Irvine, California?
#1
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Irvine, California?
My son (lives and works in England, he's a librarian in a research library, dual US/British citizen) had a Skype interview for a job in his field yesterday. They want him to go out to Irvine later this month for a few days for further interviews etc.
He recently had a weeks holiday in LA. He stayed in downtown LA, and used public transport to visit museums and various other sites, Getty Institute etc. That is his only experience of Southern CA, I myself have never been there.
I've looked at maps of Irvine and surroundings, consulted Citydata etc. Looks like rentals are pretty high. Apparently, this institution has faculty housing that new faculty can rent for their first year, somewhere in the $1,400-$1,600 range for a one bedroom.
Anyone have insights into Irvine or environs? Good cycling and other outdoor opportunities? I see there's a National Forest just to the east.
He recently had a weeks holiday in LA. He stayed in downtown LA, and used public transport to visit museums and various other sites, Getty Institute etc. That is his only experience of Southern CA, I myself have never been there.
I've looked at maps of Irvine and surroundings, consulted Citydata etc. Looks like rentals are pretty high. Apparently, this institution has faculty housing that new faculty can rent for their first year, somewhere in the $1,400-$1,600 range for a one bedroom.
Anyone have insights into Irvine or environs? Good cycling and other outdoor opportunities? I see there's a National Forest just to the east.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,662
Re: Irvine, California?
Great place - just south of LA. Lots of new homes, expensive realty, good shopping, open spaces. Yes, rental is expensive (as are most place which are attractive around LA)
Definitely will need a car to get around.
Needs a good salary to enjoy the pleasures of Irvine and surrounding areas.
Definitely will need a car to get around.
Needs a good salary to enjoy the pleasures of Irvine and surrounding areas.
#3
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 255
Re: Irvine, California?
The whole area in expensive to rent or buy. That figure looks about right. The cost of everything is more expensive because of the real estate. Services, gas, groceries, all of it.
A car is essential. Public transport is very poor.
Irvine is kinda flat and very suburban with lots of families.
I'm not sure how old your boy is or whether he has kids etc. If he's young free and single and wants outdoors he might want to look nearer the coast (Huntingdon Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach).
Wherever you go though there are parks and lots of trails up into the Saddleback mountains north-east of Irvine.
A car is essential. Public transport is very poor.
Irvine is kinda flat and very suburban with lots of families.
I'm not sure how old your boy is or whether he has kids etc. If he's young free and single and wants outdoors he might want to look nearer the coast (Huntingdon Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach).
Wherever you go though there are parks and lots of trails up into the Saddleback mountains north-east of Irvine.
#4
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Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
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Re: Irvine, California?
Thanks guys, for the insights and information. It looks like there's good train service, though, Metrolink and Amtrak, and a bus system. http://www.octa.net/pdf/OCTASystemMap.pdf
Also, at least some dedicated cycle paths (in addition to the on-road cycle lanes, which I know can be good or bad depending on circumstances.)https://legacy.cityofirvine.org/civi...p?BlobID=18745
Also, at least some dedicated cycle paths (in addition to the on-road cycle lanes, which I know can be good or bad depending on circumstances.)https://legacy.cityofirvine.org/civi...p?BlobID=18745
#5
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Re: Irvine, California?
Public transport will get you to the Getty Center, that's about it though.
#6
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#8
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Re: Irvine, California?
I've never been to Irvine, but from the public transport map, buses and trains don't look too bad. A dozen or more bus routes in Irvine. I looked at one of them at random, route 175, 15 daily journeys in each direction, Monday to Friday. Trains look fairly frequent to several destinations. Is there some hidden problem with them (they all go to the wrong places etc.?)
#9
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#10
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Re: Irvine, California?
He liked the LACMA too. All in all, sounds like heaven on earth, I'll have to visit one day.
#12
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Re: Irvine, California?
My son (lives and works in England, he's a librarian in a research library, dual US/British citizen) had a Skype interview for a job in his field yesterday. They want him to go out to Irvine later this month for a few days for further interviews etc.
He recently had a weeks holiday in LA. He stayed in downtown LA, and used public transport to visit museums and various other sites, Getty Institute etc. That is his only experience of Southern CA, I myself have never been there.
I've looked at maps of Irvine and surroundings, consulted Citydata etc. Looks like rentals are pretty high. Apparently, this institution has faculty housing that new faculty can rent for their first year, somewhere in the $1,400-$1,600 range for a one bedroom.
Anyone have insights into Irvine or environs? Good cycling and other outdoor opportunities? I see there's a National Forest just to the east.
He recently had a weeks holiday in LA. He stayed in downtown LA, and used public transport to visit museums and various other sites, Getty Institute etc. That is his only experience of Southern CA, I myself have never been there.
I've looked at maps of Irvine and surroundings, consulted Citydata etc. Looks like rentals are pretty high. Apparently, this institution has faculty housing that new faculty can rent for their first year, somewhere in the $1,400-$1,600 range for a one bedroom.
Anyone have insights into Irvine or environs? Good cycling and other outdoor opportunities? I see there's a National Forest just to the east.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...est%20pictures
California's idea of a forest tends to differ from the rest of the world.
#13
Re: Irvine, California?
The Cleveland National 'Forest'. Don't expect trees on anything but possibly some north facing canyons. Chaparral and sage are far more common.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...est%20pictures
California's idea of a forest tends to differ from the rest of the world.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...est%20pictures
California's idea of a forest tends to differ from the rest of the world.
Plenty of decent, 'real' forests in northern CA (that is, with lots of big trees), and over on the east side of the state (Sierras).
#14
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Re: Irvine, California?
I've never been to Irvine, but from the public transport map, buses and trains don't look too bad. A dozen or more bus routes in Irvine. I looked at one of them at random, route 175, 15 daily journeys in each direction, Monday to Friday. Trains look fairly frequent to several destinations. Is there some hidden problem with them (they all go to the wrong places etc.?)
Where I live we have a great bus service to get you into San Diego downtown. The only issue is that you have to get to the main transit stations to access this service - for this you get in your car and park it at the transit station - unless you can walk to said transit station which I can't.
#15
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Re: Irvine, California?
Flights went well, LHR-ATL-SNA, now he's ensconced in his Newport Beach resort hotel. If it was me, I'd be dead beat tomorrow (interview day) with jet lag, but he's 34 years younger...