I’ve pretty much converged on a couple area to settle down when I’m ready to buy a house again. I’ve been bubblesitting for 3 years after selling my last house.
For me, South Carlsbad seems to be in the short-list. Here’s the reasons Carlsbad bubbled up high on my list.
1. The city seems reasonably well run, in good financial shape. I do have some beefs against the planning commission on growth issues though.
2. Generally great schools, looks like a new Carlsbad high school being planned. My personal rule #1 is to ONLY buy in good school districts. I would even suggest buying only in good school districts even if you don’t have kids.
3. No need air conditioning, except for perhaps 2 weeks of year.
4. Attractions such as flower fields, Legoland, Beaches. Great for out-of-town visitors
5. Lower Wildfire risk (although not immune)than other areas of SD county
6. Downtown old-town Carlsbad seems to getting much nicer, more shops, restaurants, nightlife. Still some work to go.
7. New Alga Norte swim complex, plans look great for swimmers, although I hear they have scaled back and delayed the project.
8. The desalinization plant has a conditional approval. We’ll see if and when it gets built. If it does, Carlsbad and surrounding areas will have a reliable water source if there is a water crisis.
9. I’ve been doing the commute on the Coaster. It is great way to commute to work; reading the newspaper, clearing my emails out prior to work, watching the sunset on the way home, saving gas and hedging against gas price spikes, saving the environment, etc. etc. Lower overall stress level.
The downside are..
1. Getting well built out, planning commission is probably too pro development. There is already a budding slow growth movement in Cbad. Recent good news for the slow-growthers…..looks like the proposed Walmart in NE Carlsbad is a no-go.
2. Marine layer in mornings…May Gray/June Gloom
3. Traffic on 5 during rush hour
4. Summer Beach congestion.
A commute to to Camp P would be very easy for you.
I’m prepping to pull the trigger on a house purchase quickly this fall/next spring if I find the right house. I hope to be in good position to negotiate with no contingencies, large downpayment, etc. There is large stock of great housing in your $750K to $1M.
I suggest try renting in the area you may want to live for a while, scope out surrounding areas. But first do some research on the prospective landlord. Are they candidates for foreclosure? Are their taxes delinquent? Did they buy at the peak of the bubble in 2005? Check out rental listings on craiglist.
Anyhow, just some of my thoughts. Good Luck,
Bubblesitter
