OT: SoCal re-location questions?

Vipergrün · 03-24-2003, 12:07 PM

Well, nothing solid yet, but I am thinking about re-entering the UC system and am checking out tech positions at Irvine and San Diego.

Where would you live if you wanted to commute into Irvine? It *looks* like you could still live near the coast and drive in? Can you get a decent house anywhere in the area for 400K.

Same goes for San Diego. Sure, I'd love to live in La Jolla, but dream on!

I'm looking into UCSB, where I had been for nearly 10 years, but the commute from Ventura to campus is 45-1 hour!!

I am sure this thread will get axed, but any help appreciated.

Thanks!

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Hi Brad,

Grew up in Escondido, Irvine resident since 1985. Everything is relative. School district (which is highly variable each day it seems), garage space, did I mention garage space?, home size, proximity to ocean and/or view, garage space and garage space are all variables to consider. If you can let me know some of your priorities, I'll be happy to philosophize with you. That being said, I've not commuted for a number of years so YMMV.

The area around USCD runs the gamut from Rancho Santa Fe (most expensive homes in the nation) to small beach shacks in Encinitas (which are still expensive). You know the rule, price increases geometrically with proximity to ocean.

We'll carry the thread to OT and a bunch of the other locals will chime in I'm sure.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

$400K? Sorry....you'll have to commute. If you want to live around UCI (especially near the coast like Newport Beach, etc) figure at least twice that. It gets cheaper if you look east and north (Anaheim, etc).

For UCSD, it is the same story. If you want something reasonable you'll have to look at Claremont or maybe Mira Mesa. Everything right around UCSD and due north (ie coastal north country) is big bucks.

Vipergrün · 03-24-2003, 12:28 PM

Thanks Don..

Well, we are currently in Ventura, which is a beach community, but we are probably 3-5 miles from the ocean. House is 500K, and I'd be faced with a 45 mile drive to campus. So, I guess those are some guidelines as to where we are today. Schools will be important in two years when our oldest is ready to attend.

I guess we really need to jump in the car and head down that way....

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

Brad, if UCI, then there is only one place - Newport Beach. Sorry Don. It's worth every penny. Plan on at least 850K for a house like yours in Newport. UCI is about a 10 minutes drive from my house.
If San Diego - La Jolla.

curtisaa · 03-24-2003, 12:41 PM

Check out Tustin..You'll find something fairly reasonable there. They have a great shopping area, and for a trip to UCI...maybe 20 minutes...

Vipergrün · 03-24-2003, 12:43 PM

Ahem, remember Paul, this would be on a UC salary, not a lawyers salary

What's Aliso Viejo like? Looks like some decent surrounding areas.....at least on the map! Laguna Niguel also looks attractive, plus the added benefit of surfing Salt Creek...oh, the good ol days....

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

ahh.. to live in cheap NC... a student's apt. 2 blocks from UNCG... 300/month/person. A house 5-10 blocks can run under 100K.

motion · 03-24-2003, 01:01 PM

Brad,

I work in Aliso Viejo and live in Laguna Niguel. Figure around $400k for a 3 bedroom starter (1400 sq ft) home in Aliso Viejo, around $450k for the same in Laguna Niguel. Aliso Viejo is very cookie cutter and new... Laguna Niguel is cooler, closer to the ocean and more established. Much nicer, I think. Best bet is realtor.com for house pricing.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

One of the biggest variables and drivers of home cost is the school district. I'm biased because we live in Irvine, and in particular, in Turtle Rock which still has really great neighborhood elementary schools. It's really a great school district, but it does vary a little bit by location/school. There are lots of good schools in other communities, but you will need to do your homework. Of course, CA budgets being what they are all this might get thrown out the window.

There are good spots in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach, though there are some less good ones too. $400K-$500K is entry-level house in these areas (I think), you can go inland to El Toro, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, etc. and get newer and bigger, but a much longer drive into UCI (45 mins). Problem with the newer communities are the Mello-Roos and related new development taxes. This is a big consideration. I choose a little older home and put my money into mortage/improvements than into taxes. Although "old" is a relative term in SoCal (our neighborhood is one of the oldest and my home was built in 1969), there are some very interesting neighborhoods and communities that have great spirit and are a really nice place to live. Albeit in a somewhat homogeneous, controlled, supervised and conformist way. It's not Manhattan or Santa Monica.

There is a new development right off the 405 called Quail Hill, that has small detached homes starting at the 300's (note, I have no idea about this area), and this would be 10 minutes from UCI. Or live here in Turtle Rock and you could ride your bike.

Don

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Paul - my wife grew up in CDM, I love the flower streets and one day thought I'd live in Balboa Island (or if my ship came in, one of the lesser known islands). But we have something really special here in Turtle Rock. It's like the 1950's neighborhoods, kids on bikes, picnics/concerts in our community park every month during the summer, etc. Perhaps when the kids go to college I'll move over the hill and we'll be neighbors.

In what part of Newport do you live?

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

After I'm done with junior college, I'll see ya over at San Diego =)

Vipergrün · 03-24-2003, 01:16 PM

Thanks everyone, looks like I have some homework to do.....literally.

Don, what's the zip for your area? Turtle Rock does not come up on a search.

Who knows, maybe I have a case of *the grass is greener* syndrome, but I seem to be really limited to the quantity of tech jobs in the Ventura County area. And, of course, UCSB appears to be the lowest paying campus and Santa Barbara homes are now a median of like 650K, without ANY options except for commuting 40-50 miles. If I am gonna do that, I'd rather spread out my wings and try something new.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

Don, I'm in Eastbluff. Turtle Rock is THE nicest part of Irvine and one of the best places in So Cal. Very nice homes and neighborhhood. Too bad The Irvine Company moved away from the Turtle Rock styling into the ookie cutter 3 story no yard homes that are currently being built.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

My zip is 92612, but that is larger than my neighborhood/community. The City of Irvine is divided into various Villages: Turtle Rock, University Park, Woodbridge, Northwood, etc., etc. You'll need to consult a real estate guide to narrow it down. From what I've seen of the newspaper listings, if it is in Turtle Rock, they mention that.

If you have major coinage, you can buy a nice hunk of dirt in nearby Shady Canyon for 1-3 mil, then build a place for a few mil more. If you have 10 mil you can be neighbors with Mark McQuire and a few other ex-ball players (imagine thier little league team!).

edit: Paul - thanks, it's a nice place. I agree with your thoughts 100%, I love the single story style. So you seriously live five minutes away. Let's get together...