Carmel Valley or Shadowrige in Vista ? (Oceanside, Carlsbad: for sale, 2011, condos)

[niy38]

can afford 55,0 K home:
a 2~3 bedroom, around 1200 sf condo in Carmel Valley or
a 3 bedroom, 1600 sf SFH in shadowridge of Vista?

where to choose ?

[kimmer]

Carmel Valley is a nicer community, Shadowridge is nice, but parts of Vista are dicey (gangs).
Consider how close either area is to your job/things you like to do, as well as consider school districts if you have children.

[Midnitecruzer]

I live Vista near Shadowridge, Across the street from Rancho Buena Vista High School, which is like one street over from Shadowridge and Melrose. I enjoy the area very much. It is mainly white. The gangs as described by Kimmer, are in Oceanside and the Northern part of Vista, (North of hwy78).
You have a golf course, a duck pond park, and various other parks around. It is close to stores and shopping centers.
By the way there are some homes for sale in our area.

Carmel Valley is a little more of an upper class neigborhood. Good luck on your house hunt.

[niy38]

my job is in Carlsbad.

My friends are all close to 56. Shadowridge is nice, but feel a little bit
disconnected.

[kimmer]

If I were you, I'd go where you feel most comfortable. You might consider, too, for the long term, which area/home might appreciate the best and how long you'll plan to stay in the house/condo. Historically, condos don't appreciate as fast as a single-family home, but with today's market, who knows?
Someone else w/appraisal or RE experience might be able to fill you in better than I if this could be a concern for you.

[socketz]

If it were me, I'd pick the 1200 footer in Carmel Valley.

Carmel Valley is a really nice area, and I also think appreciation long term will be better there as well.

But Shadowridge isn't bad. Probably the only place in Vista I'd even consider living. Note that you could live in Ranch PQ which is right next to Carmel Valley for about what you are quoting in Shadown Ridge ? Best of both worlds ?

[niy38]

Yes Ranch PQ is a choice too. 56 is not like 15 or 5 or 78
that crowded in rush hour.

I also consider carlsbad, but not many condo in 92011 and
almost as pricey as 92130. 92009 is too inland ( then I would
choose Shadowridge ). And I don't like 92008 and 92010.

Originally Posted by socketz

If it were me, I'd pick the 1200 footer in Carmel Valley.

Carmel Valley is a really nice area, and I also think appreciation long term will be better there as well.

But Shadowridge isn't bad. Probably the only place in Vista I'd even consider living. Note that you could live in Ranch PQ which is right next to Carmel Valley for about what you are quoting in Shadown Ridge ? Best of both worlds ?

[niy38]

as to appreciation, really don't know how to compare condo in nicer
area with SFH in less nice area.

Originally Posted by kimmer

If I were you, I'd go where you feel most comfortable. You might consider, too, for the long term, which area/home might appreciate the best and how long you'll plan to stay in the house/condo. Historically, condos don't appreciate as fast as a single-family home, but with today's market, who knows?
Someone else w/appraisal or RE experience might be able to fill you in better than I if this could be a concern for you.

[niy38]

One advantage of Carmel Valley for me is its location: now I'm
working in Carlsbad, but who knows probably couples of year
later I change job, and if still in SD, then mostly it would be
Sorrento Valley or UTC or Ranch B. and Carmel valley is close to
everything.

[kimmer]

I'm guessing Carmel Valley would probably hold it's value better, even though it's a condo vs. Vista, but a RE agent or appraiser would give you a better guess than I could.

Also, like you said, if you switch jobs, you might end up closer to Carmel Valley vs. Vista. My hubby works in software, so his job hubs end up mostly being in Carlsbad or Sorrento Valley. Right now it's Carlsbad, but a few years ago it was Downtown. Carmel Valley is pretty centrally located to most everything.
If I didn't have a family, I'd pick Carmel Valley.