Located in Orange County, Irvine has grown into a popular residential area with great options for schools, jobs and housing. A short 10 miles from the beach, Irvine apartments for rent are a great place to live if you're looking for fun in the sun. The city is home to The Lime Truck, which serves gourmet California food and has helped to launch a local food truck scene. These trucks are popular throughout the business district in Irvine, as well as among college students in the area.

In 2012, Irvine was ranked sixth on CNN Money's list of America's best small cities. Irvine apartments for rent are close to all the sunshine activities Southern California is known for with 44 miles of bike trails and 20,000 acres of parks. Made up of 40 "villages," new residential development is constantly being built to create affordable options for Irvine's growing population.

Within most villages, you will find a neighborhood park that is within walking distance from Irvine apartments. These parks provide open space, recreational amenities and community centers with a range of programs, such as several summer camps for children. At the Irvine Spectrum Center you will find the area's most diverse shopping experience. With more than 130 specialty stores, the center also provides dining and entertainment venues for guests.

Although the cost of living in Irvine is 45.8 percent greater than the average of California, the median family income for renters is more than $15,000 greater than the California average. The high rate of living is mainly due to housing costs, but health care and grocery costs are lower than the state averages. The median rent asked for apartments in Irvine is 48.4 percent higher than the California average. Most importantly, the crime index in Irvine is 59 percent lower than the state's average.

When it comes to affordable housing options in Irving, residents are provided with many different options to consider. If you are seeking out Irvine apartments for rent, the city's many apartment communities can provide you with affordable housing opportunities - all available by phone, online or in person at their information center.

There is a large presence from the technology industry in the Irvine area. Residents will find Fortune 500 companies such as Spectrum Group International, Allergan and Broadcom are all headquartered in Irvine. Some of the top employers of the city include the University of California, Irvine, Irvine Company and Verizon Wireless Corporate.

For local residents interested in furthering their education, Alliant International University, Alliant Irvine, is located in the outskirts of the city. For students who are looking for a place to live near the university, they can expect to find off-campus one bedroom Irvine apartments that range from $1,000 to $1,500 per month. The university is easily accessible from other parts of town because of its close proximity to both interstates 710 and 10.