Considering Carlsbad area with older teen (real estate, renters, HOA fees)

[Sunnybluegreen]

Hi, wondering if anyone can tell me if Carlsbad would be a nice area to live as a single young retiree. I would be looking for a 2-3 bedroom condo/townhouse with a nice pool (and hot tub if possible!)

I can move in a year but more likely 2 years...getting nervous about the market increasing...any thoughts? Hoping to not get priced out in 2 years. I can afford about $600K for condo/townhouse. Do any have first floor masters?

If we moved up the timing of the move, my student would have to do senior year HS there. Would the HS be welcoming or can a student just take dual enrollment courses?

We are visiting in April. Any must sees? Also how is medical care? Thanks!

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by Sunnybluegreen

Hi, wondering if anyone can tell me if Carlsbad would be a nice area to live as a single young retiree. I would be looking for a 2-3 bedroom condo/townhouse with a nice pool (and hot tub I'd possible!)

I'll try answering a few:
1. Let your teen finish where you are now. House prices are looking top-heavy today. In a year or so you may get more house for your $600k.
2. "single young retiree" Carlsbad is boring family life. It's probably not the kind of place to find a new spouse.
3. Medical care is decent. My wife and I use Scripps but there are 3 or 4 decent healthcare networks.
4. Must sees? There are tons of stuff to do and see here. It all depends on your interests. I'm ex-military, so I like the USS Midway. Midway.org. I volunteer there as an on-call bartender.

Good luck.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Great first post!

[someguy10]

Keep in mind a lot of the condos and townhouses can have pretty high association fees and, in some cases, Mello Roos. $300-$800/mo wouldn't be unusual and those you pay for a long time or forever, even if you have no mortgage.

For up to $600K, you'll have a few options for 2BR condo and many will have association fees around $400-$500/mo.

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by someguy10

For up to $600K, you'll have a few options for 2BR condo and many will have association fees around $400-$500/mo.

My wife and I tried to buy an investment condo in the UTC area in 2019/20. We were looking in the $600k range and all we found was junk. The hoa fees were incredible with many of the hoa benefits not being maintained.

Although prices are higher today, we feel like we dodged a bullet. With the virus situation, many renters feel no pressure to pay rent. I don't think my bank would say "mortgage payments... forgetaboutem."

[someguy10]

Originally Posted by cruitr

My wife and I tried to buy an investment condo in the UTC area in 2019/20. We were looking in the $600k range and all we found was junk. The hoa fees were incredible with many of the hoa benefits not being maintained.

Although prices are higher today, we feel like we dodged a bullet. With the virus situation, many renters feel no pressure to pay rent. I don't think my bank would say "mortgage payments... forgetaboutem."

IMO, the lowest-price condos out there are a worse deal -- even straight financially and not considering value -- than the ones a bit more expensive due to the higher fees the former tend to have.

[NORTY FLATZ]

C’bad...

[Sunnybluegreen]

Hi all thanks for the insights and love that photo! We are visiting now and love it
But it’s hard to get a handle on all the neighborhoods and areas.

Does anyone know if “cluster homes” that are one floor (or 2 floors with master and full bath on first floor) exist in Carlsbad? Or perhaps Carmel Valley which is another place we are going to look

Also how do you know from listings (ie Zillow or Redfin) if the Mello Roos fees apply? Is that more common with newer communities? HOA up to 500 is fine (if a nice pool is included) but another fee on top of that would be a dealbreaker.

Thanks!

[someguy10]

Honestly, you need to get a real estate agent at this point.

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by someguy10

Honestly, you need to get a real estate agent at this point.

ditto