I'm going to be condo searching next year, and the cost of O.C. condos are high. You can buy a house in Corona with a yard and everything for the same price. But it's so hot there! So if anyone wants to update me as to living in Corona and commuting to John Wayne Airport, please do! Am I nuts? Will I roast alive or cough up smog?

Thanks!

 

Well I cant speak for Corona, but its 30 miles from Corona to John Wayne Airport 91 frwy to the 55, But when you get your baby you can search out other routes that might be more fun.

 

:smile: :smile: :smile:

I never drive to OC without using the toll road. Getting through Corona is it's own nightmare, then to be able to sidestep all the rest of the traffic and be right at JW is great. :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Sure, it's hot. but the heat is bearable compared to traffic during the commute hours on the 91 and the 55. Without traffic, Corona to John Wayne is an easy 30-40 minute drive. Try that same drive during rush our? doube the time! My record so far is 2 hours! ugh!

There are other ways, including the toll road, but to take the toll road from the 91 to Jamboree is almost $5.00! ouch.

You can always double back through Elsinore and go over Ortega Hwy. That's a sweet MINI road, unless you get stuck behind a big rig or a rookie but it is about a bit out of the way.

 

Thanks for the input, everyone!

The toll road is 5 bucks a day?!? Geez, there goes my lunch money! LOL!

Much as I love to drive (Ortega Hwy - Yum!) I do dislike inconvenience. I like being able to just pop in the office without it being a major trip. And I dislike smog and hot weather. But condo associations have so many rules and I hate sharing walls. So... which devil do I choose... ? Guess I'll have to spend a couple days in Corona just getting a feel for the place once I start hunting for a place.

 

Hi...

Why not look for a place in Long Beach/Lakewood area, close enough to the beach, great parks every where and prices are way lower then OC . The freeways....405...605...105...10...5...91...22.. are all within minutes and if you are in the neigbourhood our shop (mini only) will be within minutes for ya. Hope this helps and if you need a good realtor PM
and I put you in touch with her.


Good Luck

peter :smile:

 

Peter! What an interesting suggestion!!! I just checked on Homeseekers.com and while the lots and houses are smallish, VERY reasonably priced! Interesting.

Would I be going with traffic or against traffic with that kind of commute? Or are both ways terrible?

 

Hi Cat...

Love to have you as a neighbour...traffic that depends on what time your leaving in the morning..I would say heavy
between 7am-9am or so. Comming back bad between 4pm-6pm but nothing like going out on 91 fwy am or pm.
I love Lakewood it's safe clean family oriented without the typical "Orange curtain stuffines" and in my neighbourhood
we have 5 minis :smile: plus the heat will not kill you.

peter

 

Cheers!
Clover

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MCO HOST - LOS ANGELES Digging my ride! Wicked Wanda: '03 All Jet Black MCS!!!

 

:smile: :smile: :smile: Even a swimming pool can't make up for salt air! :smile: :smile:

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Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose

 

I used to live in O.C. Now that they have a corny show named after the place I am glad I moved. lol

I bought a place in Canyon Lake and commute to O.C. over the Ortega Hwy since the 91 is always traffic. I like the Lakewood idea, I should have thought of that too but then again. My house out here would be an easy $500,00 + in O.C. and I didnt pay but half of that. Not to mention, I do alot of Motocross and I have a great track within 10 mins.

My wife does miss the malls though..... Good luck!

 

Lakewood will probably be cheaper than LB, just a little farther from the beach. Watch out for crazy drivers though. When I lived in Lakewod my insurance rates were significantly higher than in North OC.

What about areas like Santa Ana or Westminster? Again not at the beach, but not far from beach and closer to JW. You'll save money too.

Good luck.

 

I lived in Costa Mesa for over 20 years as a renter. When I got to the point that I was ready to buy a house I was amazed at the prices in CM (not to mention Newport, etc). I ended up in Tustin. It is more expensive than Corona (wonder why?) but less than CM. I have grown to like the area alot! The drive to John Wayne can be made by using Red Hill (avoiding the fwys altogether) or by taking the 55 to the 405 if you choose. Long beach is nice, in certain parts. There are some places in LB where I would not want to walk my dog in broad daylight, however...I would suggest avoiding the 909 - but that's just me.

 

Tustin does look great, definitely! If I go the Condo route there are lots there reasonably priced for less than 300k. And they occasionally have teeny tiny houses for about the same.

 

Tustin is a nice area. Tustin Ranch is a very nice area!

I'm in East Anaheim which is quite decent also.