Any good areas in San Diego with 500k budget? (Vista: condos, houses)

[CheaperAc]

I'm looking for areas to raise a family where I could find a 1,500 sq. ft. single family home for $500k.

[sandiegoguy22]

500 thousand dollars? lol you need AT LEAST 500 BILLION DOLLARS

[kathygrl]

Completely doable....Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Vista, Poway...being constantly aware of what comes on the market daily on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is showing me that 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car are definitely available in the above mentioned areas.....the only down side for a buyer is that the nice ones that are priced right are selling extremely quickly, so you really need to be a well prepared buyer...financing in place, deposit ready, etc.. The whole San Diego area is low on inventory therefore creating multiple offer situations on the listings. There are a few new construction homes available in the price range you are quoting but then you are looking at a time frame for completion..... it could be 3-4 months. Let me know what are you are thinking and I can answer in more detail. Good luck!

[sdhkshdcny09]

Originally Posted by CheaperAc

I'm looking for areas to raise a family where I could find a 1,500 sq. ft. single family home for $500k.

$500,000 is actually a lot for a 1500 sq ft house in San Diego.

[oddstray]

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rancho Penasquitos had something in that range. Family-friendly area in Poway school district, so the schools are good.

[MovingAloha]

$500k gets you a 2500 + sq ft home in Otay Ranch. The schools are great as well.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by CheaperAc

I'm looking for areas to raise a family where I could find a 1,500 sq. ft. single family home for $500k.

That is a decent budget for a house that size (thinkning price per sq ft) just about anywhere in the county with the exception of some coastal communities west of the 5. The issue is that its actually on the smaller side for a good majority of suburbia that have good schools which were built somewhere in the 90s to more recent. Otay Ranch being one of them or other areas in North County. Truthfully 1500sq ft is condo territory for the most part.

Like oddstray said, some of the 'older' communities like Rancho Penasquitos have houses built in the 70s and 80s that are more or less around the size you are looking for. These are all tract communities for the most part. Once you get away from the suburban tracts and get into urbanized/denser territory for homes closer to the city it can be hit or miss in terms of schools.

Are you looking for more property vs house size? If so, it will change the search a bit.

[NYSD1995]

multiple options depending on type of home. Also depends on the commute and your pickiness about schools.

Not knowing any of that:

For condos I would start with Carmel Valley and 56 corridor for best schools, some more urban options in close-in beach areas on the north side of Pacific Beach, UTC area. Also check out some coastal north county options as well, I'm sure you could find a 2br for 500k in Encinitas.

Single fam homes, depends on housing style, but much of eastern Carlsbad, Poway, Del Cerro / San Carlos or Eastlake have good value in those price ranges and good schools

500k is pretty much minimum so don't expect luxury or much by way of curb appeal, but certainly will be basic housing in decent repair and good area. You will be priced out of anything really nice as well as mostly everything west of 5

[bigdaddy5]

1500 sq ft with a 2 acre lot, horse ranch, pool, tennis court, basketball court.

Check out Jamul, you can get a resort-like residence for 500k.