Carlsbad, San Diego opportunity

[jhelgesen]

Looking into an "opportunity" in the Carlsbad-San Diego area of CA. Work could be a lot of fun and a good advance for my career, but its a loooooooooong move for the wife and I.

Anyone have + or -'s for the area?

[Cdnone1]

My brother has lived in Carlsbad for a long time now. My wife, kids and I go down to visit them all the time.
What are you looking for in a new city?
Steve

[holtjv]

Do your homework on the cost of living differences. I moved from austin to san diego and, while my increase in income handled the day to day cost of living increase, the housing increase was easily 2x.

Moved back in 2000 and have visited a lot but would never move back. All depends on what's important to you--very nice people but everything else is as it is on first impression--few surprises, good or bad. Jack

[JavaBrewer]

You have a PM John.

[nostatic]

housing is wicked expensive.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by nostatic
housing is wicked expensive.

But we can make room for another Porsche owner.

[Danny_Ocean]

Smog tests, state income tax, no CCW permits, everything regulated to death...been there, done that. Be prepared to bend over (no lube) when shopping for a comparable home.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by holtjv
Do your homework on the cost of living differences. I moved from austin to san diego and, while my increase in income handled the day to day cost of living increase, the housing increase was easily 2x.

Moved back in 2000 and have visited a lot but would never move back. All depends on what's important to you--very nice people but everything else is as it is on first impression--few surprises, good or bad. Jack

Have several friends living there. Second everything above and you really have to like SoCal and the ocean to pay for the housing and such there.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It ain't that bad. I actually just turned down a job in San Diego, but not before doing extensive research into housing down there. If you're willing to buy a condo - the market is yours for the taking. If you insist on a detached single-family home, you're gonna' get pounded in the arse.

[Joeaksa]

Aint bad? Well that is from someone living out there now, which is a big difference from someone moving there cold.

If you have lived in SoCal for a while, moving around is possible but anyone moving there from outside California is in for a big shock.

I was offered a very nice job in So Cal last year, with a salary around $200k and there was just no way that I could afford a home. At age 50+ I am not going to retreat to an apartment and pay someone else's morgage.

[azasadny]

I'll be in Carlsbad tonight. I'm visiting an old Navy buddy for his 50th birthday party (surprise). I used to live in Fallbrook while stationed at Camp Pendleton and I'm looking forward to the visit. I'll be there Wed-Sun and the weather is much nicer there than Detroit!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Housing prices have taken a big hit in that market over the last few months. They're still obscene (as is everywhere in SoCal) but by southern California standards, it's really pretty good. We priced no less than a dozen condos around the LaJolla area for under $300k. Some were obviously better than others, but there were some good ones for the taking - 2BR with garages, etc. Not too bad for that market.

One thing you need to be careful of out here is parking. INSIST on a garage - preferably a private garage and not just shared, subterranean parking. In those big underground garages, idiots will still give you door dings, still back into your car, etc. Not to mention you (usually) can't change your own oil or anything like that. Carports are worthless (no protection from thieves, vandals, etc.) Street parking is completely worthless. That narrows your choices down considerably.

About half the condos we looked at were the "glorified apartment" type - not what I was looking for. The other half were townhomes or similar more "personal" type places that actually gave you a feeling like you had an ownership stake. They're out there if you look. Just hold fast to your price (a-hole realtors will try to stuff you into crap that's outside your price range and/or standards) and to your requirements and good luck to you. Beware though - there ARE still an awful lot of "dreamer" sellers that are asking WAY higher than the current market value for their places - obviously nobody has told 'em the flippin' party is over and this ain't 2005 anymore. Don't be afraid to make offers of what YOU think is fair. If they get offended and call it "lowball", ***** 'em.

If you want a detached single-family home, look at minimum $600k. That's $6,000+ a month on a mortgage unless you're a lotto winner or something. Yes, those are pretty unaffordable, even considering SoCal wage scales.

Another thing I noticed about S.D. is that it's not the same place as it was even three or four years ago - and not for the better. The same kind of irritating traffic, congestion and overpopulation problems I was looking forward to getting away from are definitely creeping into the area. Sad to say. Carlsbad isn't too bad, but if you get down a little further south, it starts to get annoyingly "north-O.C.-like" with respect to traffic. Another thing I absolutely insisted on was a MAXIMUM 5-mile radius commute from where my office would have been - trust me on this one. I compromised a little on a couple of the places, but I'd absolutely try to stay as close as possible to wherever you'd be working. Commuting sucks. It sucks so badly here, I actually dumped my last job (same company that wanted me to transfer to take this San Diego gig) earlier this month and now work for an outfit 5 miles from home. Quality of life is 3X better immediately.

All the best to you.

[jhelgesen]

Thanks for the info guys. Still talking, haven't visited there yet. Would have to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by azasadny
I'll be in Carlsbad tonight. I'm visiting an old Navy buddy for his 50th birthday party (surprise). I used to live in Fallbrook while stationed at Camp Pendleton and I'm looking forward to the visit. I'll be there Wed-Sun and the weather is much nicer there than Detroit!

We got a drive going for Sunday on Ortega Highway probably about 35-45 minutes north from Carlsbad. If you can sneak away, I'm sure you can catch a ride with one of us.

[holtjv]

The whole scene is kind of surreal to me: Beautiful people, ricers galore, thumping car stereos at every light, highways with 6+ lanes each direction (stressful for the first 6 months), outstanding beer, F18s, beautiful water, bright white sf homes clashing with the brown/green rocky hills, great smells from the hibiscus, cool and damp in the morning, warm in the afternoon, june gloom.

And I can go on.

[holtjv]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
...Another thing I absolutely insisted on was a MAXIMUM 5-mile radius commute from where my office would have been - trust me on this one. I compromised a little on a couple of the places, but I'd absolutely try to stay as close as possible to wherever you'd be working. Commuting sucks. It sucks so badly here, I actually dumped my last job (same company that wanted me to transfer to take this San Diego gig) earlier this month and now work for an outfit 5 miles from home. Quality of life is 3X better immediately.

All the best to you.

+100. I would compromise on my home or standard of living to be close to work--I was, thankfully, within 5 miles of my office. We bought a 1900 sqft townhome for $275k in 1999, sold it in 2000 for 350k. We visit our next door neighbors 2x/year. The house is now 600k+. Stupidist thing I've ever done selling that house and not renting it.

But townhomes should be an option for you--lots of nice gated communities. Jack

[azasadny]

I just returned from visiting an old Navy buddy who lives in Oceanside, CA. Hos wife rented him an Aston Martin for the weekend for his 50th birthday.

Here I am with the Vantage just prior to the drive up Gopher Canyon...






We had a great time and I wish I had more time there so I could have joined "84porsche" on their drive. Thanks for the invite, BTW, that was very nice of you!

Too much traffic, but the weather and food were terrific!!

[Hugh R]

What did the Aston cost to rent?

[azasadny]

Hugh,

I believe it was $1000 for 24 hours (350 mile limit) from San Diego Prestige at 5605 La Jolla Blvd. We drove around LaJolla, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Fallbrook and especially enjoyed I-15 and Gopher Canyon Road.

[Gene Wilkes]

Any pelicans available for a cold brew Thursday the 24th of this month? I'll be staying at the Grand Pacific Palisades in Carlsbad!