Moving to Carlsbad from bird rock? (San Diego, Encinitas: real estate, rental, condo)

[Momtotom]

We are a young couple with a 15 month old son, and baby #2 is due in July. We currently have a nice 2 bedroom condo in Bird Rock (we rent), but it is starting to feel so small, and I can't imagine staying here with two kids. The main thing is we would love to have a house with a yard and at least three bed rooms , and we just can't afford that in the area that we live in now, unfortunately. Our lease ends in may so we are thinking about our next move.

Can anyone shed some insight on Carlsbad ? The draw back for me is how far out of San Diego it is, but I tend to be the type that sticks around my neighborhood anyway. Not a big driver - that was part of the appeal of bird rock where I can walk everywhere with the baby . Carlsbad seems to have what we are looking for in our price range (currently pay 3200). Another option is Point Loma but my husband is very concerned about plane noise. We would prefer not to go too far inland but would also consider bay park. It's important that it's a safe neighborhood, with restaurants and things to do, and preferably other young families around. We have lived in north Pb /la Jolla for the past 5 years so I'm a little overwhelmed at the thought of finding a new area!

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by Momtotom

We are a young couple with a 15 month old son, and baby #2 is due in July. We currently have a nice 2 bedroom condo in Bird Rock (we rent), but it is starting to feel so small, and I can't imagine staying here with two kids. The main thing is we would love to have a house with a yard and at least three bed rooms , and we just can't afford that in the area that we live in now, unfortunately. Our lease ends in may so we are thinking about our next move.

Can anyone shed some insight on Carlsbad ? The draw back for me is how far out of San Diego it is, but I tend to be the type that sticks around my neighborhood anyway. Not a big driver - that was part of the appeal of bird rock where I can walk everywhere with the baby . Carlsbad seems to have what we are looking for in our price range (currently pay 3200). Another option is Point Loma but my husband is very concerned about plane noise. We would prefer not to go too far inland but would also consider bay park. It's important that it's a safe neighborhood, with restaurants and things to do, and preferably other young families around. We have lived in north Pb /la Jolla for the past 5 years so I'm a little overwhelmed at the thought of finding a new area!

I'd say Carlsbad is a perfect fit for you. Lots of young families like yours and all of the conveniences are there. Good schools, beaches, safe, etc. Your only challenge will be to find out which area of Carlsbad is best for you...Aviara, Bressi Ranch, Calavera Hills, among others.

[Momtotom]

Thanks ! I really don't have any clue about the different neighborhoods. I'll look into it

[someguy10]

Carlsbad is very nice. Lots of parents out with kids, safe, good schools. You'll also notice it's cleaner and less gritty than the N PB area. As sdurbanite said, there are generally four main areas of Carlsbad, each with a different vibe. The NW "village" area is the only one that is anywhere near as walkable as NPB/Birdrock, but it probably also has the oldest homes of the four areas (if that matters).

You didn't mention working situations but that would be the other thing to consider. Even on very light traffic days, it feels like quite a drive from Carlsbad to say downtown. Add in traffic/accidents and it becomes pretty tedious, IMO.

[Momtotom]

Originally Posted by someguy10

Carlsbad is very nice. Lots of parents out with kids, safe, good schools. You'll also notice it's cleaner and less gritty than the N PB area. As sdurbanite said, there are generally four main areas of Carlsbad, each with a different vibe. The NW "village" area is the only one that is anywhere near as walkable as NPB/Birdrock, but it probably also has the oldest homes of the four areas (if that matters).

You didn't mention working situations but that would be the other thing to consider. Even on very light traffic days, it feels like quite a drive from Carlsbad to say downtown. Add in traffic/accidents and it becomes pretty tedious, IMO.

Thanks ! I think we are willing to trade in some walkability for a bigger house/yard. I just need to be somewhere with things to do close by , not just strip malls if that makes sense. As of now I am a stay at home mom
And my husband works from home, but that's definitely something we are thinking about because the work from home may not be permanent. I think how far out Carlsbad is is the main thing we are questioning.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Momtotom

Thanks ! I think we are willing to trade in some walkability for a bigger house/yard. I just need to be somewhere with things to do close by , not just strip malls if that makes sense. As of now I am a stay at home mom
And my husband works from home, but that's definitely something we are thinking about because the work from home may not be permanent. I think how far out Carlsbad is is the main thing we are questioning.

The southern portions of Encinitas have all that Carlsbad has, is the same price range and are 10-15 minutes closer to downtown SD. Maybe I missed it, but why the focus on Carlsbad?

[Momtotom]

Originally Posted by Encinitan

The southern portions of Encinitas have all that Carlsbad has, is the same price range and are 10-15 minutes closer to downtown SD. Maybe I missed it, but why the focus on Carlsbad?

Hm I guess I thought Encinitas pricing was more on the La Jolla level. We would definitely love to live in Encinitas

[someguy10]

Originally Posted by Momtotom

Hm I guess I thought Encinitas pricing was more on the La Jolla level. We would definitely love to live in Encinitas

My experience mirrors yours Momtotom -- if you compare apples to apples, Encinitas is noticeably more expensive than Carlsbad. I suppose some of that comparison is subjective, but at least a couple RE agents very knowledgeable in both areas have confirmed my opinion as well. If prices were equivalent, I would definitely pick Encinitas over Carlsbad.

On the commute front -- that's a tough one to weigh since you've got to calculate for the possibility of your husband having to commute. My general advice on that front is don't underestimate the hard and soft costs of a commute. If he is no longer able to work from home, would he still have the same job and just have to go into the office? If so, where is the office? And is there some type of deadline or timeframe on losing WFH, or is it just something hanging generally out there?

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Momtotom

Hm I guess I thought Encinitas pricing was more on the La Jolla level. We would definitely love to live in Encinitas

I wouldn't say that. La Jolla is in a world of its own, well maybe with Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe and a few others tony towns in there too. But Encinitas has a lot more in common with Carlsbad than it does with La Jolla, both in real estate prices and vibe. At your stated rental price point, I wouldn't rule it out. Take a look, you never know!

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by someguy10

My experience mirrors yours Momtotom -- if you compare apples to apples, Encinitas is noticeably more expensive than Carlsbad. I suppose some of that comparison is subjective, but at least a couple RE agents very knowledgeable in both areas have confirmed my opinion as well. If prices were equivalent, I would definitely pick Encinitas over Carlsbad.

I could be wrong, it's been a while since I rented, but at $3,200, I wouldn't rule out a small coastal place or a larger home inland (Village Park). Parts of Aviara in Carlsbad are pretty pricey and newer housing stock than you find in most of Encinitas that was built out by the 1970s and 80s. Like I said to Momtomom, it's not out of the question.