What is Nellie Gail Like? (San Diego, Orange: cul-de-sac, sale, real estate)

[eric3]

I am from Chicago and have been looking for homes in North County San Diego but my wife is asking if we could be near Laguna Beach.

Our criteria being 1/2 acre or more, 4000+SF, 4+ Beds, $1.5-2 Million. The only OC area that fits seems to be Nellie Gail...mostly due to smaller lots elsewhere in this price range.

Next most important criteria are good schools and lots of young kids around. Mine is entering Kindergarten.

Being a relatively older community I wonder if Nellie Gail has young families and a good sense of community?

I work at home (no commute) and I don't golf.

Any advice?

[missionhome]

My sister in law, brother in law,, and their kids live in Nellie Gail Ranch. It is an affluent community and a few of the properties are full on equestrian with horses and everything. The lots are huge and in my opinion, Nellie Gail offers some of the best bang for your buck in the estate home market. It is a lot more laid back than most of Orange County's affluent neighborhoods (perhaps due to its lack of gates) too and feels a little bit more "Old Money" than other areas like Bear Brand or Coto.

There are kids, but you won't find them playing in the streets and stuff. There aren't many cul-de-sacs and the large lots allow kids to play in the backyard rather than the street. So, it won't be obvious there are lots of kids, but they are still there. It will be your job to go out and introduce yourself to neighbors. Schools are very good. I recommend living in the portion that attends the excellent Valencia Elementary (10/10). All of Nellie Gail then attends La Paz Middle School in Mission Viejo (9/10) and then feeds into Laguna Hills High School (9/10). LHHS is nice because it has less than 2,000 students so is much more manageable than the typical south OC high school with 2,500 plus students.


Ladera Ranch has a huge amount of kids. Not a lot of 1/2 acre lots, but you might find something you like. You often have to search under "Mission Viejo" on a real estate site.

[eric3]

Thank you! Excellent info.

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by eric3

Thank you! Excellent info.

Also, there are a few Nellie Gail streets that back up to the 73 Toll Road. Those houses are fairly loud, so you may want to be sure you don't get a house that backs up to those.

Also, Nellie Gail all goes to La Paz Middle and Laguna Hills High, but is split between two elementary schools: Linda Vista or Valencia.

I would recommend Valencia Elementary over Linda Vista. Valencia is an excellent school and is right below Nellie Gail. There are many more other Nellie Gail kids at Valencia than Linda Vista which is a majority Mission Viejo resident school. You can check which elementary school a house attends by typing its street in on the Saddleback Valley Unified school checker:
Saddleback Valley Unified School District


Also, if you don't mind a recommendation, I think this house is a killer deal: http://www.prudentialcal.com/Listing...ColorBar=false

Its 3,972 sq. feet so it is just below 4,000, but it has an amazing lot and has been remodeled very nicely inside. It is also on one of Nellie Gail's more prestigious cul-de-sacs and it is a custom home. The flat gass area and basketball court would be a blast for kids. At the lower end of your price, you might consider adding a pool as the only renovation if you wanted one.

Best of luck!

[Coldjensens]

Look at Orange Park Acres and Villa Park. Both areas may meet your needs.

Public schools are pretty good. Private schools int he area are execellent.

[califantastic]

You should also check out San Juan Capistrano and Coto de Caza. You can get big lots there. SJC isn't that far from Laguna depending on where you are.

Also keep in mind that getting into and out of Laguna Beach can be extremely problematic, especially on weekends. If Laguna is what you really want you should go there imo.

I would put some thought into SDC vs OC. You get more house for your money in SD and the people are more laid back. OC is more expensive but it is right in the heart of Socal so you can get anywhere fairly quickly.

[missionhome]

San Juan Capistrano has less than stellar public schools in which you would want to go private. Marco Forester Middle School is especially dreadful. SJC does have gorgeous neighborhoods on the hills, but it is a shame about the schools from the poor neighborhoods in the valley.

Coto de Caza is nice in appearance. It is a little pretentious and full of itself, probably more than anywhere in the county. Newport Beach people look humble up against some Coto residents. Do check out Coto because you may love it. Meet some people though and see if they are the type of people you like. Huge lots and great value for your money out there, but horrible freeway access and not as central as Nellie Gail. Most homes are newer in Coto though. Schools are good in the Coto area. It is gated, while Nellie Gail isn't.

Laguna Beach schools are good too. You will not get nearly as large a home for the money, but the lifestyle is unlike any other in the area.

[kturbe]

Nellie Gail is considered a very stable "home" community. Estates with large lots, nice association amenities. It is an older neighborhood but many of the homes have been remodeled to current standards and are beautiful. Pricing can range from $800,000 for land up to $6m. I just showed a remodeled home for 4000 sq. ft with over 1/2 acre for $1.3 and that is a good price. Comparable sold comps are around $1.45m. The pricing has come done opening the door, but homes sale much quicker in this neighborhood. Especially at the low end.

The other big point that people seem to like is the location, closer to the beach, the fwys and toll road.

Coto is comparable and I like the fact that is a bit further east with about a 30 minute commute to the Fwy or beaches.

Schools are comparable for both.
Tax rates are comparable for both.
Association amenities comparable for both.
Distance is the big difference

Regarding Ladera Ranch, there are estate homes which have had the biggest loss in terms of value in the area and they are newer, but the tax rate is high. One of the main issues with foreclosed homes in the area as it is anywhere from 1.8% and up with high association fees.

Please do not hesitate to contact me direct with any questions.