Where to look for a home around Carlsbad (Palomar Airport Road). (Oceanside: real estate, apartment)

[carlsbadorbust]

I am starting a new job in Carlsbad near Palomar Airport Road in a matter of weeks. While I will have the benefit of using a relocation specialist, I am still interested in what this forum users feel would be a good area to look for housing. We will be renting for at least the first year.

Our wish list:
* Single family or large town home/condo (3BR+)
* Safe (as in kids can play outside and wife can exercise in peace)
* Young families (we have a 2 year old and 5 month old), other stay at home moms in the neighborhood.
* Commute under 30 minutes one way.
* Close to shopping, kid activities etc.
* I'd like to keep rent under $2200. (One can dream)

I've spent 3 days in Carlsbad, which was very pleasant, but I have no idea where to even start looking. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Snort]

That's a pretty quiet residential area. You should be able to find something suitable close to work. 3 bd under $2200 might be difficult though. I pay $1500 for a 1bd apartment in Carlsbad.

[libbykt]

Depends where on Palomar Airport Rd, as that road can back up with traffic in the morning, and some of the roads leading up to it as well. We just finished doing this same search, so I think I can help you out. Generally speaking, I've found that most 3/4BR single family homes in Carlsbad in the areas that would be ideal for you (La Costa, Aviara, Rancho Carrillo, Sunny Creek, etc) start around the $2500-3,000 range. Less for townhomes, but I haven't looked at any personally so I have no comment on them.

I really wanted to move to Carlsbad, but we decided that it wasn't worth it to put the extra $500/month or whatever it is into a rental house when we'll likely be buying in a year or 2. I am going to suggest that if Carlsbad ends up being out of your budget, try looking in the Shadowridge area of Vista. It's only a little further inland, you can be pretty much anywhere in Carlsbad in 10 minutes (not counting rush hour traffic, but even at that, it's only a couple miles to Palomar Airport), and the prices are considerably less.

[carlsbadorbust]

Thanks for the responses. What's the deal with Oceanside? It looks close to Carlsbad on the map and rents are generally lower. Is this a bad area?

[Victoria92008]

Look behind Costco off of Paseo Del Norte. I am renting a 2 bedromm 1.5 bath with a yard, garage, w/d , pool spa in a park like setting walking distance to the beach, outlet mall and elementary school. I pay $1550. Its barely 900 sq feet but clean, quiet and safe. I am getting married end of summer and will be moving. Call Barbara McLain Prop. if interested. Or drive down Camino Del Parque.

[Victoria92008]

No, no, no, Oceanside. Crime ridden, bad schools.

[libbykt]

Depends on where in Oceanside. I've owned in Oceanside and am currently renting in what is technically Oceanside, but most people would think is Vista. We are in the Vista school district, and are walking distance to an award winning elementary school, and I believe middle school as well. There are pockets of O'side that are decent, but you have to really know where to look. There are some neighborhoods that look decent at first glance, but I still wouldn't want to live there.

Part of it depends on whether you plan to still be in the house when your 2 year old starts school. If schools aren't a factor, then that makes things a lot easier. And if you don't have pets.

Some Oceanside neighborhoods that I would consider: Henie Hills, Fire Mountain, South Ridge Estates, Spinnaker Ridge. I'd probably avoid anything north of the 76. Maybe even north of the 78, but that is just my preference to be as close to Carlsbad as possible. East of the 5 is best in Oceanside, because although there are some nice new townhomes being built right near the beach and there are certainly plenty of safe, family friendly areas, I'd still rather not live there. Parts can get rough. Anything that advertises as "Close to Camp Pendleton" is automatically eliminated from my list. One neighborhood that you'll see a TON of homes for rent, in your budget, that looks to be pretty appealing is Rancho del Oro. My husband and I debated back and forth over this one forever. The price was right, the location was good for us, etc. We used to own a house in a neighborhood that backs up to RDO, and we moved away for 2 years and just came back here a couple of weeks ago. I can definitely see how the mortgage crisis has affected RDO, although the Realtor that I was working with got a little offended when I told her that I thought the neighborhood was starting to look shady. It's definitely gone downhill, although on the surface it looks pretty decent. I'd say, judge it for yourself, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable renting there, being home alone so much with a toddler.

[esmith143]

Carlsbad proper is expensive. I'd look in south San Marcos. A bit hotter in summer, but real estate is a lot more affordable. Discovery Hills are nice and affordable (along Craven Rd.) You might find something in your price range in San Elijo Hills.

[carlsbadorbust]

What does Highway 78 look like during rush hour? San Marcos seems to have some nice rentals and its only a 15 mile drive to work. But, is it 15 miles of absolute hell?

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by carlsbadorbust

What does Highway 78 look like during rush hour? San Marcos seems to have some nice rentals and its only a 15 mile drive to work. But, is it 15 miles of absolute hell?

It's a complete disaster every day, in both directions.