I told my sister and her husband that buying a canyon view small home in Clairemont with some character would be better than buying a faceless home in 4S Ranch. A bigger lot would allow some quality outdoor time (especially with the gorgeous weather that San Diego has). And you could do a remodel with some of your own architectural ideas.

Unfortunately, (in a typical Asian fashion), my brother in law wanted to buy a “new house” to impress his side of the family.

To each his own.

But I think my analysis would parallel yours quite a bit.

I told my sister and her husband that buying a canyon view small home in Clairemont with some character would be better than buying a faceless home in 4S Ranch. A bigger lot would allow some quality outdoor time (especially with the gorgeous weather that San Diego has). And you could do a remodel with some of your own architectural ideas.

Unfortunately, (in a typical Asian fashion), my brother in law wanted to buy a “new house” to impress his side of the family.

To each his own.

But I think my analysis would parallel yours quite a bit.

I used to live in Carmel Valley. That was before the 56 was built and the 5 commute wasn’t as nightmarish. Once the 56 came in, I was out of there. Though now that they’ve expanded the 5/805 merge, it flows a little better to CV. But the 56 does back up at rush hour. Clairemont may not be as new and glamorous, but I think you get way more for your money.

You don’t have much of a choice in CV. I was in a 2000 sf house on top of my neighbor. Back then I could hear coyotes at night. I really liked it, even though I didn’t have much of a yard. It was enough to plant a little garden, but not have to work on it every weekend or have to hire a gardener.

The 2-car garage and room for 2 cars in the driveway was enough for me. But I know the dream for some guys is more like a 1000 sf house w/a 5-car garage. (Though I actually know some guys that live in high-rises downtown w/underground parking and like it. They never get their hands dirty. Each his own)

The newer places in CV or south of 56 in Torrey Hills are bigger and the lots are still small. The large lots are McMansions w/the price tag to go along with it. I just don’t get having that big of a house, unless you are sharing it w/another family. Some of the newer communities have HOAs to contend with and I think there may still be Mello Roos there, like 4$, though I’m not sure. There was when I first bought there.

I would have to agree w/Dukehorn. For the money, you would be better off finding a place in Clairemont on a canyon and totally redoing it to make it look like a house in Carmel Valley, send the kids to private school and maybe still have some money left over. But then you would still have to drive through your neighborhood and look at other houses that are not as nice. Will that matter?

Otherwise, you will have to settle for a new place in Carmel Valley on a small lot and make friends with your very nearby neighbor. On the bright side, your neighbors will probably be decent people if they can afford living up there. If they’re realtors, though, flipping, they may be financially challenged.

I used to live in Carmel Valley. That was before the 56 was built and the 5 commute wasn’t as nightmarish. Once the 56 came in, I was out of there. Though now that they’ve expanded the 5/805 merge, it flows a little better to CV. But the 56 does back up at rush hour. Clairemont may not be as new and glamorous, but I think you get way more for your money.

You don’t have much of a choice in CV. I was in a 2000 sf house on top of my neighbor. Back then I could hear coyotes at night. I really liked it, even though I didn’t have much of a yard. It was enough to plant a little garden, but not have to work on it every weekend or have to hire a gardener.

The 2-car garage and room for 2 cars in the driveway was enough for me. But I know the dream for some guys is more like a 1000 sf house w/a 5-car garage. (Though I actually know some guys that live in high-rises downtown w/underground parking and like it. They never get their hands dirty. Each his own)

The newer places in CV or south of 56 in Torrey Hills are bigger and the lots are still small. The large lots are McMansions w/the price tag to go along with it. I just don’t get having that big of a house, unless you are sharing it w/another family. Some of the newer communities have HOAs to contend with and I think there may still be Mello Roos there, like 4$, though I’m not sure. There was when I first bought there.

I would have to agree w/Dukehorn. For the money, you would be better off finding a place in Clairemont on a canyon and totally redoing it to make it look like a house in Carmel Valley, send the kids to private school and maybe still have some money left over. But then you would still have to drive through your neighborhood and look at other houses that are not as nice. Will that matter?

Otherwise, you will have to settle for a new place in Carmel Valley on a small lot and make friends with your very nearby neighbor. On the bright side, your neighbors will probably be decent people if they can afford living up there. If they’re realtors, though, flipping, they may be financially challenged.

I used to live in Carmel Valley. That was before the 56 was built and the 5 commute wasn’t as nightmarish. Once the 56 came in, I was out of there. Though now that they’ve expanded the 5/805 merge, it flows a little better to CV. But the 56 does back up at rush hour. Clairemont may not be as new and glamorous, but I think you get way more for your money.

You don’t have much of a choice in CV. I was in a 2000 sf house on top of my neighbor. Back then I could hear coyotes at night. I really liked it, even though I didn’t have much of a yard. It was enough to plant a little garden, but not have to work on it every weekend or have to hire a gardener.

The 2-car garage and room for 2 cars in the driveway was enough for me. But I know the dream for some guys is more like a 1000 sf house w/a 5-car garage. (Though I actually know some guys that live in high-rises downtown w/underground parking and like it. They never get their hands dirty. Each his own)

The newer places in CV or south of 56 in Torrey Hills are bigger and the lots are still small. The large lots are McMansions w/the price tag to go along with it. I just don’t get having that big of a house, unless you are sharing it w/another family. Some of the newer communities have HOAs to contend with and I think there may still be Mello Roos there, like 4$, though I’m not sure. There was when I first bought there.

I would have to agree w/Dukehorn. For the money, you would be better off finding a place in Clairemont on a canyon and totally redoing it to make it look like a house in Carmel Valley, send the kids to private school and maybe still have some money left over. But then you would still have to drive through your neighborhood and look at other houses that are not as nice. Will that matter?

Otherwise, you will have to settle for a new place in Carmel Valley on a small lot and make friends with your very nearby neighbor. On the bright side, your neighbors will probably be decent people if they can afford living up there. If they’re realtors, though, flipping, they may be financially challenged.

Agree with everything that has been said and even laughed at a few of your thoughts dude. They mirror mine exactly.

Just expanding in Clairemont does sound to be an attractive option if you’re ok with the neighborhood (not that you shouldn’t be).

The square footage one deems acceptable does change as kids get older – we raised ours in the range your wife prefers but I can tell you there were times we wished we had more space. Then I think back and realize that just two generations ago our relatives raised 4 to 6 kids in 1200 sf. It must have been a zoo.

I guess the biggest thing I have learned over the years is that my taste in homes, home sizes, and neighborhoods have changed and will probably continue to change. There are only so many years into the future you can project with any sort of accuracy regarding your wants/needs.

Agree with everything that has been said and even laughed at a few of your thoughts dude. They mirror mine exactly.

Just expanding in Clairemont does sound to be an attractive option if you’re ok with the neighborhood (not that you shouldn’t be).

The square footage one deems acceptable does change as kids get older – we raised ours in the range your wife prefers but I can tell you there were times we wished we had more space. Then I think back and realize that just two generations ago our relatives raised 4 to 6 kids in 1200 sf. It must have been a zoo.

I guess the biggest thing I have learned over the years is that my taste in homes, home sizes, and neighborhoods have changed and will probably continue to change. There are only so many years into the future you can project with any sort of accuracy regarding your wants/needs.