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Things to Know Before Moving to Carlsbad, CA

Located in scenic North County, Carlsbad is a quaint city that boasts beautiful sandy beaches, unique lagoons, excellent shopping centers, and world-class sporting events. Also known as “The Village by the Sea,” Carlsbad was named after a famous spa in Karlsbad (now Karlovy Vary), Bohemia because of the similarity of their water.

 You might be wondering, beyond a vacation stay, is Carlsbad a good place to live? The answer is a resounding yes! There are amenities for everyone. Families will have a blast in the LEGOLAND® theme park. The Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch spans 50 acres of stunning flowers that bloom in spring. The city is also home to the storied La Costa golf courses, which is popular because of their long list of legendary tournaments and players.

 If you’re considering moving to Carlsbad, CA, read on to learn more about this amazing location.Things to Know Before Moving to Carlsbad, CA body image

Carlsbad, CA Housing Market

Carlsbad consists of 19 neighborhoods, with around 300 homes for sale, ranging from $30,000 to $38 million.

  • As of April 2022, the median listing home price in Carlsbad, CA was $1.4 million.
  • The median listing home price per square foot was $647, and the median home sold price was $1.5M.
  • Carlsbad, CA is a seller’s market, which means that there are more people looking to buy than there are properties available.
  • Residential properties in Carlsbad, CA sell after 37 days on the market, on average.

Carlsbad, CA Housing Market

Cost of Living in Carlsbad, CA

The overall cost of living index of Carlsbad, CA is almost twice the national average of 100, at 191.7.

  • The most expensive expense is housing, at 378.5 cost of living index.
  • The next highest cost of living index is transportation, at 125.6, followed by groceries, at 113.5.
  • The cost-of-living index for healthcare, at 89, and utilities, at 97.4 are relatively lower than the national average.
  • A family of four would require a total income of approximately $97,547 annually, or $8,129 monthly, to cover all the basic expenses.
  • The median family income in Carlsbad is $121,005, and the median household income is $87,416.

Cost of Living in Carlsbad, CA

Best Neighborhoods in Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad offers an array of different types of neighborhoods, from classic coastal to elegant developments in the foothills. Check out some of the best communities in the city:

  • Carlsbad Village, also known as Downtown, is the historic heart of Carlsbad and has a population of 3,360.
  • Here, residents enjoy laid-back California beach vibe, surf shops, year-round farmers’ market, locally owned boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and taco stands.
  • This community is bordered by Buena Vista Lagoon on the north, I-5 on the east, Carlsbad Village Dr on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.
  • The neighborhood consists of condos, apartments, townhomes, mid-20th century cottages, mobile homes, and a few historic homes.
  • The median home value in Carlsbad Village is $882,034, and the median rent price is $3,422.
  • The schools in this location include: Magnolia, Buena Vista, and Kelly Elementary Schools; Valley Middle School; Carlsbad Seaside Academy, Carlsbad Village Academy, Carlsbad and Sage Creek High Schools.
  • Olde Carlsbad is located directly east of Carlsbad Village, bordered by Buena Vista Lagoon, Jefferson St, and Hwy 78 on the north; El Camino Real on the east; Hillside Dr and Kelly Dr on the south; and the San Diego Freeway AKA I-5 on the west.
  • Residents of this community gather occasionally for neighborhood parties, gardening classes at the community center, and Christmas and Fourth of July events.
  • The community is very close to the beaches, which are just around five minutes away.
  • There is a wide array of housing types here, from seven-bedroom estates, mid-20th century bungalows, cottages, high-end tract homes, condos, and apartments.
  • The community has a population of 11,098.
  • The median home value in Olde Carlsbad is $866,112, and the median rent price is $3,270.
  • The schools in this location include: Magnolia, Buena Vista, and Kelly Elementary Schools; Valley Middle School; Carlsbad Seaside Academy, Carlsbad Village Academy, Carlsbad and Sage Creek High Schools.
  • Calavera Hills is slightly more affordable compared to other Carlsbad neighborhoods.
  • The rough borders are Hwy 78 and Vista Calavera on the north, College Blvd on the east, El Camino Real and Cannon Road on the south, and Carlsbad Village Dr on the west.
  • The housing types in this neighborhood include attractive condos, townhomes, and single-family residences.
  • Many of the homes in this neighborhood sit on small lots with narrow side yards.
  • About 74% of residents of Calavera Hills are homeowners.
  • Amenities include local coffee shops, grocery stores, dining places, movie theaters, and fitness centers.
  • Calavera Hills has a population of 9,845.
  • The median home value in this location is $688,568, and the median rent price is $2,978.
  • The schools in this area include: Calavera Hills, Hope, Breeze Hill, and Buena Vista Elementary Schools; Calavera Hills, Valley, and Madison Middle Schools; and Sage Creek, Carlsbad, and Rancho Buena Vista High Schools.
  • Robertson Ranch is located about eight minutes southeast of Carlsbad Village.
  • It is bordered by Calavera Hills Village on the north, Cannon Rd on the southeast, El Camino Real on the southwest, and Tamarack Ave on the northwest.
  • Homes in this neighborhood consist of large four and five-bedroom houses that sit on quarter-acre lots.
  • Home values range from $700,000 to $2.5 million.
  • Robertson Ranch has a total population of 1,160.
  • The median list price of homes in this location is $1.21 million, and there is Homeowners Association Fee that amounts to approximately $288 every month.
  • The median rent price is $3,120.
  • The schools in this area include: Kelly and Hope Elementary Schools; Valley Middle School; Sage Creek and Carlsbad High Schools.
  • Bressi Ranch roughly borders Palomar Airport Rd on the north, El Fuente St on the east, Poinsettia Lane on the south, and El Camino Real on the west.
  • The community offers a variety of housing types, including attached townhouses, condos, and elegant single-family homes.
  • Bressi Ranch is a child-friendly neighborhood with excellent schools and eight beautifully designed parks.
  • Some of the amenities of the Alga Norte Community Park are athletic fields, a dog park, and skatepark.
  • The total population of Bressi Ranch is 1,980.
  • The median sales price of houses here is $1,195,000, and the median rent price of apartments is $1,680.
  • The schools in this area include: Poinsettia Elementary School, Aviara Oaks Middle School, and Carlsbad High School.
Things to Know Before Moving to Carlsbad, CA

If you’d like to know your home options in Carlsbad, CA, I’d be very happy to help. Feel free to give me a call at 858-699-7627 or send me an email at erika@thealtmanbrothers.com to schedule an appointment.