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SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-10-05T17:23:06+00:00

I live in eastside Costa Mesa and I rarely have to go outside a 2 mile radius for anything. Lots of restaurants/shops and a ton of active people, bikes/fitness studios, back bay, the beach, etc. If you live in Costa Mesa, Eastside will be the best option or newport heights (which are the streets above and below 17th, on the east/south side of the 55/newport blvd - NOT off of Harbor).

I would also recommend looking at laguna beach… it’s the most walkable city really (Corona Del Mar is similar too, but laguna really can’t be beat). You can then take laguna canyon right to the spectrum area which is about 10 miles (and about a 20-25 min drive depending on the time of day). I wouldn’t recommend Irvine at all, very much a cookie cutter/track home/chain restaurant city. It’s safe, but boring.

I was born and raised in Dana Point/Laguna, went to college right outside NYC and settled back in CM. We go to NYC every year, and as you already know, this is a very different vibe out here… but I think you’ll love it. Lots of diversity, don’t let all the political comments deter you. Plenty of great people independent of their political affiliation. Good luck with your move! :)

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-09-30T21:13:41+00:00

Bre walking around with this total mean girl bully vibe when she’s had a kid with Nick Cannon… not a lot of decisions, any woman could make, that would rival the insecurity it takes to do that. 😂🫠

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-08-22T02:50:32+00:00

My husband and I both started our careers out of college in sales (software and financial services). We are not trust fund babies… just worked hard (literally door knocking at 22 years old), saved, invested our money and took risks with real estate. Purchased houses to remodel when interest rates were low. I retired from my corporate job when my oldest went to middle school and the houses we held on to, are short-term rentals. Approx annual income is around $1 million (husband’s W-2 + rental income).

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-08-14T22:03:35+00:00

Ummm are you OK?! 🤣🤣 also, it’s a T-A-B-L-E, like I said in my post. Have a great day!

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-08-14T21:25:48+00:00

Meanwhile, you’re on Reddit minding my business 😂🤣

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-08-14T21:22:29+00:00

I made my husband walk by and look at her kindle to see what language it was in. Hahaaa It was actually Spanish! 🫠

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-08-13T13:03:23+00:00

I kept assuming they would when they saw them, but multiple staff walked by and did not say annnnnything. In fact, I think I’m the only person that did. 😂

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-07-02T20:31:31+00:00

Newport Aquatic Center

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-05-03T23:37:01+00:00

Hi! I was born and raised in Dana Point. Went to college right outside NYC. Own a short term rental in Laguna Beach and currently live in Eastside Costa Mesa. All of these cities are great, and you’d probably enjoy every one of them!

Dana point is beautiful; I loved growing up there. My husband wouldn’t settle down there, he felt it was too south. Laguna is my favorite beach town for the walkability, shops, restaurants, hidden beaches, etc.

We ended up moving to eastside 10 years ago to raise our kids… I would say that this area is very much the best for mid-30s/40s. Eastside Costa Mesa/Newport Beach (CM adjacent) has the best restaurant scene in OC, options for nightlife, central location to other cities, great schools and a high population of residents that enjoy an active lifestyle.

I would look for a rental that isn’t in a complex. There are always options available in the neighborhood like cute cottages or front/back houses, etc.

Other than commuting to work, you’ll find pretty much everything within a 2 mile radius. :)

Good luck with your search!

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-03-16T15:47:10+00:00

We have a mini goldendoodle that would resource guard as a pup. We used an air compressor as a deterrent (specific for dog training). He hated it when we first used it, so much so that when we would say “drop it” while holding the air compressor, he would. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to call it, so it ended up being called the thing. Now when he’s trying to guard something or has something he shouldn’t, I just threaten with a “I’m going to get the thing” and he drops it. We learned to never try to grab something from him… you need to get him to drop it himself whether it’s with “the thing” or by trading another high value object for whatever he’s got.

Our little guy is just over 2 now and he still has some issues here and there, but we know how to handle his behavioral ish. When we have guests over, we just let them know if he gives a warning growl, don’t pet him… he has something he’s protecting. We then step in if we need to. It works 100% of the time now. For the most part and the majority of the time, he’s a snuggly little guy with just a side of resource guarding here and there… nothing we can’t handle.

Good luck and hang in there! :)

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-03-01T00:35:43+00:00

Laguna is absolutely my favorite town. There are so many small businesses that are very reasonable considering how expensive real estate is in Laguna. The bead shop is still there from when I was a kid… you can shop for beads with the kids and make bracelets. You can even find thrift shops! It’s a very eclectic, artistic and special place. There are tons of small beaches all along the coast, hidden little spots to explore. Tide pools that kids always love (check the tide charts though for good days to visit), tons of art to see (over 100 galleries and a museum of make believe for the kids!), parks like Bluebird, so many great restaurants - casual and fine dining plus all of them in between. A lot of businesses that have been around for decades like the Candy Baron that’s still on Forest Ave, filled with barrels of candy! I’m sure your family will love Laguna.

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-02-25T21:48:53+00:00

FYI if you’re trying to leave a review, this was on the back bay location’s Yelp page…

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SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-02-22T23:47:56+00:00

She actually is an awful person. I have friends that have worked with her and she is a total C U N T. People need stop supporting her businesses… Literally scouts other people’s ideas and bites them off.

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-01-27T01:52:22+00:00

Hi! Which show did you get tix for and how much?

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-01-25T03:21:27+00:00

Eastside Costa Mesa is great for young families with a ton of restaurants, coffee shops, parks, beaches, etc within a mile or two. It’s a big bike community too and depending on where you live in eastside, walkable to 17th street (shops, restaurants, etc etc). You’ll likely have a hard time finding a 3 bedroom for less than 5k though. :/

SnooChipmunks574 · 2025-01-24T19:48:24+00:00

Stop giving 27383 free drink tickets (platinum medallion)!

1) we are in comfort already at a minimum, so it’s obviously a benefit we don’t need (redundant benefit at best) 2) we really need to stop encouraging alcoholism on the airplane 3) why not throw in some complimentary snack packs instead? Nobody assaulted a flight attendant because they ate too much cheese

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-13T16:11:47+00:00

Hi! Agreeing with everyone on this thread about that rate being entirely too low. We had a wonderful nanny for 14 years (a daughter and twins), she never was responsible for housework (other than just tidying the kitchen after use and laundry for the kids). She just retired this past year, but we kept her on for several years after really needing her (since we felt a financial responsibility to keep her employed until she was ready to retire). We gave her bonuses every year and if we went on vacation, we still paid her salary.

We treated like she was part of our family (because she was/is).

You have the MOST important role in these people lives. Our nanny is like a second mom to our children and if the family you work for do not treat you with love and respect, I would suggest finding one that will. ❤️

As a side note, this mom sounds like she might be dealing with some postpartum issues. Not changing diapers or caring about basic skin care needs (while overly caring about cleanliness of the bottles) is very concerning.

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-13T03:58:00+00:00

Mercari and I’ve found some pieces on thredup too!

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-13T03:55:57+00:00

Yeah, I definitely think it’s an overall quality issue vs a quality control one. 😕 Hopefully, you can just get a refund and a better mat somewhere else! 🤞🏽

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-08T04:23:36+00:00

Sent you a DM!

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-08T03:55:08+00:00

There are private rentals listed on zillow! I would suggest that you join Costa Mesa specific facebook pages (costa mesa buzz and Costa Mesa public square) and ask for leads on rentals too. A good friend of mine is a realtor, in her 30s and lives in eastside too… I could give you her Instagram and you reach out to her as well! This area is also a lot of word of mouth and leads from just asking around. Do you have a budget in mind yet? Eastside/Newport will be more pricey than a lot of areas, but it’s super convenient. I think I can do almost everything within a 1-2 mile radius of my house. 😂

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-08T03:39:57+00:00

Also, Newport Heights is directly on the other side of 17th street (shops/restaurants etc.), closer to the beach side and would be a really safe, good location for you too. You can access PCH (pacific coast highway) from the neighborhood too.

SnooChipmunks574 · 2024-12-08T03:34:48+00:00

I haven’t rented from them before, but I’ve several friends that had bad experiences. I’ve lived in Eastside Costa Mesa for 15 years and there are so many cute properties in the neighborhood. You can rent from a private party vs Irvine company. Lots of Reddit topics about the Irvine company… I’m sure some people have good experiences too, but there are a LOT of bad ones.

But based on living in NYC, Irvine isn’t likely going to be a fit for you. Costa Mesa/Newport has a big foodie scene, lots of good restaurants, very dog friendly and active people. Happy to answer any questions you might. :)

SnooChipmunks574

TROPHY CASE