I lived in Otay Ranch for many years and would recommend it. Your feelings about the landfill is understood, we lived a couple of miles from there and it was not a problem. I doubt any of Otay Ranch is built ON a landfill. Before living there, I routinely rode mountain bikes when the area was bare land and there were many cattle that roamed the hills. We have historical photos of bean fields in the area, didn’t see landfills in the pics. I think the operating landfill is all you’d need to stay clear of. I have colleges who enjoy Santee which is near the Sycamore landfill. I have friends who live(d) near the closed Chollas landfill without any issues.

Otay Ranch and neighboring communities have great value for the newer homes and amenities. The hiking trails are well manicured with nice landscape. Schools are great as well. Accountability reports would be the tell all for details you’d be looking for.

Also, Otay Ranch does extend east past the shopping mall which is a few miles from the landfill… My experienced two cents…