Just to clarify, the concept was more to have an HOA/ planned community with amenities built in.
I know that depending on where we live exactly, those amenities ( park, a few shops, grocery, a few restaurants) may not be walkable PER SE but being in a planned community means that they would be a very close-by drive. Our current community is a suburb of Washington DC and is a planned community which both includes many (smallish) amenities, but is close to, like a 5 to 8 minute drive, from many(largish) things such as clinics, movie theatres, transportation(bus, metro) Also very family friendly–lots of young kids, sidewalks close to homes so people can meet others. The homes are also fairly close to each other which on the whole is a plus–kids can run over to a friends to play, they walk to karate, etc. That what was driving the smaller lot; it makes more people closer than if you have an acre or two. Plus land is something I’m willing to give up on if it helps the budget.
The feeling we get is one I’d like to try to replicate which is that we can access many things needed on a daily or weekly basis with a short commute. I don’t mind a little drive within my community to get groceries–which if you’re going to get more than a couple of things you’d need a car anyway.
One level home important b/c of the knee issue. Close commute to El Cajon b/c of my job.
I guess reading over this post and not to be confusing : I think the outside amenities are just as important as the close-in amenities. For instance an isolated planned community with nothing else close to it would be less than ideal bc then we’d be driving a lot to get to ( for example) the library or kids dentist or doctors clinic or what have you. One poster suggested Ramona, and I would find that isolating.
Thanks for all the great ideas and what to AVOID! Others suggested ones around El Cajon, but since I can’t be sure the wife will find work in east county. I’ll look at Santee and Tierra Santa since that would be closer in to the city and some of the other suggestions. Thank you all.
