Tell me about Carlsbad, Calfornia - Irvine vs. Carlsbad

[davenlei]

I don't understand why anyone would even go to Carlsbad. South County has corrected faster than Irvine, and seems to me a much better alternative. You won't find brand new homes at $200/sqft, but if you can compromise on when the home was built, you might get close.

A commute from Aliso Viejo or Laguna Hills to Irvine (if you work in OC), is much more preferable than a commute from Carlsbad.

I agree.  Laguna Niguel to Irvine commute is not bad and there are alternative routes (side streets, toll road) if freeway traffic is bad that day.  If you carpool (wife and I both work in Irvine), the drive is a breeze in the carpool lane at any time.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I don't understand why anyone would even go to Carlsbad. South County has corrected faster than Irvine, and seems to me a much better alternative. You won't find brand new homes at $200/sqft, but if you can compromise on when the home was built, you might get close.

A commute from Aliso Viejo or Laguna Hills to Irvine (if you work in OC), is much more preferable than a commute from Carlsbad.

One issue is the new homes in South County aren't all that much cheaper than new homes in Irvine nor as cheap as Carlsbad. Aliso Viejo/Glenwood's Birch River which is similar to the floorplan I posted earlier in this thread is at around $800-$900k+ whereas that Carlsbad one is $571k..

Resale homes, however, are starting to come down in AV. My Redfin alerts have seen steady drops on 3CWGs that use to be $800k now below $700k.

 

[IndieDev]

One issue is the new homes in South County aren't all that much cheaper than new homes in Irvine nor as cheap as Carlsbad.

That's why I said you'd have to compromise on when the home was built. If you're okay with living in a home built in the late 90s to early 2000s, you can get homes in AV, MV, LH, and even Ladera that will undercut their Irvine counterparts by 20% in some areas.

Check out some of these:
Aliso Viejo, 4br/3bath, 2800 Sqft, and it even satisfies your unhealthy obsession for a 3 car garage.http://www.redfin.com/CA/Aliso-Viejo/1-Bel-Flora-Ct-92656/home/5774321

Mission Viejo, 4br/3bath 2230 Sqft, 3 car garagehttp://www.redfin.com/CA/Mission-Viejo/6-Quail-Run-92692/home/5053666

Yes, you might get a slightly better deal per square foot living in Carlsbad, but would you eventually make that up in fuel cost, car maintenance, and commuting time? I think so.

 

[usctrojancpa]

One issue is the new homes in South County aren't all that much cheaper than new homes in Irvine nor as cheap as Carlsbad.

That's why I said you'd have to compromise on when the home was built. If you're okay with living in a home built in the late 90s to early 2000s, you can get homes in AV, MV, LH, and even Ladera that will undercut their Irvine counterparts by 20% in some areas.

Check out some of these:
Aliso Viejo, 4br/3bath, 2800 Sqft, and it even satisfies your unhealthy obsession for a 3 car garage.http://www.redfin.com/CA/Aliso-Viejo/1-Bel-Flora-Ct-92656/home/5774321

Mission Viejo, 4br/3bath 2230 Sqft, 3 car garagehttp://www.redfin.com/CA/Mission-Viejo/6-Quail-Run-92692/home/5053666

Yes, you might get a slightly better deal per square foot living in Carlsbad, but would you eventually make that up in fuel cost, car maintenance, and commuting time? I think so.

I went to go see Bel Flora....horrible location and kinda weird floor plan.  I wouldn't buy it for $600k. 

 

[IndieDev]

I agree.  Laguna Niguel to Irvine commute is not bad and there are alternative routes (side streets, toll road) if freeway traffic is bad that day.  If you carpool (wife and I both work in Irvine), the drive is a breeze in the carpool lane at any time.

Laguna Niguel is actually one of my target areas to move to when I leave Irvine. There's an area near Pacific Island Drive, and Ocean Way where there are some beautiful homes with heavenly views. If I can't find what I like in Laguna Beach, I think that area may be a great alternative.

 

[IndieDev]

One issue is the new homes in South County aren't all that much cheaper than new homes in Irvine nor as cheap as Carlsbad.

That's why I said you'd have to compromise on when the home was built. If you're okay with living in a home built in the late 90s to early 2000s, you can get homes in AV, MV, LH, and even Ladera that will undercut their Irvine counterparts by 20% in some areas.

Check out some of these:
Aliso Viejo, 4br/3bath, 2800 Sqft, and it even satisfies your unhealthy obsession for a 3 car garage.http://www.redfin.com/CA/Aliso-Viejo/1-Bel-Flora-Ct-92656/home/5774321

Mission Viejo, 4br/3bath 2230 Sqft, 3 car garagehttp://www.redfin.com/CA/Mission-Viejo/6-Quail-Run-92692/home/5053666

Yes, you might get a slightly better deal per square foot living in Carlsbad, but would you eventually make that up in fuel cost, car maintenance, and commuting time? I think so.

I went to go see Bel Flora....horrible location and kinda weird floor plan.  I wouldn't buy it for $600k.

That's close to what it would be worth based on rents, and median salaries (waiting for Bel Flora resident to belligerently defend the $724,000 price point). 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

C'mon Indie... the one issue I mentioned was *new* homes prices, my second sentence even mentioned resale has a better discount.

Bel Flora confirms it, started at $849k and is now $724k.

I like Laguna Niguel too, but like AV, the new homes aren't much of a discount (the Shappell project is like $900k+).

If you want to find big discounts on resale homes in South County, Mission Viejo, Las Flores and Ladera is where I would look... they are just farther from the ocean than AV and LN.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

And I would only move to Carlsbad if that's where our jobs were... to me, no discount is worth the extra commute time and the inconvenience of being far from work.

If I won't move to CB for 40% off, I won't move to South County for 20% off.

 

[IndieDev]

C'mon Indie... the one issue I mentioned was *new* homes prices, my second sentence even mentioned resale has a better discount.

Bel Flora confirms it, started at $849k and is now $724k.

I like Laguna Niguel too, but like AV, the new homes aren't much of a discount (the Shappell project is like $900k+).

If you want to find big discounts on resale homes in South County, Mission Viejo, Las Flores and Ladera is where I would look... they are just farther from the ocean than AV and LN.

But you responded to my original post where I pointed out that South County was a good discount if you were willing to compromise on when the homes were built.

Besides, what's the obsession with you and "new homes" anyway? I saw you posting links to 25 year old Irvine homes in another thread just because they had a 3 car garage, now you're getting snooty on homes built in the past 10 years? 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

C'mon Indie... the one issue I mentioned was *new* homes prices, my second sentence even mentioned resale has a better discount.

Bel Flora confirms it, started at $849k and is now $724k.

I like Laguna Niguel too, but like AV, the new homes aren't much of a discount (the Shappell project is like $900k+).

If you want to find big discounts on resale homes in South County, Mission Viejo, Las Flores and Ladera is where I would look... they are just farther from the ocean than AV and LN.

But you responded to my original post where I pointed out that South County was a good discount if you were willing to compromise on when the homes were built.

Besides, what's the obsession with you and "new homes" anyway? I saw you posting links to 25 year old Irvine homes in another thread just because they had a 3 car garage, now you're getting snooty on homes built in the past 10 years? 

Easy killer... I was just responding to your overall post that homes in South County are discounted compared to Irvine and further clarifying that brand new homes are still high with actual price comparisons. I was adding on to your "compromise"... not disagreeing with it.

And where did I say that it only had to be new? I'm just making an observation for people who prefer new, that there isn't much of a discount compared to Carlsbad.

I think you're still in argue-mode from edhene and you're looking for another outlet... you've already resorted to name-calling (preferring a new home is not snooty... saying you can throw around $1000 that you don't need however, could be). Relax man... you might pop something.

 

[IndieDev]

C'mon Indie... the one issue I mentioned was *new* homes prices, my second sentence even mentioned resale has a better discount.

Bel Flora confirms it, started at $849k and is now $724k.

I like Laguna Niguel too, but like AV, the new homes aren't much of a discount (the Shappell project is like $900k+).

If you want to find big discounts on resale homes in South County, Mission Viejo, Las Flores and Ladera is where I would look... they are just farther from the ocean than AV and LN.

But you responded to my original post where I pointed out that South County was a good discount if you were willing to compromise on when the homes were built.

Besides, what's the obsession with you and "new homes" anyway? I saw you posting links to 25 year old Irvine homes in another thread just because they had a 3 car garage, now you're getting snooty on homes built in the past 10 years? 

Easy killer... I was just responding to your overall post that homes in South County are discounted compared to Irvine and further clarifying that brand new homes are still high with actual price comparisons. I was adding on to your "compromise"... not disagreeing with it.

And where did I say that it only had to be new? I'm just making an observation for people who prefer new, that there isn't much of a discount compared to Carlsbad.

I think you're still in argue-mode from edhene and you're looking for another outlet... you've already resorted to name-calling (preferring a new home is not snooty... saying you can throw around $1000 that you don't need however, could be). Relax man... you might pop something.

C'mon man, your trolling aside, just admit you would rather live in a 25 year old outdated, Irvine, 3 car garage, house than buy something newer in South County, even if it means saving you $150,000 in cash. I'm not judging you on your choice of brand, some people like to buy only certain cars based on a brand perception, even if non-existent. Donald Bren has done well. I respect his marketing and business acumen. You are, in a way, a small testament to that.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

C'mon man, your trolling aside...

Hehe... *I'm* trolling? Go back and re-read the posts.

I'll make it easy for you... YOU WIN THE THREAD.

What I have to say about comparing new home prices in South County to Irvine and Carlsbad should be considered trolling and is of no relevance to this thread.

... just admit you would rather live in a 25 year old outdated, Irvine, 3 car garage, house than buy something newer in South County, even if it means saving you $150,000 in cash.

Are you going to bet me your throwaway $1000 on it?

And btw... you may want to check your math again... if you're referring to Carver, that closed for $730k, your Bel Flora link is $724k and Quail Run is $645k... I don't see $150k in cash there even when I cross my eyes.

And before you get mad and start insulting me again... I AGREE WITH YOU... that Mission Viejo resale on Quail Run is a great buy if you want to live in South County instead of Irvine. That house will cost you $900k+ in Westpark II.

Man... even when I am saying the same thing you are, you have to be confrontational... seriously... that's not good for your blood pressure.

 

[panda]

You guys are too funny. Let me clarify couple of points. I don't mean to say to move to Carlsbad and keep your jobs in Irvine. My point is that i think that a new job center is developing in the Carlsbad area particularly for people in the biotech and tech field. Personally, I would not live in Carlsbad to work a job in Irvine or OC. So many of my friends I know in OC would say.. "I would love to live in San Diego, but there is no jobs there." I am thinking that this is going to change in the next decade.

I remember in 1999, one year out of college, I drove from my apartment in West LA to my brother's new Newport Beach condo he bought for $275k at the time. I remember thinking to myself... "Wow, Irvine is really nice. I would love to live here." First thing I did was see if i can find any tech jobs like the one I had in Santa Monica on monster, hotjobs, etc...  in Irvine, but most of the jobs were in LA. I wanted to live in Irvine, but i wasn't confident that i could find a job in Irvine as very few existed then. Also the traffic was very light and Irvine didn't feel congested at all. I sort of see a similar thing happening with Carlsbad.

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

I wouldn't buy a $1mil home in Carlsbad... even if I worked there.

Even in Irvine, there are very few homes "worth" $1mil to me.

 

[panda]

Why? IHO, let's say that you did really well and in 10 years from now your networth was in the $7 million and you are capable of buying a million dollar with cash. Why would you buy a million dollar in Irvine over Carlsbad?

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

I wouldn't buy a $1mil home in Carlsbad... even if I worked there.

Even in Irvine, there are very few homes "worth" $1mil to me.

 

[villiagepeople]

Why? IHO, let's say that you did really well and in 10 years from now your networth was in the $7 million and you are capable of buying a million dollar with cash. Why would you buy a million dollar in Irvine over Carlsbad?

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

I wouldn't buy a $1mil home in Carlsbad... even if I worked there.

Even in Irvine, there are very few homes "worth" $1mil to me.

you didn't ask me panda but i will chime in anyway... lol... well it's not just the house, price, weather or proximity to work right?  you have the amenities, shops, restaurants... and for me, family [in irvine].

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Why? IHO, let's say that you did really well and in 10 years from now your networth was in the $7 million and you are capable of buying a million dollar with cash. Why would you buy a million dollar in Irvine over Carlsbad?

1. What happened to all your lessons about millionaires putting less of their money into their personal homes?
2. I would rather spend $1mil for a home with an ocean view... both newer part of Carlsbad and all of Irvine don't have that.
3. It isn't about choosing one city over another per se, you will choose the city where your business, family and friends are... but of the two cities, Irvine has more premium/elevated neighborhoods that are closer to lifestyle places than Carlsbad. You have to go quite inland to get an elevated lot in newer Carlsbad and even if near the freeway, it's still farther from other areas... not so much with Irvine.

 

[IndieDev]

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

I wouldn't buy a $1mil home in Carlsbad... even if I worked there.

Even in Irvine, there are very few homes "worth" $1mil to me.

Didn't you say your budget was in the "$700,000s"? I don't think the question of "Would I buy a million dollar home in Carlsbad" is even one you can answer in all fairness.

*blood pressure rising* 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

I wouldn't buy a $1mil home in Carlsbad... even if I worked there.

Even in Irvine, there are very few homes "worth" $1mil to me.

Didn't you say your budget was in the "$700,000s"? I don't think the question of "Would I buy a million dollar home in Carlsbad" is even one you can answer in all fairness.

*blood pressure rising* 

Are you that itchy for a fight that you need to keep digging for one?

I don't plan to buy in Santa Clara either yet I answered kinetics' question about it.

Don't make me bust out my water cooler logic... we know how that scares you.

 

[IndieDev]

I am not saying move out of Irvine to Carlsbad or even Johns Creek, Georgia... but i am saying that if I was in the market for a million dollar home and I was in the tech or biotech industry... I think that I would buy in Carlsbad over Irvine today.

I wouldn't buy a $1mil home in Carlsbad... even if I worked there.

Even in Irvine, there are very few homes "worth" $1mil to me.

Didn't you say your budget was in the "$700,000s"? I don't think the question of "Would I buy a million dollar home in Carlsbad" is even one you can answer in all fairness.

*blood pressure rising* 

Are you that itchy for a fight that you need to keep digging for one?

I don't plan to buy in Santa Clara either yet I answered kinetics' question about it.

Don't make me bust out my water cooler logic... we know how that scares you.

Irvine is great. Long live the Irvine brand.