Chula Vista? (San Diego, Corona, Coronado: real estate, foreclosures, houses)

[sarahjane123]

Hi everyone,
Looking for some honest opinions on the Chula Vista area. My family and I are moving to the San Diego area in 2 months and we are finding most houses in our price range fall in the Eastlake/Otay Ranch area of Chula Vista (our range is up to $450k). My husband has been out there househunting a couple of times and thinks that I'd love the area (lots of trails, shopping, schools look good, looks pretty safe.) The thing is, all of our friends out there say "Nooooo... don't buy a house in CHULA VISTA!!!" So what gives? Are we not seeing something that others are seeing? Any thoughts on this? My husband will be working on Coronado and has heard that traffic is bad but it seems like traffic is bad anywhere you live. We have 2 young kids so schools and safety is important. Looking for some honest opinions please, thanks in advance! We will be out in SD again in 3 weeks and hope to buy a house then.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

sarahjane,

LOL, I have totally heard that one before regarding the Otay Ranch area. Here is a personal story:
Actually several years ago when the mall had opened I was astonished at the design as I had never seen a "town" setting for a mall design before. I am not a mall buff or anything but really liked the atmosphere. So I mentioned this to some girlfriends that I know here that are were born and bred San Diegans and love to shop. Well, they horrified when I told them about the mall and area down there and how it looks no different than 4S Ranch of any other plug and play tract communities that were built in that era. Its all the same builders too.
Well, fast forward to most recently and in passing during a conversation one of them said how they were down there a couple of weekends ago shopping there like it was something they had been doing for years! Um yeah...

I like the area down there a lot and think it has things going for it. Its a far commute to anyone that has to drive north of SD Downtown. But as your husband will be working on Coronado, the commute should be pretty good. I have heard that its safe down there and schools are decent. Its one of the only areas in SD that has infrastruture that is fairly new but at half the price. As you are looking to actually live in it and not play fake real estate investor and speculate, I would say go for it. There is a stigma about that area as mentioned earlier, but its all hearsay.
There are some other posters on here that probably have more of a day to day view of life there to give you that insight.

[DJean Becker]

Its actually a VERY nice part of San Diego world. You have a lot to choose from and the communities there include golf courses, rec areas, swimming pools bbqs and lots and lots of trails. There are also some amazing deals at this point from REO's and foreclosures. Keep an eye on it so you can understand the relative values but they've done a beautiful job in building up the area.

[mricu]

I know many familys that live in East Lake/Otay Ranch and they love it there. No issues with safety as those communities are all family friendly and the schools are pretty good as well.

I visit them regularly and have even dabbled in the idea of purchasing a property there, which may happen in the near future.

[sdchargers]

Chula Vista has some rough areas, but in the end, I would say that 2/3 of the city is really safe.
Chula Vista is a big city so like everywhere else, there are some good and bad areas. If you go east of 805 you'll be fine. I am thinking of purchasing a home in Chula Vista in the future. I'm looking at some places east of 125 at the "eastlake" neighborhoods. There are some beautiful places there!!!