[quote=bearishgurl]I read somewhere (but wouldn’t be able to find it now) where you posted that your former commute from RB to LJ area was really frustrating for you both. PQ is just across the fwy from RB. Have you factored in an extra $100+ a month for A/C for part of the year?[/quote]
Oh, I am certain my utilities will be less than what I pay now. I rent in UTC and boy, this house is SO drafty and loses heat in winter like crazy. We don’t have AC, but we pay an arm and leg in heating costs. And somehow still overheats in summer (we don’t have A/C and wish we had one).
I owned a townhouse in North Rancho Bernardo right near Lake Hodges off Pom erado Rd. – in terms of commute, exact location in RB matters. PQ is really just a little above half-way of my original commute from old place. Even CMR is ok for me – but that’s about the limit.
[quote=bearishgurl]scarlett, from this thread, you sound like what you REALLY want is UC and these other areas are just lesser alternatives. IMHO, if UC is what you REALLY want, then you should GET IT. While the interest rates are this low, why “settle” when it comes to location? I believe UC is within reach for you (with a few temporary sacrifices).
If I were you, I would focus on what I REALLY wanted, location wise, and worry about putting a walk-in closet in the MBR later, for example. Once you buy, I don’t believe you will be able to easily sell in the next few years and come out “cash-positive,” (unless possibly you have rehabbed a below-market fixer situated in a very good area).
You can never fix inconvenient locations but you can fix everything else, given an adequate-sized lot.
Why don’t you just do a drive-by on Ramsay and report your property and immediate-area impressions back here, keeping in mind its “prized” school attendance area?? Don’t automatically assume it will sell for near its listed price unless it has been heloced.[/quote]
I am not so sure it’s UC I want – but I must admit though I am not familiar with it, even though it’s very close to where I live – mainly because I thought it’s out of our range. Yes, commute-wise is ideal, good neighbors, shopping, good schools.
I am pretty familiar with PQ though, viewing a lot of properties there and I liked the area quite a bit. I went to see a few properties a while back in Scripps Ranch and in Mira Mesa so I have a little knowledge/feel for those areas, but not for UC, strangely enough. I guess it’s just a little more inventory in PQ, SR, MM with equally good schools and good neighborhoods, therefore great locations, with less fixing and only a little longer commute. I don’t think they would be ‘lesser’ alternatives by any stretch. I am a little more like sdr, in that I like some time sans kids in the car to think about the day and listen to music and such – but within reason – so I don’t mind it that much.
I’ll try to drive by that Ramsay property sometime this month after I am done with all my tasks for December… I think that property looks quite nice, reasonably updated and being a single story (I am used to looking at only 2-story house) that square footage might just be enough with a decent floor plan – the room sizes seem ok. And it has a good-sized yard. What it may not have is storage, and the 2nd car garage (where you can have more storage :)). Those are not major drawbacks from my perspective and I could live with those. Location is great.
