The San Diego Real Estate Insider Blog

San Diego real estate market trends, valuable news about short sales, including foreclosure information in the San Diego county plus much more.

May 29, 2012

The Nitty Gritty on Buying and Selling Real Estate in Cardiff by the Sea

Cardiff by the Sea boasts some of the most beautiful residential property in all of Southern California.  Homes here offer the most spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the San Elijo Lagoon Encinitas and Solana Beach.  In the center of this picturesque small beach community, there are shops, cafes and art galleries that make it such a pleasure to stroll through the streets. 

Cardiff is a safe and clean community and has neighborhoods that within walking distance to the beach.  The residents have much pride in their community and enjoy participating in all of the activities and adventure of this Pacific paradise.

Selling Your Home in Cardiff by the Sea

Finally, the real estate market is showing signs of rebounding.  For sellers who are contemplating putting their Cardiff home on the market, it is a good time to strongly consider doing so.  Sale prices are starting to rise and homes are selling quickly.  While the most recent median sale price is about $955K, the average sale price is over $1.2 million.  Add to that the fact that homes stay on the market for only about an average of 37 days. 

Condominiums are much more affordable with the average sale price at about $488K and listings staying on the market for about two months.  Home owners in this sector of the real estate market need to know that the number of listings have dropped which means that buyers interested in condominiums will be more apt to move on a condominium or townhome purchase. 

When considering it, make sure you realize that most of the homes will sell quickly which makes it necessary to have a plan in place.  Our agents know this area well and can give you a plan to list, market and sell your home as well as help you with the next step of finding a new home if you are staying in the San Diego area.

Want to Buy a Home in Cardiff?

Now would be the time to buy if you have an interest in living in Cardiff.  Sale prices are starting to increase but the market has a bit of a road to climb to get to where it once was.  Because homes sit on the market for a short period of time, it is important to be ready to buy when you find the home you want.  As for negotiating, most sellers put a tiny bit of room in the list price.  Our agents will work with you to find your ideal home then provide you with the information and guidance to make a reasonable and sound offer.

As for distressed properties, the Cardiff area is not swimming in a pool of foreclosures and short sales.  But if you are interested in buying one, our agents have the most up to date listings and can alert you when a distressed property comes available.

Making the Move to Cardiff

Moving to Cardiff is a smart choice!  The next step is to get everything set for the move.  We can help you with information about schools, utilities and everything you need to make the move a little less eventful. 

Love Life in Cardiff

The real estate in Cardiff is realistically priced to give many people the opportunity to live the beach lifestyle.  This quaint, coastal community is ideally situated to provide close proximity and panoramic views of the water.  Look at Cardiff if you are one who wants…and NEEDS (because some of us need it)…to live in a beach town.  You will be so glad you did!

May 24, 2012

Santaluz – One of the Most Notable Areas of San Diego

Santaluz is one of the most beautiful communities in the entire metro area of San Diego.  This premiere area sits on 3,800 acres of hills and surrounds one of the best Rees Jones golf courses in Southern California.  It features some of the most spectacular homes with the priceless views of lush green fairways, mountains, grassy hills, and even the Pacific Ocean. 

The gated community of Santaluz is part of the North County Inland section of the metro area and is situated in the San Dieguito River Valley.   It is bordered by Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe, and is less than 10 miles inland from the Pacific Coast area of Del Mar.  Essentially, this is one of the best areas of Southern California. 

Living in Santaluz

Within Santaluz, there are about 900 homes in several smaller neighborhoods (some of them being gated).  These communities are comprised of different styles and sizes of homes on perfectly landscaped lots.  Some offer homes that are custom built while others feature several floor plans from which to choose.  They all blend together in such a way to bring out the beauty of the area around them.  For the most part, homes in Santaluz are priced anywhere from the $800s to over $5 million.

Some of the neighborhoods that feature homes with set plans are The Casitas and The Sentinels which are between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet and are priced between $1 million and $1.5 million.  These smaller homes typically offer golf course and open space views.   There are also garden homes and Spanish Bungalows that are larger and are priced from the high-$800s to well over $1 million.  The Posadas, Warmington, and Davidson at Santaluz feature homes that are between 3,800 and 5,500 square feet and priced from $900K to over $1.5 million.

Custom built homes, usually from 4,000 to over 11,000 square feet, are typically built on large, one-plus acre lots and feature pretty much every amenity.  No detail is spared and the views are unbelievable.  Homes at this level are priced anywhere from $1.2 million to well over $5 million.

The keys to the value of a home in Santaluz are its location and the views from the home.  Of course, those homes sitting atop a grassy knoll with views of mountains, fairways, and the Pacific are typically priced on the higher end of the spectrum.

The Facts

The real estate statistics that interest buyers and sellers are reported for the most part by zip code.  The Santaluz zip code, 92127, is a more affluent zip code in the San Diego metro area and shows the median sale price of homes sits at just over $700K.   When looking at Santaluz by itself the sale prices are much higher.  In the last month, sale prices were between $800K and almost $5 million.  And in terms of the amount of time it takes to sell a home, overall, in the 92127 zip code, the average number of days on the market sits at about three months.  For Santaluz, it depends on the home and the buyer as homes here cater to a specific buyer who wants to be in Santaluz.

It is All About the Community

For those who desire the most affluent lifestyle in one of the most affluent areas of San Diego, Santaluz is a must see.  From spectacular homes with spectacular views to a close-knit community who thrives on interacting with each other, Santaluz brings it all together and presents it to the world with a perfect touch to make it awe-inspiring.  Living in Santaluz says “you have arrived!”

May 24, 2012

Santaluz, California – Southern California’s Premiere Community

Located in the rolling hills of Southern California, just 30 miles from downtown San Diego is the premiere coastal community of Santaluz.  It is commonly referred by builders and real estate professionals as the best master-planned community in all of Southern California. Santaluz real estate is most noted for the elegant estate-like homes.  This 900-home gated community sits on 3,800 of hills and offers gorgeous views of grassy terrain, golf course fairways, mountains, and even ocean views. 

The Center of Santaluz

The Santaluz Club is the hub of the entire community with its championship, Rees Jones designed golf course.  In addition, members can enjoy the amenities inside the Clubhouse including the spa, lounges, fine and casual dining and the pro shop.  To further enhance the luxury of Santaluz, some of the most stately homes line the fairways. 

Down from the Clubhouse is the Hacienda Santaluz.  This 19,000 square foot complex plays host to swimming, tennis and other field sports.  The Hacienda is where families gather with friends and neighbors for fun.  In the center of Santaluz is the Village Green, an 11-acre green space where friends and families also get together for community activities.   

The Residents of Santaluz

Santaluz appeals to everyone from younger families to empty-nesters and retirees.  Families move to Santaluz because of all of the activities available here.  From running or playing sports on the Village Green to swimming and playing tennis at the Hacienda, there is so much here for families. 

Retirees and empty-nesters enjoy Santaluz because of the golf.  Whether they choose to downsize to smaller Spanish style bungalows or stay in a larger home in one of the gated neighborhoods, the amenities that appeal to the older crowd tend to be the activities in the Clubhouse and Hacienda as well as the dining. 

Because of the easy access to downtown San Diego via I-15, many residents work in the city but enjoy being able to “flee” the chaos and return to their little bubble each night.  Others work in and around the North Inland section of the metro area. 

Neighborhood Information

Within Santaluz, there are smaller neighborhoods that feature different styles of homes.  The styles feature the Spanish and Tuscany villa-style homes as well as more traditional two-story homes and bungalows.  The homes are larger in comparison to other communities with the smallest homes being just under 2,200 square feet and the largest being some of the largest in all of San Diego. Homes typically start in the low to mid-$800s and easily top $5 million or more depending on the location and views.

The neighborhoods feature homes built by mass builders like Centex, DR Horton, Warmington, and Taylor Woodrow.  In these neighborhoods, buyers choose from several elevations and then pick the design elements within the homes.  Other neighborhoods showcase custom built homes that are exquisitely unique yet maintain their elegance.

Consider Santaluz

Santaluz is a beautiful community in the northern part of the metro area.  With such beautiful landscape, elegantly perfect homes, and a close-knit, neighborly community, no wonder the residents love where they live.  You will too.

May 24, 2012

Selling and Buying Real Estate -- Santaluz

Santaluz is a beautifully, planned community in the North County Inland section of San Diego metro area.  Known as a premiere coastal golf course community, Santaluz is all about space and privacy.  Situated on rolling hills and luscious green space, Santaluz features the most exquisite homes with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, perfectly manicured fairways and green rolling hills.  It is also a very close-knit area with lots of family and recreational activities.

Selling Your Home in Santaluz

Santaluz is an area of the metro in which people aspire to live.  It is a gated community comprised of some of the most beautiful homes some of which are also gated.  Buyers who consider home in this community want to live in this community.  Because list prices are based considerably on views and location, home start in the upper $700s to low $800s making it possible for many to buy here. 

The entire area of the 92127 zip code has shown solid double-digit increases over the past few months in terms of average and median sale prices.  The most recent statistics show that the average sale price sits at over $900K.  While the entire area surrounding Santaluz is affluent, Santaluz is a community that drives the sale price of the whole area up.  For the amount of time it takes to sell a home in the 92127 zip cold, sellers are looking at about 100 days or so which is not a long time when considering the list prices in Santaluz.  The agents with our firm know the Santaluz community and have experience and knowledge in listing, marketing and selling homes of this caliber.  Give us an opportunity to show you what we can do for you.

Buying Residential Real Estate in Santaluz

For those who are interested in moving to Santaluz, prices are increasing every month.  Now is the time to make the move if you are able to as the market will more than likely continue to move upward.  There are several selections of homes for sale in this spectacular area ranging from about $800K to almost $5 million.  Additionally, the sale price is just a tad less than the list price and the number of pending sales have shown increases over the past few months as well which denotes the real estate market is stabilizing and even getting stronger.

The statistics also show that a handful of distressed properties have sold each month over the past few months.  The number of these sales has shown signs of decreasing over the past year, but for those interested in buying distressed property, opportunities do present themselves.

As always, our agents have the most up-to-date information for prospective buyers and can guide them through the buying process to make it easier.  Let us help you find your dream home.

Relocating to Santaluz

Relocating, in and of itself, is a stressful and daunting process. When moving to a new area, it is important to work with an agent who knows the area and can help you with the details of buying a home and setting up your new home. Let our agents provide you with the necessary information to make your move easier.

Santaluz Has It All

This absolutely perfect community is ideal for families and empty nesters alike.  It has everything that discriminate homeowners want in terms of their dream homes, privacy and recreational activities within arm’s reach. Santaluz is a neighborhood in which people dream of living.

May 16, 2012

Rancho Bernardo – Real Estate

Rancho Bernardo is located on the northern edge of the city limits part of San Diego.  It is an upscale, master-planned community that encompasses over 6,500 acres and is surrounded by other communities including 4S Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Poway, and Escondido.  Rancho Bernardo is a perfect place to live because it is far enough from the city yet still features all the necessary conveniences including shopping, businesses, golf and more. 

Where to Live

While Rancho Bernardo is considered an upscale community, there is a home to fit every need and most every budget.  From gated communities with custom built and spec homes to neighborhoods with tract homes to estates to condominium and townhome communities, Rancho Bernardo has a nice mixture of all of them.

When Rancho Bernardo was originally designed, it was laid out to feature wide streets in several subdivisions.  The subdivisions accommodate more neighborhoods that have their own community center with pool and park-like areas.  Because of this, Rancho Bernardo is a popular area in San Diego.

Condominiums and Townhomes.  For first time buyers (and empty nesters as well), there are lovely condominium and townhome communities throughout the area.  Alameda, Il Palio, Carmel Trails, La Brisas and Provencal are just a few that have list prices starting in the mid-$100s to mid-$200s.  Other communities with similar price points are Seven Oaks and Oaks North Villas but are strictly 55+ communities. Condominiums and townhomes within highly sought after areas like Westwood, Bernardo Heights, Eastview, and Greens West feature list prices starting as low as the mid-$200s to mid-$400s.

Single-Family Homes.  There are so many neighborhoods that are ideal for families and other buyers.  From smaller, quaint bungalow style homes to gracious estate style properties, the neighborhoods have a common denominator that everyone wants - a friendly, close knit community.  Most single family homes start in the mid to upper-$300s in neighborhoods like Carmel Mountain Ranch and High Country West.  In these highly sought after neighborhoods, buyers can find ideal three and four-bedroom homes near schools, shopping and more. 

More neighborhoods such as The Greens, The Knolls, Las Floras, and Montalena have homes for sale from the mid to upper-$500s to about $900K.  Some of these communities are gated and have larger homes with awesome views of the mountains and more. 

And, of course, there are very affluent areas like Fairway Pointe and The Trails.  Homes in these areas start at about $900K and top $1.5 million.  These neighborhoods showcase some of the most beautiful homes in all of San Diego on tree-lined streets as well as wonderful golf courses and privacy.

The Numbers

Rancho Bernardo is a popular part of the San Diego metro area.  The average home price for single family homes is just under $700K and about $240K for condominiums and townhomes.    Although the year to year numbers were a tiny bit lower, single family homes and condominiums show significant increases month to month.  On average, residential property stays on the market for about 100 days for condominiums and about 80 days for single family homes.   

Rancho Bernardo Has It All

Rancho Bernardo is a great community for all buyers – families, first time buyers, empty nesters and more.  Although this area is technically part of San Diego, it is far enough away from the “chaos” of a major metro area to have a small town atmosphere but close enough to provide access to all of the culture, arts and activity only found in such a large city. Rancho Bernardo real estate definitely has it all!!!

May 16, 2012

Rancho Bernardo – Suburban Life Within the City of San Diego

Welcome to Rancho Bernardo!  Located just 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, Rancho Bernardo is the northernmost residential community in the city limits of San Diego.  It was established in 1842 on the Rancho San Bernardo land grant which consisted of over 17,000 acres situated between Escondido and Poway. 

Rancho Bernardo, or “RB” as it is called by the locals, is an upscale master-planned community with several private parks and clubs in each neighborhood of the community.  It is a sprawling area that covers over 6,500 acres and has tons of shopping, golf and business.

Community Attractions

Rancho Bernardo is a great place to settle down and raise a family.  It is often labeled as “one of the safest family-oriented communities in southern California.”  Throughout the year, Rancho Bernardo has several events and attractions for every age group.  One of the most popular attractions in all of southern California is the Bernardo Winery.  Established in 1889, it is the oldest operating winery in southern California.  There is always something going on at Bernardo Winery from the Friday Farmer’s Market to Jazz on the Patio to the Spring Arts and Crafts Fair.  Other attractions within the winery include quaint shops and a small café which are very popular with residents and tourists.

Another outstanding event that takes over Rancho Bernardo is RB Alive. It is an annual street fair with a carnival-like atmosphere.  It has everything from arts and crafts to businesses promoting products and services to a huge kid’s zone and everything else under the sun. RB Alive draws over 50,000 people every year and is such a fun event.

One of the activities Rancho Bernardo is most widely known for is golf.  There are several golf courses throughout the town mainly within different RB subdivisions.  Two championship courses, Bernardo Inn Golf Course and the Rancho Bernardo Country Club, as well as other public and private courses throughout RB are also popular for resident golfers.

The Resident Rancho Bernardians

There are more than 46,000 people living in Rancho Bernardo with a median age of about 41 years old.   Their median household income is just under $90,000.  The residents love everything about living here especially living close to where they work.  Most of this white collar community works in the Rancho Bernardo Business Park.  This business park is home to the headquarters for Sony USA and offices for other major corporations including Hewlett Packard, Nokia, Eastman Kodak and more.  In fact, over 50,000 employees are employed with these corporations. 

Neighborhood Information

Rancho Bernardo is divided into east and west Rancho Bernardo.  The area is made up a mixture of single-family homes as well as condominium and townhome communities making this an area that pretty much has something for everyone whether you want to live in a gated community, townhome or condominium complex, track home, estate or a custom built home.  Rancho Bernardo has it all.

Taking it a step further, within different subdivisions of Rancho Bernardo are smaller neighborhoods and communities feature condominiums, townhome communities and single family homes.  Other features of the neighborhoods of the communities are neighborhood parks, golf courses and lots of close knit neighbors.

Life in Rancho Bernardo

If a suburb within the city limits of a major metropolitan area is what you want, make sure you visit Rancho Bernardo.  This wonderful town has so much to offer….a nice size home that is close to work as well as the necessary conveniences like shopping and professional services and fun community events that make where you live feel like home. Rancho Bernardo is a fantastic place for kids as it has safety in the forefront in the design of the community. 

Check out Rancho Bernardo properties!!

May 13, 2012

Rancho Bernardo – Selling and Buying Real Estate

As a more affluent, master-planned community in the San Diego metro area, Rancho Bernardo is a popular place to which many area residents gravitate….or hope to gravitate one day.  This sprawling community has everything its residents want in terms of well laid-out neighborhoods with sidewalks along the streets; close to all the necessary conveniences like shopping and work; and most of all, the feeling of safety for everyone especially children.  When home buyers are ready to lay down roots in a community, they tend to look towards Rancho Bernardo.

The Market from the Seller’s Perspective

The Rancho Bernardo area is starting to see some signs of life from the seller’s perspective.  It has been a long battle and, although it is far from over, the market has begun its turn.  The most recent information shows that the average sale price is sitting at about $685K for single family homes which reflects solid increases over the past few months.  This information also reveals that the average number of days on the market is just over 80 days which is down from about 90 days as shown in previous data.  Other information shows that more people are buying now as well with the number of sales increasing by double digits each month.  

As for condominium purchases, the trends are similar. The average sale price is just over $240K, again with nice upticks from previous months.  Condominium and townhomes sit on the market slightly longer than single family homes, but, at just over 100 days, they sell in a fairly rapid amount of time.  But, another important piece of information is that the number of sales each month shows solid bumps over previous months which says that buyers are still interested in condominiums.

Our agents are very well verse at listing, marketing and selling homes in the Rancho Bernardo area.  We have years of knowledge and experience at our fingertips to help you get the most out of your most prized investment.

Buying a Home in Rancho Bernardo

The old adage, “it’s a buyer’s market” is starting to bid adios to the real estate world in Rancho Bernardo.  Over the past few years, buyers were able to buy in this upscale community because the prices had dropped so much but not anymore.  With the average sale price increasing over the past few months, buyers need to take heed and strike while the deals are still out there.  The amount of time that homes are listed for sale is decreasing with the number of sales and pending sales increasing.  This tells a buyer to buy if they find a property they really like…don’t hesitate.

As for distressed property, they are still out there.  It is interesting to note that the number of foreclosures sold over the past year have decreased sharply with all property but increased over the past month or two.  Much of that may be due to the influx of distressed property that was placed in a hold pattern due to the paperwork issues within the major financial corporations and banks.  Still, with the number cut so drastically from last year, it seems that the pool of distressed property is draining.  

No matter what type of property you have in mind in Rancho Bernardo, we can give you the information and guidance you need to make a sound offer and get the most house for your money.  Give us a call and we will get started.

Interested in the Area

For those moving to the area from other parts of the metro or other part of the country, our agents know the Rancho Bernardo area and can help make your move easy and almost pain free.  We can help you with schools; utilities; moving and more…not to mention finding the right home in the right neighborhood for your family. 

No Matter the Plan

Whether you are interested in buying or selling in Rancho Bernardo, opportunity is knocking.  This area has seen the worst and is set to make a comeback.  Be part of that movement. 

May 9, 2012

Moving to Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa, located in the northern inland area of the San Diego metro, is a suburb that is quite attractive to residents throughout San Diego.  Not only does it appeal to many current San Diego metro area residents, it is a huge draw for people relocating to the area from all over the country mainly because of the plethora of moderately priced homes.

Thinking About Selling Your Home in Mira Mesa?

If you have been thinking of selling your home in Mira Mesa, the time has come to make a decision.  Sale prices are definitely on the rise with single family homes finally showing double digit increases.  The most interesting fact to note is that the sale price is typically about 97 percent of the list price which says that sellers are not budging much in terms of negotiating.   For condominiums and townhomes, the median home price is about $175K, a slight decrease from previous months and the previous year.  Single-family homes stay on the market about 57 days while condominium homes a little longer at about 96 days.  Both numbers show that properties are selling faster as the average number of days has dropped for both types.  Looking at this information shows that the main factor for sellers to consider is pricing.   We can help you with your pricing, marketing and selling your home as our agents are very well verse with the Mira Mesa real estate market. 

Buying a Home in Mira Mesa

If you have thought about buying a home in Mira Mesa, do it now.  While the prices are starting to rise, it is still a great time to buy here as there are “deals to be had.”  Sellers are pricing their homes at a competitive price and are not open to much negotiation.  The key for buyers is to be ready to act as single family homes do not sit on the market for more than a couple of months.  Condominiums sell within three to four months.  This is a great area for first time buyers as they can easily buy a condominium in a nice neighborhood for well under $200K and just under $300K for single-family homes.  Because the spectrum of prices is not drastic, larger homes with the most up-to-date features and amenities can be bought for around $600K.  Let our agents help find exactly what you want in Mira Mesa.  We know the area and have all of the latest information to find the home of your dreams.

As for distressed properties, there are more than a few of them in Mira Mesa.  You will be able to get a great bargain especially with condominiums.  This is where our agents are the biggest attributes for your real estate venture.  They can truly provide you with the most current information and guide you through the process of buying distressed property.

Relocating to Mira Mesa?

Mira Mesa is a great area to consider for your relocation.  Not only do you more house for your money, but you are close to San Diego as well as being at the back door of the Sorrento Mesa, the high tech hub of southern California.  Our agents have all the information to help you make your move relatively painless.   

More Value for the Residents

Mira Mesa real estate is the best area for those wanting more home for their investment.  Because of the migration of people in the high tech industries and the moderately priced homes, Mira Mesa is becoming one of the more popular areas in the San Diego metro area.

May 9, 2012

Real estate in Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa is located less than 20 miles of San Diego in the northern part of San Diego County.  It is easily accessed from the major highways around the area including Interstate 15 and Interstate 805.  Sorrento Mesa, as it is commonly called by area residents, is situated on the west side of the city and is home to the San Diego Tech Center.  Sorrento Mesa is also a major employment area of all of the San Diego metro area.  Since the late 1990s, massive expansion of the Mira Mesa area has taken place in an effort accommodate the new residents who are moving to the area for jobs.

Neighborhoods in Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa is a very appealing suburb of San Diego.  It has become very desirable to the young professional crowd due to the surge in the high tech sector located in the Sorrento Mesa area as well as concentration of moderately priced homes.   Real estate in Mira Mesa is very affordable with prices of single family homes being priced between the high-$200s and the low-$600s while condominiums are priced throughout the $200s. 

First time buyers have the ability to buy homes priced under $300K in Mira Mesa in neighborhoods like Mesa Village and Mira Mesa Verde.  There are also several well established communities in Mira Mesa where homes start throughout the $300s including Mesa Ridge, Larwin Mesa View, Sunset Glen and Mesa Cove just to name a few.  Buyers can even buy in gated communities like Mariposa, Casablanca and Casa Blanca Elite starting under $400K. 

The most expensive homes in Mira Mesa are, for the most part, barely top $600K.  These areas include Canyon Country, Mira Mesa North and Mesa Del Sol where homes are price from the upper-$400s to low-$600s.  It is very easy to see why Mira Mesa has such a draw for home buyers.

As for condominiums and townhomes, homes in communities like Mirabella Point and Villa Mar start in the mid-$100s and climb to the mid to upper-$200s.  There are a number of short sales of condominiums and townhomes in Mira Mesa making it possible to get a great deal on a property of this type.

The Nuts and Bolts of the Real Estate Market

Real estate in Mira Mesa provides a lot of value for its residents.  The price range of all types of homes is very compact.  Single family homes are priced between the upper -$200s and the low-$600s with condominiums and townhomes being priced from less than $100K to the upper-$200s. 

 Statistically speaking, the most recent median price sits at about $375K which is up about 15 percent over the previous month while condominiums have a median price of about $175K.  In terms of how long real estate stays on the market, single family homes are selling quickly averaging only 57 days on the market which is a huge drop from the previous month (that is good!).  Condominiums remain on the market a little longer averaging about 96 days on the market.  

Now is the Time

Mira Mesa is an excellent area to consider for settling down.  It has so much to offer in terms of a good bang for the buck when purchasing a home.  Homes are reasonably priced and seem to be headed for a turnaround in terms of their worth.  This is definitely an area to consider for purchasing property.

May 9, 2012

Living in Mira Mesa

Welcome to Mira Mesa!  Located in the northern part of San Diego County, Mira Mesa is one of the larger suburban cities with a population of over 80,000.  It sits just 18 miles north of San Diego and is bordered on the east by Interstate-15; Interstate-805 on the west; Los Penasquitos Canyon to the north; and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to the south. 

Originally, during World War II, the land around Mira Mesa was used by the United States Army as a test area.  The United States Navy used some of the surrounding land as a landing strip and called it Hourglass Field.  Years later, when the Naval Air Station opened, Mira Mesa became a residential community to support the personnel stationed at the NAS Miramar.  Since then, its rapid growth has expanded to make room for new residents moving to the area to work for the University of California San Diego, Marine Corp Air Station Miramar, Qualcomm, and other biotech and pharmaceutical companies.  Hourglass Field was graded and now accommodates San Diego Miramar College and the Hourglass Field Community Park.

Community Feel

As one of the major suburbs of San Diego, Mira Mesa is large enough to have a metropolitan feel yet small enough to have a strong, community feel.  Annual events such as the Mira Mesa Street Fair, Fourth of July parade, Halloween events and more are huge draws for most of the residents of Mira Mesa. 

In addition to the annual community events, there are a number of activities for children such as the Mira Mesa Girls Softball League and the Chargers Youth Football League which teaches the fundamentals of football and teamwork to children between 5 and 15 years old. The Epicentre is a complex where teens can safely hang out with each other and hear bands and music. 

Centrally located, Mira Mesa is just minutes from the stunning southern California beaches as well as the Del Mar area including the Fairgrounds and Thoroughbred Race Track.  Another quality to this wonderful area is that San Diego's world-famous attractions like Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Coronado Island, Mission Bay, and the Mexican border are no more than a 30-minute drive.

The Resident Mira Mesans

Mira Mesa is a well-liked area for young families and includes excellent schools and a lot of employment opportunities.  The people of Mira Mesa are a very diverse crowd from many nationalities.  The 80,000+ population is fairly young, more professional and upwardly mobile with a median age of only 32 and has a median household income of about $63K per year.  Most of the residents are employed in the technology sector as well as the military and University of California – San Diego. 

Living in Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa has a very affordable real estate market with mostly medium to larger homes, condominiums and townhomes spread throughout the area.   Single family homes start in the low-$200s and climb to just over $600K while condominiums and townhomes are priced from well under $100K to almost $300K. 

The most affluent neighborhoods in Mira Mesa are Mesa Ridge, Mira Mesa North and Canyon Country West where homes are priced between the high-$400s and low-$600s.  Mid-priced homes in the low to upper-$300s are found in Mira Mesa Verde and Larwin Mesa View.  For those starting out with their first homes, beautiful condominium communities like Quail Creek, Villas at Capricorn and Quest feature homes priced between the low $90s and low-$200s. 

Settling Down in Mira Mesa

Mira Mesa is an ideal area for those wanting to be close to San Diego yet far enough away from the eighth largest city in the country.   It also has a sound economy which continues to develop. If you are looking for a nice neighborhood with larger, affordable homes, then Mira Mesa is where you want to be.  Adding the focus that Mira Mesa places on the community with the nice variety of homes makes this a top pick for families.