San Mateo 3 or San Remo 1?

[changm55]

I can certainly see kids from Toscana and Cortona bullying and distancing from kids from the two slum hoods far away. Be prepared.

lol did u just call my lot a slum? hahaha...

Maricopa and Mendocino may do the same  >

gotta play the "gangnam style" music video right about now lol~

 

[changm55]

forgot to mention one thing that made me hesitate a bit on pulling the trigger for san remo was feng shui since compared remo with QH (lindel/laurel)...

QH had great macro feng shui (???) (overall terrain, only macro bad was rose bushes when u drive into laurel entrance) but extremely poor micro feng shui (???) (butt of house faced cliffs, front door opened up to mounds/minihills for the side lots, front door opened to sharp corners from other homes, long hallways for both lindel/laurel, poor lighting so interior feel very very low energy n stagnant/dead, some units are situation where general air circulation is really bad, garage placement horrible where above garage is master bedroom)

LA had really bad macro feng shui (wok, entrance to fast flowing water = 133, after the gate is a T bump into wall) but better micro feng shui (floorplans much better than QH... only things that stood out was 1) some floor plans had entrances that opened directly to kitchen countertops (plan1), 2)felt kind of wierd where everytime u go up/down stairs ull come within 2ft of the front door, 3) some homes point 20-30 degrees north west so is a little too close to 0 degrees north for comfort, 4)kitchen sink "touches" a bit of the stove area)

i take feng shui to a very high level from personal experiences... loss/gain of wealth, high/low energy, loss/gain of health to me and my family across 2 generations...

even tho i dont like LA's macro feng shui i can live with it... QH's micro feng shui i just cant live with it... also i hate IP copy and pasting floorplans too, but i have to admit i was impressed with its micro feng shui (individual house + house interior) for plan 3 (plan 1, plan2, and plan 3x there was something that turned me off for each of them but i forgot, id need to see the floorplans)...

but yeah, cant have everything 100% your way all the time right?... lol thats the main reason i keep saying if they had a LA plan 3' micro feng shui on QH's macro feng shui, i would have bought it in an instance, without hesitation, auction style...

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

man, you must be from engineering background. I am impressed by your study.

agreed with you on cars parking outside. in cortona my neighbors i can see Porsche 4 door sedan+ lexus suv, Audo A4 , BMW suv- a small sample just from 3-5 homes near us.

Anything positive about Laguna Altura?

nope... hmm maybe wok shape, easy to defend if hobos try to attack? i can probably take out 100-250 unarmed hobos if we can get a MG.42 installed near the hill where my lot is located... itll be a different story if the hobos are armed with funds from the occupy movement... but a few sandbags on top of the hill near my lot will probably be enough, theyll need to be a pretty good shot to get me if i bunker down with additional sandbags... so even with funding from the occupy guys, i still think i can take down at least 75 hobos b4 i go down with them... arm me with a few extra grenades, i can probably get the kill count up to 85-90... but lets say HOA provides me funding for some land mines on the 133... then its game over... the hobos have no chance...

You bought there even though there is nothing positive about the place? You must have too much dough sitting around

lol ok ill be serious... i was shopping between san marcos (SG) n san remo (LA)

marcos -plan3
- less 60-80k
- more ppl, larger community
- more noise from random human activity
- same floorplan
- rounded exterior styling
- borderline satisfactory proximity from bowerman landfill
- borderline satisfactory proximity from 133
- cars parked outside tend to be 2/3 japanese 1/3 european - perceived larger portion of value buyers, less disposable income, chance for foreclosure 6 months after job loss perceived medium to low
- unsatisfactory proximity to apartments and townhomes/condos
- unsatisfactory proximity to potential high density residential areas
- larger pool
- nicer community areas
- proximity to nearest elementary school
- satisfactory school district
- 92618
- more inland
- more theft/burglary crime
- satisfactory proximity to nearest large hospital
- higher chance to appreciate in value in 5 years pending comparable IP developments in neighboring areas, can be perceived as a negative in the sense too many similar types of land present and future...


remo -plan3
- more 60-80k
- less ppl, micro community
- gated
- less noise from random human activity
- same floorplan
- squared exterior styling
- very satisfactory proximity from old newport landfill and bowermans landfill
- non satisfactory proximity from 133/405
- cars parked outside tend to be 1/3 japanese, 1/3 european, 1/3 classed (M, AMG, type S) - perceived smaller portion of value buyers, more disposable income, chance for foreclosure 6 months after job loss perceived low
- borderline satisfactory proximity to apartments and townhomes/condos - seperated by reserve, maybe issue once lake forest drive road is open
- satisfactory proximity to potential high density residential areas
- smaller pool
- smaller community areas
- unsatisfactory proximity to nearest elementary school
- satisfactory school district
- 92618
- less inland
- less theft/burglary crime (data used to compare is quail hill, SFR regions and those bordering townhome/apts)
- very satisfactory proximity to nearest large hospital
- lower chance to appreciate in value in 5 years pending ONE comparable IP developments in neighboring areas, can be perceived as a positive in the sense no more similar types of land present and future...
- satisfactory proximity to nature reserves

Stonegate and Laguna Altura shares the same zipcode???

 

[jamboreedude]

Laguna Altura is 92618. Stonegate is 92620.

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

 

[changm55]

my bad... messed up on the zipcode for stonegate

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

just out of curiosity, what do you consider a "safe" distance from a landfill?

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

my bad... messed up on the zipcode for stonegate

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

just out of curiosity, what do you consider a "safe" distance from a landfill?

I would realistically like to be far enough from a landfill where it wouldn't even come up as a topic of discussion. Unfortunately if you want to buy in Irvine thats not the case. Who knows what a "safe" distance is, but maybe Woodbury would be the closest we're willing to move to.

 

[changm55]

my bad... messed up on the zipcode for stonegate

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

just out of curiosity, what do you consider a "safe" distance from a landfill?

I would realistically like to be far enough from a landfill where it wouldn't even come up as a topic of discussion. Unfortunately if you want to buy in Irvine thats not the case. Who knows what a "safe" distance is, but maybe Woodbury would be the closest we're willing to move to.

ok got it, thanks!!... real estate is all new for me, thats why im curious... always good to get anothers perspective

 

[Arman]

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

I've been to Woodbury/Portola Springs/Lambert Ranch many many times over the past 6 months, on random days and at various times of day, and I have yet to smell anything unpleasant. Whatever your reasons are for not wanting to live close to a landfill, at this landfill smell should not be one of them.

 

[usctrojancpa]

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

I've been to Woodbury/Portola Springs/Lambert Ranch many many times over the past 6 months, on random days and at various times of day, and I have yet to smell anything unpleasant. Whatever your reasons are for not wanting to live close to a landfill, at this landfill smell should not be one of them.

+1  I've been to Portola, Stonegate, and Woodbury more times than I can count in the past few years at various times of the day with different weather and I have yet to smell anything.  All of my buyers who bought at Las Ventanas and live here have never smelled anything yet.

 

[velbon]

Trojan is right. have not heard people smelled anything so far. But the concern is the landfill will run for another 40 years to 2050. Who knows how it will smell in 10,15 years. Hopefully nothing but as trash piles up, get more worried.

Looks like we'll be pulling the trigger in Laguna Altura, pending there are no better options between now until the new release. We really do love the big community of stonegate and walking distance to elementary school, but that landfill just doesn't sit well in our stomach and its just going to get worse. If PS can smell the odor now, its just a matter of time before you'll smell it in stonegate.

I've been to Woodbury/Portola Springs/Lambert Ranch many many times over the past 6 months, on random days and at various times of day, and I have yet to smell anything unpleasant. Whatever your reasons are for not wanting to live close to a landfill, at this landfill smell should not be one of them.

+1  I've been to Portola, Stonegate, and Woodbury more times than I can count in the past few years at various times of the day with different weather and I have yet to smell anything.  All of my buyers who bought at Las Ventanas and live here have never smelled anything yet.

 

[Irvine_Dreamer]

Trojan is right. have not heard people smelled anything so far. But the concern is the landfill will run for another 40 years to 2050. Who knows how it will smell in 10,15 years. Hopefully nothing but as trash piles up, get more worried.

After stinkgate, potty spring, and the area south of PS are built up, the residents will petition to close the landfill.

 

[Irvine_Dreamer]

lol ok ill be serious... i was shopping between san marcos (SG) n san remo (LA)

marcos -plan3
- less 60-80k
- more ppl, larger community
- more noise from random human activity
- same floorplan
- rounded exterior styling
- borderline satisfactory proximity from bowerman landfill
- borderline satisfactory proximity from 133
- cars parked outside tend to be 2/3 japanese 1/3 european - perceived larger portion of value buyers, less disposable income, chance for foreclosure 6 months after job loss perceived medium to low
- unsatisfactory proximity to apartments and townhomes/condos
- unsatisfactory proximity to potential high density residential areas
- larger pool
- nicer community areas
- proximity to nearest elementary school
- satisfactory school district
- 92618
- more inland
- more theft/burglary crime
- satisfactory proximity to nearest large hospital
- higher chance to appreciate in value in 5 years pending comparable IP developments in neighboring areas, can be perceived as a negative in the sense too many similar types of land present and future...


remo -plan3
- more 60-80k
- less ppl, micro community
- gated
- less noise from random human activity
- same floorplan
- squared exterior styling
- very satisfactory proximity from old newport landfill and bowermans landfill
- non satisfactory proximity from 133/405
- cars parked outside tend to be 1/3 japanese, 1/3 european, 1/3 classed (M, AMG, type S) - perceived smaller portion of value buyers, more disposable income, chance for foreclosure 6 months after job loss perceived low
- borderline satisfactory proximity to apartments and townhomes/condos - seperated by reserve, maybe issue once lake forest drive road is open
- satisfactory proximity to potential high density residential areas
- smaller pool
- smaller community areas
- unsatisfactory proximity to nearest elementary school
- satisfactory school district
- 92618
- less inland
- less theft/burglary crime (data used to compare is quail hill, SFR regions and those bordering townhome/apts)
- very satisfactory proximity to nearest large hospital
- lower chance to appreciate in value in 5 years pending ONE comparable IP developments in neighboring areas, can be perceived as a positive in the sense no more similar types of land present and future...
- satisfactory proximity to nature reserves

What about the difference in HOA and mello roos?

 

[changm55]

first time i went there i smelled it... was very early in the morning when they just had grand opening for some cheaper units (much closer to the landfill)... 2nd time and 3rd time and 2 weeks ago i didnt smell anything... it was not a "stinky" smell, rather it was a slight consistant "sour" smell

here is HOA n mello info

san marcos
-base property tax 1.05% of sales price
-AD tax 1889 per year
-CFD 1700 per year
-other tax 156 per year
overall effective tax rate: approx 1.6%

san remo
-base property tax 1.03% of sales price
-AD tax 3117 per year
-CFD 1700 per year
-other tax 156 per year
overall effective tax rate: approx 1.7%

 

[changm55]

well i never really understood why ppl avoided landfills... it didnt seem to bother any of my Los angeles friends when they were shopping at playa vista (development arnd loyola maramount) that sit on top of a mathane dump (built over a former landfill), two of them actually ended up buying there...

one of them ended up selling after a minor methane leak/explosion... he was really pissed off cause he found out through the news instead of from the HOA/developers/what nots... so he made a lot of noise n got the developer to buy back from him n then he moved somewhere else... but to me, it really seemed more of an "excuse" to get out since i know he had his eyes on another unit else where closer to the beach already n was regretting his playa vista purchase... the other friend doesnt care and seems pretty happy... neither friend have kids...

in either case, i dont think the methane from the dump TRULY bothered either buyer... thats why its kind of interesting to hear from other folks who do care... im guessing priorities really do change quite a bit after ppl have kids... but to los angeles residence, it doesnt matter... the developments sold out since the beginning

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

I've visited Stonegate many many many times and has never smelt anything. Its other things about living by a landfill that bothers me. If I actually did smell something I would DEFINITELY NOT BUY THERE!!!!! One positive aspect about living by a landfill though is you can fart anywhere at any time and just blame the landfill  ;D

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

San Mateo vs. San Remo's

San Mateo
Base Property Tax: 1.05% of sales price
AD Tax: $1,889 per year
CFD Tax: $1700 per year
Other Taxes: $160 per year
Overall Effective Tax Rate: Approximately 1.7%

San Remo
Base Property Tax: 1.03% of sales price
AD Tax: $3,117 per year
CFD Tax: $1700 per year
Other Taxes: $160 per year
Overall Effective Tax Rate: Approximately 1.7%

 

[usctrojancpa]

I've visited Stonegate many many many times and has never smelt anything. Its other things about living by a landfill that bothers me. If I actually did smell something I would DEFINITELY NOT BUY THERE!!!!! One positive aspect about living by a landfill though is you can fart anywhere at any time and just blame the landfill  ;D

Nope, you'd have to live by Norco to have an excuse for that. 

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

first time i went there i smelled it... was very early in the morning when they just had grand opening for some cheaper units (much closer to the landfill)... 2nd time and 3rd time and 2 weeks ago i didnt smell anything... it was not a "stinky" smell, rather it was a slight consistant "sour" smell

LOL

 

[IrvineHomeBuyer]

Changm, did you buy at at San Remo b/c you plan on living there and eventually growing your family or more as an investment property?