Waterfront Home Canyon Lake? (Mission Viejo, Newport Beach: lease, countertops, condo)

[WaterLiving]

Hi, we're in search of possibly moving to Canyon Lake, California. I've not read enough of anything on the good and bad points of CL. We went over there this weekend to take a look at the community. We we're a bit unimpressed with hearing of all the hype that it was an upscale community? We still enjoyed the various types of homes ... some older and in need of repair, and then some "New Builds."

We only drove through there and are taking another look again this weekend. We really enjoy "Lake Living" and would love to retire in a community like this.

We did try to scope out some of the MAN made lakes in Arizona, and wow, the mosquitos almost killed us, and the lakes you can't swim in either. Now I'm only talking about the man made lakes, and not other lakes that you can go boating, fishing etc.

If ANYONE has good information for us, OHHHH we would surely appreciate it very much. Our search continues to find a Lake community with boating, and able to get in the water. We did try Mission Viejo, but the prices on the lake are outrageous 2.9 Million and above...

If you are a realtor please don't fill me with flufly words but ony reality! We know the market has truly gone down and are looking for some good buys.

Thanks ahead of time for helping out

[Unkllars]

What's your price range. That will help us narrow your search to what you can afford

[WaterLiving]

We're looking at 350-600. I've been checking online and have seen a lot of postings of those desperate. We have even found lease/option or take over there payments.

Thanks for responding!

[Unkllars]

I found a few that offer lake living, but not lake swimming. They are man made and you can fish, but to swim you have to go to the community pool. You want to swim in the lake though if I understand correctly?

[C12]

The homes in Canyon Lake are not that impressive for what some call an "Upscale Community" if you were comparing to homes in Newport Beach or Beverly Hills, but it is a nice community and it is a RECREATIONAL community with golf carts, boats, people doing things, things you don't see going on in most other communities .... we moved here two years ago from the LA area because of the relaxed, recreational atmosphere, and we love it here! Like any other community there are things we don't particulary like and we had to get used to... i.e. some of the POA rules, City Management, other community members...there was a little bit of a culture shock coming from the LA area out to Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore BUT overall we really like it. Where else can you take the kids out on the boat after school and wakeboard, ride your horse at the equestrian center, play tennis, golf or just relax at the beach or pool at almost any time of the day you like... went we drive home thru the "somewhat unimpressive" gates we always feel like we are coming home to our "vacation" home...

[kdphlips]

Hi! I basically grew up vacationing every summer in Canyon Lake! My parents built a small vacation home there over 40 years ago before it was developed. They just sold their place a year ago and I miss everything about it. They made the mistake of selling off lakefront properties with others thinking it wouldn't develop into anything. My dad wanted to hold out but the other two people he invested with refused! They were waterfront properties and awesome - a huge mistake! My parents built an small home with a small road to the lake for boat access- not a a lakefront property. Later, they sold that and purchased a condo across from the Country Club. The association fees for the condo were horrific! Being retired they sold out. Now, if I could afford a Lakefront at Canyon Lake I would jump on it. You really need to look at those homes! If you could boat along the "Quiet" section away from the main lake- you would really be able to see what you have missed! It is gorgeous and most of those homes are magnificent. I live in Lake Forest and have been looking for lakefront properties in Mission Viejo, Sun & Sail Club for my parents. I want them to move them closer to me- they live in P.V. and it is a schlep to get there. Canyon Lake being one of the few gate guarded cities in the U.S. has all the amenties. Although, it has been a vacation for us and not our home. The club has BBQ's and disc jokeys and great entertainment. Not to mention, dances and Taco Tuesdays! The local paper is in the clubhouse and you may want to pick one up . Tom Cruise purchased a home across from the clubhouse years ago and I did spot him there a few times with family and Nicole! But, that was long ago! I did hear that Leonardo deCaprio purchased his lakefront home after my parents sold their condo. My kids learned to waterski here and they use to swim to Tom Cruise's dock. This place is a "hidden" treasure. Besides- you will never see a fireworks show better than Canyon Lake! The only downfall- it is too hot in August! That's the time to go away for a month-take a cruise! But, it is a great time to buy in Canyon Lake. Any home you buy, you will need to update. Almost, every home I have looked at in Mission Viejo and Lake Forest needs a brand new kitchen. Or, the ones that people have said they have "redone" have only done countertops and refaced cabinets when they need more than just that! Anyway, this is quite long- good luck to you and house hunting!

Originally Posted by WaterLiving

Hi, we're in search of possibly moving to Canyon Lake, California. I've not read enough of anything on the good and bad points of CL. We went over there this weekend to take a look at the community. We we're a bit unimpressed with hearing of all the hype that it was an upscale community? We still enjoyed the various types of homes ... some older and in need of repair, and then some "New Builds."

We only drove through there and are taking another look again this weekend. We really enjoy "Lake Living" and would love to retire in a community like this.

We did try to scope out some of the MAN made lakes in Arizona, and wow, the mosquitos almost killed us, and the lakes you can't swim in either. Now I'm only talking about the man made lakes, and not other lakes that you can go boating, fishing etc.

If ANYONE has good information for us, OHHHH we would surely appreciate it very much. Our search continues to find a Lake community with boating, and able to get in the water. We did try Mission Viejo, but the prices on the lake are outrageous 2.9 Million and above...

If you are a realtor please don't fill me with flufly words but ony reality! We know the market has truly gone down and are looking for some good buys.

Thanks ahead of time for helping out

[fostoria]

"Tom Cruise purchased a home across from the clubhouse years ago and I did spot him there a few times with family and Nicole! But, that was long ago! I did hear that Leonardo deCaprio purchased his lakefront home after my parents sold their condo. My kids learned to waterski here and they use to swim to Tom Cruise's dock. This place is a "hidden" treasure."



Canyon Lake is a "hidden treasure", however I must take exception to the information about Tom Cruise and Leonado. I have been here many years and have heard the rumors about Tom Cruise, (never been able to substantiate it) and this is the 1st time I have heard about Leonardo De Caprio, again doubtful. Sure would like to know what house/dock you kids swam to, I'll lay $$$ on the table that it wasn't Tom Cruise's.

I will confirm that Kiefer Sutherland has a place here.

[Lakewooder]

I heard Pamela Anderson is building a home on the lake..

[LuvTheWater]

We just moved here to Canyon Lake about 1 month. We LOVE IT! We are in our mid 50's and feel like our 30's. We just purchase a pontoon boat, golf car, and are enjoying everything here. The various activities here in CL are really fun. We've been to Taco Tuesday and slowly we are meeting new friends. The beaches, community pool, parks and horse back riding all are wonderful features that CL has to offer. We're hoping to make this our permanent place in life, and are looking forward on bringing the grandkids here.

[thecity49021]

What Canyon Lake Really Is...
canyon lake is nothing but a sh** hole where middle class white trash like to pretend they live in an upper class community. Right as you go into canyon lake your greeted by the gate security whom barley look like high school graduates. Besides that, all that's in Canyon Lake is a lake that most people i know are disgusted by, and a small town center where the upper 40 age group like to feel young by going out at night at Pepe's. What is even more of a joke is the town newspaper, which is written by a good amount of teenagers, and highlights include alcohol caused golf cart accidents and maybe the 2 high school seniors who are succesful at the time. In the actual city/town whatever you want to call it, the majority of houses, they are all old and decrepit and hideous to look at. Sure there are very few nice places in canyon lake, but if you look at it as a whole, it's just a poor suburbia that claims active vacation style living. The comfort you find in Canyon Lake is homely, lthe equivalent to a seven year old that still loves his crappy worn baby blanket. Find a remote town in Montana on a lake, build a gate around it and put in, not much, but some money and you've got yourself Canyon Lake.