It's amazing that a distance that small (from Ventura) makes such a difference in climate. I'll have to check out that little town while I'm there in May.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Hello everyone! Could someone (preferrably many people) tell me about Hermosa Beach and Malibu (weather, crime, cost of living, good hospitals, night life)?

The weather = sunny and mild most of the year with a cold seabreeze during winter; basically, the weather is perfect.

The crime rates = fairly low

Cost of living = expensive; averages $1600 for 1-bedroom apartment and $1 million for a house. Gas is $2.69/gallon.

Good hospitals = plenty in West L.A. (a stone's throw away from Hermosa Beach and Malibu).

Night life = plenty of clubs, trendy bars, beautiful people, and things to do in those areas; you will not be bored.

Traffic = horrible; it often takes 1 hour to travel 15 miles.

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I've been looking at apartments.com for apartments in orange county and I've come across some that are less than 1500. Does anyone know how the weather is in orange county? The only place I've been was Laguna Beach and I went there in December. During hte day it was really nice and at night it was jeans and sweatshirt weather. Does it get really hot and humid in the OC? Because I really hate humidity. Also, Does it rain a lot? I went to Ocean City, MD and I really didn't like their beach climate. When I was near the water it was really windy and just blew my hair everywhere and gave it a really gross look. I just don't like my hair flying all over the place and I know that tends to happen when you're near the beach. However, when I was in laguna beach that didn't happen... ddi I Just catch it on a good day? Or is that how california beaches are? The only beach I can compare laguna beach to is Ocean city maryland and really there is no comparison! I just want to know what I'm getting myself into, climate wise, by moving to orange county.

I've been looking into laguna hills, and mission viejo... Can someone tell me pros and cons about these areas? I'd like to live close to a mall or something, or like a walmart or grocery store. I Just don't want to have to travel an hour to go grocery shopping.

How is newport beach, and huntingdon beach, and ladera ranch?

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg.

I lived in Huntington Beach for 5 years and got spoiled to the exceptional weather and lack of humidity. It ruined me because I've been miserable ever since I moved back to Louisiana. This is one of the main reasons why I'm moving back to California when I graduate from nursing school. Weather has a major impact on my mood and, when it's right, I'm happy. I'll deal with the traffic and high rent. Not planning on buying a house, either. I'll save up my money and figure out something later on.

As for hot and humid, I can't remember it ever being like that. It would get a little warm when the Santa Ana winds were blowing, but you really can't ask for better weather that what you get in Orange County. Hardly ever rains. It was usually a little overcast in the mornings, but it would burn off by late morning. Nothing to complain about--believe me! It's been a while since I was in California (late 1980's and early 1990's), so I wouldn't be the one to advise you on locations. I really can't imagine Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills, Newport Beach, and Mission Viejo going downhill though. They were all very nice areas, although expensive.

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Is the air somewhat damp tho and misty? Because thats how it was in ocean city... and I HATED IT!

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg.
Is the air somewhat damp tho and misty? Because thats how it was in ocean city... and I HATED IT!

NOT! :nurse:

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what part of huntingdon beach did you live in?

I'm looking at apartments on apartments.com and rent.com, and I want something thats furnished with utilities included. Is it rare to find an apartment with utilities included? Because I haven't found many. I just think If I'm going to be dishing out 1500 for rent I don't want to have to dish out another 700 for utilities.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg.
what part of huntingdon beach did you live in?

I'm looking at apartments on apartments.com and rent.com, and I want something thats furnished with utilities included. Is it rare to find an apartment with utilities included? Because I haven't found many. I just think If I'm going to be dishing out 1500 for rent I don't want to have to dish out another 700 for utilities.

It will be difficult to find an apartment with utilities included. There are a lot of townhomes that you won't find at Rent.com and other apartment websites. Your best bet might be to check out the classifieds. We rented an older townhome near Brookhurst & Adams. It was old, but nice. I have no idea what the area looks like these days, but you could check into it. See if you can pull up a local newspaper online.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg.

Here's a good map of Huntington Beach. You can zoom in and out for more/less detail.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=huntington+beach&state=CA&zoom=5

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What exactly is the difference between an apartment and townhome? Sorry.. I'm new at this!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm looking at apartments on apartments.com and rent.com, and I want something thats furnished with utilities included. Is it rare to find an apartment with utilities included? Because I haven't found many. I just think If I'm going to be dishing out 1500 for rent I don't want to have to dish out another 700 for utilities.
You will have a difficult time finding a furnished apartment with utilities included in southern California. Perhaps I should never say 'never', but I personally have never known any landlords or apartment managers to rent out furnished apartments in California (and I lived there 22 years). All of the apartments come unfurnished, and you pay your own utilities.
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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg.
What exactly is the difference between an apartment and townhome? Sorry.. I'm new at this!

A townhouse/home has two or three stories and is attached to another home by a common wall.

Check out this link. Explains the advantages and disadvantages. Of course, they are referring to ownership:

http://www.jaxcondos.net/towhome.htm

Don't think I need to explain apartment. :nurse:

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