Buyers in the Oceanside real estate market who wish to be near the beach or within walking distance to amenities will find they can have the best of both worlds. In many cases finding an Oceanside home near the beach will put you within close proximity of the amenities in the downtown area of Oceanside which is going through quite a transformation.

As many know, Oceanside is the northern-most residential community along the coast in San Diego County, just south of Camp Pendleton, and next to its southern neighbor, Carlsbad.

This town of over 160,000 is diverse in many ways - people, residential areas, business and commercial, styles and types of homes, and so on. There is a strong military presence, as one would expect, given the proximity to Camp Pendelton.

The primary commercial area of Oceanside along the coast highway (west of the 5 freeway) provides many opportunities for shopping, small business services, dining and things to do. And the beautiful ocean beaches are there for sunset walks and surfing; why not take a stroll on the Oceanside Pier.

Or visit the California Surf Museum.

Folks not familiar with the area, or who have not been to Oceanside for some time will notice the many changes in the redevelopment area along the coast which includes a new resort, luxury condos, work-live lofts, and more. 

Oceanside is the only community along the coast in North San Diego County that has a marina with easy access to the ocean - you need to go south to Mission Bay to find a comparable marina.

The Oceanside real estate has gone through many changes in the last several years as have other San Diego communities. In the past Oceanside was the most affordable coastal community and prices escalated fairly substantially. In recent years we have seen a dramatic decline in prices and a large number of short sales, foreclosures, and bank-owned properties (REO real estate). 

My 2008 Year-end real estate summary indicates that Oceanside average prices for detached homes have dropped 29% since 2007, which means a great opportunity for some buyers. At the same time, however, home sales have skyrocketed 51%, probably due to the great prices as well as more distress homes actually getting to closing. 

The coastal area of Oceanside, as in many coastal communities, is a popular vacation and rental area, so Oceanside buyers should be aware, and thoroughly check out the areas you are interested in. If you are looking for a second home, or an area for an investment property, the Oceanside coastal region can be a good one given the recent price changes.

Do not be fooled into thinking that you can get a bargain ocean front home of condo - these properties still command a hefty price even in this town where price changes have been dramatic, especially along Pacific Street and The Strand. 

So what CAN you buy in Oceanside that is in a walkable neighborhood near amenities?

First, be aware that the Coast Road (Route 101) is quite a long stretch with a broad range of amenities. Even though some properties may be close to this commercial stretch, some areas have many more amenities, like restaurants and day-to-day shopping than others.

Currently there are 20 Oceanside homes for sale (detached) that are in the Somewhat Walkable to Very Walkable categories using the Walkscore. These homes range in price from small bungalows at $449,000 up to new construction directly on the ocean at $5.2 million (there are 2 at this price point). A number of the less expensive homes are close to the beach and have views as well. As always you will want to check ot the area to see if these homes are walkable to the amenities you are seeking; many are within 3 to 5 blocks of the ocean.

There are 32 attached Oceanside homes for sale that are in the Somewhat Walkable to Very Walkable categories. These range in price from  $148,900 (there are 8 homes under $400K) to $2.95 million, the later directly on The Strand; some of these homes are within 1-3 blocks of the ocean and have views, in addition to being walkable.

Here are the previous articles in the Walkable Neighborhood Series:

Encinitas Real Estate in the Funky Beach Community of Leucadia

Rancho Santa Fe Real Estate Near Rancho Santa Fe Village

Solana Beach Real Estate on the Coast

Del Mar Real Estate Near the Village

 Carlsbad Village Real Estate in Carlsbad, California

Downtown Encinitas

Cardiff Real Estate in The Walking District in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Carlsbad Homes for Sale in La Costa, Carlsbad

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits