WHAT?! You can live in a Carlsbad waterfront home at an affordable price? How is that possible?

Yes, it's true.

There are waterfront homes in Carlsbad that are, relatively speaking, affordable.

No, it's not on the ocean. Are you surprised? But it's not on a small creek either (you can find more information on Carlsbad waterfront homes here).

Bristol Cove is located off the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon a short distance south of Carlsbad Village. This community is directly on an inlet (a cove) off of the lagoon, AND there is dockage for boats at a number of the homes. This is a residential cove and use is restricted to owners and tenants.

Resident children attend the Carlsbad Schools. There are a number of water activities at the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon, the ocean and Carlsbad beaches are nearby, and there is plenty of shopping and restaurants a short distance away in Carlsbad Village to the north.

Popular Legoland is not far either.

The area surrounding Bristol Cove is a mix of detached homes, condos (both townhouse style and flats) and twin homes. The area can be described as eclectic - housing styles vary quite a bit - and homes range in age from new (in the last year or two) to early 1970s. Some homes are directly on the water and have terrific water views, as well as dockage for small boats (both private and semi-private dockage), and you can take your boat out from Bristol Cove to the main lagoon.

Carlsbad Homes in the Bristol Cove neighborhood are primarily attached properties, located along Marina and Cove, and complexes include the Bristol Cove Condominiums, Tu Casa (another small condo complex on the water) and Paradise Cove, among others.

Some of the homes in the general area are large custom homes (on the opposite side of Park Drive) but are not waterfront.

Adjacent to Bristol Cove are two small gated complexes. Bayshore, a complex of newer (2002/2003) and larger (more than 2000 SF) attached homes just steps from the lagoon. Two Carlsbad homes are on the market in Bayshore priced at $649,500 and $699,000; a home priced at $718,000 on the water is under contract.

Laguna Shores is just to the south on the lagoon, with twin homes built in the early 1990s. A current listing with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2194 SF is priced at $875,000.

Currently there are attached 4 Carlsbad homes for sale in Bristol Cove, priced from $369,000 (782 SF, 1 bedroom 1 bath) up to $670,000 (2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1453 SF). The latter unit has incredible lagoon views. For those with a bigger budget, across the street from the cove is a large custom house of 4000 SF on the hill with over 2 acres, priced at $1,799,000.