Solana Beach versus Carlsbad (San Diego, Irvine: fit in, rent, condos) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

applejack726 · 11-03-2010, 08:34 AM

Hello,

My husband and I are relocating to San Diego. My husband will be working in Rancho Bernardo and I will be a stay-at-home mom for the next year or so, after which I hope to work. We are currently considering Carlsbad and Solana Beach. Solana Beach seems to be more conveniently located because it is close the the 56 and more convenient to the San Diego metro area.

My question is: Does Solana Beach have a strong community feeling? It is hard to tell from just driving around and looking at houses. Carlsbad seems to have a central community area in the village, but I am not sure about Carlsbad. Also, are there lots of young families around or is it more retirees/single people?

Thanks!

cruitr · 11-03-2010, 09:00 AM

"strong community feeling" is relative. The easiest way to answer your question is rent for a while. You'll change your mind about what's important to you once you live here. We did. We didn't buy a house anywhere near our originally targeted areas. San Diego is a very complex place and impossible to figure out without living here.

tstieber · 11-03-2010, 09:13 AM

Both have a community feel. Solana Beach has the Cedros district, which is bustling on weekends, and there's a farmer's market near there. I think Solana Beach is hipper personally. There's also Encinitas nearby -- a cute downtown with restaurants and shops. In the end, I think they will be relatively similar to one another. Carlsbad has a lot of families, but not near the downtown area -- rather, east of the 5, where all the newer developments are. Some of those neighborhoods also have neighborhood clubhouses with events where families meet. Carlsbad does have terrific infrastructure with regards to shopping and such. I'd be happy in any of those places.

loveautumn · 11-03-2010, 01:49 PM

SB is a true beach community and all that entails, and Carlsbad is really the burbs, although it is still on the ocean. Both have great areas and some iffy parts, as do all areas in SD, probably with the exception of Ranch Santa Fe.

Encinitas is more upper middle class, with a beach vibe on the west side (Old Encinitas), which is a walkable area...Lumberyard, will open a Whole Foods there very soon. New Encinitas, east of the 5, is a mix, homes, plenty of shopping, etc. The Coaster train has a stop in Encinitas. Carlsbad Forum shopping center is right there. Lots of strip malls too along El Camino Real. Right next to Rancho Santa Fe and Olivenhain (very wealthy areas).

Carlsbad would be a much longer and harder commute to RB but anytime you are travelling from the west (5) to the east (15), it is considered a bad commute.

Unless you are completely sold on living on the coast, you might consider Poway and Scripps Ranch, which would give you a pretty good commute to RB. Both are very family oriented areas. Carlsbad really isn't a great place for singles, mostly families and retirees.

I would recommend renting too because each town has its own nuances and vibe, so it's better to wait and see where you really fit in best.

applejack726 · 11-03-2010, 05:18 PM

Thanks for all of the comments! I didn't mention it in my original post, but my husband will be working once a week or more in Irvine, which is why we thought it would be good to live in Solana Beach or Carlsbad.

I'll have to tell my husband that Carlsbad is a suburb by the sea. That will make his decision for him....he does not want to live in the burbs, lol!

Encinitan · 11-03-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applejack726

Thanks for all of the comments! I didn't mention it in my original post, but my husband will be working once a week or more in Irvine, which is why we thought it would be good to live in Solana Beach or Carlsbad.

I'll have to tell my husband that Carlsbad is a suburb by the sea. That will make his decision for him....he does not want to live in the burbs, lol!

If he doesn't want to live in the suburbs, then you might want to rethink living in North County, because North County is just a suburb of San Diego. I don't see a big difference between Carlsbad, Encinitas, or Solana Beach. They're pretty similar, actually.

applejack726 · 11-09-2010, 08:05 AM

Hmm, ok, it sounds like people think we should rent first. It's not a bad idea, although we really wanted to get settled with a house. We are about to have our first baby and were hoping to get settled before the baby arrives, but I wouldn't want to buy and then realize later that the neighborhood wasn't right for us.

To Encinitan: My husband does hate suburbs, but we do like living on the coast! I think he mainly dislikes the feeling of "tract housing" where all the houses are close together and they look the same.

Encinitan · 11-09-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by applejack726

To Encinitan: My husband does hate suburbs, but we do like living on the coast! I think he mainly dislikes the feeling of "tract housing" where all the houses are close together and they look the same.

Ok, then be aware that there is tract housing with all the houses squeezed in next to each other in both Encinitas and Solana Beach. Both cities also have more spread out custom lots, too. I grew up in Solana Beach (I'm 40 now) and now live in Encinitas, so I know the area quite well.

loveautumn · 11-09-2010, 10:22 AM

well, California is the mother of track housing so you will find that everywhere. But both areas, Carlsbad and Encinitas have streets with older homes (I mean built in the 80's) that aren't like your typical track housing. there's really a variety, beach houses, older homes, condos, typical track housing, etc. I think you'll eventually find something you like...but renting first is the best way. It's really a hodge podge of architecture (if I can call it that)..but alot of spanish-style.