Bressi ranch and surrounds

[terri]

Hello all,
I am new to the forum and have found it VERY insightful. My husband and I have been discussing moving to Carlsbad…after seeing all the new homes in Bressi selling well within a decent price range…we could swing it. However, finding your forum and learning about all the cons of the community(HOA and MR, airplane noise and overall “feel”)…I am starting to see that this might not be as good as it appeared on the MLS.

We do plan a visit inthe near future to actually see the area…I know that will narrow down alot.

I also saw some decent priced homes on the west side of the highway that were new…but I havent had a chance to check the schools. I noticed it was close to the highway and rail tracks which would lead me to believe it could be noisy despite the close proximity to the ocean.

With that said what ARE some good buys in the area 92009 zip. We have school aged kids and would plan to be there for a while…so schools are a driving factor, I really desire a planned community with amenities like a pool and clubhouse (La costa?). And I do want a good neighborhood feel…folks active and social. New home or newer home would be preferred. Thank you!

[Bugs]

I live in Carlsbad and I reviewed a good percentage of the appraisals that were used to finance the original sales transactions in Bressi.

The northern boundary for Bressi is Palomar Airport Road and the western boundary is El Camino Real. Palomar McClellan Airport is located on the n/west corner of the intersection of the two streets and Bressi is at the s/east corner.

Bressi is a planned community that features about 300,000 SqFt of office and industrial properties fronting the two main roads, with the residential areas on the interior. It includes some multifamily homes oriented between the housing tracts on the interior and the office uses along El Camino Real. The residential portion of the project was built out first and is all sold out with the exception of about 15 lots over in the Barratt portion of the project. For some reason Barratt is having a hard time unloading $2mil tract homes in a neighborhood surrounded by $1mil and under tract homes. Go figure.

The reason the developers built the residential portion first is because they were tacking on $150k view amenity premiums for the homes that back to the western boundary of the housing portion and which look out to the west. The reason there was a view amenity was because the office/industrial zoned areas weren’t built out. The developers didn’t even start grading until the houses were all sold off. Now that the developers are erecting 30 foot tall concrete tilt-up industrials along El Camino Real they’re wiping out those view amenities. No more peek views of the ocean at Bressi.

The landing pattern at Palomar basically follows Palmoar Airport Road and that airport is among the busiest in the region. Air traffic includes small and medium sized jets and they’re expanding the terminals so they can support more traffic.

Incidentally, they’re having a tough time selling off the office and industrial condos in that area. I probably don’t have to tell you what will happen when you get a bunch of commercial properties sitting vacant for a year or two at a major traffic intersection.

If it were my decision I’d look elsewhere and I wouldn’t be all that concerned about clubhouses and pools. Maybe 10% of the residents of these types of projects ever use those facilities and they just add to your HOA dues. The developers like to paint pictures of close knit neighborhoods like Mayberry, but the reality is that most people meet one time to introduce themselves and then limit their interaction to waving at each other as they pull in and out of their driveways.

Different strokes.

[terri]

thank you…very informative. What then…is your take on the surrounding communities (la costa and others that share a good school system)?

[Bugs]

My kids all went to Carlsbad High, and while its okay I’ve come to the conclusion that parental involvement is more of a factor in a kid’s education than the reputation of a school district. The demographics and economic conditions in the various households have more influence on test scores than do the curriculums or the instructors at the schools.

Rich neighborhoods aren’t rich because of the high test scores of the schools where they are located; the schools where they are located have high test scores because many rich people have high expectations of performance for their kids.

Whatever you do, if you want your kids to focus on school then stay away from the beach communities. It’s true that half the kids will join the program and excel in scholastics and extracurricular activities like organized sports and stuff. However, the other half will gravtitate toward the skate parks (there’s one located about 3 blocks north of Bressi in that industrial park at Palomar Airport Road/El Camino Real) and surfing. And those two groups do not mix. There’s always lots of tension between the jocks and the surfers/skaters. And unlike in other communities, the jocks and cheerleaders don’t always occupy the top of the social pecking order.

You might want to go to Poway or Carmel Valley instead. Those kids have nothing better to do and nowhere better to go than to get involved at school. Carlsbad and Encinitas aren’t known for turning out professional skaters and surfers for nothing.

[terri]

Thank you, Bugs, for your insight.

This pretty frustrating because…I just want a normal suburban area with a little vibe with good schools and decent housing AND if it isnt too much to ask, warm friendly people . I am from the southeast, and have lived in OH and AZ, as well as CT, NC, VA, GA. Southern CA is the most farthest from any of these things that I desire. And my extensive research of the areas are all the same thing. Nothing special.

I chose Carlsbad for its location close to metrolink (my husband would commute via train)…and its schools stood out and some decent houses showed up inthe MLS that were reasonable high 600’s to mid 700’s, it seems like a nice local town with a pulse. Now I realized they werent what they seemed though, but not unlikely that some good deals could be had.

I appreciate your recommendations, however if we chose the north county area of SD, I would prefer that we stay above Carlsbad and within close proximity to a highway.

[Bugs]

Don’t get me wrong, I like my town and Bressi isn’t a bad place to live by any means. It’s just that the neighborhood feel in Carlsbad is the same as anywhere else in the region. No better and no worse.

[terri]

If you are going to stay there and raise your kids…the surf and skate culture is way cooler than the HS culture…I get it. So that means you really have to instill good values and expectations on the homefront…more so than in “wholesome town, USA.”(which doesnt exist in the southern CA realm) At least I havent found it yet.

I want my kids to know that college THE only option after HS…and so therefore, I would like for them have an abundance of peers who have those same goals. Is there by chance a good christian school in the area?

[terri]

If you are going to stay there and raise your kids…the surf and skate culture is way cooler than the HS culture…I get it. So that means you really have to instill good values and expectations on the homefront…more so than in “wholesome town, USA.”(which doesnt exist in the southern CA realm) At least I havent found it yet.

I want my kids to know that college THE only option after HS…and so therefore, I would like for them have an abundance of peers who have those same goals. Is there by chance a good christian school in the area?

[terri]

If you are going to stay there and raise your kids…the surf and skate culture is way cooler than the HS culture…I get it. So that means you really have to instill good values and expectations on the homefront…more so than in “wholesome town, USA.”(which doesnt exist in the southern CA realm) At least I havent found it yet.

I want my kids to know that college THE only option after HS…and so therefore, I would like for them have an abundance of peers who have those same goals. Is there by chance a good christian school in the area?

[terri]

If you are going to stay there and raise your kids…the surf and skate culture is way cooler than the HS culture…I get it. So that means you really have to instill good values and expectations on the homefront…more so than in “wholesome town, USA.”(which doesnt exist in the southern CA realm) At least I havent found it yet.

I want my kids to know that college THE only option after HS…and so therefore, I would like for them have an abundance of peers who have those same goals. Is there by chance a good christian school in the area?

[terri]

If you are going to stay there and raise your kids…the surf and skate culture is way cooler than the HS culture…I get it. So that means you really have to instill good values and expectations on the homefront…more so than in “wholesome town, USA.”(which doesnt exist in the southern CA realm) At least I havent found it yet.

I want my kids to know that college THE only option after HS…and so therefore, I would like for them have an abundance of peers who have those same goals. Is there by chance a good christian school in the area?

[Bugs]

Don’t get me wrong, I like my town and Bressi isn’t a bad place to live by any means. It’s just that the neighborhood feel in Carlsbad is the same as anywhere else in the region. No better and no worse.

[Bugs]

Don’t get me wrong, I like my town and Bressi isn’t a bad place to live by any means. It’s just that the neighborhood feel in Carlsbad is the same as anywhere else in the region. No better and no worse.

[Bugs]

Don’t get me wrong, I like my town and Bressi isn’t a bad place to live by any means. It’s just that the neighborhood feel in Carlsbad is the same as anywhere else in the region. No better and no worse.

[Bugs]

Don’t get me wrong, I like my town and Bressi isn’t a bad place to live by any means. It’s just that the neighborhood feel in Carlsbad is the same as anywhere else in the region. No better and no worse.

[terri]

Thank you, Bugs, for your insight.

This pretty frustrating because…I just want a normal suburban area with a little vibe with good schools and decent housing AND if it isnt too much to ask, warm friendly people . I am from the southeast, and have lived in OH and AZ, as well as CT, NC, VA, GA. Southern CA is the most farthest from any of these things that I desire. And my extensive research of the areas are all the same thing. Nothing special.

I chose Carlsbad for its location close to metrolink (my husband would commute via train)…and its schools stood out and some decent houses showed up inthe MLS that were reasonable high 600’s to mid 700’s, it seems like a nice local town with a pulse. Now I realized they werent what they seemed though, but not unlikely that some good deals could be had.

I appreciate your recommendations, however if we chose the north county area of SD, I would prefer that we stay above Carlsbad and within close proximity to a highway.

[terri]

Thank you, Bugs, for your insight.

This pretty frustrating because…I just want a normal suburban area with a little vibe with good schools and decent housing AND if it isnt too much to ask, warm friendly people . I am from the southeast, and have lived in OH and AZ, as well as CT, NC, VA, GA. Southern CA is the most farthest from any of these things that I desire. And my extensive research of the areas are all the same thing. Nothing special.

I chose Carlsbad for its location close to metrolink (my husband would commute via train)…and its schools stood out and some decent houses showed up inthe MLS that were reasonable high 600’s to mid 700’s, it seems like a nice local town with a pulse. Now I realized they werent what they seemed though, but not unlikely that some good deals could be had.

I appreciate your recommendations, however if we chose the north county area of SD, I would prefer that we stay above Carlsbad and within close proximity to a highway.

[terri]

Thank you, Bugs, for your insight.

This pretty frustrating because…I just want a normal suburban area with a little vibe with good schools and decent housing AND if it isnt too much to ask, warm friendly people . I am from the southeast, and have lived in OH and AZ, as well as CT, NC, VA, GA. Southern CA is the most farthest from any of these things that I desire. And my extensive research of the areas are all the same thing. Nothing special.

I chose Carlsbad for its location close to metrolink (my husband would commute via train)…and its schools stood out and some decent houses showed up inthe MLS that were reasonable high 600’s to mid 700’s, it seems like a nice local town with a pulse. Now I realized they werent what they seemed though, but not unlikely that some good deals could be had.

I appreciate your recommendations, however if we chose the north county area of SD, I would prefer that we stay above Carlsbad and within close proximity to a highway.

[terri]

Thank you, Bugs, for your insight.

This pretty frustrating because…I just want a normal suburban area with a little vibe with good schools and decent housing AND if it isnt too much to ask, warm friendly people . I am from the southeast, and have lived in OH and AZ, as well as CT, NC, VA, GA. Southern CA is the most farthest from any of these things that I desire. And my extensive research of the areas are all the same thing. Nothing special.

I chose Carlsbad for its location close to metrolink (my husband would commute via train)…and its schools stood out and some decent houses showed up inthe MLS that were reasonable high 600’s to mid 700’s, it seems like a nice local town with a pulse. Now I realized they werent what they seemed though, but not unlikely that some good deals could be had.

I appreciate your recommendations, however if we chose the north county area of SD, I would prefer that we stay above Carlsbad and within close proximity to a highway.

[Bugs]

My kids all went to Carlsbad High, and while its okay I’ve come to the conclusion that parental involvement is more of a factor in a kid’s education than the reputation of a school district. The demographics and economic conditions in the various households have more influence on test scores than do the curriculums or the instructors at the schools.

Rich neighborhoods aren’t rich because of the high test scores of the schools where they are located; the schools where they are located have high test scores because many rich people have high expectations of performance for their kids.

Whatever you do, if you want your kids to focus on school then stay away from the beach communities. It’s true that half the kids will join the program and excel in scholastics and extracurricular activities like organized sports and stuff. However, the other half will gravtitate toward the skate parks (there’s one located about 3 blocks north of Bressi in that industrial park at Palomar Airport Road/El Camino Real) and surfing. And those two groups do not mix. There’s always lots of tension between the jocks and the surfers/skaters. And unlike in other communities, the jocks and cheerleaders don’t always occupy the top of the social pecking order.

You might want to go to Poway or Carmel Valley instead. Those kids have nothing better to do and nowhere better to go than to get involved at school. Carlsbad and Encinitas aren’t known for turning out professional skaters and surfers for nothing.

[Bugs]

My kids all went to Carlsbad High, and while its okay I’ve come to the conclusion that parental involvement is more of a factor in a kid’s education than the reputation of a school district. The demographics and economic conditions in the various households have more influence on test scores than do the curriculums or the instructors at the schools.

Rich neighborhoods aren’t rich because of the high test scores of the schools where they are located; the schools where they are located have high test scores because many rich people have high expectations of performance for their kids.

Whatever you do, if you want your kids to focus on school then stay away from the beach communities. It’s true that half the kids will join the program and excel in scholastics and extracurricular activities like organized sports and stuff. However, the other half will gravtitate toward the skate parks (there’s one located about 3 blocks north of Bressi in that industrial park at Palomar Airport Road/El Camino Real) and surfing. And those two groups do not mix. There’s always lots of tension between the jocks and the surfers/skaters. And unlike in other communities, the jocks and cheerleaders don’t always occupy the top of the social pecking order.

You might want to go to Poway or Carmel Valley instead. Those kids have nothing better to do and nowhere better to go than to get involved at school. Carlsbad and Encinitas aren’t known for turning out professional skaters and surfers for nothing.

[Bugs]

My kids all went to Carlsbad High, and while its okay I’ve come to the conclusion that parental involvement is more of a factor in a kid’s education than the reputation of a school district. The demographics and economic conditions in the various households have more influence on test scores than do the curriculums or the instructors at the schools.

Rich neighborhoods aren’t rich because of the high test scores of the schools where they are located; the schools where they are located have high test scores because many rich people have high expectations of performance for their kids.

Whatever you do, if you want your kids to focus on school then stay away from the beach communities. It’s true that half the kids will join the program and excel in scholastics and extracurricular activities like organized sports and stuff. However, the other half will gravtitate toward the skate parks (there’s one located about 3 blocks north of Bressi in that industrial park at Palomar Airport Road/El Camino Real) and surfing. And those two groups do not mix. There’s always lots of tension between the jocks and the surfers/skaters. And unlike in other communities, the jocks and cheerleaders don’t always occupy the top of the social pecking order.

You might want to go to Poway or Carmel Valley instead. Those kids have nothing better to do and nowhere better to go than to get involved at school. Carlsbad and Encinitas aren’t known for turning out professional skaters and surfers for nothing.

[Bugs]

My kids all went to Carlsbad High, and while its okay I’ve come to the conclusion that parental involvement is more of a factor in a kid’s education than the reputation of a school district. The demographics and economic conditions in the various households have more influence on test scores than do the curriculums or the instructors at the schools.

Rich neighborhoods aren’t rich because of the high test scores of the schools where they are located; the schools where they are located have high test scores because many rich people have high expectations of performance for their kids.

Whatever you do, if you want your kids to focus on school then stay away from the beach communities. It’s true that half the kids will join the program and excel in scholastics and extracurricular activities like organized sports and stuff. However, the other half will gravtitate toward the skate parks (there’s one located about 3 blocks north of Bressi in that industrial park at Palomar Airport Road/El Camino Real) and surfing. And those two groups do not mix. There’s always lots of tension between the jocks and the surfers/skaters. And unlike in other communities, the jocks and cheerleaders don’t always occupy the top of the social pecking order.

You might want to go to Poway or Carmel Valley instead. Those kids have nothing better to do and nowhere better to go than to get involved at school. Carlsbad and Encinitas aren’t known for turning out professional skaters and surfers for nothing.

[terri]

thank you…very informative. What then…is your take on the surrounding communities (la costa and others that share a good school system)?

[terri]

thank you…very informative. What then…is your take on the surrounding communities (la costa and others that share a good school system)?

[terri]

thank you…very informative. What then…is your take on the surrounding communities (la costa and others that share a good school system)?

[terri]

thank you…very informative. What then…is your take on the surrounding communities (la costa and others that share a good school system)?

[Bugs]

I live in Carlsbad and I reviewed a good percentage of the appraisals that were used to finance the original sales transactions in Bressi.

The northern boundary for Bressi is Palomar Airport Road and the western boundary is El Camino Real. Palomar McClellan Airport is located on the n/west corner of the intersection of the two streets and Bressi is at the s/east corner.

Bressi is a planned community that features about 300,000 SqFt of office and industrial properties fronting the two main roads, with the residential areas on the interior. It includes some multifamily homes oriented between the housing tracts on the interior and the office uses along El Camino Real. The residential portion of the project was built out first and is all sold out with the exception of about 15 lots over in the Barratt portion of the project. For some reason Barratt is having a hard time unloading $2mil tract homes in a neighborhood surrounded by $1mil and under tract homes. Go figure.

The reason the developers built the residential portion first is because they were tacking on $150k view amenity premiums for the homes that back to the western boundary of the housing portion and which look out to the west. The reason there was a view amenity was because the office/industrial zoned areas weren’t built out. The developers didn’t even start grading until the houses were all sold off. Now that the developers are erecting 30 foot tall concrete tilt-up industrials along El Camino Real they’re wiping out those view amenities. No more peek views of the ocean at Bressi.

The landing pattern at Palomar basically follows Palmoar Airport Road and that airport is among the busiest in the region. Air traffic includes small and medium sized jets and they’re expanding the terminals so they can support more traffic.

Incidentally, they’re having a tough time selling off the office and industrial condos in that area. I probably don’t have to tell you what will happen when you get a bunch of commercial properties sitting vacant for a year or two at a major traffic intersection.

If it were my decision I’d look elsewhere and I wouldn’t be all that concerned about clubhouses and pools. Maybe 10% of the residents of these types of projects ever use those facilities and they just add to your HOA dues. The developers like to paint pictures of close knit neighborhoods like Mayberry, but the reality is that most people meet one time to introduce themselves and then limit their interaction to waving at each other as they pull in and out of their driveways.

Different strokes.

[Bugs]

I live in Carlsbad and I reviewed a good percentage of the appraisals that were used to finance the original sales transactions in Bressi.

The northern boundary for Bressi is Palomar Airport Road and the western boundary is El Camino Real. Palomar McClellan Airport is located on the n/west corner of the intersection of the two streets and Bressi is at the s/east corner.

Bressi is a planned community that features about 300,000 SqFt of office and industrial properties fronting the two main roads, with the residential areas on the interior. It includes some multifamily homes oriented between the housing tracts on the interior and the office uses along El Camino Real. The residential portion of the project was built out first and is all sold out with the exception of about 15 lots over in the Barratt portion of the project. For some reason Barratt is having a hard time unloading $2mil tract homes in a neighborhood surrounded by $1mil and under tract homes. Go figure.

The reason the developers built the residential portion first is because they were tacking on $150k view amenity premiums for the homes that back to the western boundary of the housing portion and which look out to the west. The reason there was a view amenity was because the office/industrial zoned areas weren’t built out. The developers didn’t even start grading until the houses were all sold off. Now that the developers are erecting 30 foot tall concrete tilt-up industrials along El Camino Real they’re wiping out those view amenities. No more peek views of the ocean at Bressi.

The landing pattern at Palomar basically follows Palmoar Airport Road and that airport is among the busiest in the region. Air traffic includes small and medium sized jets and they’re expanding the terminals so they can support more traffic.

Incidentally, they’re having a tough time selling off the office and industrial condos in that area. I probably don’t have to tell you what will happen when you get a bunch of commercial properties sitting vacant for a year or two at a major traffic intersection.

If it were my decision I’d look elsewhere and I wouldn’t be all that concerned about clubhouses and pools. Maybe 10% of the residents of these types of projects ever use those facilities and they just add to your HOA dues. The developers like to paint pictures of close knit neighborhoods like Mayberry, but the reality is that most people meet one time to introduce themselves and then limit their interaction to waving at each other as they pull in and out of their driveways.

Different strokes.

[Bugs]

I live in Carlsbad and I reviewed a good percentage of the appraisals that were used to finance the original sales transactions in Bressi.

The northern boundary for Bressi is Palomar Airport Road and the western boundary is El Camino Real. Palomar McClellan Airport is located on the n/west corner of the intersection of the two streets and Bressi is at the s/east corner.

Bressi is a planned community that features about 300,000 SqFt of office and industrial properties fronting the two main roads, with the residential areas on the interior. It includes some multifamily homes oriented between the housing tracts on the interior and the office uses along El Camino Real. The residential portion of the project was built out first and is all sold out with the exception of about 15 lots over in the Barratt portion of the project. For some reason Barratt is having a hard time unloading $2mil tract homes in a neighborhood surrounded by $1mil and under tract homes. Go figure.

The reason the developers built the residential portion first is because they were tacking on $150k view amenity premiums for the homes that back to the western boundary of the housing portion and which look out to the west. The reason there was a view amenity was because the office/industrial zoned areas weren’t built out. The developers didn’t even start grading until the houses were all sold off. Now that the developers are erecting 30 foot tall concrete tilt-up industrials along El Camino Real they’re wiping out those view amenities. No more peek views of the ocean at Bressi.

The landing pattern at Palomar basically follows Palmoar Airport Road and that airport is among the busiest in the region. Air traffic includes small and medium sized jets and they’re expanding the terminals so they can support more traffic.

Incidentally, they’re having a tough time selling off the office and industrial condos in that area. I probably don’t have to tell you what will happen when you get a bunch of commercial properties sitting vacant for a year or two at a major traffic intersection.

If it were my decision I’d look elsewhere and I wouldn’t be all that concerned about clubhouses and pools. Maybe 10% of the residents of these types of projects ever use those facilities and they just add to your HOA dues. The developers like to paint pictures of close knit neighborhoods like Mayberry, but the reality is that most people meet one time to introduce themselves and then limit their interaction to waving at each other as they pull in and out of their driveways.

Different strokes.

[Bugs]

I live in Carlsbad and I reviewed a good percentage of the appraisals that were used to finance the original sales transactions in Bressi.

The northern boundary for Bressi is Palomar Airport Road and the western boundary is El Camino Real. Palomar McClellan Airport is located on the n/west corner of the intersection of the two streets and Bressi is at the s/east corner.

Bressi is a planned community that features about 300,000 SqFt of office and industrial properties fronting the two main roads, with the residential areas on the interior. It includes some multifamily homes oriented between the housing tracts on the interior and the office uses along El Camino Real. The residential portion of the project was built out first and is all sold out with the exception of about 15 lots over in the Barratt portion of the project. For some reason Barratt is having a hard time unloading $2mil tract homes in a neighborhood surrounded by $1mil and under tract homes. Go figure.

The reason the developers built the residential portion first is because they were tacking on $150k view amenity premiums for the homes that back to the western boundary of the housing portion and which look out to the west. The reason there was a view amenity was because the office/industrial zoned areas weren’t built out. The developers didn’t even start grading until the houses were all sold off. Now that the developers are erecting 30 foot tall concrete tilt-up industrials along El Camino Real they’re wiping out those view amenities. No more peek views of the ocean at Bressi.

The landing pattern at Palomar basically follows Palmoar Airport Road and that airport is among the busiest in the region. Air traffic includes small and medium sized jets and they’re expanding the terminals so they can support more traffic.

Incidentally, they’re having a tough time selling off the office and industrial condos in that area. I probably don’t have to tell you what will happen when you get a bunch of commercial properties sitting vacant for a year or two at a major traffic intersection.

If it were my decision I’d look elsewhere and I wouldn’t be all that concerned about clubhouses and pools. Maybe 10% of the residents of these types of projects ever use those facilities and they just add to your HOA dues. The developers like to paint pictures of close knit neighborhoods like Mayberry, but the reality is that most people meet one time to introduce themselves and then limit their interaction to waving at each other as they pull in and out of their driveways.

Different strokes.

[Duck]

Terri,

It sounds like you would love a community like La Costa Valley. Great schools, close to the beach, shopping, entertainment, etc. and you get all the amenities (2 pools, tennis, fitness center, walking trails, etc.) for $100/month as an HOA fee. Mello Roos is about $700/year. The High School is either La Costa Canyon, San Dieguito Academy, or Canyon Crest which is down in Carmel Valley. Can’t go wrong with either.

The community was built between about 1998 and 2003 and it’s very family centered. You’ll find the occasional senior citizens walking in the morning, but it’s mostly families with the kids at home. You might try renting for a while before buying. Prices may come down and if you walk the community you’ll get an idea of which neighborhoods suit your needs. Many of the neigborhoods have almost a “college football tailgate feel” to them with the neighbors throwing outdoor parties together for Halloween, 4th of July, etc. If you have a dog, I’d encourage you to drive over there on a weekend and go for some walks in the different areas to get a feel for it.

There are also some slighlty older communities near LCC High School (just across Rancho Santa Fe Road) which are a little more affordable (and a couple that are more expensive). They don’t have the same amenities, but they are closer to Stagecoach Park which has Jazz concerts every summer and has great athletic fields.

Good luck.

[terri]

wow…that sounds incredibly promising! Where exactly is it? Are we talking about La costa in Carlsbad? Would it be close to the train station to get up to LA (metrolink)? How far is it from Carlsbad if it isnt in Carlsbad? Please tell me more.

[Eugene]

La Costa Valley is between Rancho Santa Fe Road and El Camino Real north of Camino Barcelona. Incredibly overpriced like all of Carlsbad but some smaller houses occasionally get listed below 700k.

http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/printable-listing?listing-id=1314750

[Eugene]

La Costa Valley is between Rancho Santa Fe Road and El Camino Real north of Camino Barcelona. Incredibly overpriced like all of Carlsbad but some smaller houses occasionally get listed below 700k.

http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/printable-listing?listing-id=1314750

[Eugene]

La Costa Valley is between Rancho Santa Fe Road and El Camino Real north of Camino Barcelona. Incredibly overpriced like all of Carlsbad but some smaller houses occasionally get listed below 700k.

http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/printable-listing?listing-id=1314750

[Eugene]

La Costa Valley is between Rancho Santa Fe Road and El Camino Real north of Camino Barcelona. Incredibly overpriced like all of Carlsbad but some smaller houses occasionally get listed below 700k.

http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/printable-listing?listing-id=1314750

[Eugene]

La Costa Valley is between Rancho Santa Fe Road and El Camino Real north of Camino Barcelona. Incredibly overpriced like all of Carlsbad but some smaller houses occasionally get listed below 700k.

http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/printable-listing?listing-id=1314750

[Duck]

It’s South Carlsbad which is right on the border of Encinitas/Carlsbad so you are in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School district for the secondary schools. There’s a train station in downtown Encinitas which is probably a couple minutes longer commute than going from Bressi to the Poinsettia station. Moonlight Beach is about the same distance as Ponto Beach would be from Bressi and downtown Encinitas is actually closer to us than the Village of Carlsbad would be from Bressi. You also have all sorts of stores like Target, Home Depot, Savon, the Forum Shops etc. that are literally a 3-4 minute drive. It’s very convenient.

La Costa Valley is not to be confused with the older La Costa homes which were built mostly in the 70’s and 80’s and are not part of the HOA. There are two main entrances to La Costa Valley. One is at Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real and the other is Calle Barcelona and Rancho Santa Fe Road. There’s always 2 or 3 open houses on the weekend.

[terri]

Thanks… would those newer developments like La Costa green and La Costa Oaks be a part of the La costa valley? It is alittle confusing.

[terri]

Thanks… would those newer developments like La Costa green and La Costa Oaks be a part of the La costa valley? It is alittle confusing.

[terri]

Thanks… would those newer developments like La Costa green and La Costa Oaks be a part of the La costa valley? It is alittle confusing.

[terri]

Thanks… would those newer developments like La Costa green and La Costa Oaks be a part of the La costa valley? It is alittle confusing.

[terri]

Thanks… would those newer developments like La Costa green and La Costa Oaks be a part of the La costa valley? It is alittle confusing.

[Duck]

It’s South Carlsbad which is right on the border of Encinitas/Carlsbad so you are in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School district for the secondary schools. There’s a train station in downtown Encinitas which is probably a couple minutes longer commute than going from Bressi to the Poinsettia station. Moonlight Beach is about the same distance as Ponto Beach would be from Bressi and downtown Encinitas is actually closer to us than the Village of Carlsbad would be from Bressi. You also have all sorts of stores like Target, Home Depot, Savon, the Forum Shops etc. that are literally a 3-4 minute drive. It’s very convenient.

La Costa Valley is not to be confused with the older La Costa homes which were built mostly in the 70’s and 80’s and are not part of the HOA. There are two main entrances to La Costa Valley. One is at Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real and the other is Calle Barcelona and Rancho Santa Fe Road. There’s always 2 or 3 open houses on the weekend.

[Duck]

It’s South Carlsbad which is right on the border of Encinitas/Carlsbad so you are in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School district for the secondary schools. There’s a train station in downtown Encinitas which is probably a couple minutes longer commute than going from Bressi to the Poinsettia station. Moonlight Beach is about the same distance as Ponto Beach would be from Bressi and downtown Encinitas is actually closer to us than the Village of Carlsbad would be from Bressi. You also have all sorts of stores like Target, Home Depot, Savon, the Forum Shops etc. that are literally a 3-4 minute drive. It’s very convenient.

La Costa Valley is not to be confused with the older La Costa homes which were built mostly in the 70’s and 80’s and are not part of the HOA. There are two main entrances to La Costa Valley. One is at Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real and the other is Calle Barcelona and Rancho Santa Fe Road. There’s always 2 or 3 open houses on the weekend.

[Duck]

It’s South Carlsbad which is right on the border of Encinitas/Carlsbad so you are in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School district for the secondary schools. There’s a train station in downtown Encinitas which is probably a couple minutes longer commute than going from Bressi to the Poinsettia station. Moonlight Beach is about the same distance as Ponto Beach would be from Bressi and downtown Encinitas is actually closer to us than the Village of Carlsbad would be from Bressi. You also have all sorts of stores like Target, Home Depot, Savon, the Forum Shops etc. that are literally a 3-4 minute drive. It’s very convenient.

La Costa Valley is not to be confused with the older La Costa homes which were built mostly in the 70’s and 80’s and are not part of the HOA. There are two main entrances to La Costa Valley. One is at Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real and the other is Calle Barcelona and Rancho Santa Fe Road. There’s always 2 or 3 open houses on the weekend.

[Duck]

It’s South Carlsbad which is right on the border of Encinitas/Carlsbad so you are in the Encinitas Union Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School district for the secondary schools. There’s a train station in downtown Encinitas which is probably a couple minutes longer commute than going from Bressi to the Poinsettia station. Moonlight Beach is about the same distance as Ponto Beach would be from Bressi and downtown Encinitas is actually closer to us than the Village of Carlsbad would be from Bressi. You also have all sorts of stores like Target, Home Depot, Savon, the Forum Shops etc. that are literally a 3-4 minute drive. It’s very convenient.

La Costa Valley is not to be confused with the older La Costa homes which were built mostly in the 70’s and 80’s and are not part of the HOA. There are two main entrances to La Costa Valley. One is at Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real and the other is Calle Barcelona and Rancho Santa Fe Road. There’s always 2 or 3 open houses on the weekend.

[amy]

Hi Terri,
I am new to So Cal too – I grew up in VT and have lived in Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas & Austin over the last 12 years. We have lived in La Costa Greens in the La Costa area of Carlsbad since April, and we love it. We are renting a home until the market stabilizes. I was very reluctant to rent as I had owned homes for over a decade, but we’re glad we did. I’ve gotten to know the area & now have narrowed down where we eventually want to buy. I highly recommend you consider doing this as well. There are some homes for rent here, and the development is very family-oriented and super-friendly. La Costa Greens has a great pool & community party area called the Presido, and the houses are just a couple of years old at the most (some are brand new as the development is still under contruction). It’s south of Bressi Ranch, out of the commercial construction area and closer to the golf course – some homes are actually on the La Costa golf course. A lot of homes have great views. The only drawback I have is that the school system is San Marcos for most of La Costa Greens. The elementary school (La Costa Meadow) is very good, but the high school is not great, although by all reports it’s improving. Other nice & newer developments in the La Costa area include La Costa Ridge (San Marcos schools) and La Costa Oaks (Encinitas schools, which are great). I highly recommend Carlsbad or Encinitas if you are looking for a family-oriented area on the train line. Good luck to you & your family! You’ll love it out here.

[terri]

Amy…nice to meet you…wow…I am starting to feel like this is not hopeless. I did notice the schools werent carlsbad unified and that did concern me.

We have 2 daughters in elementary school now. If we follow thru on selling our house up in ventura ( we have been here for 2 yrs)in the spring, most likely we would rent too until something good came along. That sounds like the best course for now.

Thank you so much for your positive response. I am abit concerned with the schools (only because we are in a good district now, but I dont care for the superficialness of the area.) Do you know if there is a good christian high school in the area? In case the HS doesnt get its act together?

Oh and since you have been in the neighborhood…have you seen a significant drop in the prices for a single family home and are they sitting awhile?

[Duck]

La Costa Greens and Ridge are not La Costa Valley and they have their own HOA’s and amenities. They are newer and by all accounts very nice. The big difference is school districts. I have a feeling a lot of these residents send their kids to private schools at least for middle and high school (not even sure what the middle school is).

La Costa Oaks is yet another newer development and it is part of the same school district (Encinitas/San Dieguito). My only concern with the newer developments is that a lot of the speculation and toxic loans are probably hidden in some of these neighborhoods which were built right as prices peaked 2004-2006. Some of it has already been shaken out through foreclosures, etc. but it’s difficult to know for sure.

Santa Fe Chritstian is a very good school in Solana Beach and goes from elementary through High School. We have friends that send their kids there and they love it. The school bus makes a stop in La Costa Valley.

[terri]

Thsnk you very much, Duck. That helps narrow my search down alot. Do you all live in this community? Now isnt the La Costa Oaks still being built out? Do you know if the prices have dropped in there?

I am feeling very optimistic about checking out this community…it truly sounds like it has a nice balance and people are happy there. That makes a big difference to me.

[amy]

Hi Terri,
There is a Christian school with a great reputation in the Carmel Valley area where my husband’s boss’s kids go…I forget the name of it, but will try to find out for you. There’s also a brand new private school serving 7th grade-12 in Carlsbad, very close to Bressi Ranch and La Costa Greens. It’s called Pacific Ridge (www.pacificridge.org) and I don’t know much about it as my neighbors all have kids that are elementary school or younger. We have been very pleased with La Costa Meadows – my kindergardener is doing great there. I think the quality is as good as the Carlsbad schools, but I will warn you that ALL the public schools here have large class sizes. Will has 32 kids in his class, which is about what I hear from friends in other districts.

In response to your other question, yes, definitely prices have dropped here in La Costa Greens (and in La Costa Oaks & La Costa Ridge). We will be able to get a lot more for our money when we buy late this year or next year than if we had bought last spring. I have even seen a couple of foreclosures in these neighborhoods and several homes for rent. You will for sure be able to find something that will suit your family!

[CardiffBaseball]

Santa Fe Christian does have a lot of Encinitas/South Carlsbad folks attending and the location is pretty convenient.

[amy]

Cathedral is the Catholic private school I couldn’t remember earlier. Our friends are very happy with it.

[jimklinge]

Cathedral Catholic is a three-year-old school that many have likened to a college-like campus, with many high-tech applications. The school was borne out of University High School next to USD. http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/

It’s on Del Mar Heights Rd., which can be a trek from Carlsbad in the morning, but worth considering. Pacific Ridge and Santa Fe Christian are also well thought of, as the comments above confirm.

Renting is a good idea to consider, to get comfortable with the neighborhoods. The chances of you finding a great house at a great price while out-of-town are pretty small.

Jim the Realtor

[terri]

Thank you, Jim, too…that seems to be the best route now…is to wait it out and rent. Everyone seems very reluctant right now. So it certainly looks like time is on our side…for now.

I am cautiously optimistic that we can still recoup enough equity out of our current house here in LA/ventura area in the spring…Everything kinda depends on that,and if that can be to our benefit. We know that we stand to have a small loss, but if it is too big…I dont know. Real estate can be a divine thing sometimes…either it is meant to happen or not…you never know unless you take the chance, Right?

[terri]

Thank you, Jim, too…that seems to be the best route now…is to wait it out and rent. Everyone seems very reluctant right now. So it certainly looks like time is on our side…for now.

I am cautiously optimistic that we can still recoup enough equity out of our current house here in LA/ventura area in the spring…Everything kinda depends on that,and if that can be to our benefit. We know that we stand to have a small loss, but if it is too big…I dont know. Real estate can be a divine thing sometimes…either it is meant to happen or not…you never know unless you take the chance, Right?

[terri]

Thank you, Jim, too…that seems to be the best route now…is to wait it out and rent. Everyone seems very reluctant right now. So it certainly looks like time is on our side…for now.

I am cautiously optimistic that we can still recoup enough equity out of our current house here in LA/ventura area in the spring…Everything kinda depends on that,and if that can be to our benefit. We know that we stand to have a small loss, but if it is too big…I dont know. Real estate can be a divine thing sometimes…either it is meant to happen or not…you never know unless you take the chance, Right?

[terri]

Thank you, Jim, too…that seems to be the best route now…is to wait it out and rent. Everyone seems very reluctant right now. So it certainly looks like time is on our side…for now.

I am cautiously optimistic that we can still recoup enough equity out of our current house here in LA/ventura area in the spring…Everything kinda depends on that,and if that can be to our benefit. We know that we stand to have a small loss, but if it is too big…I dont know. Real estate can be a divine thing sometimes…either it is meant to happen or not…you never know unless you take the chance, Right?

[terri]

Thank you, Jim, too…that seems to be the best route now…is to wait it out and rent. Everyone seems very reluctant right now. So it certainly looks like time is on our side…for now.

I am cautiously optimistic that we can still recoup enough equity out of our current house here in LA/ventura area in the spring…Everything kinda depends on that,and if that can be to our benefit. We know that we stand to have a small loss, but if it is too big…I dont know. Real estate can be a divine thing sometimes…either it is meant to happen or not…you never know unless you take the chance, Right?

[jimklinge]

Cathedral Catholic is a three-year-old school that many have likened to a college-like campus, with many high-tech applications. The school was borne out of University High School next to USD. http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/

It’s on Del Mar Heights Rd., which can be a trek from Carlsbad in the morning, but worth considering. Pacific Ridge and Santa Fe Christian are also well thought of, as the comments above confirm.

Renting is a good idea to consider, to get comfortable with the neighborhoods. The chances of you finding a great house at a great price while out-of-town are pretty small.

Jim the Realtor

[jimklinge]

Cathedral Catholic is a three-year-old school that many have likened to a college-like campus, with many high-tech applications. The school was borne out of University High School next to USD. http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/

It’s on Del Mar Heights Rd., which can be a trek from Carlsbad in the morning, but worth considering. Pacific Ridge and Santa Fe Christian are also well thought of, as the comments above confirm.

Renting is a good idea to consider, to get comfortable with the neighborhoods. The chances of you finding a great house at a great price while out-of-town are pretty small.

Jim the Realtor

[jimklinge]

Cathedral Catholic is a three-year-old school that many have likened to a college-like campus, with many high-tech applications. The school was borne out of University High School next to USD. http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/

It’s on Del Mar Heights Rd., which can be a trek from Carlsbad in the morning, but worth considering. Pacific Ridge and Santa Fe Christian are also well thought of, as the comments above confirm.

Renting is a good idea to consider, to get comfortable with the neighborhoods. The chances of you finding a great house at a great price while out-of-town are pretty small.

Jim the Realtor

[jimklinge]

Cathedral Catholic is a three-year-old school that many have likened to a college-like campus, with many high-tech applications. The school was borne out of University High School next to USD. http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/

It’s on Del Mar Heights Rd., which can be a trek from Carlsbad in the morning, but worth considering. Pacific Ridge and Santa Fe Christian are also well thought of, as the comments above confirm.

Renting is a good idea to consider, to get comfortable with the neighborhoods. The chances of you finding a great house at a great price while out-of-town are pretty small.

Jim the Realtor

[terri]

Thank you Amy, Duck and the others for all your very encouraging information. Hopefully, once we visit the area and take it in…we will certainly know if it will be a good fit for us.

The schools are the only thing though…I dont want to have to do private…for I know it is a small fortune to have to absorb even for high school for about 4-5 yrs depending. I actually went to a small christian school during my HS yrs and had a great, although sheltered type, experience…and private school in south GA was much less expensive…like a less than a couple grand a yr rather than 11 g’s ayr from what I checked at Santa fe and that doesnt include all the other fees that are associated with a private education as well.

Amy…would you say that the parental involvement inthe elementary school is pretty active? How proactive are the parents in regards to seeing that there is a decent HS for their elementary aged kids? I will research more…as I continue to weigh the pros and cons. I consider those of you that actually live there to be the most important informative sources.

[amy]

Terri, I can only speak from my experience with La Costa Meadows, but the parents are very much involved, which of course is the key to success no matter what district your school is in.
Carlsbad just agreed to build a new high school, so if your kids are in elementary school now, it may be completed before they need it. Also, San Marcos high school is definitely improving and increased parental involvement is one reason. Who knows, maybe there will be a new high school there too within the next 10 years or so. With all the new houses in San Elijo, I would think they would need one by then. So there is a lot to consider. But through 8th grade, you would be safe with San Marcos, Carlsbad or Encinitas schools, one of which you would get living in Carlsbad.

[terri]

Thanks, Amy…It just so happens…my husband and I took a drive down to carlsbad yesterday. So inspired by the positive comments about the community in this thread…we wanted to see it before we continued our research.

Well…my first observation…was since it WAS a Saturday…the traffic was alittle heavy in the bigger planned community areas, especially where the retail was. We got off at the Carlsbad Village area and drove through that area and then by the beach going south…I noticed a really cute cottage type single family home community ( I guess where Poinsettia hooks up on the beachside) Those kinda held my interest…then we crossed the hwy and came over and basically made a huge loop going across and then coming down Santa Fe and then hooking with barcelona and eventually finding La Costa Valley… after we passed by the La Costa Oaks entrance too. One thing I didnt realize is just how hilly the terrain was…I am a runner…and the thought of having to conquer those hills regularly were of some concern. I like a flatter terrain…I like to be able to see out…anyway…just a small preferance on my part. So we drive in to the community via Calle Barcelona…and randomly picked a neighborhood off to the right…that’s coming in by turning off of Santa Fe and then Calle Barcelona. Well, we were impressed…I do think the houses were very likely out of our price range but very much like houses we were used in other places we haved outside of CA. I liked the size of lots and the wide streets and the amount of family activity we saw. These houses were not spanish/mediterranean, but rather very traditional…sorta something I would see back east. Nice. And then we drove out.

What is your take on the Pacific Rim elementary In Poinsettia Park and Aviara oaks Elementary in Aviara? I liked the flatter terrain that was closer to the lagoons and beach areas.

[terri]

Thanks, Amy…It just so happens…my husband and I took a drive down to carlsbad yesterday. So inspired by the positive comments about the community in this thread…we wanted to see it before we continued our research.

Well…my first observation…was since it WAS a Saturday…the traffic was alittle heavy in the bigger planned community areas, especially where the retail was. We got off at the Carlsbad Village area and drove through that area and then by the beach going south…I noticed a really cute cottage type single family home community ( I guess where Poinsettia hooks up on the beachside) Those kinda held my interest…then we crossed the hwy and came over and basically made a huge loop going across and then coming down Santa Fe and then hooking with barcelona and eventually finding La Costa Valley… after we passed by the La Costa Oaks entrance too. One thing I didnt realize is just how hilly the terrain was…I am a runner…and the thought of having to conquer those hills regularly were of some concern. I like a flatter terrain…I like to be able to see out…anyway…just a small preferance on my part. So we drive in to the community via Calle Barcelona…and randomly picked a neighborhood off to the right…that’s coming in by turning off of Santa Fe and then Calle Barcelona. Well, we were impressed…I do think the houses were very likely out of our price range but very much like houses we were used in other places we haved outside of CA. I liked the size of lots and the wide streets and the amount of family activity we saw. These houses were not spanish/mediterranean, but rather very traditional…sorta something I would see back east. Nice. And then we drove out.

What is your take on the Pacific Rim elementary In Poinsettia Park and Aviara oaks Elementary in Aviara? I liked the flatter terrain that was closer to the lagoons and beach areas.

[terri]

Thanks, Amy…It just so happens…my husband and I took a drive down to carlsbad yesterday. So inspired by the positive comments about the community in this thread…we wanted to see it before we continued our research.

Well…my first observation…was since it WAS a Saturday…the traffic was alittle heavy in the bigger planned community areas, especially where the retail was. We got off at the Carlsbad Village area and drove through that area and then by the beach going south…I noticed a really cute cottage type single family home community ( I guess where Poinsettia hooks up on the beachside) Those kinda held my interest…then we crossed the hwy and came over and basically made a huge loop going across and then coming down Santa Fe and then hooking with barcelona and eventually finding La Costa Valley… after we passed by the La Costa Oaks entrance too. One thing I didnt realize is just how hilly the terrain was…I am a runner…and the thought of having to conquer those hills regularly were of some concern. I like a flatter terrain…I like to be able to see out…anyway…just a small preferance on my part. So we drive in to the community via Calle Barcelona…and randomly picked a neighborhood off to the right…that’s coming in by turning off of Santa Fe and then Calle Barcelona. Well, we were impressed…I do think the houses were very likely out of our price range but very much like houses we were used in other places we haved outside of CA. I liked the size of lots and the wide streets and the amount of family activity we saw. These houses were not spanish/mediterranean, but rather very traditional…sorta something I would see back east. Nice. And then we drove out.

What is your take on the Pacific Rim elementary In Poinsettia Park and Aviara oaks Elementary in Aviara? I liked the flatter terrain that was closer to the lagoons and beach areas.

[terri]

Thanks, Amy…It just so happens…my husband and I took a drive down to carlsbad yesterday. So inspired by the positive comments about the community in this thread…we wanted to see it before we continued our research.

Well…my first observation…was since it WAS a Saturday…the traffic was alittle heavy in the bigger planned community areas, especially where the retail was. We got off at the Carlsbad Village area and drove through that area and then by the beach going south…I noticed a really cute cottage type single family home community ( I guess where Poinsettia hooks up on the beachside) Those kinda held my interest…then we crossed the hwy and came over and basically made a huge loop going across and then coming down Santa Fe and then hooking with barcelona and eventually finding La Costa Valley… after we passed by the La Costa Oaks entrance too. One thing I didnt realize is just how hilly the terrain was…I am a runner…and the thought of having to conquer those hills regularly were of some concern. I like a flatter terrain…I like to be able to see out…anyway…just a small preferance on my part. So we drive in to the community via Calle Barcelona…and randomly picked a neighborhood off to the right…that’s coming in by turning off of Santa Fe and then Calle Barcelona. Well, we were impressed…I do think the houses were very likely out of our price range but very much like houses we were used in other places we haved outside of CA. I liked the size of lots and the wide streets and the amount of family activity we saw. These houses were not spanish/mediterranean, but rather very traditional…sorta something I would see back east. Nice. And then we drove out.

What is your take on the Pacific Rim elementary In Poinsettia Park and Aviara oaks Elementary in Aviara? I liked the flatter terrain that was closer to the lagoons and beach areas.

[terri]

Thanks, Amy…It just so happens…my husband and I took a drive down to carlsbad yesterday. So inspired by the positive comments about the community in this thread…we wanted to see it before we continued our research.

Well…my first observation…was since it WAS a Saturday…the traffic was alittle heavy in the bigger planned community areas, especially where the retail was. We got off at the Carlsbad Village area and drove through that area and then by the beach going south…I noticed a really cute cottage type single family home community ( I guess where Poinsettia hooks up on the beachside) Those kinda held my interest…then we crossed the hwy and came over and basically made a huge loop going across and then coming down Santa Fe and then hooking with barcelona and eventually finding La Costa Valley… after we passed by the La Costa Oaks entrance too. One thing I didnt realize is just how hilly the terrain was…I am a runner…and the thought of having to conquer those hills regularly were of some concern. I like a flatter terrain…I like to be able to see out…anyway…just a small preferance on my part. So we drive in to the community via Calle Barcelona…and randomly picked a neighborhood off to the right…that’s coming in by turning off of Santa Fe and then Calle Barcelona. Well, we were impressed…I do think the houses were very likely out of our price range but very much like houses we were used in other places we haved outside of CA. I liked the size of lots and the wide streets and the amount of family activity we saw. These houses were not spanish/mediterranean, but rather very traditional…sorta something I would see back east. Nice. And then we drove out.

What is your take on the Pacific Rim elementary In Poinsettia Park and Aviara oaks Elementary in Aviara? I liked the flatter terrain that was closer to the lagoons and beach areas.

[amy]

Terri, I can only speak from my experience with La Costa Meadows, but the parents are very much involved, which of course is the key to success no matter what district your school is in.
Carlsbad just agreed to build a new high school, so if your kids are in elementary school now, it may be completed before they need it. Also, San Marcos high school is definitely improving and increased parental involvement is one reason. Who knows, maybe there will be a new high school there too within the next 10 years or so. With all the new houses in San Elijo, I would think they would need one by then. So there is a lot to consider. But through 8th grade, you would be safe with San Marcos, Carlsbad or Encinitas schools, one of which you would get living in Carlsbad.

[amy]

Terri, I can only speak from my experience with La Costa Meadows, but the parents are very much involved, which of course is the key to success no matter what district your school is in.
Carlsbad just agreed to build a new high school, so if your kids are in elementary school now, it may be completed before they need it. Also, San Marcos high school is definitely improving and increased parental involvement is one reason. Who knows, maybe there will be a new high school there too within the next 10 years or so. With all the new houses in San Elijo, I would think they would need one by then. So there is a lot to consider. But through 8th grade, you would be safe with San Marcos, Carlsbad or Encinitas schools, one of which you would get living in Carlsbad.

[amy]

Terri, I can only speak from my experience with La Costa Meadows, but the parents are very much involved, which of course is the key to success no matter what district your school is in.
Carlsbad just agreed to build a new high school, so if your kids are in elementary school now, it may be completed before they need it. Also, San Marcos high school is definitely improving and increased parental involvement is one reason. Who knows, maybe there will be a new high school there too within the next 10 years or so. With all the new houses in San Elijo, I would think they would need one by then. So there is a lot to consider. But through 8th grade, you would be safe with San Marcos, Carlsbad or Encinitas schools, one of which you would get living in Carlsbad.

[amy]

Terri, I can only speak from my experience with La Costa Meadows, but the parents are very much involved, which of course is the key to success no matter what district your school is in.
Carlsbad just agreed to build a new high school, so if your kids are in elementary school now, it may be completed before they need it. Also, San Marcos high school is definitely improving and increased parental involvement is one reason. Who knows, maybe there will be a new high school there too within the next 10 years or so. With all the new houses in San Elijo, I would think they would need one by then. So there is a lot to consider. But through 8th grade, you would be safe with San Marcos, Carlsbad or Encinitas schools, one of which you would get living in Carlsbad.

[terri]

Thank you Amy, Duck and the others for all your very encouraging information. Hopefully, once we visit the area and take it in…we will certainly know if it will be a good fit for us.

The schools are the only thing though…I dont want to have to do private…for I know it is a small fortune to have to absorb even for high school for about 4-5 yrs depending. I actually went to a small christian school during my HS yrs and had a great, although sheltered type, experience…and private school in south GA was much less expensive…like a less than a couple grand a yr rather than 11 g’s ayr from what I checked at Santa fe and that doesnt include all the other fees that are associated with a private education as well.

Amy…would you say that the parental involvement inthe elementary school is pretty active? How proactive are the parents in regards to seeing that there is a decent HS for their elementary aged kids? I will research more…as I continue to weigh the pros and cons. I consider those of you that actually live there to be the most important informative sources.

[terri]

Thank you Amy, Duck and the others for all your very encouraging information. Hopefully, once we visit the area and take it in…we will certainly know if it will be a good fit for us.

The schools are the only thing though…I dont want to have to do private…for I know it is a small fortune to have to absorb even for high school for about 4-5 yrs depending. I actually went to a small christian school during my HS yrs and had a great, although sheltered type, experience…and private school in south GA was much less expensive…like a less than a couple grand a yr rather than 11 g’s ayr from what I checked at Santa fe and that doesnt include all the other fees that are associated with a private education as well.

Amy…would you say that the parental involvement inthe elementary school is pretty active? How proactive are the parents in regards to seeing that there is a decent HS for their elementary aged kids? I will research more…as I continue to weigh the pros and cons. I consider those of you that actually live there to be the most important informative sources.

[terri]

Thank you Amy, Duck and the others for all your very encouraging information. Hopefully, once we visit the area and take it in…we will certainly know if it will be a good fit for us.

The schools are the only thing though…I dont want to have to do private…for I know it is a small fortune to have to absorb even for high school for about 4-5 yrs depending. I actually went to a small christian school during my HS yrs and had a great, although sheltered type, experience…and private school in south GA was much less expensive…like a less than a couple grand a yr rather than 11 g’s ayr from what I checked at Santa fe and that doesnt include all the other fees that are associated with a private education as well.

Amy…would you say that the parental involvement inthe elementary school is pretty active? How proactive are the parents in regards to seeing that there is a decent HS for their elementary aged kids? I will research more…as I continue to weigh the pros and cons. I consider those of you that actually live there to be the most important informative sources.

[terri]

Thank you Amy, Duck and the others for all your very encouraging information. Hopefully, once we visit the area and take it in…we will certainly know if it will be a good fit for us.

The schools are the only thing though…I dont want to have to do private…for I know it is a small fortune to have to absorb even for high school for about 4-5 yrs depending. I actually went to a small christian school during my HS yrs and had a great, although sheltered type, experience…and private school in south GA was much less expensive…like a less than a couple grand a yr rather than 11 g’s ayr from what I checked at Santa fe and that doesnt include all the other fees that are associated with a private education as well.

Amy…would you say that the parental involvement inthe elementary school is pretty active? How proactive are the parents in regards to seeing that there is a decent HS for their elementary aged kids? I will research more…as I continue to weigh the pros and cons. I consider those of you that actually live there to be the most important informative sources.

[amy]

Cathedral is the Catholic private school I couldn’t remember earlier. Our friends are very happy with it.

[amy]

Cathedral is the Catholic private school I couldn’t remember earlier. Our friends are very happy with it.

[amy]

Cathedral is the Catholic private school I couldn’t remember earlier. Our friends are very happy with it.

[amy]

Cathedral is the Catholic private school I couldn’t remember earlier. Our friends are very happy with it.

[CardiffBaseball]

Santa Fe Christian does have a lot of Encinitas/South Carlsbad folks attending and the location is pretty convenient.

[CardiffBaseball]

Santa Fe Christian does have a lot of Encinitas/South Carlsbad folks attending and the location is pretty convenient.

[CardiffBaseball]

Santa Fe Christian does have a lot of Encinitas/South Carlsbad folks attending and the location is pretty convenient.

[CardiffBaseball]

Santa Fe Christian does have a lot of Encinitas/South Carlsbad folks attending and the location is pretty convenient.

[amy]

Hi Terri,
There is a Christian school with a great reputation in the Carmel Valley area where my husband’s boss’s kids go…I forget the name of it, but will try to find out for you. There’s also a brand new private school serving 7th grade-12 in Carlsbad, very close to Bressi Ranch and La Costa Greens. It’s called Pacific Ridge (www.pacificridge.org) and I don’t know much about it as my neighbors all have kids that are elementary school or younger. We have been very pleased with La Costa Meadows – my kindergardener is doing great there. I think the quality is as good as the Carlsbad schools, but I will warn you that ALL the public schools here have large class sizes. Will has 32 kids in his class, which is about what I hear from friends in other districts.

In response to your other question, yes, definitely prices have dropped here in La Costa Greens (and in La Costa Oaks & La Costa Ridge). We will be able to get a lot more for our money when we buy late this year or next year than if we had bought last spring. I have even seen a couple of foreclosures in these neighborhoods and several homes for rent. You will for sure be able to find something that will suit your family!

[amy]

Hi Terri,
There is a Christian school with a great reputation in the Carmel Valley area where my husband’s boss’s kids go…I forget the name of it, but will try to find out for you. There’s also a brand new private school serving 7th grade-12 in Carlsbad, very close to Bressi Ranch and La Costa Greens. It’s called Pacific Ridge (www.pacificridge.org) and I don’t know much about it as my neighbors all have kids that are elementary school or younger. We have been very pleased with La Costa Meadows – my kindergardener is doing great there. I think the quality is as good as the Carlsbad schools, but I will warn you that ALL the public schools here have large class sizes. Will has 32 kids in his class, which is about what I hear from friends in other districts.

In response to your other question, yes, definitely prices have dropped here in La Costa Greens (and in La Costa Oaks & La Costa Ridge). We will be able to get a lot more for our money when we buy late this year or next year than if we had bought last spring. I have even seen a couple of foreclosures in these neighborhoods and several homes for rent. You will for sure be able to find something that will suit your family!

[amy]

Hi Terri,
There is a Christian school with a great reputation in the Carmel Valley area where my husband’s boss’s kids go…I forget the name of it, but will try to find out for you. There’s also a brand new private school serving 7th grade-12 in Carlsbad, very close to Bressi Ranch and La Costa Greens. It’s called Pacific Ridge (www.pacificridge.org) and I don’t know much about it as my neighbors all have kids that are elementary school or younger. We have been very pleased with La Costa Meadows – my kindergardener is doing great there. I think the quality is as good as the Carlsbad schools, but I will warn you that ALL the public schools here have large class sizes. Will has 32 kids in his class, which is about what I hear from friends in other districts.

In response to your other question, yes, definitely prices have dropped here in La Costa Greens (and in La Costa Oaks & La Costa Ridge). We will be able to get a lot more for our money when we buy late this year or next year than if we had bought last spring. I have even seen a couple of foreclosures in these neighborhoods and several homes for rent. You will for sure be able to find something that will suit your family!

[amy]

Hi Terri,
There is a Christian school with a great reputation in the Carmel Valley area where my husband’s boss’s kids go…I forget the name of it, but will try to find out for you. There’s also a brand new private school serving 7th grade-12 in Carlsbad, very close to Bressi Ranch and La Costa Greens. It’s called Pacific Ridge (www.pacificridge.org) and I don’t know much about it as my neighbors all have kids that are elementary school or younger. We have been very pleased with La Costa Meadows – my kindergardener is doing great there. I think the quality is as good as the Carlsbad schools, but I will warn you that ALL the public schools here have large class sizes. Will has 32 kids in his class, which is about what I hear from friends in other districts.

In response to your other question, yes, definitely prices have dropped here in La Costa Greens (and in La Costa Oaks & La Costa Ridge). We will be able to get a lot more for our money when we buy late this year or next year than if we had bought last spring. I have even seen a couple of foreclosures in these neighborhoods and several homes for rent. You will for sure be able to find something that will suit your family!

[terri]

Thsnk you very much, Duck. That helps narrow my search down alot. Do you all live in this community? Now isnt the La Costa Oaks still being built out? Do you know if the prices have dropped in there?

I am feeling very optimistic about checking out this community…it truly sounds like it has a nice balance and people are happy there. That makes a big difference to me.

[terri]

Thsnk you very much, Duck. That helps narrow my search down alot. Do you all live in this community? Now isnt the La Costa Oaks still being built out? Do you know if the prices have dropped in there?

I am feeling very optimistic about checking out this community…it truly sounds like it has a nice balance and people are happy there. That makes a big difference to me.

[terri]

Thsnk you very much, Duck. That helps narrow my search down alot. Do you all live in this community? Now isnt the La Costa Oaks still being built out? Do you know if the prices have dropped in there?

I am feeling very optimistic about checking out this community…it truly sounds like it has a nice balance and people are happy there. That makes a big difference to me.

[terri]

Thsnk you very much, Duck. That helps narrow my search down alot. Do you all live in this community? Now isnt the La Costa Oaks still being built out? Do you know if the prices have dropped in there?

I am feeling very optimistic about checking out this community…it truly sounds like it has a nice balance and people are happy there. That makes a big difference to me.

[Duck]

La Costa Greens and Ridge are not La Costa Valley and they have their own HOA’s and amenities. They are newer and by all accounts very nice. The big difference is school districts. I have a feeling a lot of these residents send their kids to private schools at least for middle and high school (not even sure what the middle school is).

La Costa Oaks is yet another newer development and it is part of the same school district (Encinitas/San Dieguito). My only concern with the newer developments is that a lot of the speculation and toxic loans are probably hidden in some of these neighborhoods which were built right as prices peaked 2004-2006. Some of it has already been shaken out through foreclosures, etc. but it’s difficult to know for sure.

Santa Fe Chritstian is a very good school in Solana Beach and goes from elementary through High School. We have friends that send their kids there and they love it. The school bus makes a stop in La Costa Valley.

[Duck]

La Costa Greens and Ridge are not La Costa Valley and they have their own HOA’s and amenities. They are newer and by all accounts very nice. The big difference is school districts. I have a feeling a lot of these residents send their kids to private schools at least for middle and high school (not even sure what the middle school is).

La Costa Oaks is yet another newer development and it is part of the same school district (Encinitas/San Dieguito). My only concern with the newer developments is that a lot of the speculation and toxic loans are probably hidden in some of these neighborhoods which were built right as prices peaked 2004-2006. Some of it has already been shaken out through foreclosures, etc. but it’s difficult to know for sure.

Santa Fe Chritstian is a very good school in Solana Beach and goes from elementary through High School. We have friends that send their kids there and they love it. The school bus makes a stop in La Costa Valley.

[Duck]

La Costa Greens and Ridge are not La Costa Valley and they have their own HOA’s and amenities. They are newer and by all accounts very nice. The big difference is school districts. I have a feeling a lot of these residents send their kids to private schools at least for middle and high school (not even sure what the middle school is).

La Costa Oaks is yet another newer development and it is part of the same school district (Encinitas/San Dieguito). My only concern with the newer developments is that a lot of the speculation and toxic loans are probably hidden in some of these neighborhoods which were built right as prices peaked 2004-2006. Some of it has already been shaken out through foreclosures, etc. but it’s difficult to know for sure.

Santa Fe Chritstian is a very good school in Solana Beach and goes from elementary through High School. We have friends that send their kids there and they love it. The school bus makes a stop in La Costa Valley.

[Duck]

La Costa Greens and Ridge are not La Costa Valley and they have their own HOA’s and amenities. They are newer and by all accounts very nice. The big difference is school districts. I have a feeling a lot of these residents send their kids to private schools at least for middle and high school (not even sure what the middle school is).

La Costa Oaks is yet another newer development and it is part of the same school district (Encinitas/San Dieguito). My only concern with the newer developments is that a lot of the speculation and toxic loans are probably hidden in some of these neighborhoods which were built right as prices peaked 2004-2006. Some of it has already been shaken out through foreclosures, etc. but it’s difficult to know for sure.

Santa Fe Chritstian is a very good school in Solana Beach and goes from elementary through High School. We have friends that send their kids there and they love it. The school bus makes a stop in La Costa Valley.

[terri]

Amy…nice to meet you…wow…I am starting to feel like this is not hopeless. I did notice the schools werent carlsbad unified and that did concern me.

We have 2 daughters in elementary school now. If we follow thru on selling our house up in ventura ( we have been here for 2 yrs)in the spring, most likely we would rent too until something good came along. That sounds like the best course for now.

Thank you so much for your positive response. I am abit concerned with the schools (only because we are in a good district now, but I dont care for the superficialness of the area.) Do you know if there is a good christian high school in the area? In case the HS doesnt get its act together?

Oh and since you have been in the neighborhood…have you seen a significant drop in the prices for a single family home and are they sitting awhile?

[terri]

Amy…nice to meet you…wow…I am starting to feel like this is not hopeless. I did notice the schools werent carlsbad unified and that did concern me.

We have 2 daughters in elementary school now. If we follow thru on selling our house up in ventura ( we have been here for 2 yrs)in the spring, most likely we would rent too until something good came along. That sounds like the best course for now.

Thank you so much for your positive response. I am abit concerned with the schools (only because we are in a good district now, but I dont care for the superficialness of the area.) Do you know if there is a good christian high school in the area? In case the HS doesnt get its act together?

Oh and since you have been in the neighborhood…have you seen a significant drop in the prices for a single family home and are they sitting awhile?

[terri]

Amy…nice to meet you…wow…I am starting to feel like this is not hopeless. I did notice the schools werent carlsbad unified and that did concern me.

We have 2 daughters in elementary school now. If we follow thru on selling our house up in ventura ( we have been here for 2 yrs)in the spring, most likely we would rent too until something good came along. That sounds like the best course for now.

Thank you so much for your positive response. I am abit concerned with the schools (only because we are in a good district now, but I dont care for the superficialness of the area.) Do you know if there is a good christian high school in the area? In case the HS doesnt get its act together?

Oh and since you have been in the neighborhood…have you seen a significant drop in the prices for a single family home and are they sitting awhile?

[terri]

Amy…nice to meet you…wow…I am starting to feel like this is not hopeless. I did notice the schools werent carlsbad unified and that did concern me.

We have 2 daughters in elementary school now. If we follow thru on selling our house up in ventura ( we have been here for 2 yrs)in the spring, most likely we would rent too until something good came along. That sounds like the best course for now.

Thank you so much for your positive response. I am abit concerned with the schools (only because we are in a good district now, but I dont care for the superficialness of the area.) Do you know if there is a good christian high school in the area? In case the HS doesnt get its act together?

Oh and since you have been in the neighborhood…have you seen a significant drop in the prices for a single family home and are they sitting awhile?

[amy]

Hi Terri,
I am new to So Cal too – I grew up in VT and have lived in Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas & Austin over the last 12 years. We have lived in La Costa Greens in the La Costa area of Carlsbad since April, and we love it. We are renting a home until the market stabilizes. I was very reluctant to rent as I had owned homes for over a decade, but we’re glad we did. I’ve gotten to know the area & now have narrowed down where we eventually want to buy. I highly recommend you consider doing this as well. There are some homes for rent here, and the development is very family-oriented and super-friendly. La Costa Greens has a great pool & community party area called the Presido, and the houses are just a couple of years old at the most (some are brand new as the development is still under contruction). It’s south of Bressi Ranch, out of the commercial construction area and closer to the golf course – some homes are actually on the La Costa golf course. A lot of homes have great views. The only drawback I have is that the school system is San Marcos for most of La Costa Greens. The elementary school (La Costa Meadow) is very good, but the high school is not great, although by all reports it’s improving. Other nice & newer developments in the La Costa area include La Costa Ridge (San Marcos schools) and La Costa Oaks (Encinitas schools, which are great). I highly recommend Carlsbad or Encinitas if you are looking for a family-oriented area on the train line. Good luck to you & your family! You’ll love it out here.

[amy]

Hi Terri,
I am new to So Cal too – I grew up in VT and have lived in Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas & Austin over the last 12 years. We have lived in La Costa Greens in the La Costa area of Carlsbad since April, and we love it. We are renting a home until the market stabilizes. I was very reluctant to rent as I had owned homes for over a decade, but we’re glad we did. I’ve gotten to know the area & now have narrowed down where we eventually want to buy. I highly recommend you consider doing this as well. There are some homes for rent here, and the development is very family-oriented and super-friendly. La Costa Greens has a great pool & community party area called the Presido, and the houses are just a couple of years old at the most (some are brand new as the development is still under contruction). It’s south of Bressi Ranch, out of the commercial construction area and closer to the golf course – some homes are actually on the La Costa golf course. A lot of homes have great views. The only drawback I have is that the school system is San Marcos for most of La Costa Greens. The elementary school (La Costa Meadow) is very good, but the high school is not great, although by all reports it’s improving. Other nice & newer developments in the La Costa area include La Costa Ridge (San Marcos schools) and La Costa Oaks (Encinitas schools, which are great). I highly recommend Carlsbad or Encinitas if you are looking for a family-oriented area on the train line. Good luck to you & your family! You’ll love it out here.

[amy]

Hi Terri,
I am new to So Cal too – I grew up in VT and have lived in Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas & Austin over the last 12 years. We have lived in La Costa Greens in the La Costa area of Carlsbad since April, and we love it. We are renting a home until the market stabilizes. I was very reluctant to rent as I had owned homes for over a decade, but we’re glad we did. I’ve gotten to know the area & now have narrowed down where we eventually want to buy. I highly recommend you consider doing this as well. There are some homes for rent here, and the development is very family-oriented and super-friendly. La Costa Greens has a great pool & community party area called the Presido, and the houses are just a couple of years old at the most (some are brand new as the development is still under contruction). It’s south of Bressi Ranch, out of the commercial construction area and closer to the golf course – some homes are actually on the La Costa golf course. A lot of homes have great views. The only drawback I have is that the school system is San Marcos for most of La Costa Greens. The elementary school (La Costa Meadow) is very good, but the high school is not great, although by all reports it’s improving. Other nice & newer developments in the La Costa area include La Costa Ridge (San Marcos schools) and La Costa Oaks (Encinitas schools, which are great). I highly recommend Carlsbad or Encinitas if you are looking for a family-oriented area on the train line. Good luck to you & your family! You’ll love it out here.

[amy]

Hi Terri,
I am new to So Cal too – I grew up in VT and have lived in Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas & Austin over the last 12 years. We have lived in La Costa Greens in the La Costa area of Carlsbad since April, and we love it. We are renting a home until the market stabilizes. I was very reluctant to rent as I had owned homes for over a decade, but we’re glad we did. I’ve gotten to know the area & now have narrowed down where we eventually want to buy. I highly recommend you consider doing this as well. There are some homes for rent here, and the development is very family-oriented and super-friendly. La Costa Greens has a great pool & community party area called the Presido, and the houses are just a couple of years old at the most (some are brand new as the development is still under contruction). It’s south of Bressi Ranch, out of the commercial construction area and closer to the golf course – some homes are actually on the La Costa golf course. A lot of homes have great views. The only drawback I have is that the school system is San Marcos for most of La Costa Greens. The elementary school (La Costa Meadow) is very good, but the high school is not great, although by all reports it’s improving. Other nice & newer developments in the La Costa area include La Costa Ridge (San Marcos schools) and La Costa Oaks (Encinitas schools, which are great). I highly recommend Carlsbad or Encinitas if you are looking for a family-oriented area on the train line. Good luck to you & your family! You’ll love it out here.

[terri]

wow…that sounds incredibly promising! Where exactly is it? Are we talking about La costa in Carlsbad? Would it be close to the train station to get up to LA (metrolink)? How far is it from Carlsbad if it isnt in Carlsbad? Please tell me more.

[terri]

wow…that sounds incredibly promising! Where exactly is it? Are we talking about La costa in Carlsbad? Would it be close to the train station to get up to LA (metrolink)? How far is it from Carlsbad if it isnt in Carlsbad? Please tell me more.

[terri]

wow…that sounds incredibly promising! Where exactly is it? Are we talking about La costa in Carlsbad? Would it be close to the train station to get up to LA (metrolink)? How far is it from Carlsbad if it isnt in Carlsbad? Please tell me more.

[terri]

wow…that sounds incredibly promising! Where exactly is it? Are we talking about La costa in Carlsbad? Would it be close to the train station to get up to LA (metrolink)? How far is it from Carlsbad if it isnt in Carlsbad? Please tell me more.

[Duck]

Terri,

It sounds like you would love a community like La Costa Valley. Great schools, close to the beach, shopping, entertainment, etc. and you get all the amenities (2 pools, tennis, fitness center, walking trails, etc.) for $100/month as an HOA fee. Mello Roos is about $700/year. The High School is either La Costa Canyon, San Dieguito Academy, or Canyon Crest which is down in Carmel Valley. Can’t go wrong with either.

The community was built between about 1998 and 2003 and it’s very family centered. You’ll find the occasional senior citizens walking in the morning, but it’s mostly families with the kids at home. You might try renting for a while before buying. Prices may come down and if you walk the community you’ll get an idea of which neighborhoods suit your needs. Many of the neigborhoods have almost a “college football tailgate feel” to them with the neighbors throwing outdoor parties together for Halloween, 4th of July, etc. If you have a dog, I’d encourage you to drive over there on a weekend and go for some walks in the different areas to get a feel for it.

There are also some slighlty older communities near LCC High School (just across Rancho Santa Fe Road) which are a little more affordable (and a couple that are more expensive). They don’t have the same amenities, but they are closer to Stagecoach Park which has Jazz concerts every summer and has great athletic fields.

Good luck.

[Duck]

Terri,

It sounds like you would love a community like La Costa Valley. Great schools, close to the beach, shopping, entertainment, etc. and you get all the amenities (2 pools, tennis, fitness center, walking trails, etc.) for $100/month as an HOA fee. Mello Roos is about $700/year. The High School is either La Costa Canyon, San Dieguito Academy, or Canyon Crest which is down in Carmel Valley. Can’t go wrong with either.

The community was built between about 1998 and 2003 and it’s very family centered. You’ll find the occasional senior citizens walking in the morning, but it’s mostly families with the kids at home. You might try renting for a while before buying. Prices may come down and if you walk the community you’ll get an idea of which neighborhoods suit your needs. Many of the neigborhoods have almost a “college football tailgate feel” to them with the neighbors throwing outdoor parties together for Halloween, 4th of July, etc. If you have a dog, I’d encourage you to drive over there on a weekend and go for some walks in the different areas to get a feel for it.

There are also some slighlty older communities near LCC High School (just across Rancho Santa Fe Road) which are a little more affordable (and a couple that are more expensive). They don’t have the same amenities, but they are closer to Stagecoach Park which has Jazz concerts every summer and has great athletic fields.

Good luck.

[Duck]

Terri,

It sounds like you would love a community like La Costa Valley. Great schools, close to the beach, shopping, entertainment, etc. and you get all the amenities (2 pools, tennis, fitness center, walking trails, etc.) for $100/month as an HOA fee. Mello Roos is about $700/year. The High School is either La Costa Canyon, San Dieguito Academy, or Canyon Crest which is down in Carmel Valley. Can’t go wrong with either.

The community was built between about 1998 and 2003 and it’s very family centered. You’ll find the occasional senior citizens walking in the morning, but it’s mostly families with the kids at home. You might try renting for a while before buying. Prices may come down and if you walk the community you’ll get an idea of which neighborhoods suit your needs. Many of the neigborhoods have almost a “college football tailgate feel” to them with the neighbors throwing outdoor parties together for Halloween, 4th of July, etc. If you have a dog, I’d encourage you to drive over there on a weekend and go for some walks in the different areas to get a feel for it.

There are also some slighlty older communities near LCC High School (just across Rancho Santa Fe Road) which are a little more affordable (and a couple that are more expensive). They don’t have the same amenities, but they are closer to Stagecoach Park which has Jazz concerts every summer and has great athletic fields.

Good luck.

[Duck]

Terri,

It sounds like you would love a community like La Costa Valley. Great schools, close to the beach, shopping, entertainment, etc. and you get all the amenities (2 pools, tennis, fitness center, walking trails, etc.) for $100/month as an HOA fee. Mello Roos is about $700/year. The High School is either La Costa Canyon, San Dieguito Academy, or Canyon Crest which is down in Carmel Valley. Can’t go wrong with either.

The community was built between about 1998 and 2003 and it’s very family centered. You’ll find the occasional senior citizens walking in the morning, but it’s mostly families with the kids at home. You might try renting for a while before buying. Prices may come down and if you walk the community you’ll get an idea of which neighborhoods suit your needs. Many of the neigborhoods have almost a “college football tailgate feel” to them with the neighbors throwing outdoor parties together for Halloween, 4th of July, etc. If you have a dog, I’d encourage you to drive over there on a weekend and go for some walks in the different areas to get a feel for it.

There are also some slighlty older communities near LCC High School (just across Rancho Santa Fe Road) which are a little more affordable (and a couple that are more expensive). They don’t have the same amenities, but they are closer to Stagecoach Park which has Jazz concerts every summer and has great athletic fields.

Good luck.

[Author]

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