I have started a series of articles on Carlsbad area real estate for sale which is within walking distance of amenities including dining and shopping.
Lots of folks are interested in being able to live in certain neighborhoods and then walk to dining and shopping - something that is not always easy to do in Southern California, and in many cases comes at a hefty price, since many town centers in North County San Diego are very close to the beach. Close to the beach means high real estate prices.
But there ARE options in and around Carlsbad, and I will be featuring these over the next few weeks.
Proximity to amenities by walking can be very personal - for some, a walk of 15-20 minutes is fine, and other want a 10 minute walk. I will be using my own knowledge of these markets plus Walkscore data.
READ more about the Walkscore here.
CARDIFF's WALKING DISTRICT
Let's start our series with perhaps the most walkable area, the Walking District in Cardiff (more formally, Cardiff-by-the-Sea).
Cardiff is a charming town on the ocean just north of Solana Beach. The town is built on the hills overlooking the sea, with many homes (those west of the 5 and some on the east side) making views AND being within walking distance of shopping, services, dining, and of course surfing and the beaches.
Quaint stores (a broad mix of retail), small business services, places to eat (Pipes cafe is THE best breakfast place around), and the Seaside Market are within 5 - 15 minutes of many homes located on the hills of the Walking District near the main commercial center at San Elijo and Chesterfield.
READ MORE:
Artists by the Sea Gallery in Cardiff by the Sea
Like to Walk - live in the Walking District of Cardiff
Of course what goes down must go up, so if you walk DOWN the hills to the town center and the ocean, then one must walk back up. But think of the exercise, especially after dining. Lot so folks do so, with surfboards under their arms, so you can too. A small price to play to live in a charming Oceanside town that, despite growth, is resisting becoming a gentrified tourist stop. Thank goodness.
Cardiff is not right for everyone - ya want a Starbucks? They have one. High end shopping and boutiques? Limited. Malls? Nah. 4-star dining? Nope. But the views are fabulous and the ambiance of the Walking District is unique. Terrific beaches and a host of casual fun restaurants, a number of which are oceanside.
Detached homes in Cardiff's Walking District range from Somewhat Walkable to Very Walkable (68 to 78 in terms of walk score) - pretty darn good. There are 9 detached Carlsbad homes for sale in the Walking District, from $799,000 (2 BR, 1 BA) to $1,950,000 (4 BR, 5 BA). Attached homes for sale (there are 7 - these are all twin homes, not condos) run from $625,000 to $1.425M.
Obviously walking distance is very subjective, and any prudent buyer will check this sort of thing out, if it is important to the purchase of a home. What I feel is walkable or is deemed walkable by the walk score may not quite fit with your ideals.
If you need more specific information about the Walking District or more details about particular homes or the Cardiff real estate market in general, please feel free to ask.
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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad homes and real estate for sale and surrounding areas, the housing market in general (or locally), or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search or sale, please contact my mobile office or text me at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com
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Nice approach. It speaks to life style which is a marketing strategy I am planning to implement as well.
Love the breakfast cafe! My favorite meal is breakfast, and I bet theirs are great!
Hi Jeff, love the approach and the wonderful photos! I like your observation about walking downhill, you must come back up. Kind of like life.... Being from Central Florida, we often forget about walking uphill. Great ideas, can't wait to see the rest.
George - living near amenities, and the beach, are frequent desires, but not always easy to achieve due to pricing. So it makes sense to focus onwhat we have to offer in this lifestyle.
Susie - yep, it is VERY popular, long lines on the weekends and packed for hours. Big surfer place.
Denise - well this is one town along the coast that reminds me of San Francisco - not quite as stepp adn all but there are some significant hills. Which of course affords one fabulous ocean views. Thanks for the compliment. More to come on other walkable communities.
Jeff
Jeff you are right, more and more people are looking for this type of living. One of the people at my office looked high and low for a Condo in the Downtown area for all the reason you stated. The big problem he had was that it had to have a garage. He still has not found one, keeps on waiting an looking.
George S - I think I must get almost 50% of my buyers asking about these options. GIven the somewhat limited options, folks have to be willing to trade off some things on their wish list, or be prepared to pay a premium.
Jeff
Walkscore is great. I like your neighborhood, it seems like a wonderful walking town.