Please advise! Working in Burbank, Saugus vs Newhall for Condo Purchase? (Santa Clarita: renters, crime)

[FourOnTheFloor]

Hey guys,

I've been scouting around heavily in the Santa Clarita area for a condo/townhouse. My budget is between $150-200k. I work in Burbank, and wanting to buy a property now to take advantage of market conditions rather than tossing my money away at rent.

That said, it's been quite tough finding properties in Burbank for that price range. I'm looking at these properties with two goals: one as a home for myself, but with the potential of turning into a rental property within 5-10 years. I found a great townhome in Saugus on Bouquet and Seco, which is a 3 bed/2.5 bath and also a very nice condo in Newhall (a 3/2), both within the same price range.

Are there any pros/cons for each of these areas? Anything I should keep in mind for the long term? I work in Burbank and the commute is quite important, but not too much of an issue because I work at 5:30AM there so I'll be beating traffic.

Please advise, I'd like to hear particularly from investors and those that are familiar with these areas. Of particular importance are the types of renters I'd be attracting. While I am living there, I will be renting out one of the rooms as well.

Thanks so much for your input.

Cheers...
FF

[marimari123]

Newhall is considered less desirable than Saugus, mainly because of a higher crime rate.

Saugus is considered more of a middle class neighborhood, older homes, quiet suburb. The only problem with Saugus is the distance to go just to get to the freeway (about 10-15 minutes).

You didn't mention where in Newhall the condo is, but I'd guess that the Newhall location would be closer to the freeway. The Saugus location, though not close to the freeway, is still pretty close to schools, parks, shopping, restaurants,etc.

I'd go with Saugus, but then I don't have to commute anywhere. I'd prefer a lower crime area, more family friendly, closer to shopping and restaurants. I think it would be easier for you to rent out a Saugus condo in a few years, possibly to a family with young kids.

[Charles]

Also, a lot of people believe time is on your side - may not be any need to rush it - and you are doing the right thing posting this on CD.

[elousv]

We would need to know where in Newhall, but in general, the Saugus one would attract a higher quality of renter. The drive though could be 15-20 minutes longer on Bouquet.

[FourOnTheFloor]

Thanks so much for the quick responses!

The Newhall property is located off of the Golden Valley exit off the 14 on Sierra Highway between Golden Valley Road and Via Princessa, so it's quite close to the freeway. It's very close to Costco. How is that area?

The Saugus property is located on Bouquet and Seco Canyon.

At this moment, I'm a single guy going into this (well, legally single, I am in a committed relationship with my girlfriend) and we plan on not having any kids when/if we get married. So to be surrounded with ALL families would not be necessary.

The Newhall property is a bit nicer in my eye because I like the view much better from that property than the Saugus one. But given that I am going to be renting out one of the rooms while I live there, I do want to attract high-quality tenants as well. The property itself is very nice and requires less work than the Saugus property to get it to look the way I want to. In the long term, I want to make sure that the property is rentable to quality tenants, perhaps a family. They are both 3 bedrooms, but the Newhall property is a condo and the Saugus one is a townhouse.

Keep that input coming

[elousv]

I drive by that daily getting on the freeway at Golden Valley, but I go north on the 14. It would always be easy to rent I think to commuters for that instant freeway access. Friendly Valley is right there and that is an over 55 area. I go to Costco all the time of course. I have never seen anything I would describe as bad around there.

[CamaroGuy]

Newhall might seem crime ridden in comparison to the rest of Santa Clarita but its still much safer than most parts of the San Fernando valley.