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Old 10-09-2006, 08:31 AM
 
72 posts, read 434,320 times
Reputation: 82

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Should I buy a townhome in Carlsbad or Orange County?

The real estate (specifically townhomes and entry-level houses) is cheaper in Carlsbad than the Orange County cities I like (which are Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, and San Clemente). However, I worry if I ever lose my South Orange COunty job while living in Carlsbad, will I be able to get another job nearby? I know Orange County (especially Irvine) has lots of jobs, but if I ever get a job in Irvine in the future than Carlsbad will be too far away from Irvine for me to commute.

Carlsbad is near the beach (which I like), while Mission Viejo is more inland (so that it will be hotter during the summer).

I was thinking if I did buy a townhome in Carlsbad and I lose my job, will it be easy for me to get a renter for the townhome while I move to wherever my new job would be? Since Carlsbad is far away from job centers such as Orange County and San DIego, I worry about getting a renter.
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Old 10-09-2006, 12:28 PM
 
9,527 posts, read 30,477,668 times
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A lot of people commute from Carlsbad to Irvine. Similarly a lot commute from Carlsbad to Sorrento Valley in San Diego. Both are long, hellish commutes, but a big reason that Carlsbad is growing is because of this central location. The job market is better in Orange County in general, but San Diego has a good tech job market, especially for wireless engineers and people working on military projects.

Either one is a good choice, I am starting to see more jobs in and around Carlsbad too, especially up the Palomar Airport Road area.
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Old 10-09-2006, 01:07 PM
 
2,016 posts, read 5,205,781 times
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Sassberto, sorry for following you thread by thread - LOL - rest assured that I just have a question to ask, and I sincerely appreciate your forthright and open-minded answers.

I am looking 98% into Carlsbad, CA, and slightly into Southern Orange County. For me, commute is a non-issue because I work from home. My concern (and question) is about Carlsbad. Looks like Carlsbad itself has various and distinct areas. I need a good school system for K-8 elementary (several kids), and an upcoming high-schooler that will be in grade 9 next year. A house I'm looking at is on Colobri Lane in LaCosta (Carlsbad), however, the school system is San Marcos. The school is San Elijo, and San Marcos high. I thought I read somewhere to keep away from East Carlsbad (if this is wrong, please accept my apologies, as I do not wish to put down any area), but somewhere, not even on this board, I read that. I read that Carlsbad is considered a better school than San Marcos. Truthfully, I'm not into yuppie or snobby, and I'm a little concerned about that. Is San Marcos a good school system? Thoughts on either one, or comparison?

Any help or feedback you could provide would be sincerely appreciated. If you wish to PM me, I will check that too.

Again, thank you most kindly.
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Old 10-09-2006, 04:06 PM
 
9,527 posts, read 30,477,668 times
Reputation: 6440
Socketz will have better answers for you... I don't live in North County. In general Carlsbad is "nicer" (richer) than San Marcos....
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Old 10-09-2006, 09:16 PM
 
3,035 posts, read 14,432,399 times
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Donna,

Carlsbad and its schools are better than San Marcos as a whole. Now not to say that San Marcos doesn't have a few decent schools (Richland, Discovery and Carrillo, La Costa Meadows Elementary Schools), but Carlsbad is a bit better overall. Also, if you go more south into La Costa/Encinitas, the schools get better.

Personally, if it's a coin toss between San Diego and OC, I'd stretch and go for OC. Lower crime, better schools, better/higher paying jobs and more progressive life style. I moved from there a few years back (wife's family is in San Diego) and have never been the same - always felt like I left something behind there. I like San Diego, but I'm in the semiconductor field, so San Diego is like a tier 2-3 market at best. Everything just seems really slow here to me, but of course alot of people enjoy that type of 'cutoff shorts and flip flops' lifestyle. I liked it for a few years, but I'm bored.

Anyway, if you want a really nice condo in OC, look in 'Ladera Ranch' , Aliso Viejo or Rancho Santa Margarita. All newer, very nice, great schools, very safe and somewhat affordable areas (condos).
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Old 10-25-2006, 04:41 PM
 
852 posts, read 3,814,707 times
Reputation: 470
I wouldn't buy a townhome in either area in this market. We have a friend who bought a terrific condo in Carlsbad at the beginning of the year, and with a job change she likely will lose thousands if she sells. This might be a rental time.
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Old 11-19-2006, 05:53 PM
 
55 posts, read 337,496 times
Reputation: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by LivingLikeAGradStudent View Post
I wouldn't buy a townhome in either area in this market. We have a friend who bought a terrific condo in Carlsbad at the beginning of the year, and with a job change she likely will lose thousands if she sells. This might be a rental time.
Completely agree here. The big talk around here is to wait a couple of years... I have read several "overpriced cities" lists and San Marcos/North County San Diego (which includes Carlsbad) was #1 on those lists. I would definitely consider renting as #1) it's a good idea in this marked and #2) if you lose your job or need to relocate you can simply cut ties with your landlord.
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