Back from Carlsbad (San Diego)

[VC mom]

I'm a 3rd generation native San Diegan, and the youngest of 7 - all of whom stayed in San Diego, so either I or some member of my family has lived in nearly every neighborhood in the county. I've also been a Realtor for 22 years, about 15 of them in the relocation division ~ so I'm used to people moving to this area (I even imported my husband from NY! Actually, he followed me home so I had to keep him.....)

I will tell you that in all my years of working with people who are moving here, I've found the best way to decide where to move is simply to come look at it. San Diego County is literally, the most diverse climate, topography and neighborhoods you'll find anywhere. People come here from all over the world to study the microclimates, and people move here from all over the world to enjoy them. You can go a mile or two in almost any direction and be in a completely different "feel" - both in community and topography. We've got marshlands to desert to mountains to beaches and everything in between. It's a matter of finding what you respond to the most.

The funny thing about San Diego is also that people consider themselves San Diegans, usually when talking to someone from somewhere else, but locally, they're from whatever part of town they live in, and they're usually loyal to that place........almost a cross town rivalry sort of thing. People in Encinitas think it's best, same with Carlsbad, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Penasquitos, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, etc etc etc.

My advice? Find the place YOU respond to best, based on where you'll be working or going to school and keep in mind prices are always higher and neighborhoods more crowded the closer you get to the beach.

Good luck to you! Feel free to ask questions, it's a very friendly town!

[Ladyev]

What a great post Donna! And all the other replies too. I have been trying to move to Carlsbad for TWO years now. I live in Atlanta and visited Carlsbad a couple of years ago. I absolutely fell in love. You're right....the weather alone lifted my soggy spirits as we get lots of rain and gray skies in an Atlanta winter. I check out craigslist every single day for homes for rent and just need to get my house sold here in Atlanta. We were on the market for 8 months last year and then took the house off the market to do all the upgrades people are looking for these days. We go back on the market (and the rollercoaster) on March 10th. It was so much fun reading your take on Carlsbad and the surrounding cities. My husband is from London and when we found "roundabouts" in Encinitas and a pub with great fish n chips in Carlsbad.....we knew we needed to be there. I do suffer with SAD and my husband has bought me special DVDs and lights to try to help, but the Pacific Ocean DVDs just make me want to be there even more.
Good luck and maybe I'll see you there walking along the beach one of these days.

[WannaBeinBoston]

Is anyone here familiar with, or reside in, the Rancho Carillo development? It appears to be a huge master plan community. Single family homes in this area seem affordable, given size/space and newest. However, school district appears to be San Marcos. Perhaps pricing reflects the latter? Anyone who's familiar with this specific area and can chime in, would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[VC mom]

Originally Posted by WannaBeinBoston

Is anyone here familiar with, or reside in, the Rancho Carillo development? It appears to be a huge master plan community. Single family homes in this area seem affordable, given size/space and newest. However, school district appears to be San Marcos. Perhaps pricing reflects the latter? Anyone who's familiar with this specific area and can chime in, would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Yep. Rancho Carillo is named for the actual ranch. The house is still there, it's the centerpiece of the open space/park area in the center of the development. The houses range from very affordable to "what?!" and the school district is San Marcos. The schools aren't too bad, actually. There were a number of bond issues and the new San Elijo Hills development helped pay for a number of improvements, so the schools, especially in newer areas like R. Carillo, are pretty good.

That development is roughly 5 miles from the ocean, directly inland from Legoland and just past Palomar Airport. It's on the mesa, so it has some nice views, good breezes, and as you mentioned, there are some affordable homes. It's a good choice. (I sell real estate and wouldn't hesitate to suggest that area - and I pride myself on only suggesting places I would live myself).

[soymabelen]

This is a very interesting thread. Thank you to all that posted.

VC Mom, you seem to be very knowledgeable of this area. My husband and I are considering Carlsbad as well as Rancho Penasquitos and San Clemente. We are looking for very good schools. We have a Preschooler and a 7th grader who will need very good Elementary and Middle/High schools, but we also want to be within a reasonable commute between my husband's job (Mira Mesa/Sorrento Valley area) and family (Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach OC).

We are looking for a family friendly area. We are focused on family and education, not on fancy cars, fashion labels or keeping up. What would you recommend to someone like us?

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by VC mom

Yep. Rancho Carillo is named for the actual ranch. The house is still there, it's the centerpiece of the open space/park area in the center of the development. The houses range from very affordable to "what?!" and the school district is San Marcos. The schools aren't too bad, actually. There were a number of bond issues and the new San Elijo Hills development helped pay for a number of improvements, so the schools, especially in newer areas like R. Carillo, are pretty good.

That development is roughly 5 miles from the ocean, directly inland from Legoland and just past Palomar Airport. It's on the mesa, so it has some nice views, good breezes, and as you mentioned, there are some affordable homes. It's a good choice. (I sell real estate and wouldn't hesitate to suggest that area - and I pride myself on only suggesting places I would live myself).

This development is more commonly called Bressi Ranch. It's on the site of the old Leo Carillo Ranch, just east and to the south of the corner of Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real, but it's called Bressi Ranch. Just FYI.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

Donna7,
This is actually my neck of the woods. I have a home in La Costa. I wil be moving back to Cleveland this summer.
I can honestly say that this area is very beautiful. I sure hope you find what you are looking for out here!

Hi Kasey77, thank you very much for your nice post. I also wish you the best in moving back to Cleveland. I know that you've been wanting to do this for a while now. Wishing you a happy future back in Cleveland. Take care.