To those posting – Again great insight … perfect scoop for the process in my search on where my family will put down roots! Thanks for all that posted (Dharmagirl, SD Realtor, Bubblesitter, Dizzle, Kirsten, Meadandle, Temeculaguy, Greekfire)- your input is valued. I appreciate the postings that not only show the positives of each area but the things you do not like or would change given the opportunity – applause to the soccer moms of Temecula Valley in the grass root/community effort to stop the Quarry and to those in Carlsbad to protest the Wal-Mart.
At this point the next step will be to visit the area and do a little “leg work” and get a personal feel, to keep digging via the internet, and watch in amazement the bubble burst, and then to shrink our search down to 3-4 (coastal vs. inland)regions. Again, I am in the market for a “home” for my family – not so much an investment. Hopefully by the summer of 2010 the blunt of this market fallout will show some sign of stability. As I review my initial post and your feedback it helps to solidify what I am really seeking and refine a priority ranking:
1. Schools (private is always an option although I am a strong proponent of public education during the formative years & private later), I would disfavor a commute to the elementary grades
2. Community – family feel, infrastructure, safety (maybe gated – although we have never lived in this type before), a little space for daily outdoor events (can the kids ride their bikes down the street), community center & events
3. House itself: 5 bedroom – large enough for family but maintainable for the parents (3200-4600 sq ft), construction & functionality, level lot & cul-de-sac type placement, does not need to be the highest in our price range nor does it need to be the newest but efficient for our overall needs, a place we will live for the next 15 yrs
4. Region/area: taxes, ownership fees, proactive city government, proximity to services (restaurants, shopping), roads & traffic, commute to Pendleton (Naval Hospital – either front or back gate), weather – compared to where we have lived in the past anywhere in N County will be enjoyable!
5. The remaining few: does not really matter as the first four will decide
Before finding Piggs my I was looking at San Elijo Hills (purely from my internet search) but have an uneasy sense for this area now after reading some of the post here and related sights … appears some issues with quality of construction. We will continue to look at Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, Fallbrook, Deluz, Temecula, and possible up to Murrieta.
I agree with others here homes with five acres may be too much for a “family feel” … and yes Temecula guy – your post of http://www.redfin.com/CA/Temecula/42000-Via-Del-Monte-92592/home/1251295… is a beautiful & impressive house but I think your first is more the type to fit our needs http://www.redfin.com/CA/Temecula/34003-Arietta-92592/home/12506768. (it fits our priority list nicely). If we did have 2.8 M for a house such as this I would use 1M for the house then use 800k for a 3bdrm turnkey condo in Mammoth, and invest the remaining (a large portion into our 529 plans). Family has a way of making priorities well defined – but I would appreciate a home such as this… incredible.
Specific houses are next after the area is locked down, although looking at specific houses does help get a feel for things. Again, thanks for the input & insight … we will research more then return to this post in a few months. Any additional thoughts are appreciated… a lingering question from afar – what of these developments in N County started at the end of the bubble with houses built but not finished, yet still listed for sell (Malabar Ranch in N Temecula, Reserve in Temecula, San Elijo Hills, Deluz? They are no longer listed by the builder but instead by individual realtor agencies even though construction is not completed?
