One of the things that makes a community appealing, and viable as a place to live, work and grow old, is the attention paid to the housing and services provided in that community for a broad range of residents. Towns like Carlsbad are attractive to the residents because they provide a range of housing types (e.g., for rent or purchase) and community services that address the needs of the changing population.

Carlsbad, with its Smart Growth plan, is also planning for the future growth of the community and addressing not only housing issues (affordability, senior, rentals) but traffic, the environment, public transportation and much more.

Carlsbad has been known for some time as a popular retirement community due to the temperate weather year round, the beaches, services for seniors, golf (La Costa, Aviara, The Crossings, Rancho Carlsbad), a thriving downtown area that is easily walkable, access to trains, and much more. Folks from other parts of the country have a number of options for retirement here, whether they want to live in an age-restricted (55+) community or not (there are homes for rent as well as for purchase).

Rancho Carlsbad is a gated age-restricted community with a golf course (open to the public). Detached Carlsbad homes in Rancho Carlsbad (manufactured housing) range from the mid $200,000s to around $500K. Solamar is a gated community of manufactured homes very close to the ocean (some homes have views); prices here are in the $500s and $600s but as high as a million for ocean view (across the coast highway). Some other neighborhoods include Camino Hills, El Camino Estates and Lake Shore Gardens. There are 28 homes listed in the MLS in Carlsbad that are age-restricted, ranging in price from $280,000 to $999,000.

For those who want independent or assisted living, nursing care or a specialized living arrangements for memory issues and Alzheimer's, Carlsbad provides a number of options. La Costa Glen is a gated (and guard patrolled) senior community (both independent and assisted living) surrounded by dedicated open space and providing a range of services, entertainment, and dining options, with The Forum, an upscale shopping center just across the street.

GlenView provides assisted living arrangements, and GlenBrook is a facility offering skilled nursing care, including services for those with advanced Alzheimer's and dementia.

Las Villas de Carlsbad is a community of rental apartments very near the downtown area, with a range of senior services, included 24-hour nursing care if needed. Sunrise at La Costa is a care facility providing a variety of lifestyle, service and care offerings depending on the needs of the residents, which includes special memory impairment areas depending on severity of memory loss. Hospice care is also available.

Carlsbad Village (part of downtown are shown in photo above right) has a very popular and highly respected Senior Community Center, offering a wide range of activities and special events. The Center is located at 799 Pine Avenue. Many of the communities listed above provide transportation for their residents on a scheduled basis.

**************************************

Start YOUR CARLSBAD HOMES SEARCH HERE (and other area communities in San Diego including Cardiff, Solana Beach, and Encinitas homes)

Visit CARLSBAD COMMUNITY REPORTS for profiles on communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods

All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits