MTB perspective - Best place to live? Working in Irvine/Newport

tweasol

tweasol

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Hi all,

I'm planning to move out of my folks' place in Trabuco Canyon soon because I graduated and start a job in October. Clients will be anywhere from Newport to Foothill Ranch, it varies (public accounting). At first I wanted to move to San Clemente but reality finally hit me when I realized how much time/gas I'd be guzzling making that drive. So that's out.

So obviously I'm considering much more than MTB opportunities but I'd like to hear a few opinions on this. Newport? I thought it was too fancy at first, but there are cheap/small places and lots of young working people like me. I'd just have to suck up the long drives to go riding anywhere that doesn't involve a Ridge Park start. Irvine/Costa Mesa? I think I'd rather stick by the beach, but I'm open. Maybe Laguna? Seems like getting out of there would be hell at 8AM M-F.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Just did the opposite move and now I am is RSM. Costa Mesa has some really awesome areas, and I used to ride Mesa Verde Park quite often when at my Fiances Folks house. Cross streets are Adams and Mesa Verde. Some great places to live, and still close to the coast. 405 is close, and does not suck as hard as other freeways at 8AM.
 
Look into Orange too. It's centrally located, cheaper and "The Circle" is where all the college students from Chapman University hang out; good food, good beer! The plus side: Santiago Oaks is our backyard. Downside: the 55 sucks!!
 
ridinrox said:
Look into Orange too. It's centrally located, cheaper and "The Circle" is where all the college students from Chapman University hang out; good food, good beer! The plus side: Santiago Oaks is our backyard. Downside: the 55 sucks!!
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a lot of hot chics around Chapman U. :)
 
Ya orange is nice for santiago oaks and the santa ana's - But if you live near the coast, when you do hop on the freeway you generally go against traffic. For example the 55 is wide open in the mornings going out since everyone seems to be coming to Irvine or NewPort. Maybe find a cheaper place in Costa Mesa? But purely from a mountain biking standpoint I would say the city of Orange is a good bet.
 
tweasol said:
Maybe Laguna? Seems like getting out of there would be hell at 8AM M-F.
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Laguna is not bad before 8 and after 6. It's a breeze at 6:30-7:30 am, but it's pretty thick from 5:00-6:00pm. It can be nightmarish in summer, especially on weekends. I live in south Laguna, so on summer weekends, my escape hatch is Crown Valley rather trying to drive through town.

As for Mt. Biking access - my buddies who live in North Laguna just access LCWP from their homes. They rarely drive to ride. In central Laguna you have many options to get to trails and for me in South Laguna, I can drive to Alicia lot in 15 mins, Moulton Meadows park in 10 mins. or Top of the World in 15. Steppie tells me I can ride from my house on super secret trails, but he hasn't shown me yet. Oh, and San Clemente Single Tracks is only 15 mins away as well, but I never ride there.
 
herzalot said:
Laguna is not bad before 8 and after 6. It's a breeze at 6:30-7:30 am, but it's pretty thick from 5:00-6:00pm. It can be nightmarish in summer, especially on weekends. I live in south Laguna, so on summer weekends, my escape hatch is Crown Valley rather trying to drive through town.

As for Mt. Biking access - my buddies who live in North Laguna just access LCWP from their homes. They rarely drive to ride. In central Laguna you have many options to get to trails and for me in South Laguna, I can drive to Alicia lot in 15 mins, Moulton Meadows park in 10 mins. or Top of the World in 15. Steppie tells me I can ride from my house on super secret trails, but he hasn't shown me yet. Oh, and San Clemente Single Tracks is only 15 mins away as well, but I never ride there.
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Yeah, I think Laguna Beach would actually be a massive upgrade from where I am currently in terms of MTB. That would be sick for sure.

The problem is, super expensive and I don't know anyone that lives there. Costa Mesa is definitely a safe choice - central and not far from the beach. Also, I hadn't thought about Orange but I'll check it out - 20 min to the beach isn't bad.
 
tweasol said:
Hi all,

I'm planning to move out of my folks' place in Trabuco Canyon soon because I graduated and start a job in October. Clients will be anywhere from Newport to Foothill Ranch, it varies (public accounting). At first I wanted to move to San Clemente but reality finally hit me when I realized how much time/gas I'd be guzzling making that drive. So that's out.

So obviously I'm considering much more than MTB opportunities but I'd like to hear a few opinions on this. Newport? I thought it was too fancy at first, but there are cheap/small places and lots of young working people like me. I'd just have to suck up the long drives to go riding anywhere that doesn't involve a Ridge Park start. Irvine/Costa Mesa? I think I'd rather stick by the beach, but I'm open. Maybe Laguna? Seems like getting out of there would be hell at 8AM M-F.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Your not going to be young forever, just save time and move to laguna woods.
From there not far to a number of mtb trails.....
 
Costa Mesa bluffs or Eastside or probably a good bet. Bluffs have easy access to beach, river trail, Fairview, 55, and even the 405. Eastside is good for young professional and walkable around 19th street and easy access to the Back Bay, Mountain to Sea Trail, the 55, and the PCH for access to other trails.
 
i live in CM. You have to drive at least 15-20 minutes for good mountain biking (Ridge Park or Quail Hill are about 15 minute drives). There is no good mountain biking that you can just ride out your front door.
 
16 years ago I had a new job and was looking to move out, and after a spin at Peters Canyon I noticed the condos across the street and checked out the models. Great decision.

Peters isn't ridable anymore, but the condos are still a good base for pedaling to Oaks and the Santa Anas/Whiting are very accessible. Getting to the coastal trailheads is a haul in traffic, except for Laguna Canyon Road via the toll road. San Juan ends up feeling just a little closer than Big Bear. Not a party neighborhood at all, of course. But a very high concentration of riders.

As an accountant, you should be able to understand that getting a place in Newport equals early bankruptcy, even living in a cheap place. The condos of Newport are full of young people who earn $50K/year but drink like they make $500K. The secret to living that lifestyle is to ignore your visa bills. No accountant worth his abacus should be participating in that. It cuts into your bike budget.
 
I feel like I rarely bike from home anyways unless I feel like snake hunting in Casper's so 15 min out of CM wouldn't be too bad.

g-dub said:
As an accountant, you should be able to understand that getting a place in Newport equals early bankruptcy, even living in a cheap place. The condos of Newport are full of young people who earn $50K/year but drink like they make $500K. The secret to living that lifestyle is to ignore your visa bills. No accountant worth his abacus should be participating in that. It cuts into your bike budget.
Click to expand...

LOL!! I see what you mean but after commuting to CSUF for 4 years I think I should put all the money I saved to good use, hehe...
 
I've lived in Orange since 98 and love it. Got into mtn biking heavily in 2009 and love living in Orange. Seems very centrally located for mountain and road riding. I'm minutes via bike or car to Santiago Oaks and Santiago Canyon. And I like how Orange is kind of overlooked but has Old Town, the Orange Circle, Villa Park (technically a separate city), Orange Park Acres... I like how it's not Irvine, nothing against Irvine but I like Orange FWIW. But I'm married, am middle aged and have a daughter, so I'm in a different stage of life.

Good luck and congrats on graduating and starting your career. Public accounting is a good choice. Have you taken the exam yet?

Oh, and I work in the Spectrum area and live in East Orange. I take the 241 to the 133 and skip the 55. It's about 20 minutes to the Spectrum that way. 10 minutes to the toll road, another 10 to the Spectrum, FWIW. The 55 to the 5 is unpredictable at best. Once my daughter was born, I rationalized paying the tolls.
 
In my younger days I lived in Corona Del Mar. You can find a cheap place to rent. Mountain biking out your back door. Walk into town. Lots of chicks. Easy to freeway. I loved every minute of it. Or just stay in the canyon.
 
Stay with your folks a little longer if possible and try to build up a comfortable reserve fund.
Take your time moving out and during that time, take a look around some of the rental communities nearby the trails you like to ride.
 
Hate to break it to you... but with public accounting your not gonna have anytime to ride lol. I did my 2 years after college and got the f out. You will be lucky to get home with the sun still out 10 times a year. You'll probably also work half of the saturdays during the year. But I guess that just makes it more important to find a spot with quick access to trails so you can get out when you have a day off and no other chores or things to do in life.
 
I would take the opportunity and GTFO of CA as soon as possible.
But since your are starting a new job in October... I would stay at home as long as possible, save some coin and then GTFO of CA.:)
Good Luck.
 

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