Advice on 5bdrms in Carmel Country Highlands

[bearishgurl]

[quote=AN]BG, this must be the first time I’ve heard anyone call Carmel Valley (especially the West side) “out in the stix”.[/quote]

AN, I know its on the “NE side” of Carmel Valley, but I just can’t get McGonigle Canyon out of my mind. What went on there spanned 25-30 years and just defied the City’s resources to deal with it. Even though the problem is “all but eradicated” now, I fail to see how all these “sandwiched-in developments” aka “urban sprawl” on the canyon rims are worth their asking prices unless buyers are accepting that these tracts are just “comping themselves” to perpetuate their own “values.”

http://www.break.com/usercontent/2007/7/16/mcgonigle-canyon-illegal-alien-camp-332258

Aside from its “sordid history of land use,” I just fail to see the “draw” here, considering some of these inland tracts are completely freeway bound and utterly at its mercy.

[UCGal]

[quote=sdrealtor]OK UCGal
You are spoiled. Rememeber those Philly commutes? 10 minutes to the train station. 10 minutes waiting for the train. 30 minutes on the train. 10 minutes to walk to the office. And its 20 degrees and you are walking through slush. Remember that its like to get to work with cold, wet feet? And that is an easy commute.
[/quote]
Nope – I lived in Glenside (north of Chestnut Hill) and worked in Hatboro, then Horsham (north of that. It was a 10-15) minute commute. 25 minutes by bike.

If I chose to take the train it was 3 blocks away and 30 minutes into center city. Hubster did that when he moved in with me. Glenside station had the R1, R3, and R5 trains so it was never more than a few minutes till the next train.

I refused to move into hubsters house, even though it was a beautifully restored turn of the century home… because he was in Frankford – 40 minute commute for me. Not worth it. It was great for him – he took the El to center city and was there in less than 30 minutes. It was a similar commute for him from my house – and no wage taxes for me… so I won that battle.

Like I said – after my 40 minute commute I swore never again – and have picked homes on that basis ever since.

[UCGal]

[quote=sdrealtor]OK UCGal
You are spoiled. Rememeber those Philly commutes? 10 minutes to the train station. 10 minutes waiting for the train. 30 minutes on the train. 10 minutes to walk to the office. And its 20 degrees and you are walking through slush. Remember that its like to get to work with cold, wet feet? And that is an easy commute.
[/quote]
Nope – I lived in Glenside (north of Chestnut Hill) and worked in Hatboro, then Horsham (north of that. It was a 10-15) minute commute. 25 minutes by bike.

If I chose to take the train it was 3 blocks away and 30 minutes into center city. Hubster did that when he moved in with me. Glenside station had the R1, R3, and R5 trains so it was never more than a few minutes till the next train.

I refused to move into hubsters house, even though it was a beautifully restored turn of the century home… because he was in Frankford – 40 minute commute for me. Not worth it. It was great for him – he took the El to center city and was there in less than 30 minutes. It was a similar commute for him from my house – and no wage taxes for me… so I won that battle.

Like I said – after my 40 minute commute I swore never again – and have picked homes on that basis ever since.

[UCGal]

[quote=sdrealtor]OK UCGal
You are spoiled. Rememeber those Philly commutes? 10 minutes to the train station. 10 minutes waiting for the train. 30 minutes on the train. 10 minutes to walk to the office. And its 20 degrees and you are walking through slush. Remember that its like to get to work with cold, wet feet? And that is an easy commute.
[/quote]
Nope – I lived in Glenside (north of Chestnut Hill) and worked in Hatboro, then Horsham (north of that. It was a 10-15) minute commute. 25 minutes by bike.

If I chose to take the train it was 3 blocks away and 30 minutes into center city. Hubster did that when he moved in with me. Glenside station had the R1, R3, and R5 trains so it was never more than a few minutes till the next train.

I refused to move into hubsters house, even though it was a beautifully restored turn of the century home… because he was in Frankford – 40 minute commute for me. Not worth it. It was great for him – he took the El to center city and was there in less than 30 minutes. It was a similar commute for him from my house – and no wage taxes for me… so I won that battle.

Like I said – after my 40 minute commute I swore never again – and have picked homes on that basis ever since.

[UCGal]

[quote=sdrealtor]OK UCGal
You are spoiled. Rememeber those Philly commutes? 10 minutes to the train station. 10 minutes waiting for the train. 30 minutes on the train. 10 minutes to walk to the office. And its 20 degrees and you are walking through slush. Remember that its like to get to work with cold, wet feet? And that is an easy commute.
[/quote]
Nope – I lived in Glenside (north of Chestnut Hill) and worked in Hatboro, then Horsham (north of that. It was a 10-15) minute commute. 25 minutes by bike.

If I chose to take the train it was 3 blocks away and 30 minutes into center city. Hubster did that when he moved in with me. Glenside station had the R1, R3, and R5 trains so it was never more than a few minutes till the next train.

I refused to move into hubsters house, even though it was a beautifully restored turn of the century home… because he was in Frankford – 40 minute commute for me. Not worth it. It was great for him – he took the El to center city and was there in less than 30 minutes. It was a similar commute for him from my house – and no wage taxes for me… so I won that battle.

Like I said – after my 40 minute commute I swore never again – and have picked homes on that basis ever since.

[UCGal]

[quote=sdrealtor]OK UCGal
You are spoiled. Rememeber those Philly commutes? 10 minutes to the train station. 10 minutes waiting for the train. 30 minutes on the train. 10 minutes to walk to the office. And its 20 degrees and you are walking through slush. Remember that its like to get to work with cold, wet feet? And that is an easy commute.
[/quote]
Nope – I lived in Glenside (north of Chestnut Hill) and worked in Hatboro, then Horsham (north of that. It was a 10-15) minute commute. 25 minutes by bike.

If I chose to take the train it was 3 blocks away and 30 minutes into center city. Hubster did that when he moved in with me. Glenside station had the R1, R3, and R5 trains so it was never more than a few minutes till the next train.

I refused to move into hubsters house, even though it was a beautifully restored turn of the century home… because he was in Frankford – 40 minute commute for me. Not worth it. It was great for him – he took the El to center city and was there in less than 30 minutes. It was a similar commute for him from my house – and no wage taxes for me… so I won that battle.

Like I said – after my 40 minute commute I swore never again – and have picked homes on that basis ever since.

[bearishgurl]

UCGal, totally agree here. I have always has a need to be close to dtn SD and all my homes were accessible to it in 2-25 mins without using a fwy. As long as I remain living in SD County, this will continue to be the case. In addition, I value my time and endeavor to keep my fuel bills down. Unless on a “road trip” (saving plane fares), gasoline is just $$ down the drain, IMO.

[bearishgurl]

UCGal, totally agree here. I have always has a need to be close to dtn SD and all my homes were accessible to it in 2-25 mins without using a fwy. As long as I remain living in SD County, this will continue to be the case. In addition, I value my time and endeavor to keep my fuel bills down. Unless on a “road trip” (saving plane fares), gasoline is just $$ down the drain, IMO.

[bearishgurl]

UCGal, totally agree here. I have always has a need to be close to dtn SD and all my homes were accessible to it in 2-25 mins without using a fwy. As long as I remain living in SD County, this will continue to be the case. In addition, I value my time and endeavor to keep my fuel bills down. Unless on a “road trip” (saving plane fares), gasoline is just $$ down the drain, IMO.

[bearishgurl]

UCGal, totally agree here. I have always has a need to be close to dtn SD and all my homes were accessible to it in 2-25 mins without using a fwy. As long as I remain living in SD County, this will continue to be the case. In addition, I value my time and endeavor to keep my fuel bills down. Unless on a “road trip” (saving plane fares), gasoline is just $$ down the drain, IMO.

[bearishgurl]

UCGal, totally agree here. I have always has a need to be close to dtn SD and all my homes were accessible to it in 2-25 mins without using a fwy. As long as I remain living in SD County, this will continue to be the case. In addition, I value my time and endeavor to keep my fuel bills down. Unless on a “road trip” (saving plane fares), gasoline is just $$ down the drain, IMO.

[Scarlett]

How about this one in La Jolla? To me this seems to be worth much more than the ones in BR in CV, for someone working in UCSD.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100061819-8443_Cliffridge_Ln_La_Jolla_CA_92037

It’s hard to find a 5 bdr there but there it is. SDL doesn’t list any HOA. So I don’t know about that part.
[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Scarlett]What about La Jolla?
If you rethink your requirements – just 4 bedrooms but spacious ones – La Jolla IS the most convenient in terms of commute (or as good as Torrey Hills). Schools are excellent. If money is no object, there are some nice houses around La Jolla SCENIC Drive – that where my UCSD ex-boss (faculty) lived – and the commute is really sweet. Torrey Pines elementary had the highest API in 2010 in SDUSD. Even more towards Mt. Soledad and downtown La Jolla are not that far from UCSD and you commute on city streets.[/quote]

I thought about this, too, Scarlett, and realize that it would take virtually no time at all to reach the SW end of the UCSD campus from this location.

I also took into account how much the OP stated they were considering paying for a *new* SFR out in the stix with 30-40 yrs Mello Roos bonds and no guaranteed elem school attendance areas. I’ve hiked along LJ Scenic several times, in the “parklike” center median. But as I recall, isn’t most of that area, although SFRs, part of HOA(s)?? I recall a lot of one-story SFRs between 1800 – 2500 sf up there. I haven’t checked, but are there any good listings for the OP’s needs and price range up there or even around the YMCA, little league field or TP Elem across the St?

yellowS2K, are you aware that Torrey Pines Elem, Muirlands Middle/LJ High are among the VERY BEST public schools in the entire county??[/quote]

[Scarlett]

How about this one in La Jolla? To me this seems to be worth much more than the ones in BR in CV, for someone working in UCSD.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100061819-8443_Cliffridge_Ln_La_Jolla_CA_92037

It’s hard to find a 5 bdr there but there it is. SDL doesn’t list any HOA. So I don’t know about that part.
[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Scarlett]What about La Jolla?
If you rethink your requirements – just 4 bedrooms but spacious ones – La Jolla IS the most convenient in terms of commute (or as good as Torrey Hills). Schools are excellent. If money is no object, there are some nice houses around La Jolla SCENIC Drive – that where my UCSD ex-boss (faculty) lived – and the commute is really sweet. Torrey Pines elementary had the highest API in 2010 in SDUSD. Even more towards Mt. Soledad and downtown La Jolla are not that far from UCSD and you commute on city streets.[/quote]

I thought about this, too, Scarlett, and realize that it would take virtually no time at all to reach the SW end of the UCSD campus from this location.

I also took into account how much the OP stated they were considering paying for a *new* SFR out in the stix with 30-40 yrs Mello Roos bonds and no guaranteed elem school attendance areas. I’ve hiked along LJ Scenic several times, in the “parklike” center median. But as I recall, isn’t most of that area, although SFRs, part of HOA(s)?? I recall a lot of one-story SFRs between 1800 – 2500 sf up there. I haven’t checked, but are there any good listings for the OP’s needs and price range up there or even around the YMCA, little league field or TP Elem across the St?

yellowS2K, are you aware that Torrey Pines Elem, Muirlands Middle/LJ High are among the VERY BEST public schools in the entire county??[/quote]

[Scarlett]

How about this one in La Jolla? To me this seems to be worth much more than the ones in BR in CV, for someone working in UCSD.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100061819-8443_Cliffridge_Ln_La_Jolla_CA_92037

It’s hard to find a 5 bdr there but there it is. SDL doesn’t list any HOA. So I don’t know about that part.
[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Scarlett]What about La Jolla?
If you rethink your requirements – just 4 bedrooms but spacious ones – La Jolla IS the most convenient in terms of commute (or as good as Torrey Hills). Schools are excellent. If money is no object, there are some nice houses around La Jolla SCENIC Drive – that where my UCSD ex-boss (faculty) lived – and the commute is really sweet. Torrey Pines elementary had the highest API in 2010 in SDUSD. Even more towards Mt. Soledad and downtown La Jolla are not that far from UCSD and you commute on city streets.[/quote]

I thought about this, too, Scarlett, and realize that it would take virtually no time at all to reach the SW end of the UCSD campus from this location.

I also took into account how much the OP stated they were considering paying for a *new* SFR out in the stix with 30-40 yrs Mello Roos bonds and no guaranteed elem school attendance areas. I’ve hiked along LJ Scenic several times, in the “parklike” center median. But as I recall, isn’t most of that area, although SFRs, part of HOA(s)?? I recall a lot of one-story SFRs between 1800 – 2500 sf up there. I haven’t checked, but are there any good listings for the OP’s needs and price range up there or even around the YMCA, little league field or TP Elem across the St?

yellowS2K, are you aware that Torrey Pines Elem, Muirlands Middle/LJ High are among the VERY BEST public schools in the entire county??[/quote]

[Scarlett]

How about this one in La Jolla? To me this seems to be worth much more than the ones in BR in CV, for someone working in UCSD.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100061819-8443_Cliffridge_Ln_La_Jolla_CA_92037

It’s hard to find a 5 bdr there but there it is. SDL doesn’t list any HOA. So I don’t know about that part.
[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Scarlett]What about La Jolla?
If you rethink your requirements – just 4 bedrooms but spacious ones – La Jolla IS the most convenient in terms of commute (or as good as Torrey Hills). Schools are excellent. If money is no object, there are some nice houses around La Jolla SCENIC Drive – that where my UCSD ex-boss (faculty) lived – and the commute is really sweet. Torrey Pines elementary had the highest API in 2010 in SDUSD. Even more towards Mt. Soledad and downtown La Jolla are not that far from UCSD and you commute on city streets.[/quote]

I thought about this, too, Scarlett, and realize that it would take virtually no time at all to reach the SW end of the UCSD campus from this location.

I also took into account how much the OP stated they were considering paying for a *new* SFR out in the stix with 30-40 yrs Mello Roos bonds and no guaranteed elem school attendance areas. I’ve hiked along LJ Scenic several times, in the “parklike” center median. But as I recall, isn’t most of that area, although SFRs, part of HOA(s)?? I recall a lot of one-story SFRs between 1800 – 2500 sf up there. I haven’t checked, but are there any good listings for the OP’s needs and price range up there or even around the YMCA, little league field or TP Elem across the St?

yellowS2K, are you aware that Torrey Pines Elem, Muirlands Middle/LJ High are among the VERY BEST public schools in the entire county??[/quote]

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