Irvine more expensive, Aliso a little more affordable, but farther out--suburb of the suburb. Both cities being in the county of Orange (Orange County), and like many cities, are expensive. However, if you make good money, and can afford it, it is a beautiful place. Costa Mesa, is a more easy going community. The nice thing about Orange County is the weather, proximity to the beach and mountains, and entertainment. Try Craigslist to check pricing in the areas.

Good luck.

I moved to OC after spending 14 years in NY. Major culture shock. And I grew up in LA... I still wasn't prepared.

Blondes and big boob jubs are the norm here, guys who drive pristine pick-up trucks, people who wear shorts and flip-flops year-round and play volley ball every weekend. South Orange County is a little prettier, not quiet so developed, but very artificially man-made condos everywhere: that's the Aliso Viejo area, which is otherwise not bad. Be prepared to also shop only in malls, because that's all there is down that way.

Irvine is more central: Stepford Wives zone. Fake women everywhere. Yuppy Nirvana. Don't plan on making many friends. Irvine has great schools if you have kids, and it's very safe, but that's about it. Costa Mesa is near Irvine, and that is a little more diverse, as is Huntington Beach, but they are both largely populated by kids and beachgoers. Costa Mesa has more crime, but is a more interesting area and has better restaurants and some nightlife, not so dense on the malls. ONe of the only movie theaters that shows foreign movies is right in the CM area, and also the OC Performing Arts Center (the major cultural center) and South Coast Rep, if you like theater, is there as well.

Otherwise, maybe jog further south to Dana Point or San Juan Capistrano. Older, more interesting areas.

I live in Fullerton, which is extreme north OC, and a cool college community, but the commute to Irvine might not be what you want, and Aliso Viejo is much further.

Expect to be inundated with whitebread Christian hetero vanilla culture. Good luck.

There is an OC Burners tribe. You might want to check that out. I don't think it's a very large community, and I don't believe there is any one locale. Laguna Beach is considered the "artists" community here, if that's what you're looking for. It's midway between irvine and AV. It does have some old housing and it's overrun by tourists on weekends. But some nice restaurants and shops and I don't think they even have a mal there. They seem to have some control over development. That might be a good compromise for you.

Thanks for all the responses. I had an interview (phone interview, can you believe it) with a company in Irvine last night. I will be flying out there in a couple of weeks for an in person interview, and will also set up interviews with another company in Irvine and one is SJC.

But from doing some research online, it seems that as far as affordability, it looks like I'll probably be looking at the Mission Viejo area. Unless I find something else while I'm out there that's affordable, nice, and has amenities like the ones I've found online.

I would have liked to be near where I work, possibly even within a distance to bicycle to work, but that's not looking like it would happen. But I grew up in the suburbs where I had to drive everywhere, so I'm not a total stranger to it.

So now onto my next questions. I don't mind driving to go out socially (I actually will drive into Manhattan when I go out at night in NY now, because getting home late at night on a subway can take hours) So does anyone have any suggestions of fun things to do? Places that are interesting to visit? Weekly or monthly events that you know of that are fun to join? Or any other suggestions? I have some friends out there, but they're mainly in either San Diego or LA. And yes, I'll be getting together with them from time to time, but I would also like to meet fun people who are not over an hour drive in each direction.

I grew up in Trabuco Canyon, the canyons have small town mentalities and interesting po-dunk stuff goes down like parades (art cars!) and neighborhood jam nights. You'll want to hit these up as soon as the fires die down for awesome hiking and sanctuary. Honestly honey you don't want to live in either Irvine or Aliso. I work in Irvine and I feel like my life force is getting sucked out. Definitly protect yourself with good vibes and understanding meditations, cause these people might seem a little "fluffy" at times. If you want interesting atmosphere and cheap I would recommend either commuting from San Clemente (surfer town), or Santa Ana (artsy, get to practice your Spanish.) In SA there are sketch parts but it is broad enough to find a decent part of the town, its cute and it's got alot going on. Laguna Beach is expensive yet stunning and theres a quirky charm it posesses (while it still lasts). Believe it or not I have lots of Burner friends in Mission Viejo. There are pockets of communities and the true blues stick out like sore thumbs. There are good people every where you go, but I think the OC burner tribe should definitly chill more-if only it weren't such a bust to freely express yourself here...