Eastlake vs. Otay Ranch (Nice, Del Rey: HOA fees, homes, neighborhoods)

[nmguy]

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between Eastlake and Otay Ranch?
Thanks.

[MovingAloha]

Originally Posted by nmguy

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between Eastlake and Otay Ranch?
Thanks.

Not much! Eastlake is slightly older than Otay Ranch. Most of the new build is on the Otay Ranch side; whereas Eastlake has quite a bit of older growth trees and slightly larger yards.

Eastlake has a high school and Otay has two high schools (Otay Ranch and Olympian) There are two Middle Schools, Eastlake and Rancho Del Rey; with another to be built in Otay Ranch.

The two areas blend into each other, so there really isn't a large difference; kinda like North Park and Hillcrest, you may not even know you've moved from one area to the other.

[echo42]

Same thing. Same construction basically, I am not even sure what the line of demarcation is for Otay, but it is pretty much the same.

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by MovingAloha

Not much! Eastlake is slightly older than Otay Ranch. Most of the new build is on the Otay Ranch side; whereas Eastlake has quite a bit of older growth trees and slightly larger yards.

Eastlake has a high school and Otay has two high schools (Otay Ranch and Olympian) There are two Middle Schools, Eastlake and Rancho Del Rey; with another to be built in Otay Ranch.

The two areas blend into each other, so there really isn't a large difference; kinda like North Park and Hillcrest, you may not even know you've moved from one area to the other.

Spot on!
What she said

[SouthCali4LifeSD]

I lived in Eastlake Woods for 5 years before moving to Otay Ranch where I've settled since 4 years ago. Living in each area has a different vibe, but the community cultures and demographics are almost identical.

Eastlake is significantly more expensive than Otay Ranch. There are Eastlake communities, like Eastlake Woods, where homes average 4,500 - 5.000 square feet. Otay Ranch does not really have homes that big. Otay Ranch's largest neighborhoods are in the 3,000 to 3,500 square foot range. Eastlake also has Tour-de-Elegance which is a community of many gated single street neighborhoods. Homes there are priced in the millions. Eastlake also has quicker access to bigger shopping centers, the lake, and the Olympic Training Center. Eastlake is incredibly inland unless you take the 125 toll road, which adds up quickly. Eastlake also has two pristine golf courses.

Other than that, Otay Ranch is nearly identical to Eastlake when it comes to living standards and living arrangements. Both communities share the same resources, the same churches, the same malls/shopping centers, etc. As for education, just like anywhere else, students are designated a school based their zip code, which for Eastlake, is predominantly 91914. Otay Ranch is predominantly 91913. I think Eastlake and Otay Ranch share 91915. There is a large private Catholic school called Mater Dei in the 91915 zip code.

Conclusion: I recommend Otay Ranch over Eastlake when it comes to value; if you buy a home, you get more bang for your buck. I would say homes average around $200 a square foot in Eastlake and $170 a square foot in Otay Ranch. Both communities also have Mello Roos and HOA fees, and they're high, so keep that in mind.

Hope this helps!

[MovingAloha]

Originally Posted by SouthCali4LifeSD

I lived in Eastlake Woods for 5 years before moving to Otay Ranch where I've settled since 4 years ago. Living in each area has a different vibe, but the community cultures and demographics are almost identical.

Eastlake is significantly more expensive than Otay Ranch. There are Eastlake communities, like Eastlake Woods, where homes average 4,500 - 5.000 square feet. Otay Ranch does not really have homes that big. Otay Ranch's largest neighborhoods are in the 3,000 to 3,500 square foot range. Eastlake also has Tour-de-Elegance which is a community of many gated single street neighborhoods. Homes there are priced in the millions. Eastlake also has quicker access to bigger shopping centers, the lake, and the Olympic Training Center. Eastlake is incredibly inland unless you take the 125 toll road, which adds up quickly. Eastlake also has two pristine golf courses.

Other than that, Otay Ranch is nearly identical to Eastlake when it comes to living standards and living arrangements. Both communities share the same resources, the same churches, the same malls/shopping centers, etc. As for education, just like anywhere else, students are designated a school based their zip code, which for Eastlake, is predominantly 91914. Otay Ranch is predominantly 91913. I think Eastlake and Otay Ranch share 91915. There is a large private Catholic school called Mater Dei in the 91915 zip code.

Conclusion: I recommend Otay Ranch over Eastlake when it comes to value; if you buy a home, you get more bang for your buck. I would say homes average around $200 a square foot in Eastlake and $170 a square foot in Otay Ranch. Both communities also have Mello Roos and HOA fees, and they're high, so keep that in mind.

Hope this helps!

I forgot about Mater Dei; and I should also mention that there is a High Tech K12 Charter School in Otay Ranch.

[nmguy]

Originally Posted by MovingAloha

I forgot about Mater Dei; and I should also mention that there is a High Tech K12 Charter School in Otay Ranch.

Thanks for adding the education info. I'm a retired teacher/administrator. My two children are 38 and 36 years old, so their schooling days are over. Spent the last 5 years of my career teaching teachers how to integrate technology into their curricula, so the High Tech K12 Charter School piques my interest.

[MovingAloha]

Originally Posted by nmguy

Thanks for adding the education info. I'm a retired teacher/administrator. My two children are 38 and 36 years old, so their schooling days are over. Spent the last 5 years of my career teaching teachers how to integrate technology into their curricula, so the High Tech K12 Charter School piques my interest.

It appears to be a very good and innovative school concept! Nice looking campus as well. It's in the newer section of Otay Ranch.