Arbor Ranch in San Marcos – Advice, please

[LAAFTERHOURS]

A lot of what svelte mentioned is what I was going to echo last night. That development is right next to a very active park. Its a neat park with splash area, slides and stuff, sports field and frisbee golf.

The neighborhood sits on the edge of the the notable areas mentioned above as well as a lot of commercial space. The tax rate is unfortunate, as I assume you have HOA and MR. Look at the surrounding area prior to your purchase and consider that the neighborhood you are looking at right now is the nicest in the area. Everything surrounding it is not as nice and while they may eventually build homes that are higher end, its not a given.

I guess my question to you would be if you are willing to pay that tax rate, why not look at other areas in San marcos that have come down quite a bit like Discovery hills, SEH, old creek ranch etc. These areas arent on the edge of the rougher areas and have all the amenities you are looking for. There are places off craven with no HOA in the low 400s (a bit older). There is a1800 sq ft on kenwood in SEH for low 400s. Another area is east a bit off barham. I dont know the area but next to Lake moree park there are some cheaper homes in your price range.

I hope that nursery doesnt go away. They have a fantastic selection, good pricing and are very helpful.

[lpjohnso]

My husband and I were seriously considering Arbor Ranch. It sounds like we have very similar circumstances. My husband works in the UTC area and we are currently renting in Carlsbad. We can not afford a single family home in the area we are renting. It’s very frustrating having grown up in Encinitas/La Costa and now having my own family we can not afford to own in those areas. That is what led us to San Marcos. It was not the place I would have wanted to be 20 years ago, but things have changed and are continuing to change dramatically for the better. It is a great town and I am very excited to live there and raise my children there.

Arbor Ranch is an amazing deal for all of the reasons you listed, and it is the only new construction that we could consider in regards to price and location. However, we are currently under contract in Discovery Hills. The lake, the playgrounds and the walking trails are great. The home prices are fantastic. Discovery Elementary rates a 9 out of 10. On the flip side, most of the homes are distressed (have to account for unpredictable short sales times and approvals) and most homes need updating due to being 20 years old. I would kill for new construction such as Arbor Ranch to eliminate those unknowns. However, we ended up deciding on Discovery Hills over Arbor Ranch largely based upon not wanting our children to attend Alvin Dunn Elementary. The rating is very poor (as you know) and I do not like the location on the main road. We could have tried to do an inter district transfer to a better school, but if it wasn’t granted we would be stuck in Alvin Dunn. Unfortunately, after the HOAs and MRs we would be maxed out financially and wouldn’t be able to afford private school.

My advice to you would be if you could afford a better school or get a transfer granted, it is a WONDERFUL neighborhood with well built, brand new affordable homes. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated in regards to what you decide to do!

[lpjohnso]

My husband and I were seriously considering Arbor Ranch. It sounds like we have very similar circumstances. My husband works in the UTC area and we are currently renting in Carlsbad. We can not afford a single family home in the area we are renting. It’s very frustrating having grown up in Encinitas/La Costa and now having my own family we can not afford to own in those areas. That is what led us to San Marcos. It was not the place I would have wanted to be 20 years ago, but things have changed and are continuing to change dramatically for the better. It is a great town and I am very excited to live there and raise my children there.

Arbor Ranch is an amazing deal for all of the reasons you listed, and it is the only new construction that we could consider in regards to price and location. However, we are currently under contract in Discovery Hills. The lake, the playgrounds and the walking trails are great. The home prices are fantastic. Discovery Elementary rates a 9 out of 10. On the flip side, most of the homes are distressed (have to account for unpredictable short sales times and approvals) and most homes need updating due to being 20 years old. I would kill for new construction such as Arbor Ranch to eliminate those unknowns. However, we ended up deciding on Discovery Hills over Arbor Ranch largely based upon not wanting our children to attend Alvin Dunn Elementary. The rating is very poor (as you know) and I do not like the location on the main road. We could have tried to do an inter district transfer to a better school, but if it wasn’t granted we would be stuck in Alvin Dunn. Unfortunately, after the HOAs and MRs we would be maxed out financially and wouldn’t be able to afford private school.

My advice to you would be if you could afford a better school or get a transfer granted, it is a WONDERFUL neighborhood with well built, brand new affordable homes. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated in regards to what you decide to do!

[lpjohnso]

My husband and I were seriously considering Arbor Ranch. It sounds like we have very similar circumstances. My husband works in the UTC area and we are currently renting in Carlsbad. We can not afford a single family home in the area we are renting. It’s very frustrating having grown up in Encinitas/La Costa and now having my own family we can not afford to own in those areas. That is what led us to San Marcos. It was not the place I would have wanted to be 20 years ago, but things have changed and are continuing to change dramatically for the better. It is a great town and I am very excited to live there and raise my children there.

Arbor Ranch is an amazing deal for all of the reasons you listed, and it is the only new construction that we could consider in regards to price and location. However, we are currently under contract in Discovery Hills. The lake, the playgrounds and the walking trails are great. The home prices are fantastic. Discovery Elementary rates a 9 out of 10. On the flip side, most of the homes are distressed (have to account for unpredictable short sales times and approvals) and most homes need updating due to being 20 years old. I would kill for new construction such as Arbor Ranch to eliminate those unknowns. However, we ended up deciding on Discovery Hills over Arbor Ranch largely based upon not wanting our children to attend Alvin Dunn Elementary. The rating is very poor (as you know) and I do not like the location on the main road. We could have tried to do an inter district transfer to a better school, but if it wasn’t granted we would be stuck in Alvin Dunn. Unfortunately, after the HOAs and MRs we would be maxed out financially and wouldn’t be able to afford private school.

My advice to you would be if you could afford a better school or get a transfer granted, it is a WONDERFUL neighborhood with well built, brand new affordable homes. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated in regards to what you decide to do!

[lpjohnso]

My husband and I were seriously considering Arbor Ranch. It sounds like we have very similar circumstances. My husband works in the UTC area and we are currently renting in Carlsbad. We can not afford a single family home in the area we are renting. It’s very frustrating having grown up in Encinitas/La Costa and now having my own family we can not afford to own in those areas. That is what led us to San Marcos. It was not the place I would have wanted to be 20 years ago, but things have changed and are continuing to change dramatically for the better. It is a great town and I am very excited to live there and raise my children there.

Arbor Ranch is an amazing deal for all of the reasons you listed, and it is the only new construction that we could consider in regards to price and location. However, we are currently under contract in Discovery Hills. The lake, the playgrounds and the walking trails are great. The home prices are fantastic. Discovery Elementary rates a 9 out of 10. On the flip side, most of the homes are distressed (have to account for unpredictable short sales times and approvals) and most homes need updating due to being 20 years old. I would kill for new construction such as Arbor Ranch to eliminate those unknowns. However, we ended up deciding on Discovery Hills over Arbor Ranch largely based upon not wanting our children to attend Alvin Dunn Elementary. The rating is very poor (as you know) and I do not like the location on the main road. We could have tried to do an inter district transfer to a better school, but if it wasn’t granted we would be stuck in Alvin Dunn. Unfortunately, after the HOAs and MRs we would be maxed out financially and wouldn’t be able to afford private school.

My advice to you would be if you could afford a better school or get a transfer granted, it is a WONDERFUL neighborhood with well built, brand new affordable homes. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated in regards to what you decide to do!

[lpjohnso]

My husband and I were seriously considering Arbor Ranch. It sounds like we have very similar circumstances. My husband works in the UTC area and we are currently renting in Carlsbad. We can not afford a single family home in the area we are renting. It’s very frustrating having grown up in Encinitas/La Costa and now having my own family we can not afford to own in those areas. That is what led us to San Marcos. It was not the place I would have wanted to be 20 years ago, but things have changed and are continuing to change dramatically for the better. It is a great town and I am very excited to live there and raise my children there.

Arbor Ranch is an amazing deal for all of the reasons you listed, and it is the only new construction that we could consider in regards to price and location. However, we are currently under contract in Discovery Hills. The lake, the playgrounds and the walking trails are great. The home prices are fantastic. Discovery Elementary rates a 9 out of 10. On the flip side, most of the homes are distressed (have to account for unpredictable short sales times and approvals) and most homes need updating due to being 20 years old. I would kill for new construction such as Arbor Ranch to eliminate those unknowns. However, we ended up deciding on Discovery Hills over Arbor Ranch largely based upon not wanting our children to attend Alvin Dunn Elementary. The rating is very poor (as you know) and I do not like the location on the main road. We could have tried to do an inter district transfer to a better school, but if it wasn’t granted we would be stuck in Alvin Dunn. Unfortunately, after the HOAs and MRs we would be maxed out financially and wouldn’t be able to afford private school.

My advice to you would be if you could afford a better school or get a transfer granted, it is a WONDERFUL neighborhood with well built, brand new affordable homes. Best of luck to you and please keep us updated in regards to what you decide to do!

[evolusd]

We decided to pass on this. While the house was great, the neighborhood was so-so and the elementary school turned out to be the worst in the district. We likely could have choiced out to a better school, but the whole reason for buying was stability for our kids. I want to be IN the good part of the district.

Thanks all for your comments!

[evolusd]

We decided to pass on this. While the house was great, the neighborhood was so-so and the elementary school turned out to be the worst in the district. We likely could have choiced out to a better school, but the whole reason for buying was stability for our kids. I want to be IN the good part of the district.

Thanks all for your comments!

[evolusd]

We decided to pass on this. While the house was great, the neighborhood was so-so and the elementary school turned out to be the worst in the district. We likely could have choiced out to a better school, but the whole reason for buying was stability for our kids. I want to be IN the good part of the district.

Thanks all for your comments!

[evolusd]

We decided to pass on this. While the house was great, the neighborhood was so-so and the elementary school turned out to be the worst in the district. We likely could have choiced out to a better school, but the whole reason for buying was stability for our kids. I want to be IN the good part of the district.

Thanks all for your comments!

[evolusd]

We decided to pass on this. While the house was great, the neighborhood was so-so and the elementary school turned out to be the worst in the district. We likely could have choiced out to a better school, but the whole reason for buying was stability for our kids. I want to be IN the good part of the district.

Thanks all for your comments!

[lpjohnso]

I think you’ve made a very wise choice and I applaud your decision for putting your kids first. My husband and I were in the same boat and we have no regrets about walking away. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

[lpjohnso]

I think you’ve made a very wise choice and I applaud your decision for putting your kids first. My husband and I were in the same boat and we have no regrets about walking away. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

[lpjohnso]

I think you’ve made a very wise choice and I applaud your decision for putting your kids first. My husband and I were in the same boat and we have no regrets about walking away. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

[lpjohnso]

I think you’ve made a very wise choice and I applaud your decision for putting your kids first. My husband and I were in the same boat and we have no regrets about walking away. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

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