The hard part is the “newer construction” coupled with “no HOA MR Fees” as those tend to go hand-in-hand.
I think you can avoid young families by buying in nicer neighborhoods served by crappy schools. Any young family that can afford a $750K house is likely going to buy in the “School Belt” (I think I just coined a new term – copyright sdduuuude) which runs from Poway to CV and up the 5 a bit.
As you know, I’m a Clairemont guy, but since you have a $700K budget and you don’t care about school districts, you can probably get into a better ‘hood that CM.
Houses built in the 50’s are very well built. Usually you need to do the cosmetic work, but the bones are good.
In Clairemont, follow the canyon edge above Hwy 52. On the way there, you will see some crappy houses, but as you get into the canyons, it improves. Also, follow Tecolote Canyon from I-5 all the way up to Genesee Ave. Anything on the canyon or its fingers is going to be nice.
I think you should look closely at Bay Park / Bay Ho or the part of Clairemont just above Bay Ho – there are some canyon gems around the streets of Courser, Monongahela, Wyandotte. Drive around all over the area above Costso on either side of Moraga.
Some of my favorite streets run parallel to Nute Way. Really cool 1-story 50’s houses overlooking the bay. They are stacked on each other with driveways only on one side of the street so everyone has a view. There are likely bylaws restricting development to keep everyone’s view in-tact. A good size to retire into and a neat view. Only thing keeping me from buying here is the school district.
UTC is definitely worth looking at, though lots on canyon homes there may push past your budget. I’d south of Governor well to the west of Genesee.
There are some cool houses on and around Erie Street in lower Bay Park that I love. They have garages in the back and are low enough that I-5 traffic noise is reduced a bit.
The neighborhood that stretches along Burgener south of Clairemont Drive is great. You won’t get a big yard there – most houses are on a slope, but it’s a neat neighborhood with lots of interesting houses and they can feel private with views. The houses on the east side of Cowley have an ocean view and a canyon view.
Mission Hills comes to mind, though it may be too expensive.
Also, check out the little neighborhood just east of I-5 near State Street, Upas, etc. Start at Laurel and State Street and head North on State. It turns into Reynard. Keep west as you drive north. I don’t know the area well, but it’s a fun place to get lost in the canyons.
