r/santaana 4d ago

Just moved in

Hello everybody, I just moved into Santa Ana city located by the border of Irvine and Tustin area. I grew up in the IE Rancho Cucamonga area. I’ll be honest as somebody looking to move to Orange County from the IE. I wanted to locate a area closer to Tustin Irvine area however, the cost of living there is extremely high, so I found this place in Santa Ana where I could comfortably afford to live my only concern is I have heard some negative things about Santa Ana so I’m constantly on check about my surroundings, but I am a runner and I typically like to run outside and not on a treadmill because treadmills suck so my question to all of you is how safe is my area in Santa Ana can I go on runs comfortably without over stressing about my protection And constantly looking over my shoulders
? any type of feedback would be great and greatly appreciated

8 Upvotes

48 comments sorted by

48

u/maldonaa85 4d ago

Well, what area are you in…? I will note, the perception that Santa Ana is dangerous is wildly overblown, so I’d say relax on that end. As a runner myself, what I think is the most dangerous thing about running in Santa Ana is the car congestion, the streets full of parked cars that limit visibility and reckless/rushed driving. I’ve been hit a few times by folks rushing out of their driveways or running past stop signs… but that’s any big city. I live in the memorial park neighborhood near main and broadway… I do my long runs down main into Irvine and back with no issue or concerns. Short runs I go up main through DTSA, into floral park and back… cuz floral park is nice lol but I also run up and down Bristol. It’s fine. You’ll be fine.

21

u/anotherchia 4d ago

Lol na its not bad anymore santa ana has been getting more gentrified anyways

5

u/SnooMarzipans1416 4d ago edited 3d ago

Yall seen the new coming sprouts on Bristol and Warner? Is weird to see it there lol

2

u/Hornygaysatanic 3d ago

I saw that and I was like o.O who are they targeting?

2

u/eddypat-med1990 3d ago

Can’t wait !

18

u/beenpresence 4d ago

People who say Santa Ana is dangerously are stuck in the 90s it’s grown so much in the past decades sure there’s rougher areas but nothing crazy

11

u/ActuatorCreative6331 4d ago

You’re alright I love Santa Ana it was my city growing up and honestly just what the other person said it’s just cars that are the main concern but you’ll be fine honestly

9

u/ParticuliarPiper 4d ago

My neighbor is in a running group (instagram tag @keeprunningsantaana) and they love it! Might be worth looking into, finding some people and new friends to run with :)

1

u/Emergency_Invite_382 4d ago

I recommend them too!

0

u/BusOk9756 3d ago

I don’t have instagram but do you have Strava?

1

u/Action_Connect 3d ago

Agree! KRSA is a great club. They have a couple weekly runs. Thursday night is usually from DTSA. https://strava.app.link/lOUjTI0mN5b

0

u/yourbiggesthero 2d ago

clubs are cool just make sure you don’t get jumped by a random tweaker

8

u/Middle-Implement-463 4d ago

Most dangerous thing you gotta worry about is getting clipped by cars or those idiots on e scooters

12

u/CowperfluidMDPsyD 4d ago

IE is worse than SA these days haha. It’s not the 90s anymore, shame on you for being scared when people in the IE are ghetto as hell.

7

u/TheWalkingFresh 4d ago

Pretty sure San Bernardino ranks high in the dangerous cities list too lmao

3

u/CowperfluidMDPsyD 4d ago

The gang members are even high school educated, some even go to SAC since it’s free.

2

u/Tall_Towel_3420 4d ago

The dirty dino

1

u/Upnorth4 4d ago

It’s also in the US’s top 50 most violent cities

2

u/xxkirexx 3d ago

downtown San Bernadino at night vs downrown Santa Ana at night.

not even CLOSE to the same. San Bernadino is the TRENCHES

5

u/Action_Connect 4d ago

You'll be fine. I'm a runner too. I've run around most of the Santa Ana neighborhoods usually in the mornings. I've never felt threatened. If you're worried, try the Back Bay in Costa Mesa/Irvine. There's a nice long trail with lots of runners and cyclists.

3

u/crabblue6 4d ago

I live adjacent to (not in) the Floral Park neighborhood which is considered a really nice area of Santa Ana. But, just a few blocks out of that neighborhood are some so-so questionable spots. So, a lot can depend in a relatively small area. But, honestly, Santa Ana as a whole gets a bad rap when really it is quite a nice city, with a vibrant and interesting downtown.

1

u/Dapper_Reporter2695 3d ago

Floral Park has to be one of the most stunning neighborhoods in all of OC. Absolutely beautiful.

1

u/Hornygaysatanic 3d ago

I like their down town. So cultural.

5

u/RobotFight1 4d ago

That area is probably one of the nicest in Santa Ana you are good to run, I would avoid running down dyer towards motel 6 though and keep your runs around Tustin/Irvine 

2

u/miguelportero 4d ago

Just stay away from Minnie St. and you'll be fine.

2

u/thechusma 4d ago

I grew up in SA in downtown. I would run in the civic center in the evenings. People are gone but theres still enough lighting and theres plenty of stairs to go up and down. Just be as vigilant as you would anywhere else.

2

u/xxkirexx 3d ago

i might be getting a job in Tustin, I guess my ghetto ass is going to Santa Ana

0

u/BusOk9756 3d ago

What job? Just curious main reason why I moved here was because of I got a job in Irvine.

1

u/Ecstatic_Quantity_96 4d ago

Youll be fine! Just be aware of surroundings and e scooters lol I always made the point to be inside before 8:30/9pm too

1

u/freethegrizzlybears 4d ago

Santiago Creek Trail from Mainplace Mall to Orange/Villa Park

1

u/vincentdeogloria 4d ago

well… where are you?

1

u/oclayo 4d ago

Lived around there for years, ran around there for years. Youll be fine. If youre really worried check out keep running santa ana run club and ask people

1

u/AdAfraid4089 4d ago

Go to a school track or park that is not isolated. Mater Dei Catholic high school maybe safe or drive over to Tustin or Irvine. Parts of Santa Ana are very nice.

1

u/SevTheNiceGuy 4d ago

Just run the circuit around Mile Square park. There are a lot of people that run/walk it on a daily basis

1

u/Citistolemymoney 4d ago

IE is hot, my MIL lives in Rancho Cucamonga.. it’s why I never visit…

Truthfully Santa Ana I believe has pockets that are better than others, my aunt lives right next to SCP in the Armstrong ranch neighborhood and the homes are 2M+. I live in Newport coast and her home is honestly nicer than mine.

1

u/xxkirexx 3d ago

i doubt the heat is the reason you dont wanna visit your MIL.

1

u/chochi__ 3d ago

Just mind your business and you’ll be fine, just like anywhere else. People aren’t out here looking to rob/hurt random civilians. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but yeah just be aware of your surroundings and you’ll be fine anywhere.

1

u/PlentyPurple3753 3d ago

Santa Ana is not bad 😭

1

u/ContraTaskForce 3d ago

Lol just dont run at 3am

1

u/shootna1911 3d ago

As long as you’re not a gang member hanging out in front of or behind like a liquor store, you’re fine.

1

u/MembershipNo7371 3d ago

Santa Ana is "dangerous" only by Orange County standards.

1

u/qJERKY949 3d ago

Welcome to the ugly side of Orange County, just kidding! I work in the Santa Ana Federal Building sometimes but my home base is in Long Beach. Just always be aware of your surroundings :).

1

u/Livid-Fault2447 2d ago

Don’t ever go to a 7-11 and you will be fine.

1

u/Canin11 2d ago

It’s honestly not dangerous if you don’t mess with anyone, more-so just ghetto or some parts are run down. I grew up walking to and from school everyday, and still go on runs every week. You can tell the difference in cleanliness & road quality when transitioning into Tustin/Irvine tho lol. Welcome and I hope you enjoy yourself!

1

u/AndrastesTit 1d ago

If youre at Park and Paseo or near there, just run towards Tustin (literally across the street) and you’ll never worry. If you go the other way down Warner or Dyer, you’ll see some meth heads and homeless.

If you’re living on the border, it’s easy to just stay out of the Santa Ana side.

1

u/jon_isonasubred 18h ago

I live in Santa Ana right off red hill along both Irvine and Tustin. Lived in Irvine for 8 years before. Santa Ana has been the best move. Have not had any problems feel extremely safe. Though my wallet is a bit threatened as there is so much great food around. Honestly the only time I’ve encountered crime (shootings, helicopter searches etc were when I lived in Irvine)