Is Irvine affordable comparing to San diego?Rent rates?Job opportunuties in teaching for ESL or substitution?

Me and my boy friend are planning to move to Irvine .He is going to be enrolled to UC.And I am a teacher istant for ESL(English as a second language)I worked in Lousiana between 2002 and 2004 and I was a substitute teacher for various schools.What is my chance in Irvine?How about rent rates?Can we rent a house like $600 or $700 ? for a bedroom apartment?How about utilities ?and is public transportation avaliable or do we need to buy a car as soon as we arrive?if not How about the prices on second hand cars? and insurance rates?Is it close to the beaches?Is it a secure place to live in ?Crime rates? questions ,questions...)))Thanks in advance everybody...