IrvineHomeBuyer
New member
We're debating between San Mateo 3 in Stonegate or San Remo 1 in Laguna Altura. What does everyone think? We have 4 little kids.
San Mateo 3 or San Remo 1?
- Thread starter IrvineHomeBuyer
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Hmmm.. landfill vs. freeway.. I call it a wash. If it was me, I would pick Stonegate since Portola Springs will always have more stigma of the two landfill affected villages. Laguna Altura, despite the elevation, has no view. It will always be inferior to Quail Hill.
I assume the focus would be the kids? Stonegate elementary is across the street and definitely walkable. Alderwood plus? It would be a nice morning hike over to Quail Hill. Speaking of hikes, the Laguna Altura pools are pretty far from San Remo, and walking past all those Cortona driveways would drive me bonkers.
Your right. Stonegate is about 1.5 miles to the actual landfill, portola springs is about 1/2 mile.
How do you like living at Laguna Altura? Is it inconvenient in anyway?
we are in cortona too, and like it so far too.
San Mateo is 614,900
- no landscaping
- option to upgrade to cali room or conservatory
San Remo is 661,000
- includes landscapig
- includes cali room
We did a calculation and monthly payment for San Remo was about 200-300 dollars more per month.
An owner at cortona told us that the exhaust gases from the 405 freeway are being blown away from laguna altura community by the ocean breezes from the pacific.
Also, it's not really an issue because Laguna Altura is buffered by the former Waterpark, which is now being converted into thousands of apartments by TIC, unless you are buying the Sienna's which are the closest to the 405.
ps99472
New member
Looking at floorplans alone, here are my $0.02's
San Mateo 3
+ optional conservatory to expand the living space (kid space)
+ more kitchen counter space
San Remo 1
+ walk in pantry
+ powder room in a more private location
+ optional fireplace
+ shorter, straighter distance from garage to fridge
+ master "throne room" has a window
- master bedroom is close to stairs
- master bath has dead space
If we have four little ones, additional living space is a must, San Mateo with the enclosed conservatory is a no brainer.
San Mateo 3
+ optional conservatory to expand the living space (kid space)
+ more kitchen counter space
San Remo 1
+ walk in pantry
+ powder room in a more private location
+ optional fireplace
+ shorter, straighter distance from garage to fridge
+ master "throne room" has a window
- master bedroom is close to stairs
- master bath has dead space
If we have four little ones, additional living space is a must, San Mateo with the enclosed conservatory is a no brainer.
IrvineHomeBuyer
New member
Those are my exact thoughts too. The conservatory is a huge plus, but what about the location? Stonegate being 2 miles away from the landfill concerns me, but of course laguna altura is extremely close to freeway.
ps99472
New member
IrvineHomeBuyer said:
Hmmm.. landfill vs. freeway.. I call it a wash. If it was me, I would pick Stonegate since Portola Springs will always have more stigma of the two landfill affected villages. Laguna Altura, despite the elevation, has no view. It will always be inferior to Quail Hill.
I assume the focus would be the kids? Stonegate elementary is across the street and definitely walkable. Alderwood plus? It would be a nice morning hike over to Quail Hill. Speaking of hikes, the Laguna Altura pools are pretty far from San Remo, and walking past all those Cortona driveways would drive me bonkers.
If you're looking at San Mateo II, one thing to consider is that it's closer to the intersection of Sand Canyon and Spring Meadow, where the garbage trucks will stop at red lights. A truck that is accelerating from a stop light makes much more noise than one that is up to speed and is just cruising. I would go stand at the construction site and make sure the noise doesn't bother you.
jamboreedude
New member
What's the price difference between the San Mateo 3 and San Remo 1?
changm55
New member
really depends on the lifestyle u and ur wife are looking for... since sq footage and price are kinda similar for the 2 floorplans... do u prefer community feel or detachment from the human race?
i preferred detachment, so i bought san remo instead haha... (i also work from home 50% of the time, so the quiter the neighborhood during the day, the easier for me to focus)
i preferred detachment, so i bought san remo instead haha... (i also work from home 50% of the time, so the quiter the neighborhood during the day, the easier for me to focus)
IrvineHomeBuyer
New member
Ok so we visited San Mateo again today and drove by the Frank Bowerman Landfill to see exactly how close by it was. It was literally a block away. This is extremely disturbing. Stonegate is just as close to the landfill as Portola Springs, it might even be closer.
IrvineHomeBuyer
New member
bones said:
Your right. Stonegate is about 1.5 miles to the actual landfill, portola springs is about 1/2 mile.
Is anyone in that plan not concerned about the landfill!!? I have little ones and the landfill filters right into the reservoir which I assume is where we get our water? I'm not scientist but that doesn't sound like a good idea for me or my kids. I really like San Mateo but am having huge reservations about living next to waste.
Of course people buying million dollar homes aren't concerned about it ie Lambert Ranch, so should I be!?
Of course people buying million dollar homes aren't concerned about it ie Lambert Ranch, so should I be!?
IrvineHomeBuyer
New member
changm55 said:
How do you like living at Laguna Altura? Is it inconvenient in anyway?
Changem55 what did you end up buying? Seina, San Remo Cortona or Toscana?
I am leaning more towards San Remo....sucking up the high HOA just to live in a more exclusive community and paying a little more to have my home in an area not look like mass housing. I like LA location better and I don't mind living by a freeway. Also having peace of mind that I'm not living near "potential" hazardous gases. So what the bowerman landfill is "high tech and well regulated"...in the end its still a landfill, devalues property values and it's the 9th largest landfill in the US.
I am leaning more towards San Remo....sucking up the high HOA just to live in a more exclusive community and paying a little more to have my home in an area not look like mass housing. I like LA location better and I don't mind living by a freeway. Also having peace of mind that I'm not living near "potential" hazardous gases. So what the bowerman landfill is "high tech and well regulated"...in the end its still a landfill, devalues property values and it's the 9th largest landfill in the US.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
LA still looks like "mass housing"... just sayin'.
jamboreedude
New member
velbon said:
we are in cortona too, and like it so far too.
IrvineHomeBuyer
New member
jamboreedude said:
San Mateo is 614,900
- no landscaping
- option to upgrade to cali room or conservatory
San Remo is 661,000
- includes landscapig
- includes cali room
We did a calculation and monthly payment for San Remo was about 200-300 dollars more per month.
jamboreedude
New member
qwerty said:
An owner at cortona told us that the exhaust gases from the 405 freeway are being blown away from laguna altura community by the ocean breezes from the pacific.
jamboreedude
New member
qwerty said:
Also, it's not really an issue because Laguna Altura is buffered by the former Waterpark, which is now being converted into thousands of apartments by TIC, unless you are buying the Sienna's which are the closest to the 405.