What to Know Before Moving to Santa Ana, CA

May 21, 2025 | Library

If you’re considering a move to Santa Ana, California, you’re in for a vibrant blend of culture, history, and urban living. As the county seat of Orange County, Santa Ana offers a unique mix of neighborhoods, a dynamic community, and a Mediterranean climate. Have you been asking the question: “Is Santa Ana a good place to live?” Here’s what you should know before making the move:

1. Get to Know the Neighborhoods in Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana boasts 64 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and charm. Some of the most notable residential areas include:

Floral Park: Known for its historic homes and tree-lined streets, this neighborhood offers a suburban feel with a strong sense of community.
Park Santiago: Located near Santiago Park and the Santiago Creek trail system, this area is perfect for those who appreciate green spaces and a quieter environment.
Morrison Park: A family-friendly neighborhood featuring well-maintained homes and close proximity to schools and parks.
South Coast Metro: A bustling area that straddles Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, known for the South Coast Plaza shopping center and a mix of residential and commercial developments.
Riverview West: A diverse neighborhood offering a range of housing options and easy access to shopping and dining.

Each of Santa Ana’s neighborhoods offers a unique living experience, so it’s worth exploring them to find the one that best fits your lifestyle.

2. Understand the Cost of Living in Santa Ana, CA

Living in Santa Ana is more expensive than the national average, primarily due to housing costs. As of early 2025, the average monthly expenses for a single person are approximately $2,683, including rent and utilities.¹ While this may be higher than other regions, it’s relatively moderate compared to neighboring cities like Irvine or Newport Beach.

Despite the higher costs, there is a range of amenities, cultural attractions, and employment opportunities that can make moving to Santa Ana worthwhile.

3. Prepare for the Santa Ana Climate

Comfortable weather is one reason people consider moving to Southern California. Santa Ana features a warm, Mediterranean climate. Summers are typically hot and dry, with average highs ranging from 84°F to 92°F. Winters are generally mild and comfortable, with temperatures usually hovering in the 60s. Just pack a light jacket for cooler evenings.

The city gets around 13 inches of rainfall annually, most of which falls between October and April. The rest of the year is largely dry and sunny, making it ideal for those who enjoy outdoor living. Santa Ana experiences over 275 sunny days a year, perfect for biking, hiking, and dining al fresco.

However, one unique weather phenomenon to be aware of is the Santa Ana winds. These strong, dry winds blow from inland toward the coast, usually in the fall and early winter.

4. Learn What Transportation Options Santa Ana Has

Santa Ana offers a variety of transportation options that make getting around the city and Orange County convenient.

Highways: Freeways like I-5, SR-22, and SR-55 connect Santa Ana to surrounding cities, making commuting by car relatively straightforward—though rush hour traffic can be heavy.
Public Transportation: Public transit is handled by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), which operates an extensive and affordable bus system throughout the city and nearby areas.
Rail Lines: For regional travel, the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center serves both Amtrak and Metrolink lines, providing direct rail connections to Los Angeles, San Diego, and other Southern California destinations.
Air Travel: Air travelers benefit from John Wayne Airport (SNA), just a few miles away, which offers domestic flights and some international routes in a low-hassle setting.

Santa Ana is also becoming more bike- and pedestrian-friendly, especially downtown, where new lanes and walking paths are making it easier to get around on foot or two wheels.

5. Familiarize Yourself with the Culture and Community Vibe

Santa Ana is a culturally vibrant city with a strong sense of community and deep local pride. With a predominantly Latino population, the city celebrates its heritage through festivals, art, and food. Events like Fiestas Patrias in September and Noche de Altares in November bring residents together, showcasing traditions and creating a strong neighborhood bond.

The Artists Village in Downtown Santa Ana is a creative hub, home to galleries, studios, and live performances. The Downtown Santa Ana ArtWalk is a popular monthly event that highlights local talent and brings the community out in full force.

Santa Ana’s food scene also reflects its cultural richness, offering everything from authentic street tacos to modern Latin-inspired eateries. Many local restaurants are family-owned and serve as community gathering spots.

Are You Moving to Santa Ana?

Looking to rent in vibrant Santa Ana? Experience comfort, convenience, and responsive service when you rent an apartment or home from Genuine Property Management. We are a leading Santa Ana property manager. Explore our Santa Ana vacancies in top neighborhoods and discover the difference of a professionally managed living experience. Contact us today if you have any questions.

Sources:

Livingcost. Cost of Living in Santa Ana, CA.

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Shannon, Myriam, and Alan at Genuine Property Management has always been responding to my inquiries quickly and assisting with any of the maintenance issues since we moved in. Kevin, our main handyman is excellent on communicating and getting things done as quickly as possible which I very much appreciate.

Working with Genuine Property management was a very positive experience. The process was fast and easy with great communication. I highly recommend them to anyone. Carol was such great help and very professional.

Response from the owner:Thank you Bree for the kind words. Carol is a gem. Your Genuine Team!

Response from the owner:Thank you Coby for the kind words!
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I’ve been renting with GPM for the past few years now and I am happy to say that everyone I’ve worked with has been great, especially Bette, Alan and Tori. They are always very responsive to questions and have always tackled my maintenance requests extremely fast. The last place I rented from was trying to raise my rent illegally and now it’s great working with people who know what they’re doing. If you can rent from GPM, you won’t be sorry!

A car hit our triplex on Saturday night. I talked to Genuine's maintenance manager at 1:30AM on Sunday. Their maintenance manager was at the triplex...

They were so informative and helpful!

Update - I've been a tenant with Genuine Property Managment for nearly 5 years. They are extremely timely and proactive when any issues arise, very...

Property management company was very professional and quick to respond. The only thing I did not like was having to fill out a very detailed application before we could even view the property. We were also required to fill out a pet application with a non refundable fee- again, all before even being able to view the property. The application fees were refundable if we didn’t end up moving forward which I appreciated. Overall, it was a smooth process and Carol was very responsive. I understand wanting serious, acceptable applicants but there should be a simpler “pre-application” to view instead of an entire application process. Maybe this is normal but I have never seen this before.

Genuine property management , unbelievable company , very professional people to do business with , specially carol estrada , I'm very recommend everybody...

Best company to do business with , very professional people and very transparent , specially Carol Estrada , she’s very professional and very knowledgeable , I’m very impressed the way she handles business , 100 % recommend , Carol Estrada has the best reputation

I'm so grateful for the swift responses, clear communication and consistent support from the team at Genuine Property Management, especially Bette! They...

Have lived in Costa Mesa for 4 years now. My experience in finding a home and going through the preliminary processes has been nothing but amazing with...

Genuine property management made my move in so easy. They were helpful right in the beginning to get every detail so I could rent one of their beautiful homes. carol and shannon literally worked so hard and we so kind and easy to work with. Thank u carol and shannon.

carol and shannon LITERALLY worked so hard getting us qualified. this management company was so kind and easy to work with.. so grateful these are our...

Just had my first experience with Genuine Property Management and couldn't be more pleased. From the very beginning, Bette Lloyd was incredible at ensuring...

Myriam in maintenance is fantastic. The team who attends the repairs calls are always courteous, knowledgeable and respectful of property.

Upon sending a request to submit an application, so we can view a property, the process was very efficient. Carol and Shannon were super helpful in answering all the questions we had. Genuine property management have been nothing but friendly, welcoming and informative. Thank you!

Upon sending a request to submit an application, so we can view a property, the process was very efficient. Carol and Shannon were super helpful in...

I spoke to Alan he offered great service, fast response and very professional. Genuine has great services.

Amazing service! Quick response! Always available! Thank you Alan for all your help 🔥

I would say this is by far the best property management company I have had to deal with Hendi was our first contact really nice man, very easy to work with...

Carol has been very helpful and reliable in our current search for a rental. Easy to work with and highly recommend!

Tge people at Genuine property management are all around pleasant and easy to deal with.

Carol has been very helpful and reliable in our current search for a rental. Easy to work with and highly recommend!

The service is top-notch! They’re super responsive and always go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy. Always respond quickly and follow up on everything, making sure everything’s taken care of. You can always count on them for any help you need.

Myriam in the maintenance department is great! Super responsive, friendly and helpful!

Genuine Property Management has been excellent to work with. They’re responsive, organized, and consistently professional. Any issues are handled quickly, and communication is always clear. It’s been a smooth, stress-free experience, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy and dependable property management team.

The management is always very responsive and willing to help! I recently had a maintenance issue, and the issue was resolved within 48 hours. The team consistently checked in with me to ensure the maintenance was scheduled, being handled, and then completed. I felt like they had my back the entire time. Wonderful experience!

Alan Hernandez ‼ Thank you !!! Mr Alan , was quick to respond to our maintenance needs! ( garage door) Great Job!!! we are so grateful!

Carol, Shannon, and rest of the team at Genuine Property Management is awesome! Also, their Property maintenance system and the companies and the people they have to inspect and repair is also awesome too! Everyone is responsive and caring which really matters! Highly recommend!

I’m a new tenant with Genuine Property Management and I was incredibly satisfied with their service. They were very good at keeping in contact and responding regularly throughout the whole application process. They answered any questions I had quickly and were very helpful. It was also nice to be able to do the whole process remotely!

Genuind Property es una compañía que da confianza y ofrece sus servicios a cualquier persona sin importar su estatus además de tener siempre a disposición mantenimiento y servicios incluido de emergencia 24 /7como es un buen plomero y Gracias a Miryam por estar disponible y darme un buen soporte cuando lo necesite.

GPM offered amazing service when I was frantically trying to find an apartment. They accommodated all of my needs and were always available for inquiries....

As a real estate agent, my priority is always my clients, ensuring they have the best experience whether buying, selling, or renting. Securing a rental on short notice can often feel like pulling teeth with many management companies, but my experience with Genuine Property Management was a refreshing change.

From the start, Carol and Shannon were amazing to work with. I initially needed to understand their process, and as an agent, I always remind myself that things may not always align with how I’d prefer them to work for my clients. However, after taking the time to review their procedures, standards, and regulations, I gained a deeper appreciation for how they operate as a management company.

Carol and Shannon not only worked seamlessly as a team but also took the time to understand my perspective as a realtor. Their professionalism, transparency, and willingness to collaborate made the entire process smoother. In the end, my clients successfully secured the rental on Moody Street in Fullerton, and they were more than satisfied.

Now that I fully understand Genuine Property Management’s credit application process, application standards, and overall procedures, I look forward to working with them again. Their efficiency and professionalism make them a standout in the property management industry. Five stars all the way!

As a real estate agent, my priority is always my clients, ensuring they have the best experience whether buying, selling, or renting. Securing a rental on...

Very hands on management company which we truly appreciated. Good communication from when our application was accepted with quick response text messages and...

We have been in business over 43 years servicing major household appliances and taking care of many property owners and property management companies' appliance needs. As of late, we have been fortunate to be a preferred vendor for Genuine Property Management team. A great partnership is essential when it comes to effectively and efficiently taking care of the needs of owners/tenants. Genuine has a great team, including Javier, Hendy, Myriam, Joey, that we work directly with in seeking solutions to any appliance related issues. We look forward to many years ahead in working with them, and rest assured, if you are a property owner seeking management help, they are for you. Thanks to a great partnership and sharing our sentiment when it comes to taking care of everyone. - Harry

Overall, I highly recommend Alan for anyone looking for a trustworthy, reliable, and proactive property management team. Alan goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly and was very helpful . He is incredibly reliable and efficient!

Alan was right on time and very kind. He walked me through the process and took the time to explain everything clearly. I really appreciated his attention to detail and the great customer service. Thanks Alan!

Alan is amazing and very quick to respond and resolved all my issues. Great communication!

Recent issue was resolved promptly and efficiently by Oscar from Arrow plumbing and drain cleaning sent by Joey from Genuine property management company

Genuine Property Management has found our new home and our family is truly grateful to them. Very responsive from inquiry to final processing of our lease. They have been so patient and understanding despite my back and forth emails. I never felt ignored but assisted all throughout the process. I was not knowledgable about the lease application process but they made it all easy for me. Thank you, indeed, GPM. ☺️

Marcel and the team at Genuine Property Management are professional and efficient. Whether managing the property or handling maintenance, they are responsive and reliable. I highly recommend Genuine Property Management for their expertise and commitment to excellent service!

Response from the owner:Thank you Janet and the pleasure is all ours!

Working with Marcel and Genuine Property Management was a fantastic experience. They handled everything with professionalism, efficiency, and care. I highly...

Quick response time always! Easy to communicate with! When service was requested, they saw it got fixed right away. we feel lucky to have such a supportive...

Alan was on time and very nice. He did a great job and cleaned up after himself. Explained everything he was doing and showed me at the end that it was completed. Myriam was great with checking in to make sure that the jobs were completed. Great team, great service.

So I had a problem on the rental I'm currently renting. Not only did he respond quick he went above and beyond with what needed attention. Your attention to detail on this project was impressive. Thank you Alan H for your help. He's the person to call if you need anything done.

Great service. I receive responses quickly, and there is always transparent communication. Hendy has been the representative that I've worked with recently,...

Carol was very helpful in aiding our search for our next home. She was always available to answer any questions via email, text, and phone call.
Would highly recommend.

Carol was very helpful in aiding our search for our next home. She was always available to answer any questions via email, text, and phone call.
Would...

Genuine Property Management were amazing, especially Joey 🙂

Genuine property has been great, Any issues that we have brought up to Alan has been quickly responded and solved.

Genuine property’s and Alan are quick to answer, friendly, and trustworthy. I always feel like we are in good hands, they are top notch.”

Genuine property's and Alan are quick to answer, friendly, and trustworthy. I always feel like we are in good hands, they are top-notch and efficient! Would...

Me gusto el trato del personal que me atendió muy profesionales

Excelente trato y muy buen servicio. Sin duda, los mejores en su rubro.

First time renting my own place and I have to say that Genuine Property Management set the standard pretty high.
I requested service in my unit for a...

When I have a question or need help with something about our apartment, Alan is very quick with responding. He always gets back to me on what needs to be...

Recientemente llamé esta oficina para preguntar sobre el alquiler, ¡y no puedo decir suficientes cosas buenas sobre Miriam! Desde el momento en que llamé, fue amable, profesional e increíblemente conocedora. Tenía muchas preguntas sobre la propiedad, los términos del contrato de arrendamiento y las comodidades, y ella las respondió todas pacientemente sin hacerme sentir apresurado.

Lo que más destacó fue la disposición de Miriam para ir más allá y asegurarse de que encontrara el apartamento perfecto para mis necesidades. Incluso hizo un seguimiento conmigo después para asegurarse de que tenía toda la información que necesitaba. Es raro encontrar a alguien tan comprometido con brindar un excelente servicio al cliente.

Cuando llegó el momento de terminar mi contrato de arrendamiento y mudarme, Miriam fue tan útil y solidaria como lo fue cuando me mudé. Respondió todas mis preguntas sobre el proceso de mudanza y explicó todo claramente. Miriam hizo todo lo posible para asegurarse de que la transición fuera lo más fluida y libre de estrés posible. Su profesionalismo y amabilidad hicieron que un proceso potencialmente estresante fuera mucho más fácil.

Gracias a Miriam, mi experiencia alquilando a través de esta oficina, desde el principio hasta el final, fue excepcional. Si estás considerando mudarte aquí, ¡pide hablar con Miriam, es fantástica!

Great Maintenance Team. Their response time, specially on the weekends,is great! Alan H. called right after I submitted the request and was able to find a vendor to help. Great experience!

Great Maintenance Team , their response time specially on the weekends is great, Alan H. called right after I submitted the request and was able to find a...

I have been renting with Genuine for over 5 years now and I have always had a positive and pleasant experience with the maintenance team. They are always quick to respond and good about getting a repair vendor out to my home within a few days.

Most recently I had an emergency repair request on NYE and the maintenance director, Javier, reached out to me immediately and let me know that he was reaching out to vendors to come fix the problem. With it being a holiday, most vendors were not open or available but he managed to find someone. The vendor ended up coming within a couple of hours! Thank you Javier for your prompt response and sense of urgency in getting my repair fixed! It really shows that you care about your tenants and making sure they are comfortable.

I have been renting with Genuine for over 5 years now and I have always had a positive and pleasant experience with the maintenance team. They are always...

Myriam was very responsive with all my maintenance follow ups. GENUINE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TRULY PROVIDES EXCELLENT SERVICE.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Joey from Genuine PM for over 6 years, and I can confidently say that maintenance coordinators like him are a rare find. His exceptional communication skills and meticulous attention to detail set him apart in his field. Joey's unwavering passion for his role within the company is evident in everything he does, making our collaboration truly enjoyable.

Our partnership with Genuine PM and Joey is one we deeply value. Joey’s commitment to his role and his tenants is unparalleled, and we hope his internal team recognizes his dedication. Working with clients like Joey makes my job not only easier but also more fulfilling, thanks to his honest and open line of communication.

Joey from Genuine PM is exceptional at his job. His communication skills are top-notch, and he pays great attention to detail in all aspects of his work....

It's always been good to do business with Genuine. They have very friendly and accommodating staff most especially Carol Estrada, who helped and guided us all throughout the process. She has been very responsive to all our questions. Thank you Genuine!

When we have a question or need help with something about our apartment, Alan is very quick with responding. He always gets back to us on what needs to be done or what he can do to help, and always follows up to make sure everything went smoothly!!

It's always been good to do business with Genuine. They have very friendly and accommodating staff most especially Carol Estrada, who helped and guided us...

When we have a question or need help with something about our apartment, Alan is very quick with responding. He always gets back to us on what needs to be...

Being a renter there is always that concern how the property management will treat their tenants. Since Genuine Property Management took over I cannot...

Communication and quickness has been awesome with Hendy and Alan. At any hour of the day I can reach out and get an answer.

I had a hard time getting a hold of my property manager, but was able to get my question answered through the gal that answers phone Tory. She was...

I was in search of an apartment Due to the fact of my previous living arrangement the building was being sold. I came across a property in long Beach on...

Great place to work for , Marcel recognizes hardworking vendors and is great when it comes to communication

I recently started using Genuine Property Management to lease out my condo, and the service and help they have provided to me have been wonderful. The...

Thank you Alan and Betty for showing us the apartment in Bush. All my question were answered I greatly appreciate it.

Genuine finishes properties in a timely manner the people that work in genuine are always so kind to customers

I work directly with Joey Besana with Genuine Property Mgmt, he has always been so helpful answering my questions for any concerns.

We recently transitioned to Genuine from another Property Management company in the area. I was worried the transition was going to be troublesome or...

Joey Besana at Genuine property management is the best to work with as a plumbing vendor. Hes quick to respond to tenants request and just as quick to get...

Genuine has been doing such a great job on Cedar St , Santa Ana. I truly appreciated Alan as he took the time to answer all my questions and concerns. Very...

Please give Tori B a raise. She is great, friendly, and prompt at answering calls and communicating with the property management on your behalf....

I became a new tenant in a property managed by GPM.

The leasing process was challenged because I am leasing a house with 3 roommates. However, they...

These people are GREAT. My sister and I had been looking for a place to live for quite awhile and then we came across one of the genuine property mgmt...

I highly recommend Genuine Property management. So far, I have worked with wonderful people. Carol did a great job promptly answering my questions and...

Genuine Property Management has the best and most professional service ever!!! They know their business and help you on everything. Thank you for an amazing...

Evan was prompt and resolved my request quickly. This company has been very responsive to my needs as a renter for the past 5 months of a lovely property.

Genuine Property Management is a fantastic company! Marcel and Bette are amazing--they take care of everything for my client that has 140 properties, all of...

We've been renting through Genuine PM for over a year now.
They've been very helpful, most especially, Joey in the maintenance team.
He's been super...

I called in after finding a few listings I liked online and Betty took the time to explain everything to me. I really appreciate when people listen and...

The TL;DR: THEY HELPED ME EVEN WHEN THEY GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT.

I called Genuine Property Management because I had been burned repeatedly by other firms....

I moved into a home managed by GPM a few months ago. I have been very impressed with everyone that I have had the pleasure of working with. There was an...

You guys are great and very professional thank you for taking the time to explain things to me and not make me feel stupid in the process Thank You

Started using Genuine Property Management in 2019 to manage our rental property in San Clemente and have since added two additional investment properties...

Renting out your "home" not just a house is a difficult thing especially when you are going out of state. You are giving a company control to over see your...

Excellent service By Joey Besana & Genuine Management Team. Outstanding customer service.
great relationship, staff is on point with customer care, Highly...

Bette was very professional and provided very prompt response and fixed an accounting issue with few minutes. I really appreciate her service.

We had been looking for a property to rent for 3 months, applied to about 20 or so. We kept getting beat out by others or pushed down the line.. was...

Best management ever, we been living here the past 4 months and we have the best experiences the ereas are so nice luxury grate open spaces. They make a...

Joey always ensures that all of the tenants are properly taken care of as well as the whole building's maintenance

Marcel is incredible to work with! He's extremely responsive, dedicated to his customers, and a great person to collaborate with. We look forward to...

Joey is a great property manager! He responds efficiently and effectively to any concerns we have.

My roommates and I rent thru GPM and our property manager, Bette, has been so easy to work with! She is quick to respond to all our questions and has been...

For the past several years Pro West Mechanical has been processing HVAC service call work orders for Genuine Property Management. It is a pleasure to work...

My husband and I moved into our new home recently, and Genuine Property Management made the whole moving process amazing (and a lot less stressful)! From...

Joey has been great to work with. Always gets back to me asap via phone or email. As a vendor contractor I can attest he puts the buildings condition and...

I would love to be part of this family, thank you for sharing your work or better yet, in showing us an example of how a 2nd family's home should look like...

I am a tenant for a property that Genuine PM helps manage. They are by far the best property management company that I've worked with. Being in a client...

We've been renting a house through GPM for a year now. Anytime we have any maintenance requests Joey is always super quick to respond. He's very helpful and...

As a tenant at one of the properties they manage, we have no complaints! These guys are on it. Whether it's a leaky faucet or a broken water heater, you can...

Genuine has reached out to me to profusely apologize for the issues I've been having with their maintenance teams lack of communication. They were...

Catherine was so helpful in finding our new home!!! She was patient and courteous and determined to find us what we needed. She listened and was...

First time renting through GPM, what a pleasure. Maintenance has been polite and prompt. I've been working with Joey on a few minor maintenance concerns...

Been in my place for a few months now and having rental properties back home I never get the same experience I give to my renters. GPM has been nothing...

As a tenant, I've experienced different management companies and I can't say enough about this team. I appreciate the respect they've given to me and my...

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Genuine Property Management! Their staff is very friendly and helpful. It's always a pleasure speaking with...

Genuine has always been prompt, professional and a pleasure to rent from! Highly recommend! So far they have responded to all requests fast and efficiently

I put in a maintenance request and they were super quick to address and resolve my plumbing issues!

Wonderful company. I've been working with Joey Besana for about a year now and I couldn't be happier. They are proficient, professional and most...

Marcel goes above and beyond what your typical management company offers, I think primarily it's just because he's good people, but his attention to service...

Joey was great, as always! Nice to have water heater replaced in record time, no one likes cold showers! Vendor was professional, respectful of unit, and...

Just moved into a property managed By Genuine Property Mgmt. and everything has been very smooth. Megan Hedges has been terrific. Super responsive and...

Being a vendor I see many properties managed by Genuine Property Management. I find their properties to always be in great condition and well-maintained....

Great property Management company who care about their tenants well being.

I've dealt with a number of property management companies as a tenant over my lifetime and I must say GPM has been one of the easier ones to deal with. From...

Great company to work with. Always on time and very helpful. I would definitely recommend them to all my friends and family.

We have worked with Genuine Property Management for a little over a year now! Joey is so on top of things, and very responsive to the tenants needs. I...

I messaged Genuine Property Management to get help renting my home in Lakewood, CA. Marcel was great at answering right away. He unfortunately couldn't help...

We have been renting our home from Genuine going on our 3rd year now and have been very pleased with them. My husband is a manager in property management...

I use Genuine for a property in OC and I LOVE them! They went above and beyond to find me with Sergio tenants, do a great job maintaining the property, and...

Very pleased with this company! We've been with them for over 2 years now and Marcel is so friendly and efficient and gets things done in the best way...

Professional, courteous and knowledgeable! All my dealings with this company have been a great. The owner seems to really care about his clients, which is...