Comparing LA vs Orange County, CA ( I've Lived in Both) | Living in OC

[@ThatCaymanGuy]

I left Long Island, NY in 2012, packed my car and drove cross country to relocate to Orange County. Best decision i ever made. It was really tough to get established at first but i eventually landed a great job and even bought a house here.

[@ShamuAquatics]

I was born and raised in OC. I avoid Los Angeles as much as possible because of the insane traffic, homeless drug addicts, and gangs. San Diego is 2 hours south, while Los Angeles is 35 minutes north (on a good day). I’d still rather do a 2 hour drive to San Diego because even though LA is closer, it sure doesn’t feel like it. 1.5 to 2 hours of smooth cruising vs 45 minutes of 5mph gridlock ? It’s a no-brainer. My mom left Downey and moved to Huntington Beach in 1991 and never looked back.

[@JohnNissenIV]

Last year it took me nearly 2 hours to get from Costa Mesa to Burbank to got to Universal studios… on a Saturday! The traffic on the 5 north of LA county line is just awful. I would so much rather drive down to Oceanside or SD in that same amount of time. And that drive it much nicer with the ocean views.

[@ShamuAquatics]

@@JohnNissenIV I’m picking up my aunt from the airport on Sunday and then me and my family are traveling to Florida in October… guess which horrible airport they chose 🤬. I’ve never been to Universal Studios in Burbank because I don’t want to drive out there, but I’ve been to Universal Orlando like 4 times and SeaWorld San Diego a million times.

[@skinhead5]

Michael of OC. Is Mexico. It sucks.

[@irishman3375]

NEWS FLASH, OC isn't a secret, it's awesome and it's expensive.

[@boardcertifiable]

I wish it was secret. 😑

[@metaversewoman9354]

Awesome video! Awesome soundtrack. Right on between the differences between LA and OC! I lived in Westwood LA and moved to Costa Mesa OC and then to Laguna for 8 years. Now living in The Bahamas but still love my memories of OC and can't wait to visit!

[@nunyafawkingbiz]

Man I’m in Washington now but the constant grey skies are a depression maker !!! Dreaming of somewhere sunnier

[@Thomas-s6i1c]

spent 20 years in Oregon Portland area know what you mean. But the sun tax is brutal here in SoCal you pay to play.

[@nunyafawkingbiz]

@@Thomas-s6i1c I have been thinking about that for a while ! I think it’s worth the tax for better mental health man! I really do

[@cassandrama5377]

I moved from downey to Irvine in 2020. Best decision I've ever made.

[@JohnNissenIV]

Amazing! Those two cites are soooo different!

[@Pupasportwave98]

First of all….GREAT background song choice. “This is how we chill from 93 til…” 🙌🏾

[@robertzamora477]

90% of our work is in LA, and cant wait to come back home to OC at the end of the day. Traffic sucks big time.

[@bobbender5858]

It’s interesting to hear someone who has just discovered Orange County. I’ve been there since 1966 . I do all I can to avoid LA. It’s expensive because everyone wants to live here. But there are cities in OC that are not as expensive, they are just not on the beach.

[@JohnNissenIV]

Yes! I totally agree with you on affordability! There’s definitely good options here.

[@5metoo]

Moved to Huntington Beach 3 years ago, because I realized I could live near the beach for no more money than it cost to live in eastern LA county. Dramatically better weather than where I was living or LA.

[@ShamuAquatics]

I was born and raised in Orange County. I avoid LA as much as possible and I warn my friends/family to avoid LA when they visit California from out of state. I’d actually rather drive 1.5 to 2 hours of mostly smooth driving down to San Diego than endure 45 minutes to an hour of gridlock to LA. The drive to LA is shorter than San Diego but it doesn’t feel that way.

[@addiadnan4175]

Thanks for making the video dude...take love

[@destinyhernandez9864]

VISUALS WENT HARD. Very well put together video 👏

[@JohnNissenIV]

Eyyyyy. Thanks!!!

[@johnreyes1749]

Born in Santa Ana in 1959 and raised in Santa Ana, I enlisted in the Army in 1976, I went to Missouri for basic training then Kentucky for AIT, then Texas for my permanent duty station. I missed Orange County the whole time and when I got out I moved back to Orange County and I still live in Orange County, and though the County has changed from my youth it is my home💕

[@PelosiStockPortfolio]

I've lived in LA, OC, and San Diego. San Diego wins for everything

[@JohnNissenIV]

I love visiting San Diego, and since its only about an hour from OC, its a perfect weekend getaway! It's probably not somewhere I'd want to move permanently, but I totally understand why people would love it there. Probably the best Mexican food in the whole state is in SD!

[@Thomas-s6i1c]

even the price tag for sure

[@Gigi-r17]

Late to the party but I completely agree. Grew up in Long Beach (bordering O.C). moved to O.C. in 1989. It really is the best of everything. In addition L.A. County sales tax is 9.5% (!!!!!!). O.C. is 7.75%. It's cleaner and safer and beautiful.

[@saltycalmonds]

I think most everyone in OC is glad to be close enough to LA to visit but not actually establish residence there. You can still enjoy the best parts of LA while avoiding the worst parts which is honestly ideal. Every time an Angeleno complains that there’s absolutely nothing to do in OC is either deliberately self deluded or just completely ignorant and reliant on stereotypes from many years passed. OC is central to everything, allowing you to visit LA, SD, the mountains, etc. Cities are generally clean, safe, and well maintained unlike LA.

[@boardcertifiable]

Shhhhhhh.... we want to keep them thinking there's nothing to do.

[@coburnfilms]

Oregon misses you! but it’s great seeing that you and OC have been good to each other! really enjoyed the editing and aerial shots in this!

[@JohnNissenIV]

Thanks man!

[@kendallevans4079]

Born 65 years ago in O.C and never left, not many reasons to leave! Although we are getting a little shopworn in a few places (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Stanton). Things I love about O.C: Our District Attorney Mr. Spitzer! He is the anti-Gascon and I hope he never leaves! The whole OCSD is top notch, and most of the individual police forces are good as well. Santa Ana police is under staffed and overwhelmed but they try. D'land, love or hate it but they pump a huge amount of money into Anaheim and that trickles down Angels fans. Respectful for the most part compared to Dodger "fan" who just go there to get drunk and fight. Laguna Beach! Lived there 20 years on a lot with 180 degree ocean view. Now the biggest "con" is expense and it is expensive but this is one way we combat the riff-raft. I hope it keeps out pricing L.A.......you want cheap housing go live in L.A...!! Scandal? "The Great Park". Sold to the voters as a huge wilderness park..result: More housing developments for Five Points and the Irvine Company. Donald Bren has done more to destroy beautiful, pristine S. Orange County than any other capitalist on earth.

[@JohnNissenIV]

This is really helpful! You definitely touched on a few things that I didn't have time to cover in the video!

[@kendallevans4079]

@@JohnNissenIV Thx!

[@BORN-to-Run]

@@JohnNissenIV GO BACK and make the DEMOCRAT AREAS great again!

[@rickie2sticky66]

Must be nice being rich

[@kendallevans4079]

@@rickie2sticky66 I'm far from rich, that's why I had to leave Laguna Beach when it was time to buy (10 years ago). But "starting out" in O.C is almost impossible anymore unless you have generational wealth behind you.

[@MadhuriDasaratharaj]

I cant wait to visit orange county ❤ it sounds so beautiful 😍

[@aramigSN]

Glad to live in one of, if not, the safest county in California!

[@icedcoffee5037]

Cool! I’m from Portland too. Will be there for a month starting in July.

[@JohnNissenIV]

Hope you enjoy your visit!!

[@icedcoffee5037]

@@JohnNissenIV what’s your favorite taco place with a view of the beach, and what’s your favorite beachside brewery…. If there are any. Thanks in advance 😊

[@JohnNissenIV]

@@icedcoffee5037 there’s a great taco place in Huntington called Bear Flag that sits right next to the ocean! I don’t know of any breweries by the beach though.

[@JohnNissenIV]

@@icedcoffee5037 I thought of a brewery by the beach! Stationcraft in Dana Point! It’s awesome!

[@dudoji85]

Did you mention the lower sales tax? 😎 it’s 2% cheaper than LA!

[@JohnNissenIV]

Good point!!!

[@stephanieglancy2058]

Great video! Thanks for sharing :)

[@JohnNissenIV]

Thanks for watching!

[@Cyrus992]

While LA has the benefits of older areas and large city amenities, the condition and desirability is worse. I prefer San Diego

[@mayorofmischief6086]

“Let me out, let me out, this is not a dance.” 💃

[@JohnNissenIV]

@@mayorofmischief6086 ??

[@StadtmusikantBremer]

I think since the Show OC which i Love everyone knowa Newport beach and oc . I would Love to visit once

[@Roroplays756]

I’ve lived in OC my whole life I grew up in Laguna Niguel but moved to irvine

[@larryjones9773]

Why do you like Irvine?

[@Roroplays756]

Well my family moved there I had no choice

[@Alpha-Scythe23]

OC for life.. it’s Superior to LA in all ways

[@Blue-jd8jf]

lol no one even knows oc

[@TheDavidRJ]

​@@Blue-jd8jf Everybody knows OC. There were even a show named after it.

[@karenschell9822]

I grew up in Tustin, OC is the best, and close to the beach!

[@Bossnj]

We need more videos like this one ☝️

[@jesusaluz]

Super cool, thank you 👊🏼👊🏼

[@robertbrown4152]

I left LA last year to many homeless people with mental health and gang members.. You can even enjoy wearing a hat because of the gang activities...

[@Bossnj]

watching from Montreal, I wonder if you still get that city vibe lifestyle in OC ?

[@JohnNissenIV]

It’s definitely more of a suburban area, but parts of Irvine, Santa Ana and Anaheim definitely have a bigger “city feel” to them!

[@Thomas-s6i1c]

I've been to Montreal. Live in Irvine now. No comparison on any level. There is no city vibe in Irvine/OC.

[@rgx4306]

How do the different areas in OC differ?

[@TheReyes351]

Interesting. Thank you. Is there a train stop out of Union Station?

[@JohnNissenIV]

Yes. There’s a train stop in union station in Los Angeles.

[@TheReyes351]

@@JohnNissenIV Thanks a lot!

[@boutdatmack8029]

We just heard audio from over 7 years ago from this s lap top we found

[@MatthewHawksworth]

The part about Orange County traffic made me want to pack up and move out of LA immediately! Hahah

[@JohnNissenIV]

Haha! It makes such a huge difference!

[@PelosiStockPortfolio]

OC traffic is an improvement, but its still bad

[@kingkobrazx]

riverside county traffic is a little better

[@alaiaadam5767]

☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️ Orange county is lesser polluted

[@10xleverage]

Helpful, thank you

[@JohnNissenIV]

Thanks David! I've got more content like this coming soon, so stay tuned.

[@Oister_]

Do u kno any empty pools I can vlog at 😊?

[@JohnNissenIV]

Unfortunately no, I’m not aware of any empty pools near me :(

[@izeman720]

No mention of Santa Ana?

[@JohnNissenIV]

What about it?

[@ShamuAquatics]

Santa Ana is ghetto just like LA

[@JohnNissenIV]

@@ShamuAquatics I would rather walk around in the worst part of Santa Ana at night than, be anywhere near downtown LA at any point of the day.

[@Sandi-ke9mi]

I’ve lived in both also. That’s why I now live in Northern California, lol.

[@JohnNissenIV]

Ha! What part of NorCal did you end up in? I have lots of friends from the Sacramento area who now live in OC.

[@Sandi-ke9mi]

@@JohnNissenIV I am north of there now. I lived in orange county in the 80s and LA County from the mid-80s up to last year.

[@crosslink1493]

Its more 'regional' differences that by city. More conservative politics, with coastal cities being the most conservative. The exceptions are Laguna Beach (liberal), and Huntington Beach (MAGA-central). Also more liberal in the north county cities and conservative in the south county. The traffic can back up on a lot of the freeways during morning and evening rush hours just like in Los Angeles County, but its not all day long. Lower crime rates and there is stricter law enforcement and prosecution of 'bad boys.' I've lived here since the mid-1970s and there are twice as many residents in 2024.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

O.C. home sweet home!

[@jeffdunn6007]

Nice!!

[@haleydamian]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@JohnNissenIV]

Thanks for the support, Haley!!!

[@tomsimpson5317]

Can't afford to live here it's a nightmare

[@JohnNissenIV]

I know what you mean. Although as someone who moved from LA, the cost of living here is a little cheaper. The rent I pay now is significantly lower than any I paid in LA. Now, that’s not to say that OC is “affordable” by any means. We definitely pay a “weather tax” here to enjoy the location, amenities, and beautiful location.

[@hcf797]

@@JohnNissenIVI live in the Bay Area all of my life and thinking of moving to OC. If you don’t mind me asking, what city did you choose to live in? If it’s too personal of a question, could you give me a top 3-5 places to look into? Thanks and good video!

[@JohnNissenIV]

@@hcf797 hey! Great question. I moved to Costa Mesa. I’m actually working a video on that topic right now, so stay tuned! Other cities I love here at Orange, Tustin, and San Clemente.

[@hcf797]

@@JohnNissenIV thanks for responding. can’t wait to see!

[@Thomas-s6i1c]

$4,095/mo in an Irvine Company apartment in Irvine. and all the cost estimators want to base things on your gross pre-tax pay. Rubber hits the road with net take home pay - after taxes and other deductions. On paper my base is $160K/yr gross. Take home is about $7600/mo. The rent takes up about 54% of my take home base pay which breaks all the conventional rules of housing cost to pay ratios. Add to that all the other expenses related to living in OC - it is a stretch to make it on base take home pay. End up counting on the annual bonus which is discretionary and having to use RSU equity pay to fill the gaps. Treading water.

[@hyakushiki23]

Do you still work in entertainment?

[@JohnNissenIV]

Not anymore! I work primarily in real estate doing marketing now. And I do video and photography as a freelancer down here in OC.

[@agak61]

The problem is renting forever ;)

[@boutdatmack8029]

Question motorcycle builder Jessie James

[@boutdatmack8029]

😲

[@Thunder_Paul]

Orange county is overrated. Overpriced too.

[@theresaheyer537]

oh BROTHER

[@jjsc3334]

Been there all horrible.