California living OC or La Jolla?

[NSXFRIEND]

I am considering moving to California in 2-3 years time if im alive:tongue:

I can't decide between Orange county or La Jolla San Diego? I have priced Condos Town homes and the cost is the same as Montgomery County MD. The congestion in DC metro is highest in the nation so anything is an upgrade for me, not to mention the beachs weather. :biggrin:

Commuting 50 miles from OC to La Jolla or vise versa doable from 6:30 am and back at 5 pm?

Maybe renting for 6 months is best option before I purchase that way I can avoid the commute. I gota take wife couple times vacation there to give boast her confidence in the move. Md has a state tax as does Cali. The good thing about OC is its right between LA and Diego. Would you pick La Jolla or say Dana Point/Irvine?


Thanks

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

I've lived in NYC and met my wife in DC area (Falls Church), but we love to vacation to SD. I'm a bit biased, but the quality of life is much better in CA.
In fact, we were entertaining the thought of a vacation condo in La Jolla area since prices are adjusting.

PS. You might consider picking up a F430 spyder to blend in with the locals:wink:

 

[chado]

I am considering moving to California in 2-3 years time if im alive:tongue:

I can't decide between Orange county or La Jolla San Diego? I have priced Condos Town homes and the cost is the same as Montgomery County MD. The congestion in DC metro is highest in the nation so anything is an upgrade for me, not to mention the beachs weather. :biggrin:

Commuting 50 miles from OC to La Jolla or vise versa doable from 6:30 am and back at 5 pm?

Maybe renting for 6 months is best option before I purchase that way I can avoid the commute. I gota take wife couple times vacation there to give boast her confidence in the move. Md has a state tax as does Cali. The good thing about OC is its right between LA and Diego. Would you pick La Jolla or say Dana Point/Irvine?


Thanks

Very tough decision. I spent 5 years down in SD for college and alot of that time was spent in La Jolla surfing. After school I moved up to Dana Point/Laguna Niguel for a few years and then bought a place accross the 5 freeway in Ladera Ranch.
If I were to move tomorrow and stay in California it would be back to La Jolla without question. I enjoy San Diego much more than the OC area as a whole. The atmosphere, people, etc... are all much more geniune in my opinion than what you find in south orange county where materialistic people are everywhere. Orange county is closer to LA, the mountains, Vegas etc..

You are looking at two of thee most expensive areas in all of California. I def think its worth the time to live a few months in each and only then will you be able to weigh the +/- for yourself. You can't go wrong with either location.

 

[Big_D]

La Jolla to OC is a difficult commute, unless you leave at 4am to get there at 6am and at 2pm to get back home at 4pm.

Both communities you are looking at are good. I would go with wherever is close to work!!! You don't want to spend all your time on the freeway.

 

[robr]

My wife and I absolutely love La Jolla, of course it also appears to be about the most expensive place to live in the US .

What an amazing community though, shops within walking distance from the beach and the seals.

 

[Da Hapa]

The commute between La Jolla and Irvine is a real ball buster. Depending on where you live/work the train could be a real, viable option but I would not wish that drive on anyone.

We absolutely love La Jolla (my Dad lived there and Del Mar for about 10 years in the '80s). It's a fantastic area but the commute from there north to Orange County or South to Downtown San Diego is a real monster.

August will be four years for us owing a home in Dana Point and we absolutely love it. Great beach community without the snobbery and overt conspicuous consumption of Newport Beach or the traffic of Laguna Beach. Unless we win the Lottery, or have some unforseen career changes, I can't see us moving out of Dana Point. Good schools and the quintessential California experience. Much more like the Orange County feel that I loved while growing up.

San Clemente is another really good choice.

 

[mickeylex]

La Jolla, w/o a doubt IF you are not having to commute. For best quality of life and most enjoyment, choose La Jolla.

If you have to commute anywhere in SoCal, it's best to live closer to work.

 

[cojones]

You are looking at two of thee most expensive areas in all of California.

The third being Malibu.

No real "wrong answer" here... note that even these areas have "bad parts"; as you go inland the $$$ drop, but so do the neighborhoods.

There are some sections by LJ closer to the school/college that are kinda dodgy. There are some inland OC spots that are so-so.

The commute can be a drag, even on PCH/101. The F430 "urban disguise vehicle" will definitely help a bit

 

[0ctan3]

I grew up in Montgomery County... you will not miss it! :biggrin:

 

[pvmike]

I am considering moving to California in 2-3 years time if im alive:tongue:

I can't decide between Orange county or La Jolla San Diego? I have priced Condos Town homes and the cost is the same as Montgomery County MD. The congestion in DC metro is highest in the nation so anything is an upgrade for me, not to mention the beachs weather. :biggrin:

Commuting 50 miles from OC to La Jolla or vise versa doable from 6:30 am and back at 5 pm?

Maybe renting for 6 months is best option before I purchase that way I can avoid the commute. I gota take wife couple times vacation there to give boast her confidence in the move. Md has a state tax as does Cali. The good thing about OC is its right between LA and Diego. Would you pick La Jolla or say Dana Point/Irvine?


Thanks

That's more like 60-75 miles from Dana Point and Irvine to La Jolla.

Congestion may be higher in specific areas in D.C., but sheer volume and total area of congestion goes to SoCal. I'd estimate a 1.5-2 hour commute in the morning, and a 2+ hour commute in the afternoon. You'll realize that you'll need to leave before 6 AM and after 7:30 PM to cut that time down.

 

[NSXFRIEND]

You guys are awsome thanks for the feedback.

I am a square guy so not looking for a big home with ocean view. I am assuming the market there is also a buyers market and will continue to be for say next few years with current demographs-indicators. I will not have the confirmed area until the time is near since both opportunities are waiting in USC-OC and corporate Health offices in La Jolla-Delmar.

Trying to figure out real cost of the mentioned areas.

1. State tax%
2. County tax-property tax
3. utilities electric on condo-townhomes 2 bedrooms

How does San Juan Capistriano, Laguna Hills, Aleso Vejo compare and carlsbad? Seems as though everything is about the same in cost.

:smile:

Right now commuting by 6:30am and returning 4 pm 15 miles to DC takes 1 hour and 30 miles takes 2 hour so its as bad as it gets, sounds about the same less the nice weather layed back management attitude.

Counting the days.....

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

Here's what a typical intersection in OC might look like. I believe it's in Newport Beach/Irvine area. The women are just as much high maintanence (but that's another story).

 

[sicarius82]

Here's what a typical intersection in OC might look like. I believe it's in Newport Beach/Irvine area. The women are just as much high maintanence (but that's another story).

+1 to both comments

 

[slamstrom]

Will you be working near OC or La Jolla? It may be your deciding factor.

 

[eNeSeX 95T]

Here's what a typical intersection in OC might look like. I believe it's in Newport Beach/Irvine area. The women are just as much high maintanence (but that's another story).

Vista ridge and Newport coast drive :biggrin:

PCH hits that road about 2 miles back. If you want a real site cruise down PCH on a saturday....

 

[Daedalus]

The atmosphere, people, etc... are all much more geniune in my opinion than what you find in south orange county where materialistic people are everywhere.

+1 I have friends in both areas and that's the conclusion I draw. La Jolla is much more laid back. But if schools/kids are a factor, Irvine has a lot more to offer. Their schools are top notch, especially University High, but they're also VERY competitive. You may see that as a good or bad thing.

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

Vista ridge and Newport coast drive :biggrin:

PCH hits that road about 2 miles back. If you want a real site cruise down PCH on a saturday....

That's RIGHT!!! OC used to be my playground before getting married. The lifestyle is so fast paced (traffic, shopping, night clubs, after parties, cars, women, etc...) but I really miss it too!

Like NYC, you could make $100K/year and spend $150K. Not common to see a Fcar/Lambo parked in an apartment car port.

 

[Big_D]

You guys are awsome thanks for the feedback.

I am a square guy so not looking for a big home with ocean view. I am assuming the market there is also a buyers market and will continue to be for say next few years with current demographs-indicators. I will not have the confirmed area until the time is near since both opportunities are waiting in USC-OC and corporate Health offices in La Jolla-Delmar.

Trying to figure out real cost of the mentioned areas.

1. State tax%
2. County tax-property tax
3. utilities electric on condo-townhomes 2 bedrooms

How does San Juan Capistriano, Laguna Hills, Aleso Vejo compare and carlsbad? Seems as though everything is about the same in cost.

:smile:

Right now commuting by 6:30am and returning 4 pm 15 miles to DC takes 1 hour and 30 miles takes 2 hour so its as bad as it gets, sounds about the same less the nice weather layed back management attitude.

Counting the days.....

State Tax tables
http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/tax_table/index.asp

Property tax will vary between locations. I would guess between 1.5-1.8% of the purchase price depending on any local bond issues. Be sure to avoid mello roos.

Gas and Electric will run you around $100 a month.
Water is around $60 a month.

The housing market is soft but the beach communitys are not as much. Carlsbad is a good choice. Schools are good and its a laid back beach community. I grew up there. Plus its in between La Jolla and Irvine.

 

[pvmike]

Closer to a 2% ceiling for Mello-Roos for newer developments in Irvine.

I'd also consider San Clemente, just south of Dana Point. It's the epitome of the sleepy beach town (though that has changed over time as development has filled in the coast). As Da Hapa has mentioned, the train is a viable alternative to commuting.

 

[NSXFRIEND]

2% is lower than MD lol. Mello-Roos effects anywhere socal or few places?

San Juan Capistrano looks nice, I am jumping all over the place but looks like Laguna Niguel is good price wise.

Here is a photo from Ritz Carlton Dana Point so serene, my future home is the one with glass windows not to hard to miss.:biggrin:

Big _D Carlsbad looks spendy.

 

[Da Hapa]

2% is lower than MD lol. Mello-Roos effects anywhere socal or few places?

San Juan Capistrano looks nice, I am jumping all over the place but looks like Laguna Niguel is good price wise.

Here is a photo from Ritz Carlton Dana Point so serene, my future home is the one with glass windows not to hard to miss.:biggrin:

Big _D Carlsbad looks spendy.

Mello Roos is not everywhere and it is not even city specific. I don't have any Mello Roos where I am in Dana Point so my all in propery tax is a shade over 1.0%. However, there are parts of Talega in San Clemente which are over 2.0%. You just have to do your homework.

San Juan Capistrano is very nice but be forewarned that there are some not so nice parts of SJC.

Laguna Niguel is very nice.

 

[chado]

2% is lower than MD lol. Mello-Roos effects anywhere socal or few places?

San Juan Capistrano looks nice, I am jumping all over the place but looks like Laguna Niguel is good price wise.

Here is a photo from Ritz Carlton Dana Point so serene, my future home is the one with glass windows not to hard to miss.:biggrin:

Big _D Carlsbad looks spendy.

Thats Salt Creek Beach where I surf every week.. And that house, well that house is just ! They had been building it for a very long time.. Laguna Niguel is a very nice area!

 

[akira3d]

Here is a photo from Ritz Carlton Dana Point so serene, my future home is the one with glass windows not to hard to miss.

Hmmm...that photo looks familiar!

 

[NSXFRIEND]

Hmmm...that photo looks familiar!

Nice,

I had beach room looks like we had same room, brother had garden pool. Here are some more photos digital photos little blurry

 

[NSXFRIEND]

Here is breakfast view and brothers pool view not so bad.