Best Areas in Solana Beach vs. Olde Carlsbad

[NORTY FLATZ]

OP~

Here's a good choice~

3871 Margaret Way
Carlsbad 92008

2019sqft.
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...il/M1818445121

[someguy10]

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

OP~

Here's a good choice~

3871 Margaret Way
Carlsbad 92008

2019sqft.
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...il/M1818445121

Nice place -- but looks like it could be a flip? I'm always suspicious of flips because the flipper and potential buyer have such opposite pulls/desires. I've seen a lot of "lipstick on pig" flips in SD.

[NYSD1995]

So if you want kids and wine with neighbors, you want the newer, master-planned areas because those areas are mostly younger families with kids. In the "old" areas close to the coast, you have a mix of older, retired, young, vacation rental etc. Anyone young is going to be very wealthy. In fact, given the prices of homes, most families are priced out of those areas and sort into the more family-friendly areas anyway. Given the rising cost of housing a lot of people just stay put vs. sell as they age. Even a development from the 80's like Village Park or Lomas Santa Fe, you are going to find a lot of older residents.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Originally Posted by someguy10

Nice place -- but looks like it could be a flip? I'm always suspicious of flips because the flipper and potential buyer have such opposite pulls/desires. I've seen a lot of "lipstick on pig" flips in SD.

I rode by yesterday evening. And, you're right. It does appear to be a "lipsticked pig." Too bad too, as it's in a PRIME location. Oh well, onward and upward!

[loveautumn]

I lived in Encinitas for many years. Personally Solana Beach never held any attraction to me as far as its vibe. There’s really no “downtown” area. Wealthy area, squeezed between Del Mar and Encinitas, and always seemed kind of snooty IMO. Lots of strip mall shopping except for the Designer District. Amtrak and Coaster Service is right there. I mean, if someone gave me a house there I wouldn’t complain but I’d probably sell it. It’s probably a more prestigious place to live than Carlsbad if that matters.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by colete00

Considering relocating from Phoenix.
We currently live in Arcadia, which is a social - "Friday night wine on your neighbor's patio" type place.
Old houses, big yards ... Social, laid-back, everyone has a cruiser bike ...
We are looking for the same thing by the ocean.

Solana Beach& Old Carlsbad
(if you have other ideas let me know)

Priorities
Top Notch Schools
Older Neighborhoods, Good Yards (6500SQFT+)
Kids Playing Outside - we have a 7th grader and a 3rd grader
Friendly, Laid-back, Good Family Feeling (all ages, not just littles)
Walkable - Walk to Dinner @ a handful of places
Small Town Feel - Run into people you know
Close to the beach (0-3miles) - not interested in going inland
Good Little League and other kids activities

Budget - 1.8-2M ... Home Size 2500-3000SQFT

Which one do you think I should consider? Do you know of any super fun streets I should target. Typically the ones that go all out for Halloween are good ones

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Here are a few neighborhoods I was considering - not the houses specifically

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site
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Notes:
- not into huge tract home neighborhoods, though I might consider a new neighborhood if the proximity was right and amenities were worth it ... but we prefer older houses.

- commute is not a factor, as we have a good job market in both of these places '

Please Help

The Arcadia neighborhood feel is pretty hard to match anywhere. Encinitas is the closest. $2 million should not be out of your budget unless you are inflexible on the size and age of the house. There are plenty of beautiful houses around $2 million.

Also, Carmel Valley (east of the 5) has many more kids and is cheaper, still very upscale, but kind of modern and characterless. The rugged scenery makes it look less cookie-cutter than a similar area in, say, Kansas City. Many young families wouldn't live anywhere else, but I'm an old beach guy and I only go to CV to shop.