Did you know that President Nixon opened his first law office in La Habra? Suffice to say, he was not a crook.
La Habra is a friendly city, an enticing mixture of the sophistication of big city Los Angeles and the charm of a small town, all in sunny California. Located to the north of Orange County, California, more than 60,440 people call La Habra home. True to the warmth of California, the weather is quite stable, with a high of 74.5 °F in July and 55.5 °F in January. Good rental housing is quite competitive, with a vacancy level of only 3%. Also, you can expect to pay quite a bit for rent in La Habra because the median rent is a little higher than the average for California and more than half over the median national rental average. The good news is that the stunning scenery, beaches and thriving community more than make up for the value of the rent.
Finding an Apartment in La Habra
Remember, the vacancy rate is only 3%, meaning you should expect some competition for the desirable rental properties. Some of the following tips will improve your chances of getting a really nice piece of this beautiful city.
Cost Considerations
The cost of living in La Habra is higher than the national average by almost 50%. This means your move to La Habra will most likely not be a cheap one, unless you are moving from one of the super-expensive cities, like New York or San Francisco. The price you can expect to pay for your apartment will largely depend on factors like the neighborhood, amenities and exclusivity of the property.
Where to Rent
A little research beforehand (just like the one you are doing now) will help you decide on the best area that fits your schedule, taste and budget. For instance, if you do not have your own transportation, you probably want a place that is accessible to public transportation. On the other hand, if you do have a family, with two or more cars, you might need a place with enough parking spaces. Most apartments have rules regarding parking, such as only one car or two cars per tenant. Some apartments do not have any parking, and tenants have to make do by parking in the street.
Requirements
Considering the fact that you will have other prospective renters competing against you for good rental housing, having a plan is definitely the right way to go. One way to make it easier to search for apartments in La Habra is to come up with a list of the things you want in an apartment, with the most important stuff at the very top. Rental managers will most likely conduct a credit check to find out if you have a history of paying your bills on time and to assure themselves that you will pay their rent as well. Fill out a rental application form, and get a copy of your employment letter, proof of income (usually pay stubs) and a letter (or two) of reference, such as from an employer or former landlord. You will also need your security deposit and the first month’s rent.
Where to Live in La Habra
The choice of where to live in any city is a personal one that affects a resident’s general perception of a city. If you live in an exclusive part of town, you will pay more rent but have access to better housing, better security and better amenities. Using the $ symbol, with $$$$$ as the most costly, let's examine some of the neighborhoods in La Habra.
Des Moines: Rental prices here are quite affordable. The rental vacancy in this particular area is quite low at 1.7%, and available rental apartments are mainly composed of apartment complexes ranging from one to four bedrooms, as well as some high-rise apartments. $$
La Habra City Center: This neighborhood is a culturally interesting one, with a mixture of residents of different origins. $$$
S Beach Blvd/W Lambert Rd: Apartments in this area are also in the form of high-rise apartments and apartment complexes. Unfortunately for newcomers, the rent here is a bit on the expensive side. $$$
Life in La Habra
One of the things that makes La Habra unique is the very culturally diverse constitution of the residents. People of different ethnicities call this place home, influencing the socio-cultural life in the city. Most of the residents have their own vehicles, but a sizable numbers use public transportation to move around.
Trying to avoid L.A. but still want a little of that Hollywood lime life? La Habra has a history of successful musicians, including Rusty Anderson, the lead guitarist for Paul McCartney's tours. That's kind of like saying a Beatle is from La Habra, right?