Jeff Dowler offers excellent relocation tips. Jeff is known as The Southern California Relocation Dude and his article leaves no question he's the expert. There are many details to consider when relocating that go far beyond finding a home.
Why You Should See, Hear, and Touch the Community
When Relocating to Carlsbad
Most people who are relocating to an area they don’t know find it to be a tough challenge. This is true even if you know you want to be there, perhaps know people there, and have heard the sorts of things about the area that appeal to you or have been doing some research online – you ARE, aren’t you?
WHAT IS YOUR LIFESTYLE?
While finding the right house that meets your needs and budget is key, I find that for most buyers lifestyle is at the top of the list, which means the community and all it offers is also at the top of the list.
For buyers relocating from a distance this becomes a huge challenge when searching for a home online, since you can’t readily explore the areas that might work for you, your lifestyle and of course your budget when you find homes you like online.
FREE QUESTIONNAIRES TO ASSIST YOU
As you get started you’ll want to give some careful thought to your desired lifestyle and what that really means, as well as the specific needs for your new home.
I like to share my Buyers Lifestyle Questionnaire and a checklist, What's Important to You in Your Home Search (FREE Download from my website) as an additional way of helping those of you who are moving narrow down those issues that matter to you so I can better assist in finding the right property and the right community.
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE, HEAR, AND TOUCH THE COMMUNITY!
Yes, you can learn lot online these days about communities and the amenities they offer. But you really have to see, hear and touch the community when relocating as part of your home search to truly get a sense whether the area meets your needs and feels comfortable to you. This is even more important when moving from an area that is quite different from where you are moving to, say from Boston to Southern California as I did 14 years ago. Talk about culture shock!!
Videos, aerial and street views on Google Earth or Google Maps, and blog articles about neighborhoods combined with photos help capture the look and feel of communities or specific neighborhoods you may be interested in. Check out the Aviara Carlsbad lifestyle:
But there is nothing like driving through the area, walking the streets and sidewalks, listening to the noises, and exploring the amenities and services close by.
I strongly recommend to relocation clients (a big part of my business) that they spend a portion of their house hunting trip here to the Carlsbad area or nearby, before and after we tour homes, driving around and exploring, so they can see, hear and touch the community and experience it in real life, and get a glimpse at the lifestyle they could enjoy.
I provide a tour myself as part of my relocation services, but there is no substitute for doing it yourself, in my opinion.
EXPLORE THE COMMUNITY!
Of course I can answer lots of questions about the area since I have lived here for a number of years, but having a real-life experience, even for part of a day or two, in a neighborhood or the larger community is key:
Learn where and what the shopping is, especially grocery stores
Explore nearby services, recreational activities (golf, tennis, swimming, the beach, parks and playgrounds), and tourist attractions (depending on what’s important)
Check out the dining options – if that’s important you might want to do some tasting, too!
Check out the commuting routes and traffic patterns (don’t forget to explore rush hour on major roads – apps online can only tell you so much!)
Listen to noises (e.g., street noise, trains, a particularly busy road nearby or the freeway, general neighborhood noises at different times of the day)
Visit parks and other recreational amenities (e.g., golf, skate parks, dog parks, tennis clubs, swim clubs)
Check out views and other matters which are important OR that you might not like (e.g., views of retail space, high-tension towers and wires, light industrial areas, a golf course, the ocean, green-space, the back-country and mountains)
Only then can you really know that the house (or houses) you like are in a community that appeals to you and your lifestyle and needs.
NEXT STEPS IN YOUR RELOCATION?
Give me a call at (760) 840-1360 so we can talk about your move, your needs, concerns and questions, and how I will help you in your relocation.
Need some tips on moving to the Carlsbad area? Check out my Relocation Tips and Advice video series playlist on my YouTube Channel.
SEARCH FOR HOMES IN CARLSBAD AND NEARBY
You can search the complete inventory of homes for sale in Carlsbad by clicking on the photo to the right, and then check out other areas, too.
I can also create a custom search for you based on your specific criteria and budget – let’s talk soon!
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CHECK OUT THESE USEFUL REAL ESTATE & COMMUNITY LINKS BELOW
ALL ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RELOCATION DUDE (link)
If I can provide more information about homes for sale in Carlsbad and in surrounding areas, our local housing market conditions, or assist you, friends or family in a purchase or sale, please contact my mobile office or text me at (760) 840-1360, or email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com
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Serving Carlsbad (including Aviara, La Costa & Carlsbad Village), Encinitas (including Leucadia & Olivenhain), Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos (including San Elijo Hills), Oceanside, Escondido, and Greater San Diego
All content ©Copyright by Jeff Dowler. All rights reserved.
Solutions Real Estate (CA DRE lic #01470977)
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