Where in southern CA can i live near the beach but not spend a fortune?|198850

My fiance and I are going to move to southern CA for his job. We want to live near the beach without spending a fortune. Any ideas?

Long Beach or Huntington would be your best option

In Long Beach, Alamitos Beach is probably the cheapest. But the parking is absolutely the worst, and its not the nicest of areas. Its borderline ghetto, and if you walk just a few short blocks north, you will be in the Ghetto. I only lasted 2 months living there.

I don_t live in CA so I can_t tell you about it being affordable (but I have heard that most of CA is pretty pricey!). My dad lives in RIverside (about 30-45 from the beach and the mountains...ocean front is going to cost you a lot more... and being a half hour away shouldn_t be too bad!

ummm, well where is his job that would be the best starting point....obviously many people want to live near the great beaches...Where does he work or what kind of job does he have...there are many miles and miles of beaches...?

Unfortunately, that is PROBABLY near-impossible.

Housing/rentals that are near the beach are at a premium - and carry a premium price tag.

Ocean Beach in San Diego
Imperial beach

I think I would try for Long Beach or Seal Beach, but it is all expensive.

Oceanside is the cheapest of all Southern California beaches, but it is next to the Marine base!
Long Beach is very diverse, expensive near the water and cheaper as you go inland, ghetto actually...

Depends on what you classify as spending a fortune, because homes in CA cost a lot. Your best chances are with Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Oceanside and way down south Imperial Beach.

It_s really very simple: It_s all about supply and demand. EVERYBODY wants to live near the beach. But there is only a limited amount of real estate near the beach. Thus, high demand times low supply equals VERY high prices.

Actually, I DID find an inexpensive place about 12 miles from the beach: It_s called Compton. Check out craigslist, I_m sure you can find a great deal.