Auburn Lake Trails - Cool California (Vista, Rancho Cordova: fit in, HOA fees, condo)

[rallyman11]

Hi!

My wife and I are looking to relocate to California. We are looking for an area close to Kayaking, skiing and hiking (withing an hour). I am also looking for a safe area for my wife to be when I am gone on business. We have been considering the "Auburn Lake Trails" community. The only thing I don't like is the HOA fees. Would like to get some input from those of you that live in the ALT area as well as recommendation for other areas you think would be a good fit.

Thank You!!

[2sleepy]

In my opinion HOA's are to be avoided at all costs. I lived in one in Reno for 14 years and never again. The 'board' is composed of homeowners and the management company and frequently end up with people who have their own agenda and push through new rules to satisfy their craziness. The one I lived in passed a rule that you could only have two pets, we had two dogs and two birds so we were breaking the rules every day we had those pets on our property, if we had gotten caught we could have been fined $100 a day until we got rid of two of them. Another nut case got a rule passed that you couldn't leave your garage door open for any longer than it took to get your car parked inside...I could write a book about the misery I endured in that crap hole.

Here are the rules for ALT Auburn Lake Trails - Documents - All Gov Doc's read them and see how much control you want to hand over to a bunch of people you don't even know. Another problem with an HOA is that they can come at you with assessments if they need to do improvements that the dues don't cover. I have a friend who owns a condo in Marin County and she recently got a bill for $10,000 - her "share" of the cost of redoing the pool and roofing that they 'forgot' to include in the monthly dues.

I have never been to ALT, but it looks pretty in pictures online and seems to be aimed toward horse owners, but how far is it from shopping, hospitals, public transportation and a post office? That may not be important to some people but it is to me

[movinon]

Auburn Lake Trails is somewhat isolated. Yes, it's not far from Auburn as the crow flies, but Highway 49 between the town of Auburn and ALT is a twisty, narrow, and hilly road - not easy to traverse, especially in bad/cold weather. Think black ice in the shady areas, along with blind curves. And if you go via Placerville, it's much longer to get to amenities. So no quick-and-easy way to access medical care, shopping, etc.

We looked at ALT . . . found a property we really liked but were turned off by both the access issues and the HOA. I'm a horse person and found the restrictions to be suffocating, even regarding horse trailer parking on one's own property. That may not affect you directly, but gives a clue as to the general mindset there. I know several people who live there who are going to be selling due to the restrictions. So be sure to do your due diligence before you leap.

[semispherical]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

In my opinion HOA's are to be avoided at all costs. I lived in one in Reno for 14 years and never again. The 'board' is composed of homeowners and the management company and frequently end up with people who have their own agenda and push through new rules to satisfy their craziness. The one I lived in passed a rule that you could only have two pets, we had two dogs and two birds so we were breaking the rules every day we had those pets on our property, if we had gotten caught we could have been fined $100 a day until we got rid of two of them. Another nut case got a rule passed that you couldn't leave your garage door open for any longer than it took to get your car parked inside...I could write a book about the misery I endured in that crap hole.

Here are the rules for ALT Auburn Lake Trails - Documents - All Gov Doc's read them and see how much control you want to hand over to a bunch of people you don't even know. Another problem with an HOA is that they can come at you with assessments if they need to do improvements that the dues don't cover. I have a friend who owns a condo in Marin County and she recently got a bill for $10,000 - her "share" of the cost of redoing the pool and roofing that they 'forgot' to include in the monthly dues.

I have never been to ALT, but it looks pretty in pictures online and seems to be aimed toward horse owners, but how far is it from shopping, hospitals, public transportation and a post office? That may not be important to some people but it is to me

I second everything 2Sleepy says. I've lived in an HOA managed condo. Never again. They are notorious for poor management. Often the only residents interested in serving on the Board are those who enjoy power trips and making silly rules for other people. ALT and Cool are very pretty in the summertime, but if you have to get to Auburn (nearest "big" city) Hwy 49 is pretty much your only option. Imagine driving it at night, in the rain.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co...f06b5aa9?hl=en

It's pretty scary.

[movinon]

I didn't respond to your question re: other possible areas. Sorry! Anyway, there are many other foothill towns, including Auburn itself, that might fit your parameters. Perhaps if we knew more about your other requirements, we could provide more info. There are numerous threads on the forum that address the foothill towns so you might want to search Auburn, Grass Valley, Meadow Vista, Colfax, Placerville, etc. Lots of places fit into your basic wants/needs as you presented here. Good luck in your search.

[justducky2]

Why not Shingle Springs, Coloma, Placerville?

[caligirlz]

Some HOA's are well-run. I don't know about ALT, but, I wish I had bought in an HOA community because even people who live in nice, upscale communities are not responsible enough to respect others property.

[sacite]

Heard great things about this community. Apparently it has its own onsite restaurant/bar, etc. Or at least I have been told. Never been there myself as it is probably full of old folks, but nonetheless the reviews are glowing.

[coolcalbob]

It's interesting, none of your comments are coming from people who live in Auburn Lake Trails! I do and have lived here for over 8 years. I commute primarily to the Bay for business and my office is in Rancho Cordova, CA. It's exactly 31 miles door-door. I travel more than 3,000 miles a month on highways in California. Granted, the road from Auburn (State route 49 the oldest highway in California)is full of curves. It's 6.7 miles from downtown Auburn to first gate at ALT. NOT THAT FAR!!!! In the worst weather and I leave the house often at 5:30 am it's only taken me 30-40 minutes to make the journey, poor non-resident drivers will be your biggest problem including people standing in the middle of the road at the bridge. They are so self involved that they don't realize they are on an active state highway. An alternative route that I take to head to my office is south on 49 to Salmon Falls road, never crowded, not with as many curves but it will take a good 25-30 minutes to reach El Dorado Hills & Folsom. As for HOA's- get with it people, MOST QUALITY NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE HOA's NOW.
Here's what you get with the HOA's at ALT.
24-7 security, no unwanted visitors, no solicitors, no burglaries, no prying eyes! Will check your place when you are traveling or need assistance
Brand new pool-Clubhouse update
Nice little 9 hole par 36 golf course which is never crowded
Private lake with parks
Close to shopping, one supermarket, bank, couple of restaurants in town, gas station, liquor store, only thing the town could use is a pharmacy.
What we like and we both work is the fact that it's very quiet, safe and still within 30 minutes of major shopping and an hour to a major city and airport, plus we truly have 4 different seasons. Plus we are only an hours drive to tahoe, so it's your call.

[Melsmomma]

Hello Coolcalbob,
I liked what you had to say about ALT. I currently live on Long Island and would like to relocate to this area. I have a ten year old daughter and I am concerned that she will be bored with possible lack of action. Would you say this is a good place for a child of her age, and does it have enough activities to keep her entertained? How are the schools and are there many children here? Also what about jobs? Would I be able to find and administrative job without traveling over a half hour you think? thank you so much. Looks so pretty there and I can't wait to leave NY!!