The Carlsbad real estate market offers several options to new home buyers.

La Costa Ridge is the newest of the La Costa Villages, three master planned communities in the South Carlsbad area known as La Costa (anchored by the internationally-known La Costa Spa and Resort).

This master planned community is currently under construction, with many homes yet to be built. However the 4 builders have model homes available and a number of houses are ready for occupancy.

La Costa Ridge is built on the highest hill in La Costa, so many homes have dramatic vistas - the ocean, the Batiquitos Lagoon, south to La Jolla, north beyond Camp Pendleton, or of the back county hills. The La Costa Preserve provides about 1000 acres of open space, and there is a system of biking paths and hiking trails that are interconnected.

There are 4 well-known area builders of the 262 homes to be constructed in 4 different villages, offering a variety of views, prices, styles and amenities: Dolcetto, Messina, Fiori and San Vincenzo. There are both single and two-story homes for sale at La Costa Ridge, ranging in size from approximately 2500 SF up to 5300 SF, with 3 - 5 bedrooms, and 2.5 up to 6 bathrooms. Starting prices are $900,000 to $1.2 million depending on the village (Fiori is the most expensive).

Younger students will attend the La Costa Meadows Elementary School located just a short distance away. Older students will attend other schools in the San Marcos Unified School District.

Because of its location, residents can enjoy readily all the amenities that Carlsbad has to offer including golf at La Costa Spa and Resort and the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort; the new public golf course at The Crossings is due to open in July 2007.

There is a myriad of shopping along El Camino Real in South Carlsbad and Encinitas, about 2 miles west, and you are a 10 minute drive to San Marcos. The Carlsbad and Encinitas beaches are a 15 minute drive.

If you haven't already done so, visit the community profiles on the neighboring communities of Carlsbad (including Aviara, La Costa, La Costa Greens, and Rancho Carrillo), Leucadia(in Encinitas), Encinitas Ranch, Cardiff (the Composer and Walking Districts) and San Marcos (Lake San Marcos) for more information on life in paradise.

If you are planning a relocation, check out Relocation A to Z to learn all you need to know. If you are a first time buyer, Carlsbad may be an ideal community given the housing options, prices, and amenities.

As a Carlsbad REALTOR, if I can provide more information about this community, or answer general questions about market conditions in Carlsbad and surrounding areas, please don't hesitate to ask.

UPDATE - July 2008

Homes have continued to sell well in all 4 neighborhoods in La Costa Ridge. For more updates on pricing and homes available, please give me a call at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.  Some of the neighborhoods are about sold out - Dolcetto, San Vincenzo and Messina still have homes that are either ready to go or being built.