8 years later it happened: we bought a home

[Jazzman]

[quote=bearishgurl]Jazzman, the coming “retirement” you have planned for yourselves sounds absolutely extraordinary![/quote]
If you consider my wife waited 15 years to get her green card to be with her family in her old age, you’ll realize the decision to leave was not taken lightly. We felt that strongly about it. Having seen dozens of homes, the reaction was nearly always YMBJ if you think we’re going to pay that. Are we better off than most? Yes, so we shouldn’t whine, but our “retirement plan” had to offset the heartache and disappointment my wife felt. It’s nothing personal against California. My home town of London is a lost cause, with tens of thousands of potential buyers probably permanently priced out, and if you dig around enough you’ll find the deep seated frustration that still consumes so many. It makes you wish there was something you could do to help. But then I suppose, many parts of the world would scoff at our pleading poverty.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Jazzman][quote=bearishgurl]Jazzman, the coming “retirement” you have planned for yourselves sounds absolutely extraordinary![/quote]
If you consider my wife waited 15 years to get her green card to be with her family in her old age, you’ll realize the decision to leave was not taken lightly. We felt that strongly about it. Having seen dozens of homes, the reaction was nearly always YMBJ if you think we’re going to pay that. Are we better off than most? Yes, so we shouldn’t whine, but our “retirement plan” had to offset the heartache and disappointment my wife felt. It’s nothing personal against California. My home town of London is a lost cause, with tens of thousands of potential buyers probably permanently priced out, and if you dig around enough you’ll find the deep seated frustration that still consumes so many. It makes you wish there was something you could do to help. But then I suppose, many parts of the world would scoff at our pleading poverty.[/quote]

Jazzman, you might want to look into Continental vouchers from Honolulu to LAX/SAN so you and/or your spouse can visit her family in SD more economically. She may have used them in the past. They used to have them in the ’80’s/’90’s and at that time they were available for purchase in bundles of 3, 6, 9 or 12 (connecting to Cont’l Air Micronesia, if needed). They may only fly from HNL to SAN 2-3 times per wk but fly to LAX 1-2 times per day.

The way they used to work is one voucher is good for ONE leg in the “Pacific Theatre”:

A “leg” consisted of a one-way ticket to/from:

* HNL to CONUS (CA, Portland, Seattle)

* HNL to PPG (American Samoa)

* HNL to Guam (GUM – Hub)

* PPG to Sydney (SYD)

* PPG to Brisbane (BNE)

* PPG to Melbourne (MEL)

* PPG to Christchurch (CHC)

* GUM to Manila (MNL)

* GUM to Micronesia (KSA, PNI, YAP)

* GUM to the Carolines (KOR)

* GUM to the Marshall Islands (MAJ)

These vouchers were often used by US military personnel and their families to return home on leave when they could not catch a timely EML flight (military MWR flight).

With the recent Cont’l merger w/United, not sure about the routing now.

Also, Hawaiian Air often has good RT deals from HNL to CONUS and back. They are much better prices than the reverse (where a huge captive audience exists to pay more) :={.

I think you did fine, Jazzman. Personally, I’d rather have the homes you bought in HI and abroad and visit family :=].

[lpjohnso]

svelte, the new homestead in San Marcos is wonderful! We are all settled in after the remodel and we could not be happier! It took over 5 months to close on the short sale, but we are so glad we did it! $330,000 (+$40,000 for the remodel) for a 1500 square feet house that is 10 minutes from the beach? We never thought we would see the day. 🙂

Discovery Hills is proving to be the perfect neighborhood for us and our young sons. The schools are great, the neighborhood is safe and we love the walking trails and the neighborhood parks and Discovery Lake. We are so grateful to be here. We looked for years in Encinitas and Carlsbad (where we grew up), and finally faced the fact that we could not afford what we wanted there. San Marcos is better than we ever imagined. The marine layer rarely reaches us! The town is not what is was 20 years ago. There are so many restaurants, shopping, new high school being built, great colleges, and the city is beginning development on the new downtown (the Creek District) and the plans look unbelievable. I think we are going to be here a very, very long time!

Thanks so much for asking, svelte! I hope all is well with you! And thanks to all of the piggs for all of the great information over the years!

I posted some pics of the remodel on houzz.com. All of the pics are on the right side under “Honeysuckle House”.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/611320/The-Vintage-Bean-eclectic-hall-san-diego

[sdrealtor]

Congrats on the new house and it looks wonderful. My biggest gripe about SM these days is that Phil’s BBQ is closed on Mondays. I do have a recent great discovery. Across from the new high school is a butcher shop called T&H Meats (I think that’s what it is called). They have the most amazing pulled pork I have ever had outside of North Carolina. I try to stop for lunch whenever I am in the area.

[lpjohnso]

sdrealtor, thanks so much! And especially thanks for your help during our confusion over the past couple of years! You were always so kind to lend your help and advice.

I agree with you about Phil’s! However, I haven’t tried the butcher shop, but I will now! Thanks!

[sdrealtor]

The pleasure is always mine and I love to help people however I can. Those who actually know me understand that while sometimes I play the jerk online in real life thats not really me.

Enjoy the new casa! That lake and the trails around it are a real hidden gem.

[Jazzman]

Bearishgirl, thanks for those flight tips. We’ll definitely check them out.

[earlyretirement]

Congratulations and enjoy your new home!

Like you, I also waited on the sidelines for many years but finally bought last year and very happy with our decision.

Longer term, prices in desirable parts of San Diego will surpass peak levels again.

Not to say we purchased our home for capital appreciation because we didn’t. However, it’s never a good feeling buying at the top of any bubble.

You did good.

[CA renter]

[quote=lpjohnso]svelte, the new homestead in San Marcos is wonderful! We are all settled in after the remodel and we could not be happier! It took over 5 months to close on the short sale, but we are so glad we did it! $330,000 (+$40,000 for the remodel) for a 1500 square feet house that is 10 minutes from the beach? We never thought we would see the day. 🙂

Discovery Hills is proving to be the perfect neighborhood for us and our young sons. The schools are great, the neighborhood is safe and we love the walking trails and the neighborhood parks and Discovery Lake. We are so grateful to be here. We looked for years in Encinitas and Carlsbad (where we grew up), and finally faced the fact that we could not afford what we wanted there. San Marcos is better than we ever imagined. The marine layer rarely reaches us! The town is not what is was 20 years ago. There are so many restaurants, shopping, new high school being built, great colleges, and the city is beginning development on the new downtown (the Creek District) and the plans look unbelievable. I think we are going to be here a very, very long time!

Thanks so much for asking, svelte! I hope all is well with you! And thanks to all of the piggs for all of the great information over the years!

I posted some pics of the remodel on houzz.com. All of the pics are on the right side under “Honeysuckle House”.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/611320/The-Vintage-Bean-eclectic-hall-san-diego%5B/quote%5D

Congratulations on your new house, lpjohnso! 🙂

Not sure what the house looked like originally, but it looks like you made that $40K go a long way in your remodel. Very nice!

The Discovery Hills area is gorgeous, too. My dad used to live there, and he loved it. It’s not like you’re that far from CBD/ENC, either. Looks like you got the best of both worlds. Enjoy!

[svelte]

[quote=lpjohnso]
Discovery Hills is proving to be the perfect neighborhood for us and our young sons. The schools are great, the neighborhood is safe and we love the walking trails and the neighborhood parks and Discovery Lake. We are so grateful to be here. We looked for years in Encinitas and Carlsbad (where we grew up), and finally faced the fact that we could not afford what we wanted there. San Marcos is better than we ever imagined. The marine layer rarely reaches us! The town is not what is was 20 years ago. There are so many restaurants, shopping, new high school being built, great colleges, and the city is beginning development on the new downtown (the Creek District) and the plans look unbelievable. I think we are going to be here a very, very long time!

I posted some pics of the remodel on houzz.com. All of the pics are on the right side under “Honeysuckle House”…[/quote]

Wow! You did an awesome remodel! Very good taste! (I had to laugh though because I swear you borrowed our dog to take your pics…they are twins!)

I love the Discovery area too…when we bought our first house in SM, we came very close to buying a house in Honeysuckle/Applewilde area when they were new. Houses are great and to hit the beach you just turn left on SM Blvd and drive straight for 10 min until your wheels are in the Pacific…how awesome is that?

When my kids were young, we would drive over to Discovery Lake and take walks around it….it always felt like we were living a day that was torn out of a book it was so perfect.

I’ve been watching the new HS construction, I’m just tickled. My son was in one of the last graduating classes out of the old HS (he had his choice of going to either SMHS or Mission Hills) and we’re thrilled that future students will have a brand new campus. They deserve it…

Also been following the Creek District and like you love the plans. Check out the plans for the University area, they look awesome too.

The marine layer does come in during certain times of year, but usually burns off by noon.

I’m sure you are already developing your own favorite spots, but here are a few excellent places to eat in SM:

http://www.carmelacucina.com/

http://www.sublimealehouse.com/

http://www.canapesgrill.com/index.php (outdoor dining with live music)

We also tried a new place – Cool Hand Lukes at 110 Knoll Road – last week and it was great too…very kid friendly and the one person (but really fed 2) build-your-own 3 topping pizza was fantastic…ppl were coming up and asking us to point it out on the menu so they could order it too.

Enjoy your new home and we’re very happy you chose San Marcos! 🙂

[sdrealtor]

I love Carmela’s. Its owned by the nephew of a family that owns a bunch of very popular italian restaurants in South Jersey where I grew up. One of them was a bar/restaurant on the beach in Margate, NJ. Twenty years ago I walked into the bar on Labor Day weekend. I locked eyes with a beautiful girl, exchanged smiles, then numbers, feel in love and had a couple kids.

[lpjohnso]

CA Renter and svelte, thank you so, so much for your kind words! We are so grateful, proud and happy to be San Marcos homeowners! I really appreciate all of the great recommendations for local eateries! I can not wait to try them all out! sdrealtor, that’s a very sweet story!

[scaredyclassic]

Is cal state nearby. Do people go there for cultural stuff?

[lpjohnso]

Yes and yes! I know there are a lot of cultural happenings, but unfortunately I have yet to partake. The college is 1-2 miles away from the Discovery Hills neighborhood depending where you are. Leave the neighborhood, and go south on Craven Drive until it dead ends at the college. It’s super easy, safe and direct.

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