Moving to San Clemente - Talega - any info ?!? (San Diego: insurance, crime)

[PALA79]

Hi everyone
We live in Chicago and planning to Move to Talega by end of next year.
We have 2 months old and 30 months old girls.
I would like more information about living in San Clemente specially TALEGA. Schools, safety whether etc anything.
Job or traffic is not a issue , my wife staying home with kids, I'm running my companies in Chicago so at least for few years don't care about traffic.

Please write anything ... also we thinking about Corona because size / prices of the houses are great but it kind of to far to ocean ... i love boating.

[missionhome]

Schools serving Talega are well respected, although Vista del Mar Elementary is WAY TOO overcrowded in my opinion. I think there are like 1,000 students on that campus or something, far more than any other Capistrano Unified elementary school. Safety isn't a problem in the Talega area, it is very homogenous, family friendly, and safe. You will get a person from "original" San Clemente west of the 5 that looks down on you for being from the new sprawling development of Talega that they think ruined the city (again, usually a surfer or something that lives out of a VW van). You aren't that far from harbors in Dana Point or Oceanside for boating.

Honestly, I would easily pick San Clemente over Corona just do to the quality of life and temperatures near the ocean. San Clemente has a much more relaxed feel at the end of the metro area, while Corona is right in the middle of So Cal's crazy "go go go" attitude.

[Fontucky]

Not to mention the air quality's about a million times better in San Clemente compared to Corona.

[PALA79]

thank you so much for info, i hear that a lot ... only price in corona and size of homes giving me to think ?!?... but everything else when we visit we love it in San Clemente

I would like to know for 2700-3000 sf house (4-5 bdrm) average :
- house taxes (%), i read somewhere that OC has two house taxes .. is it true ?
- insurance cost ( health, auto, homeowners)
- water, power etc
- school expenses
- i wish to own a pool , i know Talega has great polls...but having own its better... never had one so don't know to much about expenses
- landscaping cost in OC

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by PALA79

- house taxes (%), i read somewhere that OC has two house taxes .. is it true ?

I believe you're referring to Mello-Roos, which is infrastructure assessment found in newer developments such as Talega.

Make sure you familiarize yourself with it, as it can add a pretty good hit to your outlay.

As fa as power goes, San Clemente is charged one of the most expensive power rates in the nation by SDG&E.

[PALA79]

how much house tax ... Chicago Cook County has around 2% from purchase price,
what about OC ?
what about homeowner insurance in OC....earthquakes ?!?

anybody know association fee in TALEGA... is it base on SF of the house ?

[SC-Sailor]

Hi...I've been living in San Clemente for a very long time and am quite active in the community and formerly worked at Talega. I probably have more information you would ever want to know! I've also been sailing out of Dana Point and a member of Dana Point Yacht Club since 1984, so I can help you with that, too.

Just to clarify earlier posts...technically you're paying "community facility district" bonds rather than Mello Roos paid for the streets, bridges and schools in Talega, as well as bringing other infrastructure necessary for a community with 12,000 plus residents. The only difference is with Mello Roos you are paying back the developer and in this case the developer secured bonds (through CUSD and the Water District I recall) which the residents pay back. The CFD rate is based on the average square footage of the neighborhood, so it varies from areas to area. Check with your realtor, but the average is anywhere between 1.4%-1.7% INCLUDING a 1% property tax.

Talega also has the Talega Lifestyle Corporation that I "think" is 1/16th of the purchase price...don't quote me on that because it's been a while since I read the TLC documents, but if its a concern I can find them. In any event, TLC is a great program and the funds go toward monthly parties, excursions, a beach shuttle during the summer, athletic teams and a ton of clubs to meet any interest. There's a lot going on in Talega! San Clemente...and Talega...are wonderful places to raise a family! There is such a small town element here that most locals will never dream of living anywhere else on earth. It is that sentiment that resents new development and the feeling that their secret is out. Too bad...life goes on and there's plenty of wonderfulness in San Clemente for EVERYBODY!

Also, 35% or more of the residents in Talega moved from older homes in San Clemente...and most anyone that OWNS a home in San Clemente benefited GREATLY in property value as a result of Talega well before the craziness in the housing market began four-five years ago. The downtown area, street improvements, high school and numerous other projects around town reaped the benefit of Talega's developer agreement, and any educated San Clemente resident will attest that our little town has been upgraded with more (and better) restaurants, stores and a much more beautiful downtown area as a result of the income generated by Talega spending.

Sorry for the lengthy response...but you can't compare Corona to San Clemente! Its HOT, smoggy and smells like cattle. A VERY different social environment. Compare the sheriff's blogs and see the seriousness of crime in Corona versus the sometimes very humorous postings in San Clemente. We used to actually copy and post the sheriff's blog in the lunchroom at work for chuckles.

[missionhome]

^^^^

I am so happy to have you here SC-Sailor!!! WELCOME to the forum! There have been a lot of questions about South OC's coastal cities and while I am down in San Clemente, Dana, Capo Beach, etc.... a good amount, I don't nearly know as much as a resident. I've been trying to answer questions because nobody has been from your area (I'm in Mission Viejo) on the forum and I was using my basic knowledge of going to the beaches, church, getting my haircut in SC, friends down there, etc.... but nothing beats the knowledge of a resident! Between you and Fontucky and I think we can get a good amount of info for those interested in San Clemente area now!

[PALA79]

thanks SC
sounds great same as we did feel when we visit year ago

can you tell me does Talega Lifestyle Corporation TLS its mandatory when u purchasing a home or its something extra, don't understand this to good ?!? tell me more about it 1/16 from 700,000 home price its over 60K that a lot for beach shuttles etc

what is amount of the assessment in TALEGA per month , is it base on sf, we looking 2500-3000 sf house

[Charles]

Originally Posted by SC-Sailor

I probably have more information you would ever want to know!

This question is echos another thread,

http://www.city-data.com/forum/orang...-patterns.html

but where would you say or guestimate Talegeans work? Mostly in Irvine? North OC? Pendlton? San Diego?

Any wild guesses on a breakdown?

Telega is often mentioned as being similar to other south OC communities like MV, Ladera, and RSM but it is a little farther from the northern employment hubs.