Any thoughts on Eastlake in Chula Vista? Thanks. (San Diego, Poway: houses, safe area)

[MissNM]

One thing I have noticed is that the foreclosures are bringing in more realistic homeowners. Those that are purchasing now have good/great credit and aren't caught up in the snobbery of keeping up with the Jones's. They want a nice safe place to live and have the income to maintain what they own.

They use their Vons/Ralphs cards and coupons from Get1Free magazine.

Nothing wrong with the cookie cutter homes, if they are maintained and filled with good people.

[jkoz]

Originally Posted by sdca21

Eastlake has the highest foreclosure rate in state, maybe the nation. The property values as a whole might be questionable in the next five to ten years. With its close proximity to Mexico, its urban living with an attempt to be upscale, but it doesn't quite feel organic. People seem to be trying too hard, somewhat indifferent and disconnected to each other; there's no real sense of community from the people that you would get from communities like Rancho San Diego, Hilllcrest, or Carlsbad. And, it seems like people tend to drive like idiots in the area, but that maybe just me. But if cookie-cutter urban living is your bag, go for it...

I love the area and have lived there 17 years but I do know what you mean by "trying to be upscale" (and trying too hard). . . . . it's just not. Otay Ranch Town Center is testimony to that--There's a certain wannabe atmosphere about that mall that I don't care for--and so many of the "upscale" stores have gone belly up--it is slowly downscaling with Best Buy, H&M, etc. I expect that trend to continue.

Go across the street from that mall to Wallmart and business is hopping. That gives you a clue right there of how "upscale" Eastlake is (or is not).

[JTGoldberg]

I'm interested in buying a townhome in the Eastlake area. One of my criteria is a very large lap pool -- 25 meters would be ideal. Which of the communities have the biggest? Which communities are the most financially stable, best run, nicely landscaped and and best maintained? Your feedback greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by MissNM

Nothing wrong with the cookie cutter homes, if they are maintained and filled with good people.

Well-said, MissNM. Ultimately it is the people that make the neighborhood a great one and not so much the housing stock.

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by jkoz

I love the area and have lived there 17 years but I do know what you mean by "trying to be upscale" (and trying too hard). . . . . it's just not. Otay Ranch Town Center is testimony to that--There's a certain wannabe atmosphere about that mall that I don't care for--and so many of the "upscale" stores have gone belly up--it is slowly downscaling with Best Buy, H&M, etc. I expect that trend to continue.

Go across the street from that mall to Wallmart and business is hopping. That gives you a clue right there of how "upscale" Eastlake is (or is not).

You def got a point my friend.Remember when it first opened?The only "regular" type of stores where about Starbucks,Macys,and Zumies.That's about it.I really like this post you did.

[MissNM]

Originally Posted by jkoz

I love the area and have lived there 17 years but I do know what you mean by "trying to be upscale" (and trying too hard). . . . . it's just not. Otay Ranch Town Center is testimony to that--There's a certain wannabe atmosphere about that mall that I don't care for--and so many of the "upscale" stores have gone belly up--it is slowly downscaling with Best Buy, H&M, etc. I expect that trend to continue.

Go across the street from that mall to Wallmart and business is hopping. That gives you a clue right there of how "upscale" Eastlake is (or is not).

In this economy, everyone shops at Walmart. The presence of the Walmart shows that the people in Eastlake are savvy enough to pay significantly less for the same products that people in true upscale areas pay too much for (we all need toilet paper and some people actually buy cleaning products to clean their own homes!). I don't think the Walmart says anything negative about Eastlake at all.

[CocoaGoddess]

Originally Posted by sdca21

Eastlake has the highest foreclosure rate in state, maybe the nation. The property values as a whole might be questionable in the next five to ten years. With its close proximity to Mexico, its urban living with an attempt to be upscale, but it doesn't quite feel organic. People seem to be trying too hard, somewhat indifferent and disconnected to each other; there's no real sense of community from the people that you would get from communities like Rancho San Diego, Hilllcrest, or Carlsbad. And, it seems like people tend to drive like idiots in the area, but that maybe just me. But if cookie-cutter urban living is your bag, go for it...

You sound angry and bitter. I'm glad you're not my neighbor.

[jkoz]

Originally Posted by MissNM

In this economy, everyone shops at Walmart. The presence of the Walmart shows that the people in Eastlake are savvy enough to pay significantly less for the same products that people in true upscale areas pay too much for (we all need toilet paper and some people actually buy cleaning products to clean their own homes!). I don't think the Walmart says anything negative about Eastlake at all.

I agree that it doesn't say anything negative about Eastlake. What it does say is that Eastlake is middle class. Most Eastlakians are not going to pay $80 for a pair of jeans for their 2-year-old toddler at "Gigi's" after having their car parked by a valet--A Sav-A-Lot and 99 Cent Only Store would truthfully be much more in the ballpark in this area than "Gila Rut Aveda Spa" and "Justice". We're a great area, but I don't think that mall "fits" the area--never has.

[4sdSince81]

I get why they added that mall...it takes some of the stigma off of Eastlake being in Chula Vista...they want the north of the 8 look and feel in the neighborhood. I can't blame them. I know when my friends from where I grew up(north of the 8) first saw that mall they were like "wow, ok they are making this area upscale"

[BacktoBlue]

I like Chula Vista well some parts. Both Chula Vista and National City have nice areas and then some not so nice areas. I mean it's not like Compton or anything but it isn't great.