Clairemont most desirable areas

[Scarlett]

[quote=bearishgurl]

If a potential buyer has a cap of say $500K to spend on a property and then discounts a zip code or neighborhood because they perceive it to be too near a fwy (subjective), has registered sex offenders living nearby, don’t “think” they’ll like the schools, perceive it to be “blue collar,” perceive it to be “too old,” only see “old people” when driving around, worry about nearby “shopping,” perceive it to be too “ghetto,” etc., then they may as well move to the middle of Montana because they won’t find anything in SD County that “meets their needs.”

Keep an open mind. Don’t “label” a community unless you have intimate knowledge of it. ‘Nuff said.[/quote]

I am not labeling anything, but driving through neighborhoods, at different times does give one a feeling if he would like it there. It is a perception, right? It may or may not be right. you can’t know it intimate until you live in it some.

I am sorry, but I do worry about schools some, because you don’t really know if you like it until you are in and bought, so then what do you do if you don’t like it. Sure APIs don’t tell the whole story, and personal stories are, afterall, personal, but it’s the best we can do.

And yes, if I perceive it as ghetto, see graffiti, lots of rusty trucks on the street I would disregard that neighborhood, because I know I won’t like to live there. I don’t need to know it intimately.

Old people don’t bother me, but since we are not that old and with kids, I would not buy in a retired community. I am not bothering with sex offenders, though may be I should.

If a neighborhood has significant noise from freeway, it will bother me, so I would discount it.

Nearby shopping is really nice, a plus, but not a requirement.

My point is, perceptions is often all you have, and you try to get as accurate as you can by seeing more/often the area. I wouldn’t eliminate anything without seeing. But commute will be a hard limit.

I am looking in several zip codes (limited by commute) – but I probably have to get somewhat lucky in some of them for 500K.

And if at 500K I don’t find anything to suit my needs, then so be it. Nothing wrong with renting – which you can do in nicer areas than you can buy in.

[Scarlett]

I need to get into some open houses in CLMT and UC to see 1 story houses. In my previous house search 7 years ago, I only looked into newer places which all had 2-3 stories (in PUSD, CV). I am sure that 1 story lives bigger, I have to get a feel how much bigger.
Updates are a must.

BTW, UCGal, I liked that one house, but I’d have to see it inside how big it really was/felt. I got it that the original price was due to the wrong sq ft estimation. (Maybe it was an addition to the house that could not count in sq ft.)

[Scarlett]

I need to get into some open houses in CLMT and UC to see 1 story houses. In my previous house search 7 years ago, I only looked into newer places which all had 2-3 stories (in PUSD, CV). I am sure that 1 story lives bigger, I have to get a feel how much bigger.
Updates are a must.

BTW, UCGal, I liked that one house, but I’d have to see it inside how big it really was/felt. I got it that the original price was due to the wrong sq ft estimation. (Maybe it was an addition to the house that could not count in sq ft.)

[Scarlett]

I need to get into some open houses in CLMT and UC to see 1 story houses. In my previous house search 7 years ago, I only looked into newer places which all had 2-3 stories (in PUSD, CV). I am sure that 1 story lives bigger, I have to get a feel how much bigger.
Updates are a must.

BTW, UCGal, I liked that one house, but I’d have to see it inside how big it really was/felt. I got it that the original price was due to the wrong sq ft estimation. (Maybe it was an addition to the house that could not count in sq ft.)

[Scarlett]

I need to get into some open houses in CLMT and UC to see 1 story houses. In my previous house search 7 years ago, I only looked into newer places which all had 2-3 stories (in PUSD, CV). I am sure that 1 story lives bigger, I have to get a feel how much bigger.
Updates are a must.

BTW, UCGal, I liked that one house, but I’d have to see it inside how big it really was/felt. I got it that the original price was due to the wrong sq ft estimation. (Maybe it was an addition to the house that could not count in sq ft.)

[Scarlett]

I need to get into some open houses in CLMT and UC to see 1 story houses. In my previous house search 7 years ago, I only looked into newer places which all had 2-3 stories (in PUSD, CV). I am sure that 1 story lives bigger, I have to get a feel how much bigger.
Updates are a must.

BTW, UCGal, I liked that one house, but I’d have to see it inside how big it really was/felt. I got it that the original price was due to the wrong sq ft estimation. (Maybe it was an addition to the house that could not count in sq ft.)

[NotCranky]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Russell]Is there any place in the county that is more cloistered by freeways than Clairemont? Where are kids supposed to play without the major risk or a drive by abduction? Tiny little parks on busy surface streets . . . [/quote]

I just can’t resist jousting Russell’s comments. Wow, Russell, where do YOU live that’s superior to Clairemont?? Could it be . . . Jamul??? omg, better have an acct. with a muffler shop!! Getting into some of those driveways out there can be challenging unless you’re driving a lifted truck – LOL. Oh, and I know two “executives” that purchased out there during the “bubble,” and have since spent a small fortune on remodeling, concrete, fill dirt, etc. Alas, the area has CRATERED in value and they are SO UNDERWATER, cash-wise. Still there, because they have so much CASH INVESTED. What else can they do??

Where did I say I live in a superior community? Jamul would be off topic on this thread right?Actually, not fighting for my neighborhood here.If I mentioned Jamul I apologize for the thread-jack. I don’t think I did. I was trying to Focus on Scarlett’s parameters. I did give credit for the fact that there are trade-offs. Don’t know what your jousting has to do with anything unless you feel defensive or want to fight too. What do screwed executives have to do with anything?

I Keep an open mind. Don’t “label” a community unless you have intimate knowledge of it. ‘Nuff said.

This is so true. It has been a real eye opener to see how what you are talking about applies to places like El Cajon. I go there a lot more than I ever would have to get my muffler fixed and such.The prejudices against the place are just wrong. There are some awesome neighborhoods.Overall it is fine too, like Clairemont and Chula Vista. After all people are just people with various real life limits or even self imposed limits to their choices.

Now go lynch a liberal.
[/quote]

[NotCranky]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Russell]Is there any place in the county that is more cloistered by freeways than Clairemont? Where are kids supposed to play without the major risk or a drive by abduction? Tiny little parks on busy surface streets . . . [/quote]

I just can’t resist jousting Russell’s comments. Wow, Russell, where do YOU live that’s superior to Clairemont?? Could it be . . . Jamul??? omg, better have an acct. with a muffler shop!! Getting into some of those driveways out there can be challenging unless you’re driving a lifted truck – LOL. Oh, and I know two “executives” that purchased out there during the “bubble,” and have since spent a small fortune on remodeling, concrete, fill dirt, etc. Alas, the area has CRATERED in value and they are SO UNDERWATER, cash-wise. Still there, because they have so much CASH INVESTED. What else can they do??

Where did I say I live in a superior community? Jamul would be off topic on this thread right?Actually, not fighting for my neighborhood here.If I mentioned Jamul I apologize for the thread-jack. I don’t think I did. I was trying to Focus on Scarlett’s parameters. I did give credit for the fact that there are trade-offs. Don’t know what your jousting has to do with anything unless you feel defensive or want to fight too. What do screwed executives have to do with anything?

I Keep an open mind. Don’t “label” a community unless you have intimate knowledge of it. ‘Nuff said.

This is so true. It has been a real eye opener to see how what you are talking about applies to places like El Cajon. I go there a lot more than I ever would have to get my muffler fixed and such.The prejudices against the place are just wrong. There are some awesome neighborhoods.Overall it is fine too, like Clairemont and Chula Vista. After all people are just people with various real life limits or even self imposed limits to their choices.

Now go lynch a liberal.
[/quote]

[NotCranky]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Russell]Is there any place in the county that is more cloistered by freeways than Clairemont? Where are kids supposed to play without the major risk or a drive by abduction? Tiny little parks on busy surface streets . . . [/quote]

I just can’t resist jousting Russell’s comments. Wow, Russell, where do YOU live that’s superior to Clairemont?? Could it be . . . Jamul??? omg, better have an acct. with a muffler shop!! Getting into some of those driveways out there can be challenging unless you’re driving a lifted truck – LOL. Oh, and I know two “executives” that purchased out there during the “bubble,” and have since spent a small fortune on remodeling, concrete, fill dirt, etc. Alas, the area has CRATERED in value and they are SO UNDERWATER, cash-wise. Still there, because they have so much CASH INVESTED. What else can they do??

Where did I say I live in a superior community? Jamul would be off topic on this thread right?Actually, not fighting for my neighborhood here.If I mentioned Jamul I apologize for the thread-jack. I don’t think I did. I was trying to Focus on Scarlett’s parameters. I did give credit for the fact that there are trade-offs. Don’t know what your jousting has to do with anything unless you feel defensive or want to fight too. What do screwed executives have to do with anything?

I Keep an open mind. Don’t “label” a community unless you have intimate knowledge of it. ‘Nuff said.

This is so true. It has been a real eye opener to see how what you are talking about applies to places like El Cajon. I go there a lot more than I ever would have to get my muffler fixed and such.The prejudices against the place are just wrong. There are some awesome neighborhoods.Overall it is fine too, like Clairemont and Chula Vista. After all people are just people with various real life limits or even self imposed limits to their choices.

Now go lynch a liberal.
[/quote]

[NotCranky]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Russell]Is there any place in the county that is more cloistered by freeways than Clairemont? Where are kids supposed to play without the major risk or a drive by abduction? Tiny little parks on busy surface streets . . . [/quote]

I just can’t resist jousting Russell’s comments. Wow, Russell, where do YOU live that’s superior to Clairemont?? Could it be . . . Jamul??? omg, better have an acct. with a muffler shop!! Getting into some of those driveways out there can be challenging unless you’re driving a lifted truck – LOL. Oh, and I know two “executives” that purchased out there during the “bubble,” and have since spent a small fortune on remodeling, concrete, fill dirt, etc. Alas, the area has CRATERED in value and they are SO UNDERWATER, cash-wise. Still there, because they have so much CASH INVESTED. What else can they do??

Where did I say I live in a superior community? Jamul would be off topic on this thread right?Actually, not fighting for my neighborhood here.If I mentioned Jamul I apologize for the thread-jack. I don’t think I did. I was trying to Focus on Scarlett’s parameters. I did give credit for the fact that there are trade-offs. Don’t know what your jousting has to do with anything unless you feel defensive or want to fight too. What do screwed executives have to do with anything?

I Keep an open mind. Don’t “label” a community unless you have intimate knowledge of it. ‘Nuff said.

This is so true. It has been a real eye opener to see how what you are talking about applies to places like El Cajon. I go there a lot more than I ever would have to get my muffler fixed and such.The prejudices against the place are just wrong. There are some awesome neighborhoods.Overall it is fine too, like Clairemont and Chula Vista. After all people are just people with various real life limits or even self imposed limits to their choices.

Now go lynch a liberal.
[/quote]

[NotCranky]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=Russell]Is there any place in the county that is more cloistered by freeways than Clairemont? Where are kids supposed to play without the major risk or a drive by abduction? Tiny little parks on busy surface streets . . . [/quote]

I just can’t resist jousting Russell’s comments. Wow, Russell, where do YOU live that’s superior to Clairemont?? Could it be . . . Jamul??? omg, better have an acct. with a muffler shop!! Getting into some of those driveways out there can be challenging unless you’re driving a lifted truck – LOL. Oh, and I know two “executives” that purchased out there during the “bubble,” and have since spent a small fortune on remodeling, concrete, fill dirt, etc. Alas, the area has CRATERED in value and they are SO UNDERWATER, cash-wise. Still there, because they have so much CASH INVESTED. What else can they do??

Where did I say I live in a superior community? Jamul would be off topic on this thread right?Actually, not fighting for my neighborhood here.If I mentioned Jamul I apologize for the thread-jack. I don’t think I did. I was trying to Focus on Scarlett’s parameters. I did give credit for the fact that there are trade-offs. Don’t know what your jousting has to do with anything unless you feel defensive or want to fight too. What do screwed executives have to do with anything?

I Keep an open mind. Don’t “label” a community unless you have intimate knowledge of it. ‘Nuff said.

This is so true. It has been a real eye opener to see how what you are talking about applies to places like El Cajon. I go there a lot more than I ever would have to get my muffler fixed and such.The prejudices against the place are just wrong. There are some awesome neighborhoods.Overall it is fine too, like Clairemont and Chula Vista. After all people are just people with various real life limits or even self imposed limits to their choices.

Now go lynch a liberal.
[/quote]

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]I am not labeling anything, but driving through neighborhoods, at different times does give one a feeling if he would like it there. It is a perception, right? It may or may not be right. you can’t know it intimate until you live in it some.[/quote]

Scarlett, you CAN get out and park and walk and visit your prospective buying area day and night and esp. Fri/Sat. nights to get a better “feel” for it, as you may be doing now. You can also plant yourself there at the time you leave for work in the morning and drive yourself to work to gauge the time it takes.

If your kids came home from school in their new neighborhood happy and were meeting new friends, would you remove them from that school because YOU didn’t like it? Are you sure you’re not discounting schools because of YOUR perception? After all, it is elem. school we’re talking about here, right?

My comments were posted on *your* thread but not directed to YOU, in particular. I was using the $500K as an example b/c that was your price range.

I guess I’m a little out of touch because when I was young and raising kids, I don’t recall my generation as being that “picky” about neighborhoods and such and MR wasn’t even an issue then. I’m getting a feel from this Board that many Piggs in the market to buy right now or that have recently purchased are a younger demographic that are college-educated (only 34% of people in my age group have a college degree and I am NOT among them). Most of these posters seemed OBSESSED with finding a “pristine” or “flawless” environment for their kids to grow up in and there really IS NONE. When their kids actually go to work after living their lives in their parent’s well-chosen “cloistered, gated HOA bedroom,” how will they “deal” with the “grit and disappointments” of the “real world?”

I think you and your spouse made a very wise move by getting out of your condo in RB when you did. You could be deeply underwater by now and stuck, trying to renegotiate your loan(s) or listing it for a “short-sale.”

I’m with you about Tierrasanta and San Carlos. They are too far away from your employers. In addition, TS schools are full of “transient students,” reflective of one of the largest military housing complexes in the country situated there, plus another large mil. complex, just across the fwy. Henry High and Green Elem. in SC and Grossmont High in Fletcher Hills are good schools but the well-built homes there near Cowles Mtn. and adjacent FH probably exceed your price range. Lemon Elem. at the foot of Mt. Helix is also a good school. HOWEVER, the homes surrounding it are quite old and for the most part need a lot of work (some are on septic). IMO, the construction in Clairemont is far superior to TS and half of SC and the climate is also cooler.

Scarlett, I know you can find something in 92110, 92111, 92117, 92121 or 92122 that meets your needs if you are patient and are not afraid of a little work (that doesn’t have to be done all at once).

As has been posted earlier on this thread, there’s nothing wrong with renting in an area you’re interested in first to see how *you* and *your family* like it. Why don’t you scout some private (not REO) listings to see if there are any seniors willing to give you a lease/option because they don’t feel they can presently compete with REOs? Have your agent check withdrawn listings for you. Just an idea.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]I am not labeling anything, but driving through neighborhoods, at different times does give one a feeling if he would like it there. It is a perception, right? It may or may not be right. you can’t know it intimate until you live in it some.[/quote]

Scarlett, you CAN get out and park and walk and visit your prospective buying area day and night and esp. Fri/Sat. nights to get a better “feel” for it, as you may be doing now. You can also plant yourself there at the time you leave for work in the morning and drive yourself to work to gauge the time it takes.

If your kids came home from school in their new neighborhood happy and were meeting new friends, would you remove them from that school because YOU didn’t like it? Are you sure you’re not discounting schools because of YOUR perception? After all, it is elem. school we’re talking about here, right?

My comments were posted on *your* thread but not directed to YOU, in particular. I was using the $500K as an example b/c that was your price range.

I guess I’m a little out of touch because when I was young and raising kids, I don’t recall my generation as being that “picky” about neighborhoods and such and MR wasn’t even an issue then. I’m getting a feel from this Board that many Piggs in the market to buy right now or that have recently purchased are a younger demographic that are college-educated (only 34% of people in my age group have a college degree and I am NOT among them). Most of these posters seemed OBSESSED with finding a “pristine” or “flawless” environment for their kids to grow up in and there really IS NONE. When their kids actually go to work after living their lives in their parent’s well-chosen “cloistered, gated HOA bedroom,” how will they “deal” with the “grit and disappointments” of the “real world?”

I think you and your spouse made a very wise move by getting out of your condo in RB when you did. You could be deeply underwater by now and stuck, trying to renegotiate your loan(s) or listing it for a “short-sale.”

I’m with you about Tierrasanta and San Carlos. They are too far away from your employers. In addition, TS schools are full of “transient students,” reflective of one of the largest military housing complexes in the country situated there, plus another large mil. complex, just across the fwy. Henry High and Green Elem. in SC and Grossmont High in Fletcher Hills are good schools but the well-built homes there near Cowles Mtn. and adjacent FH probably exceed your price range. Lemon Elem. at the foot of Mt. Helix is also a good school. HOWEVER, the homes surrounding it are quite old and for the most part need a lot of work (some are on septic). IMO, the construction in Clairemont is far superior to TS and half of SC and the climate is also cooler.

Scarlett, I know you can find something in 92110, 92111, 92117, 92121 or 92122 that meets your needs if you are patient and are not afraid of a little work (that doesn’t have to be done all at once).

As has been posted earlier on this thread, there’s nothing wrong with renting in an area you’re interested in first to see how *you* and *your family* like it. Why don’t you scout some private (not REO) listings to see if there are any seniors willing to give you a lease/option because they don’t feel they can presently compete with REOs? Have your agent check withdrawn listings for you. Just an idea.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]I am not labeling anything, but driving through neighborhoods, at different times does give one a feeling if he would like it there. It is a perception, right? It may or may not be right. you can’t know it intimate until you live in it some.[/quote]

Scarlett, you CAN get out and park and walk and visit your prospective buying area day and night and esp. Fri/Sat. nights to get a better “feel” for it, as you may be doing now. You can also plant yourself there at the time you leave for work in the morning and drive yourself to work to gauge the time it takes.

If your kids came home from school in their new neighborhood happy and were meeting new friends, would you remove them from that school because YOU didn’t like it? Are you sure you’re not discounting schools because of YOUR perception? After all, it is elem. school we’re talking about here, right?

My comments were posted on *your* thread but not directed to YOU, in particular. I was using the $500K as an example b/c that was your price range.

I guess I’m a little out of touch because when I was young and raising kids, I don’t recall my generation as being that “picky” about neighborhoods and such and MR wasn’t even an issue then. I’m getting a feel from this Board that many Piggs in the market to buy right now or that have recently purchased are a younger demographic that are college-educated (only 34% of people in my age group have a college degree and I am NOT among them). Most of these posters seemed OBSESSED with finding a “pristine” or “flawless” environment for their kids to grow up in and there really IS NONE. When their kids actually go to work after living their lives in their parent’s well-chosen “cloistered, gated HOA bedroom,” how will they “deal” with the “grit and disappointments” of the “real world?”

I think you and your spouse made a very wise move by getting out of your condo in RB when you did. You could be deeply underwater by now and stuck, trying to renegotiate your loan(s) or listing it for a “short-sale.”

I’m with you about Tierrasanta and San Carlos. They are too far away from your employers. In addition, TS schools are full of “transient students,” reflective of one of the largest military housing complexes in the country situated there, plus another large mil. complex, just across the fwy. Henry High and Green Elem. in SC and Grossmont High in Fletcher Hills are good schools but the well-built homes there near Cowles Mtn. and adjacent FH probably exceed your price range. Lemon Elem. at the foot of Mt. Helix is also a good school. HOWEVER, the homes surrounding it are quite old and for the most part need a lot of work (some are on septic). IMO, the construction in Clairemont is far superior to TS and half of SC and the climate is also cooler.

Scarlett, I know you can find something in 92110, 92111, 92117, 92121 or 92122 that meets your needs if you are patient and are not afraid of a little work (that doesn’t have to be done all at once).

As has been posted earlier on this thread, there’s nothing wrong with renting in an area you’re interested in first to see how *you* and *your family* like it. Why don’t you scout some private (not REO) listings to see if there are any seniors willing to give you a lease/option because they don’t feel they can presently compete with REOs? Have your agent check withdrawn listings for you. Just an idea.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]I am not labeling anything, but driving through neighborhoods, at different times does give one a feeling if he would like it there. It is a perception, right? It may or may not be right. you can’t know it intimate until you live in it some.[/quote]

Scarlett, you CAN get out and park and walk and visit your prospective buying area day and night and esp. Fri/Sat. nights to get a better “feel” for it, as you may be doing now. You can also plant yourself there at the time you leave for work in the morning and drive yourself to work to gauge the time it takes.

If your kids came home from school in their new neighborhood happy and were meeting new friends, would you remove them from that school because YOU didn’t like it? Are you sure you’re not discounting schools because of YOUR perception? After all, it is elem. school we’re talking about here, right?

My comments were posted on *your* thread but not directed to YOU, in particular. I was using the $500K as an example b/c that was your price range.

I guess I’m a little out of touch because when I was young and raising kids, I don’t recall my generation as being that “picky” about neighborhoods and such and MR wasn’t even an issue then. I’m getting a feel from this Board that many Piggs in the market to buy right now or that have recently purchased are a younger demographic that are college-educated (only 34% of people in my age group have a college degree and I am NOT among them). Most of these posters seemed OBSESSED with finding a “pristine” or “flawless” environment for their kids to grow up in and there really IS NONE. When their kids actually go to work after living their lives in their parent’s well-chosen “cloistered, gated HOA bedroom,” how will they “deal” with the “grit and disappointments” of the “real world?”

I think you and your spouse made a very wise move by getting out of your condo in RB when you did. You could be deeply underwater by now and stuck, trying to renegotiate your loan(s) or listing it for a “short-sale.”

I’m with you about Tierrasanta and San Carlos. They are too far away from your employers. In addition, TS schools are full of “transient students,” reflective of one of the largest military housing complexes in the country situated there, plus another large mil. complex, just across the fwy. Henry High and Green Elem. in SC and Grossmont High in Fletcher Hills are good schools but the well-built homes there near Cowles Mtn. and adjacent FH probably exceed your price range. Lemon Elem. at the foot of Mt. Helix is also a good school. HOWEVER, the homes surrounding it are quite old and for the most part need a lot of work (some are on septic). IMO, the construction in Clairemont is far superior to TS and half of SC and the climate is also cooler.

Scarlett, I know you can find something in 92110, 92111, 92117, 92121 or 92122 that meets your needs if you are patient and are not afraid of a little work (that doesn’t have to be done all at once).

As has been posted earlier on this thread, there’s nothing wrong with renting in an area you’re interested in first to see how *you* and *your family* like it. Why don’t you scout some private (not REO) listings to see if there are any seniors willing to give you a lease/option because they don’t feel they can presently compete with REOs? Have your agent check withdrawn listings for you. Just an idea.

[Author]

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