If I were you, I would NOT commute at all. Life can be short. DO NOT DISCOUNT SIZE AND AGE! These things are NOT important in this county and have NOTHING do with value. LOCATION is the only thing that is important. Listen to the posters here and look at 30+ year-old homes in UC and 40+ year-old homes in Clairemont (92111/92117). Take Genessee or Governor Dr. to work. You can remodel little by little. Your kids don’t need gigantic rooms. There are many large lots and canyon lots in these areas. SDUSD has zone transfers and magnet programs available. Standley Middle and UC High are great schools. Other great HS’s in SD are Pt. Loma, Henry, Scripps Ranch and La Jolla. There are many noteable elem. schools.
‘Nuff said. Don’t get wrapped up in new construction hoopla. There aren’t any comps to support the inflated prices the developers are asking.[/quote]
I don’t think I will be ok with Clairemont anyway. and it’s not the age. It’s mostly a combination of public schools and prices. If I could get there a 1800-2000 sf SFR in decent shape, in a GOOD neighborhood, no matter the age, I’d consider it for 400K or less – to compensate for the school and the driving around I’ll do to a good school (I’ll try to choice in UC, but if I couldn’t get in, I’d have to afford a private one), and also for age/repairs/upgrades.
But I think I’d prefer UC much better than Clairemont. Schools, neighborhoods, commute…
I agree with you that size and age are not nearly as important as location. However, there is a size & # of bedrooms minimum (3 larger ones or 4) that I want. Different size minimum if single story (1600 sf) – but it depends a lot on the layout (usable & storage space)too. Age – it depends on the neighborhood.
Again, the same problem as in other places – lack of inventory and high prices which are bound to stay that way, with all these crap loan mods…
