"You drive east from the ocean with both hands tied on the wheel and you go past Garden Grove. As the pleasure index rises, the things that you've got coming will do things that you're afraid to. There is someone waiting out there with a mouthful of surprises." (-- Mountain Goats, "The Young Thousands")
This thriving bedroom community, located just half an hour south of L.A., is one of California's most dynamic and livable communities with more than a dash of local color. If you like strawberries, multiplex cinemas, high-rise hotels, and non-big-city prices, this could be your own blue Heaven.
Garden Grove is a hopping city with over 170,000 residents, wi-fi, and a lot of asphalt
"You drive east from the ocean with both hands tied on the wheel and you go past Garden Grove. As the pleasure index rises, the things that you've got coming will do things that you're afraid to. There is someone waiting out there with a mouthful of surprises." (-- Mountain Goats, "The Young Thousands")
This thriving bedroom community, located just half an hour south of L.A., is one of California's most dynamic and livable communities with more than a dash of local color. If you like strawberries, multiplex cinemas, high-rise hotels, and non-big-city prices, this could be your own blue Heaven.
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Living Affordably in Garden Grove
Garden Grove is a hopping city with over 170,000 residents, wi-fi, and a lot of asphalt. But while you get ready access to all of the shopping and conveniences that modern urbanites demand, you won't pay through the esophagus for them. No, things aren't precisely cheap; but then no place is cheap in California, particularly no place within an easy drive of Tinsel Town. Still, home prices and rental rates here are approachable, especially when you consider the proximity to so many world-class attractions and, you know, the fantastic weather.
Finding a Rental
This might take some effort, because you're not the only one that wants to live here. In fact, of Garden Grove's nearly 47,000 residences, less than 2% are typically vacant. That means you'd better prepare yourself to stand out from the other hopeful house-hunting shmoes. Here are some useful things you can do to separate yourself from the herd.
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Come prepared with income verification, a copy of your credit report, and two or more glowing testimonials from past landlords.
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Set up a cell phone with a local number. Landlords smile when they see local numbers.
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While you're at it, establish a bank account locally, too. Try to pass an out-of-state check and you'll quickly discover why this is important.
Garden Grove Neighborhoods
There are more than 30 local neighborhoods, including one that's not really in the city. You might find it helpful to use an apartment locator service or broker to help shorten your search. Meanwhile, here are some useful notes on some of Garden Grove's popular neighborhoods.
Lampson Avenue/Picket Avenue: Welcome to West Garden Grove. Connected only by a strip of highway to the city proper, this suburban community offers a lower population density, slower pace, and better-performing debate club than its "maintown" neighbors.
Euclid Street/Garden Grove Boulevard: This neighborhood is a good place to find hi-rise apartments, fried noodles, and large garages.
Fairview Street/Downie Place: Stroll down the gorgeously tree-lined streets or enjoy a round of golf in your own backyard. There's a price for this life but, if you can stand the heat, this is one fine kitchen.
Town Center: Life in downtown Grove City is nothing if not interesting. You'll see loads of tourists armed with baskets of strawberries and Disneyland maps, and you'll be able to amble through historic Main Street Garden Grove. Houses and apartments are in reasonably good supply, and rental rates are relatively affordable.
