I think spending 500-600k for a townhome in CV (while is market price) is a lot and I personally think in the long run you would lose money…And I hardly consider that long term plans for raising a family..You’ll probably want a bigger place when you actually have kid(s).But that’s my opinion.

I would not expect for prices of this new construction to come down soon…A couple of reasons because despite what I think is an overly inflated price in this particular area (Carmel Country Highland), it’s still in pretty good demand.
Also, Pardee controls this area very very well in trickling the releases…
Highland Village will be nice, and supposedly some higher end stores are going in that area too…..

However, if you have kids or planning to have kids, and you were thinking this would give you access to Sage Canyon or East Ocean Air Elementary, both schools are at full capacity right now, and there’s a wait list…So you might end up taking your kid to go to another elementary school in the same district that isn’t full.. (A lot of parents who bought into this area (Saratoga/Derby Hills/Carriage Run/Bridle Ridge) are going to be PO’ed if they are one of the unlucky ones aren’t going to be able to send their kids to Sage or East Ocean Air…lol)

I spend part of my time in Rancho Bernardo, and the commute from CV to RB in the morning takes about 20 mins on 56E/15n since you’re going against traffic. In the evening, it’s about the same.

You’re commute to Carlesbad is going to be better than from 15n.

My recommendation: rent in CV first, and wait it out. There’s plenty of townhome-like rentals in Torrey Hills and in Del Mar Heights.