please help decide...OC or SD (San Diego, Anaheim: foreclosures, condos, work)

[runnergrl]

Ok folks...I have been heavily researching these areas for the past couple of months...and frankly my mind is on overload.

I have only been in southern CA for 2 yrs and frankly disheartened by the lack of real genuine people. I feel as though I have looked at every possible angle outside and around greater LA. I really want a newer home in a planned community like what we have had in previous places outside of CA. Need decent schools for I have 2 school age kids...good sense of community and I really want to like and be connected where we live. I wouldnt mind a presence of some mainline protestant churches where people actually go and there's a positive feel. I need running areas too...trails and such.

I have been looking at Carlsbad...and even though I have gotten mostly positive feedback about living there....I am alittle cautious because I havent gotten any great recommendations on the area schools. (sotra hit and miss)

I am open to OC...but I am concerned with all the stigma that is associated with the area. I am just alow key person that enjoys nice things...a neat areas to shop and dine...as I said I just want to be in a place that feels neighborly (like where people have block parties and stuff)and I want to like where I am...I am just overwhelmed by all the info I have been processing.

We plan to visit CB later this month and may still consider OC too. I know alot will be ruled out once we visited and get a feel for areas. Alot of it depends on housing prices coming down....so that is a factor in our decision as well. My husband will be using the metrolink for his commute.

Thank you all for being able to help me clear my mind.

[Unkllars]

My wife and I live and go to school in North Orange County and we like how people are a bit more 'real' here. We are looking into North San Diego County and specifically Carlsbad when we move and big some great plans, but we will miss North OC. As we think about our future children though, Orange County does have more high ranked school districts. Near us are two great ones, Brea-Olinda and Villa Park. I also got my cousin a place in Ladera Ranch the kids have laptop programs in elementary school. There are great master planned communities in both counties. I commend you for researching so heavily!! That is wise for your house investment, your children's education investment, and your husband's commute investment. Where will he work and how much time does he want to spend on Metrolink? If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!!

[runnergrl]

He has to go to downtown...I know huge commute from SD...but we want to be sure of where we are going to be for awhile. Meanwhile the gas prices are biting us good with his commute from up here in ventura where we are now.

We kinda felt our housing dollar goes alittle further in CB...it has the planned communities everywhere....beachside town with normal people...out of the LA influence, I think...we are still checking it out.

Although, I have noticed alot of resales(or foreclosures maybe) in ladera ranch and even san clemente had some decent prices too...starting in the 600's to 700's...so gauging from the feel I get when we visit those areas will help decide.
Thanks for your feedback.

[bob-jenkins]

I have lived in both...and love them both. San Diego is more affordable though and more natural, OC is more commercialized and less natural. (I am talking nature here, not the people)

[Unkllars]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

He has to go to downtown...I know huge commute from SD...but we want to be sure of where we are going to be for awhile. Meanwhile the gas prices are biting us good with his commute from up here in ventura where we are now.

We kinda felt our housing dollar goes alittle further in CB...it has the planned communities everywhere....beachside town with normal people...out of the LA influence, I think...we are still checking it out.

Although, I have noticed alot of resales(or foreclosures maybe) in ladera ranch and even san clemente had some decent prices too...starting in the 600's to 700's...so gauging from the feel I get when we visit those areas will help decide.
Thanks for your feedback.

Have you determined how long you plan to live where ever you decide to move? Do you know what price range you would like and for what size/age house? This can help when it comes to determining where you should look. I'd be happy to assist with refining your search according to you more specific needs.

[Unkllars]

Originally Posted by bob-jenkins

I have lived in both...and love them both. San Diego is more affordable though and more natural, OC is more commercialized and less natural. (I am talking nature here, not the people)

You are right with that! Orange County has become quite the hub of non-entertainment commerce unlike its neighbor to the North, yet not as unadulterated and relaxed as its southernly neighbor. There are still some nice areas left in Orange County. Too bad they are overshadowed by tv shows framing Coastal cities and attitudes as been 'the' type of life here in the OC.

[runnergrl]

Originally Posted by bob-jenkins

I have lived in both...and love them both. San Diego is more affordable though and more natural, OC is more commercialized and less natural. (I am talking nature here, not the people)

I agree...That is the biggest thing I did notice when driving thru OC to get to SD. It feels alot more natural I guess. There just was a feel to it that Ienjoyed far more than say being up close to the ventura/malibu areas...even through LA too. Everything looks tired and run down in those areas.

I will say that I really like the more open landscape of OC than Ventura/santa monica mtns area. Like even in the irvine area...what bothers the crap out of me is how they try to put SO much housing inthe planned communities...with so much open space all around, yet to be developed and they have to put people on top of each other. Tons of condos and townhomes and then single family homes with tiny yards....insane. And paying premium prices for that. That's my beef with the Irvine area.

I havent really explored MV or Ladera ranch or even LF...I have read on the boards that these places are crowded with folks trying to keep up with each other. I know...you have that everywhere...BUT there places where it isnt the dominating the area...I lived in some places like that....and they do exist.

Carlsbad is a bit more spread out....dont like the hills so much...just a personal preference though.

[BRinSM]

I'm surprised that you don't have Fullerton on your list. Not only does it have a Metrolink station, it has one of the best public high schools in the country (Troy High School).

[runnergrl]

hmm...havent checked it out to be honest.

[Unkllars]

I would suggest checking out Yorba Linda and surrounding cities like Brea, Anaheim Hills, Fullerton, and parts of Tustin and Orange. There are some great areas up here if I say so myself. We live in Fullerton and there is a Metrolink right here that can be easily accessed from the aforementioned cities. My office is up here, while my wife's is in Mission Viejo, so we get to experience both sides of the spectrum.