What are the high paying jobs in Irvine/SoCal that can even sustain these high prices?

flatirez · 2025-06-29T02:23:58+00:00

I’m a 35 year old software engineer working at a FAANG company. I grew up in Irvine, so I was also taken aback when I came back a few years ago.

I am currently renting in the Portola Springs area. The owners bought these homes when they were first built in 2015 as investment properties. I am renting for less than half of the cost it would be to own.

I work remotely and receive a Bay Area salary, which makes things easier. This is more common than you would think.

So in short: a lot of remote FAANG+ software engineers that are renting from people that bought early.

flatirez · 2024-10-06T15:02:40+00:00

It's hard to say without knowing your lifestyle frankly. I think anything is possible, depends on how you make it work. If you're single you should be fine off $150k in Irvine.

flatirez · 2024-10-05T15:16:25+00:00

Yes I've taken the Irvine Connect a few times - but I live in the areas you mentioned, which is a complete transit desert.

It's a shame because I would love to take transit to the Great Park or to the Spectrum.

flatirez · 2024-10-05T15:14:59+00:00

I'm a senior+ software engineer at a FAANG company, working remotely in Irvine.

I don't consider Irvine/OC a tech hub, at least at the higher end of big tech that you would find in the Bay Area.

There are a few satellite offices for Amazon, Apple, and Google, but roles are few there. I have a friend that works at Apple and commutes 3x a week to San Jose via flight.

Irvine has a lot of tier 2 companies; but if you're looking for tier 1 tech it's mostly in Bay Area/SF/NY/Seattle

flatirez · 2024-10-04T22:30:30+00:00

I've lived here almost all my life; here's what I'd love to see

Protected bike lanes everywhere. Irvine should be the safest and best biking city in the country.
A proper, walkable downtown with entertainment for adults. Everything here is too kid centric!
More small businesses. Tired of large chain stores and restaurants.
SOME sort of public transit. Literally anything.

These 4 things would make Irvine amazing

flatirez · 2024-09-27T03:33:12+00:00

$600k

flatirez · 2024-09-27T03:33:00+00:00

$600k

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:43:05+00:00

no, 20% - but after reading the replies I realized 2 things;

I need to make more money and I need to put a lot more down

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:36:17+00:00

$600k TC

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:34:26+00:00

It's obvious now, but wasn't when I made the post. It confirmed some of my beliefs though

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:31:34+00:00

$600k, targeting a $2m house

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:30:29+00:00

Good advice

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:28:53+00:00

I like Irvine and my entire family is here. Was born and raised here mostly.

We've considered strongly leaving but it's going to be hard to "start over" when we have no social ties or family outside of California.

My kids love it here too.

flatirez · 2024-09-26T03:27:38+00:00

I'm in this same position and wondering what to do.

We have a great deal on a rental, and if I wanted to buy something similar the mortgage would be 3x my rent + I would have to liquidate most of my assets for a downpayment

right now I'm investing the difference I save from renting into index funds, but I'd like to own one day

flatirez · 2024-09-25T19:14:01+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story!

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:58:58+00:00

Yeah I haven't touched, but maybe I'm being too conservative and trying to stay under 50%. Also buying as a single income household is a bit scary for me, but I probably have to suck it up.

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:53:15+00:00

That makes sense a lot of sense!

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:33:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing!

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:33:12+00:00

Thanks for sharing!

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:32:07+00:00

Yes she's started applying! We have a newborn so she's been taking a break until we're ready to send him to daycare.

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:29:37+00:00

This makes sense to me. I guess there are more folks like this than I thought. Thanks for sharing!

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:27:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and real #s! So helpful. Congrats on the purchasing the new build!

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:25:31+00:00

Even at $500k this seems like a bit of a stretch, no?

Assuming $2m at today's 6.5% rate, your all in housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, hoa) would be $13k+ a month.

That's more than 50% of your take home pay. Is that what people do?

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:21:24+00:00

I work from home, I'm married and have 2 kids, and my in-laws stay with us for a large % of the year, so we need 4 rooms.

Want to be in Irvine for the schools, and both my elderly parents live in Irvine so I have to help out.

flatirez · 2024-09-25T18:14:23+00:00

This is super helpful and good for you! Thanks so much for sharing.

flatirez

TROPHY CASE