Hello all,

My name's Steve. I currently have a 2012 G37x Coupe and live in New York. I'll be relocating from New York to Orange County this spring. As I have never been to California, I will be coming to check out the area this November 10-13. I only know two people who live out there. It would be nice to meet some fellow car people to make friends, know where the "scene" is etc. That being said, are there any meets coming up those days?

Also, I have some questions about living in SoCal for you guys:

1. How do you like living in Orange County

2: Out of the following places (Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Newport Beach, Santa Clara) which of these would you choose to live in based on affordability but in a safe area. Also, based on demographics. Im 24, single, like to party, the more young girls in the area the better

3. How is the car scene out there?

4. How is the cost of living? (gas/food/rent)

5. What do people typically do for recreation out there? On the weekends etc?

 

Hello Steven, Justin here from Klutch/Concept One to answer some questions. I grew up in the Bay Area [NorCal], and moved down to SoCal back in 2013, moving back and forth between San Bernardino County, Riverside County, LA County, and the OC. So I know the entire area fairly well.

Orange County is rather nice, as long as you avoid certain areas unless you're getting food or going for business. Cost of living is expensive; however depending on where you're from in New York it wont be that big of a change. If you're looking for a place down by Huntington/Newport I have a friend that works as a property manager for a local company with a number of apartment complexes in the area that might be able to help you get into something.

In terms of affordability, Santa Clarita will be the cheapest, however thats also much farther than the other choices. In regards to the other beach cities, Costa Mesa or Irvine would be your best bet. Costa Mesa is cheaper than Huntington or Newport, and Irvine has affordable housing due to UCI. All options are fairly safe, only areas that get sketchy are approaching Santa Ana, Anaheim, Long Beach, etc.

If you want to party and meet girls, a good spot is right where the 55 freeway dead ends into downtown Costa Mesa /Newport by Triangle Cinemas. Theres the Goat Hill Tavern, and Saddle Ranch there if you want to have a good time.

The car scene out here in SoCal is huge. Ranging from March to October there's a couple of big shows every month. In fact, our company is hosting a Block Party on Nov. 13th if you want to come out for some fun. You can meet up with some of our sponsored Infiniti's to talk more about the local G35/37 scene, and we're raffling off a free set of wheels from our warehouse. If you want more info send me a PM and I'll shoot you the flyer for the event. Its free to spectate.

If you have any more questions let me know, I'm happy to help.

 

Justin,

Thank you for the detailed reply. New York, especially where I live near NYC, is very expensive. You can't even get a studio for under $1700/month in a good area. That being said, if the property manager you know will be able to help out getting me into something decent under $1500/month please let me know.

Unfortunately, I fly out the morning of the 13th. I am glad to know there are lot of things to check out and do there. Sounds a lot more exciting. Thank you for the help.

 

That budget will be perfect. Depending on the area, a Studio/1bd apartment will cost around 1,100 without utilities/cable/internet. Shoot me a PM and I can put you in contact.

Its a shame your flight is in the morning, our even is during the middle of the day.

 

Great advice C1Forged and welcome to the area Steve!!! Where did you end up moving?

 

I plan on moving to Costa Mesa at the end of March. I'll be driving all the way there from New York. I checked out the area in November and loved it. Had a great time. Looks like paradise!

 

Close to everything and there are some really nice pockets in there.

 

Def not bratislava.

I live in Capo Beach. If I could do it again, I would probably be in Newport, Second Choice between Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. The beaches in NB and HB are great, girls are beautiful. It is a great place to be. I found a cool place for a friend to rent for 1300, but he hasn't done it yet. Gas is 2.65-3.05 rn.

Food, it all depends on where you go. There are a lot of tasty places, some you might know. There is this Mexican restaurant on Sunflower and Bristol (Costa Mesa) that has daily specials. They grill their meat, last time I was there Taco Tuesday was $1 each (Long time ago). They also brought you chips and salsa.

In and out is around $3 for a burger. There is also the Habit, which is around $3 as well. There is this Chinese place on Bristol and Bear (CM) which is about $7 for lunch. They give you a big bowl of hot/sour soup. I go there when I am sick to get the soup. You can eat the soup and leave the entree for the next day.

For upper end Mexican, you can got to Taco Mesa (CM) or Taco Rosa (Tustin). They opened a Famous Dave's for BBQ on Sunflower and Bristol.

I am going tonight to a place called Tsunami for Japanese. I went there last year for my Bday and my sis is taking me there tonight, since it is coming up. They were really easy going there and the waitress was beautiful. We finished our meal and the place was packed for Happy Hour. A good amt of great looking women.

Huntington is great for girl watching, the beach is deep, there are a lot of things to walk to and walk around. I bring a hanky to keep my mouth dry.

 

Sounds like I'll be having a great time and quite an upgrade from New York life lol. I would like to meet some other G37 people when I move out there.

 

I see some everywhere I go, even G37s and G35s. It is like putting sugar over a anthill.

One of the fun things is all the cars you will see, especially around Newport Beach. I was at Fashion Island (Mall Above PCH) there were a group of Lambo's sitting right out front.

Lately I have been seeing some cars coming up behind me very quickly, both were R8s. They now go for in the 60s used. I went to Costco today and saw several of the new Volvos.

I remember this one time I was going down Newport Coast and was passed by a F430 I believe and a Chrysler 300C SRT8. The Chrysler wanted to make a race of it and one of their lanes was ending.

If you ever make a right turn on Newport Coast from PCH,it is one of the worst turns out there, esp in the rain. I haven't driven it in the G, but the other times I drove it, even slow it is treacherous. It is tight and the concrete on the left makes you have to take a tight sweeper extremely narrow.

 

Hey welcome to SoCal Steve! I live in LA but go down to OC from time to time. I'd be down to meet up as I'm also trying to meet more G35 & G37 owners and go to car meets and cruise. I'm still fairly new to the car scene so dont know too many people who are into cars yet /:

 

Hell yeah dude. We should organize a meet or something when I move out there.

 

Hey Steve, are you here socal yet? Lol

1. Love it here in OC, so much stuff to do, always sunny, lot's of outdoor fun, drivable to all famous theme parks etc. You won't be bored even winter where you can go to the mountains and snowboard.

2. Costa Mesa, I think i previously suggested from your other thread CM as one of the culturally diverse area in OC lol. Affordability for the neighborhood is acceptable compared to the previous cities yyou listed. Lot's of restaurant as well from japanese food to greek, burgers, authentic mexican food etc. If you like to party CM has all decent clubs as well.

BOE, most of the single and young women are mostly in Irvine which is few minutes drive from CM LOL!!


3. Car scene as previously stated are everywhere even during winter. From HIN, socalg, outcast garage's gtg, carsncoffee, nissfest to track events etc we have them all. I am usually at #carsandcoffee aliso if you want to hang sometime. Lots of exotics there and sometimes some concept cars once in a while.

Most aftermarket parts business for our cars are around the corner as well, Stillen is in CM, Berk, JWT to name a few. Nothing is rare here is Socal, you'll have access to rare authentic parts as long as you're resourceful and creative.


4. Cost of living is $$$, I am sure you already have an idea and since you're a new yorker. It is doable as long as you know how to budget your dollars.

 

This sounds awesome! The car scene over here is dying if not dead, and dominated by Subaru's and Hondas. Can't wait to meet some Cali chicks!! Hook me up haha.

I'll be driving out there from New York, should be a fun road trip. Once I get my apartment setup, I plan on finalizing my build. Winter here ruins car parts. Once I get to Cali, coils, wheels, cat-back are planned.

I've pretty much decided on the Costa Mesa area and plan to have an apartment for April 1st. Orange County is expensive, but a lot less then what I could get in New York / CT area. Average 600 SF Studio goes for 1500-1700/ month outside of the NYC area without utilities, parking etc included. Plus its generally an ehh apartment. Where as in OC you can get a nice 750 SF 1 BR for 1400-1600/month with a balcony, parking, amenities included. NY is turning into a dump as well.

 

I encourage all of you that are local to the OC/LA area to come out to our Block Party [Vol. 3] towards the end of March in City of Industry. Car show/meet for all ages/lifestyles, with live music, food, and we will be raffling off 2 sets of wheels. Our sponsored Q50 Jason typically shows up, and a few others here and there. We would love to have you all at our event.