School me on cheapest OC apartment hunting

[breakdirt916]

1.) are all 1br apartments $1,600ish and up with $100ish/year increases?
2.) I want to be close to bake parkway and either the 405 or 5 freeways for work - No farther south than lake forest...any other target areas besides Santa Ana (also ridiculous priced) or south coast metro?
3.) where else to look besides Craigslist/trulia/Hotpads?
4.) are prices to rent a room near spectrum REALLY around $1,000-$1.200/month !?! Seems like a lot to share
5.) what are my living options if this is what my needs are: private room for bed, dresser, bathroom, sink, small fridge, basic hand tools, surf board, motorcycle cases. All cooking can bbe done on a single burner or hot plate (Mostly oatmeal/eggs). The rest I crock pot, microwave, coffee pot, or use a rice cooker. I really like having a consistent truck parking spot at home when I work late. For moto I would like a spot/shed/off street spot for my dirt bike and hopefully a place to work on it. If that is off the table I can always leave it at my rental property...but it’s way nicer if it is closer. Being close to spectrum means OC dirt riding is 25-30 mins away.
6.) goal: my rentals will cash flow positive a few hundred a month by this summer. I am hoping to use them to entirely cover my living/apartment costs as long as I can find a place in OC that’s under a grand per month. I also found private owners were less likely to increase rents if they like you.

I am also in my mid 30’s...ideally I don’t want to get roommates anymore. So occasionally I will see ads to rent an in-law apartment or Separate entrance bedroom/bath with kitchenette...although those rarely have parking. I found living alone has a premium

Did I cover everything?

[luciano136]

If you find a 1 bedroom apt for $1,600 these days, you're probably doing ok.  Real estate/rent is crazy high again. 

If I were in the market, I'd try to find a room in a house with a retired person; typically well priced and you have a whole house at your disposal.

[thepretender]

Can't help with rental insight, but I have a 1 bed condo going on the market very soon

[1fastrider]

Can't help with rental insight, but I have a 1 bed condo going on the market very soon

If he doesn't want dibs I'd be interested in the info. Location/specs/price/when available

[Rd Todd]

I have a furnished bedroom with no bike parking no kitchen that rents for $600 a month, Get a shop build a build a bedroom and pyt $1,600 or so WELCOME to California!

[thepretender]

1 bed 1 1/2 bath two story nobody above or below 983 sqft, bedroom has a extra little corner makes a great spot for computer and desk, large 2 car (1 car 6 bikes) garage. Lake Forest Trabuco and EL Toro. Cleaning and fixing couple of small problems trying to be ready to put on market 3 weeks or so. Haven't got a appraisal but expecting $370,000 maybe has original kitchen now so new owner may want to remodel it so may have to let it go for $350,000 but the market is strong so it may not be as big a hit as I am assuming.

[breakdirt916]

1 bed 1 1/2 bath two story nobody above or below 983 sqft, bedroom has a extra little corner makes a great spot for computer and desk, large 2 car (1 car 6 bikes) garage. Lake Forest Trabuco and EL Toro. Cleaning and fixing couple of small problems trying to be ready to put on market 3 weeks or so. Haven't got a appraisal but expecting $370,000 maybe has original kitchen now so new owner may want to remodel it so may have to let it go for $350,000 but the market is strong so it may not be as big a hit as I am assuming.

Very interesting! I will have to look into that

[breakdirt916]

I have a furnished bedroom with no bike parking no kitchen that rents for $600 a month, Get a shop build a build a bedroom and pyt $1,600 or so WELCOME to California!

That’s a good price! HB traffic down the 405 between golden west and magnolia is my problem...and a more around 55/Irvine...clears up past university drive tho