first time buyer considering Vista, CA (Oceanside, Escondido: houses, neighborhoods, high school)

[NorthSDLifer]

Is that really all that unusual -- clay soil in these parts?

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by thisplacesucks

I lived in Vista for over 20 years and watched it really decline. IMO, the only good areas of Vista are south of Hwy 78 ( the Shadowridge area) or high up in the hills where the $1 million plus homes are. The other areas have gang and drug activity, and apathetic code enforcement and law enforcement. You will WANT a HOA!

I agree. I know a couple that lived in a sketchy Vista neighborhood about ten years ago. The last year they were there a home about four houses down from them got visits from police squad cars. They are now in a better neighborhood in San Marcos.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by NorthSDLifer

Is that really all that unusual -- clay soil in these parts?

Not unusual but not predominant. When I lived in other parts of North County, soils varied from somewhat loamy to a little sandy. Vista clay is just that...gray clay, hard to grow in and disastrous to build houses on.

[lovethefurries]

Isn't it illegal for the realtor and the HOA to NOT disclose these structural defects before the sale gets too far along?

[NorthSDLifer]

You get or should get during escrow a packet talking about geological stuff. Where I am at in SM - avid gardener here - I have well-draining loose stuff over clay (which starts around 12"+). I don't know if the larger-particle stuff is remnants of original construction fill or the work of previous homeowner or none of the above. If you came by after a storm, you'd never suspect, because the topsoil drains so well that it takes a pretty good storm to leave lingering puddles, and I'm talking about my north-oriented side yard in particular.

Perhaps the clay is why I have so many drains. (Can be frustrating when planting.)

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by lovethefurries

Isn't it illegal for the realtor and the HOA to NOT disclose these structural defects before the sale gets too far along?

Well, that's the law. It wasn't the case when my spouse and I bought our house in the late 80's. But when the crazy real estate bubble happened in 2005 or 2006 or so, HOs in my neighborhood were laying tile floors over cracked slabs and patching up walls and the banks were granting loans on houses with obvious structural problems. No one seemed too worried about disclosure then.

[iwaboy]

Is anyone aware of the areas in Vista that have or do not have this gray clay soil?

We are planning to buy in the Shadowridge area this summer.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

You will be fine in Shadowridge. I lived in Vista when that area was developed (started in mid-80's). That is the newer area of Vista. North of Hwy. 78 is the gray clay area, among other things to be avoided.

[TXI]

...but realtors are telling the truth about the weather in Vista...having lived on the coast and more inland, Vista weather the best in the county and indeed all of USA!

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

If ya like smog! And heat!