Crosby and the Bridges

[EconProf]

BobS
C’mon Raptor, admit it. Some day you will be my neighbor in Santaluz. Sure, it seems overpriced. But a place perceived as “overpriced” generally stays that way, for whatever reason. As for Santaluz, I love the absense of huge eucalyptus trees everywhere, as in RSF & Fairbanks. Our distant views, the high altitude here, the tough CC&Rs are big pluses to me. To each his own.
When you visit, try to corral a resident at the pool or clubhouse and ask them about living at Santaluz. That is better market research than any realtor talk, or statistics available traditionally.
We live in a (relatively) small 2600 sf casita, bought for its simplicity and lack of stairs. Paid way too much per square foot, but the quality of the construction was great and we fell for the atmosphere of the place.
Then again, maybe I’m not so smart…bought in June of ’05, the absolute top of the market! Am now appealing my property tax assessment with the county as I believe I can document a 10% fall in value based on comps from January of ’07 (the relevant date for tax assessment purposes).
Wherever you buy, time is on your side. Prices will continue downward everywhere. Happy hunting…make only lowball offers.

[JustLurking]

Hi Raptor,

I have been following your house hunt with interest, as I live in one of the neighborhoods you ruled out because the houses were too small. I am pretty familiar with most of the areas you are considering, and I think your expected commute time might be a little too optimistic. Did you say you would be working in the Carmel Valley area? My office is near the El Camino Real exit off the 56 and I can tell you that on a bad afternoon, it can take 20 minutes to get from my office to the Carmel Valley Road exit off the 56 (3 or 4 miles?). Mornings can be worse. The 56 onramp at Carmel Valley Road is metered and it can back up for a long way. I have waited 15 minutes plus just to get ON the freeway, which of course is not moving at that point. Luckily, my schedule lets me commute at off-peak hours most of the time. If I had to do that drive every day, it would seriously put a damper on my mood.

What does your wife do? Will she stay home and manage kid activities? How old are your kids? The neighborhoods you are looking at have very different “mom” vibes and she may be much more comfortable in one vs. another. And some of the neighborhoods might be much more convenient for her day-to-day activities than others. I would be happy to offer my opinions if you want to give me a little more info.

JL

[JustLurking]

Hi Raptor,

I have been following your house hunt with interest, as I live in one of the neighborhoods you ruled out because the houses were too small. I am pretty familiar with most of the areas you are considering, and I think your expected commute time might be a little too optimistic. Did you say you would be working in the Carmel Valley area? My office is near the El Camino Real exit off the 56 and I can tell you that on a bad afternoon, it can take 20 minutes to get from my office to the Carmel Valley Road exit off the 56 (3 or 4 miles?). Mornings can be worse. The 56 onramp at Carmel Valley Road is metered and it can back up for a long way. I have waited 15 minutes plus just to get ON the freeway, which of course is not moving at that point. Luckily, my schedule lets me commute at off-peak hours most of the time. If I had to do that drive every day, it would seriously put a damper on my mood.

What does your wife do? Will she stay home and manage kid activities? How old are your kids? The neighborhoods you are looking at have very different “mom” vibes and she may be much more comfortable in one vs. another. And some of the neighborhoods might be much more convenient for her day-to-day activities than others. I would be happy to offer my opinions if you want to give me a little more info.

JL

[JustLurking]

Hi Raptor,

I have been following your house hunt with interest, as I live in one of the neighborhoods you ruled out because the houses were too small. I am pretty familiar with most of the areas you are considering, and I think your expected commute time might be a little too optimistic. Did you say you would be working in the Carmel Valley area? My office is near the El Camino Real exit off the 56 and I can tell you that on a bad afternoon, it can take 20 minutes to get from my office to the Carmel Valley Road exit off the 56 (3 or 4 miles?). Mornings can be worse. The 56 onramp at Carmel Valley Road is metered and it can back up for a long way. I have waited 15 minutes plus just to get ON the freeway, which of course is not moving at that point. Luckily, my schedule lets me commute at off-peak hours most of the time. If I had to do that drive every day, it would seriously put a damper on my mood.

What does your wife do? Will she stay home and manage kid activities? How old are your kids? The neighborhoods you are looking at have very different “mom” vibes and she may be much more comfortable in one vs. another. And some of the neighborhoods might be much more convenient for her day-to-day activities than others. I would be happy to offer my opinions if you want to give me a little more info.

JL

[JustLurking]

Hi Raptor,

I have been following your house hunt with interest, as I live in one of the neighborhoods you ruled out because the houses were too small. I am pretty familiar with most of the areas you are considering, and I think your expected commute time might be a little too optimistic. Did you say you would be working in the Carmel Valley area? My office is near the El Camino Real exit off the 56 and I can tell you that on a bad afternoon, it can take 20 minutes to get from my office to the Carmel Valley Road exit off the 56 (3 or 4 miles?). Mornings can be worse. The 56 onramp at Carmel Valley Road is metered and it can back up for a long way. I have waited 15 minutes plus just to get ON the freeway, which of course is not moving at that point. Luckily, my schedule lets me commute at off-peak hours most of the time. If I had to do that drive every day, it would seriously put a damper on my mood.

What does your wife do? Will she stay home and manage kid activities? How old are your kids? The neighborhoods you are looking at have very different “mom” vibes and she may be much more comfortable in one vs. another. And some of the neighborhoods might be much more convenient for her day-to-day activities than others. I would be happy to offer my opinions if you want to give me a little more info.

JL

[JustLurking]

Hi Raptor,

I have been following your house hunt with interest, as I live in one of the neighborhoods you ruled out because the houses were too small. I am pretty familiar with most of the areas you are considering, and I think your expected commute time might be a little too optimistic. Did you say you would be working in the Carmel Valley area? My office is near the El Camino Real exit off the 56 and I can tell you that on a bad afternoon, it can take 20 minutes to get from my office to the Carmel Valley Road exit off the 56 (3 or 4 miles?). Mornings can be worse. The 56 onramp at Carmel Valley Road is metered and it can back up for a long way. I have waited 15 minutes plus just to get ON the freeway, which of course is not moving at that point. Luckily, my schedule lets me commute at off-peak hours most of the time. If I had to do that drive every day, it would seriously put a damper on my mood.

What does your wife do? Will she stay home and manage kid activities? How old are your kids? The neighborhoods you are looking at have very different “mom” vibes and she may be much more comfortable in one vs. another. And some of the neighborhoods might be much more convenient for her day-to-day activities than others. I would be happy to offer my opinions if you want to give me a little more info.

JL

[raptorduck]

Bob S. You just might be right. I may end up as one of your neighbors. As you know, I like Santaluz just fine. I agree that the quality of homes is very high and the landscaping theme has really grown on me so much, I down right like it. It is completely different than other areas and that aspect makes it even more likeable. I still love lush tropical landscaping like FBR, but I would not ever consider doing that in a Santaluz home. It would ruin the theme and the CC&R’s would not let me anyway. Fine by me. I take Santaluz for what it is and it is a very nice area. I wish it did not have Mello Roos and that I had CV schools, but there is always private school and once I find what Del Sur schools would apply to my house, the public schools may be just fine.

Alas, however, I have not picked an area to live in yet. We have 5 homes on our watch list for potential offers and they are all in different places (Covenant, Cielo, FBR, Santaluz, and Meadows Del Mar). And we are looking at more homes in all those areas plus RSF Farms (where we have looked at before) and of course the Crosby and Bridges for the first time.

JL. I took one Friday down there and went to my job at 5pm and drove to Cielo (the furthest living option) and it took me exactly 17 minutes. And that was during rush hour. I don’t commute during rush hour. I go to work early and work late. My commute here is 30 min during off hours and 1-1.5 hrs during commute hours. AND, the commute was very scenic, unlike here. I am not worred about any commute. No matter what, it will be a dramatic improvement.

Wife stays at home raising the first batch of what will be 6 children. She is ok with the isolation of Cielo and has indicated a preferance for a gated community for some added security. We will always have at least one relative living with us anyway, usually more. She likes FBR the best by far and is pushing that community for a purchase, but is open to the others as well. She really likes the Cielo views. Parts of the Covenant she likes, others not so much. She likes Santaluz, but does not love it, though she does love the homes we have looked at there. They (and the ones in Meadows Del Mar) are closest to our taste without needing remodeling/refinishing. MDM of course have tiny lots, which is a big negative for our criteria. One of the homes on our short list in the Covenant is on over 3 flat, usable acres. We are looking at a few more this weekend with 5-6 acres each.

[raptorduck]

Bob S. You just might be right. I may end up as one of your neighbors. As you know, I like Santaluz just fine. I agree that the quality of homes is very high and the landscaping theme has really grown on me so much, I down right like it. It is completely different than other areas and that aspect makes it even more likeable. I still love lush tropical landscaping like FBR, but I would not ever consider doing that in a Santaluz home. It would ruin the theme and the CC&R’s would not let me anyway. Fine by me. I take Santaluz for what it is and it is a very nice area. I wish it did not have Mello Roos and that I had CV schools, but there is always private school and once I find what Del Sur schools would apply to my house, the public schools may be just fine.

Alas, however, I have not picked an area to live in yet. We have 5 homes on our watch list for potential offers and they are all in different places (Covenant, Cielo, FBR, Santaluz, and Meadows Del Mar). And we are looking at more homes in all those areas plus RSF Farms (where we have looked at before) and of course the Crosby and Bridges for the first time.

JL. I took one Friday down there and went to my job at 5pm and drove to Cielo (the furthest living option) and it took me exactly 17 minutes. And that was during rush hour. I don’t commute during rush hour. I go to work early and work late. My commute here is 30 min during off hours and 1-1.5 hrs during commute hours. AND, the commute was very scenic, unlike here. I am not worred about any commute. No matter what, it will be a dramatic improvement.

Wife stays at home raising the first batch of what will be 6 children. She is ok with the isolation of Cielo and has indicated a preferance for a gated community for some added security. We will always have at least one relative living with us anyway, usually more. She likes FBR the best by far and is pushing that community for a purchase, but is open to the others as well. She really likes the Cielo views. Parts of the Covenant she likes, others not so much. She likes Santaluz, but does not love it, though she does love the homes we have looked at there. They (and the ones in Meadows Del Mar) are closest to our taste without needing remodeling/refinishing. MDM of course have tiny lots, which is a big negative for our criteria. One of the homes on our short list in the Covenant is on over 3 flat, usable acres. We are looking at a few more this weekend with 5-6 acres each.

[raptorduck]

Bob S. You just might be right. I may end up as one of your neighbors. As you know, I like Santaluz just fine. I agree that the quality of homes is very high and the landscaping theme has really grown on me so much, I down right like it. It is completely different than other areas and that aspect makes it even more likeable. I still love lush tropical landscaping like FBR, but I would not ever consider doing that in a Santaluz home. It would ruin the theme and the CC&R’s would not let me anyway. Fine by me. I take Santaluz for what it is and it is a very nice area. I wish it did not have Mello Roos and that I had CV schools, but there is always private school and once I find what Del Sur schools would apply to my house, the public schools may be just fine.

Alas, however, I have not picked an area to live in yet. We have 5 homes on our watch list for potential offers and they are all in different places (Covenant, Cielo, FBR, Santaluz, and Meadows Del Mar). And we are looking at more homes in all those areas plus RSF Farms (where we have looked at before) and of course the Crosby and Bridges for the first time.

JL. I took one Friday down there and went to my job at 5pm and drove to Cielo (the furthest living option) and it took me exactly 17 minutes. And that was during rush hour. I don’t commute during rush hour. I go to work early and work late. My commute here is 30 min during off hours and 1-1.5 hrs during commute hours. AND, the commute was very scenic, unlike here. I am not worred about any commute. No matter what, it will be a dramatic improvement.

Wife stays at home raising the first batch of what will be 6 children. She is ok with the isolation of Cielo and has indicated a preferance for a gated community for some added security. We will always have at least one relative living with us anyway, usually more. She likes FBR the best by far and is pushing that community for a purchase, but is open to the others as well. She really likes the Cielo views. Parts of the Covenant she likes, others not so much. She likes Santaluz, but does not love it, though she does love the homes we have looked at there. They (and the ones in Meadows Del Mar) are closest to our taste without needing remodeling/refinishing. MDM of course have tiny lots, which is a big negative for our criteria. One of the homes on our short list in the Covenant is on over 3 flat, usable acres. We are looking at a few more this weekend with 5-6 acres each.

[raptorduck]

Bob S. You just might be right. I may end up as one of your neighbors. As you know, I like Santaluz just fine. I agree that the quality of homes is very high and the landscaping theme has really grown on me so much, I down right like it. It is completely different than other areas and that aspect makes it even more likeable. I still love lush tropical landscaping like FBR, but I would not ever consider doing that in a Santaluz home. It would ruin the theme and the CC&R’s would not let me anyway. Fine by me. I take Santaluz for what it is and it is a very nice area. I wish it did not have Mello Roos and that I had CV schools, but there is always private school and once I find what Del Sur schools would apply to my house, the public schools may be just fine.

Alas, however, I have not picked an area to live in yet. We have 5 homes on our watch list for potential offers and they are all in different places (Covenant, Cielo, FBR, Santaluz, and Meadows Del Mar). And we are looking at more homes in all those areas plus RSF Farms (where we have looked at before) and of course the Crosby and Bridges for the first time.

JL. I took one Friday down there and went to my job at 5pm and drove to Cielo (the furthest living option) and it took me exactly 17 minutes. And that was during rush hour. I don’t commute during rush hour. I go to work early and work late. My commute here is 30 min during off hours and 1-1.5 hrs during commute hours. AND, the commute was very scenic, unlike here. I am not worred about any commute. No matter what, it will be a dramatic improvement.

Wife stays at home raising the first batch of what will be 6 children. She is ok with the isolation of Cielo and has indicated a preferance for a gated community for some added security. We will always have at least one relative living with us anyway, usually more. She likes FBR the best by far and is pushing that community for a purchase, but is open to the others as well. She really likes the Cielo views. Parts of the Covenant she likes, others not so much. She likes Santaluz, but does not love it, though she does love the homes we have looked at there. They (and the ones in Meadows Del Mar) are closest to our taste without needing remodeling/refinishing. MDM of course have tiny lots, which is a big negative for our criteria. One of the homes on our short list in the Covenant is on over 3 flat, usable acres. We are looking at a few more this weekend with 5-6 acres each.

[raptorduck]

Bob S. You just might be right. I may end up as one of your neighbors. As you know, I like Santaluz just fine. I agree that the quality of homes is very high and the landscaping theme has really grown on me so much, I down right like it. It is completely different than other areas and that aspect makes it even more likeable. I still love lush tropical landscaping like FBR, but I would not ever consider doing that in a Santaluz home. It would ruin the theme and the CC&R’s would not let me anyway. Fine by me. I take Santaluz for what it is and it is a very nice area. I wish it did not have Mello Roos and that I had CV schools, but there is always private school and once I find what Del Sur schools would apply to my house, the public schools may be just fine.

Alas, however, I have not picked an area to live in yet. We have 5 homes on our watch list for potential offers and they are all in different places (Covenant, Cielo, FBR, Santaluz, and Meadows Del Mar). And we are looking at more homes in all those areas plus RSF Farms (where we have looked at before) and of course the Crosby and Bridges for the first time.

JL. I took one Friday down there and went to my job at 5pm and drove to Cielo (the furthest living option) and it took me exactly 17 minutes. And that was during rush hour. I don’t commute during rush hour. I go to work early and work late. My commute here is 30 min during off hours and 1-1.5 hrs during commute hours. AND, the commute was very scenic, unlike here. I am not worred about any commute. No matter what, it will be a dramatic improvement.

Wife stays at home raising the first batch of what will be 6 children. She is ok with the isolation of Cielo and has indicated a preferance for a gated community for some added security. We will always have at least one relative living with us anyway, usually more. She likes FBR the best by far and is pushing that community for a purchase, but is open to the others as well. She really likes the Cielo views. Parts of the Covenant she likes, others not so much. She likes Santaluz, but does not love it, though she does love the homes we have looked at there. They (and the ones in Meadows Del Mar) are closest to our taste without needing remodeling/refinishing. MDM of course have tiny lots, which is a big negative for our criteria. One of the homes on our short list in the Covenant is on over 3 flat, usable acres. We are looking at a few more this weekend with 5-6 acres each.

[gracie]

Santaluz homes feeds into Poway Unified….which is NOT a negative! Poway is a fabulous school district!

[gracie]

Santaluz homes feeds into Poway Unified….which is NOT a negative! Poway is a fabulous school district!

[gracie]

Santaluz homes feeds into Poway Unified….which is NOT a negative! Poway is a fabulous school district!

[gracie]

Santaluz homes feeds into Poway Unified….which is NOT a negative! Poway is a fabulous school district!

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