Where is the best place to live near Irvine, CA?

I have been offered a job in Irvine, California and will be moving there soon. As a 30 something single female, what are the best and safest places to live within a 25 minute commute to work, where I can still enjoy a great nightlife? I would absolutely love to be near the beach (possibly Laguna Beach), but are those areas safe? Since I am moving from NYC, sticker shock will not be an issue. I will be renting, not buying, and have seen some really amazing apartment complexes in my online search, but just don't know enough about the areas.