Luxury new home construction? (San Diego, San Francisco: transfer, buying, movie theaters)

[mbranton]

We are seriously considering retiring to the San Diego area since we have some family in the area. All areas north, south, and east would be considered. We would really prefer a new home, single story. There doesn't seem to be a lot of quality home construction going on at this time, probably due to the economy. We will probably be looking to move summer 2011 and will be in the area for my son's graduation next month and hope to start the search at that time. Anyone know of any quality new home areas that are going to be built in the near future? We are looking at a price range of $700,000 to $950,000.

[thepinksquid]

Do you want an area that has been built en masse by a developer? Or are you thinking of buying land and using your own builder?

[mbranton]

We would consider either situation. I would like the area to be within a few miles of shopping, movie theaters, medical, etc. Priority would be quality construction with a reliable builder.

[djxpress]

Originally Posted by mbranton

There doesn't seem to be a lot of quality home construction going on at this time

Welcome to San Diego. I don't think there's been such a thing as quality home construction in SD for some time. We are the land of tract houses that are put up in 1 month with enough space in between lots to store your trash & recycle bins.

unless you get an older home (pre 80s, or do a custom build, you're gonna be stuck with a cookie cutter tract house built by KB Homes, Lusk, Mcmillan, Fieldstone, etc.

[limitup]

You ain't seen nuthin' unless you've lived in Texas.

[mbranton]

Actually, we live in north Dallas right now. Two years ago, we were transferred from the San Francisco area to Dallas. The beautiful home we built here has spoiled us. We know we won't find anything equivalent to our Dallas home in San Diego unless we were to spend at least a couple of million. We would like to keep it under 950,000 because of taxes, etc. Looks like we will have our work cut out for us when we start our search.

[oddstray]

In the past ten or so years, our North County central area was built up with several subdivisions. One of them was built to be luxurious. I can't remember the name of it, nor can I find it. Maybe one of the other forum members knows?

It's still a tract home, but the homes in that subdivision are spaced much farther apart. I don't know that the construction was that much better, but it might have been.

[Axxlrod]

Originally Posted by oddstray

In the past ten or so years, our North County central area was built up with several subdivisions. One of them was built to be luxurious. I can't remember the name of it, nor can I find it. Maybe one of the other forum members knows?

It's still a tract home, but the homes in that subdivision are spaced much farther apart. I don't know that the construction was that much better, but it might have been.

If they're new luxury homes on large lots, then wont be priced under $900K.

[cruitr]

mbranton... have you considered looking in the outer suburbs of San Diego? Here's a newer, single-story home on 6 acres:
SDLookup.com | 295*Ramona*Real*Rd - MLS# 100003050

You'd be about 3 miles from shopping and an hour from downtown San Diego.

[mbranton]

The Ramona home looks interesting but we don't want a lot of property maintenance so 6 acres seems just too large. We would do well with a small yard but with some kind of a view. We can live outside of San Diego but want to be no further than 1 hour from airport and no further than 10 minutes from grocery store and a reasonable drive to mall and movies. Second on our list is the El Dorado Hills area east of Sacramento and it seems like we might find what we are looking for in that area. However, that is not San Diego and we would really prefer San Diego area! Never thought deciding on where to retire would be that difficult! I appreciate everyones comments.