House Hunting in Orange County via AA and UA First Class
May 3, 2016, 8:22 pm
#31
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver CO
Programs: HHonors Gold, National Emerald Club, no airline affinity status
Posts: 3,347
Today was my first day of work at DIA (I took the A train). Even though I got off at 10am, a friend was flying home to IND later in the afternoon. I took a 2nd trip out to DIA at 4. We had dinner at Root Down based on your recommendation. It was pretty good. I had the burger with bacon & cheese. My friend had the Colorado Lamb sliders. I loved the sweet potato fries with the mustard looking dipping sauce. The parties on either side had the bento box like your wife had. By the way, I am working right next to the AA Lounge on the A Concourse.
Last edited by HawaiiTrvlr; May 3, 2016 at 8:34 pm
May 5, 2016, 6:21 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
Interesting and different TR! Hopefully you are under contract. I must admit I just spent some non-trivial time on Zillow and Redfin looking at the area. I think the DC real estate market has finally gotten to me since I found myself looking at the low-single-digit $M listings and thinking they were pretty good for what you get.
Today was my first day of work at DIA (I took the A train). Even though I got off at 10am, a friend was flying home to IND later in the afternoon. I took a 2nd trip out to DIA at 4. We had dinner at Root Down based on your recommendation. It was pretty good. I had the burger with bacon & cheese. My friend had the Colorado Lamb sliders. I loved the sweet potato fries with the mustard looking dipping sauce. The parties on either side had the bento box like your wife had. By the way, I am working right next to the AA Lounge on the A Concourse.
May 5, 2016, 5:44 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: AZ
Programs: DL, AA
Posts: 359
More inventory & taking longer to sell. I'm NOT a realtor. ACCDraw.2 & I are in same boat as you. Waiting for sellers to get the memo, their house isn't worth "that much".
May 5, 2016, 6:49 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Congratulations on the move. Funny, OC is on our family's shortlist for new places to move (we're done with NoVA), along with Denver, SLC, PDX, and SEA. Hope you enjoy your new home! 
And thanks for the nice TR as always.
And thanks for the nice TR as always.
May 6, 2016, 1:23 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 147
ACCDraw – in Newport I think the best value you can get for your money is Newport Heights. Lido is nice, but in my opinion only advantageous to the heights if you can afford harbor front. Driving onto Balboa Island on a summer Saturday is miserable … a few times of that would make me hate living there. I think SFO777 is on the right track settling in south Orange County. You get a bit more for your money outside of Newport/Laguna and really the only thing you’re losing is proximity to Los Angeles. If you don’t require commuting to Los Angeles area regularly there’s really nothing in my opinion that justifies the price difference between Newport and San Clemente for example.
I think Huntington Beach is interesting too. If you’re looking $5 MM plus I certainly wouldn’t look there, but there’s good value in the $2-3 MM range. And if you’re up in Huntington Harbour you have easy access to Seal Beach and Long Beach for restaurants.
Not sure I subscribe to the idea Newport Beach housing is due for a major correction. I don’t think there’s a lot of overleveraged residents. Banks haven’t been doing the crazy loans to my knowledge. There are no new housing developments with new buyers carrying high mortgages. Most of my neighbors have lived in their houses for years and have no or minimal mortgages. I paid cash. This seems to be true of people I know from Newport Coast to West Newport. That type of environment doesn’t breed fire sales to crash home prices. If you can find a place you’d be happy living for the next 10-15 years down here, even buying now after the market has come up a bit of the lows, it’ll likely be a decent investment in the end … If you plan to live there only a couple years and then expect to be able to move up I think in most cases you’re better off renting.
I think Huntington Beach is interesting too. If you’re looking $5 MM plus I certainly wouldn’t look there, but there’s good value in the $2-3 MM range. And if you’re up in Huntington Harbour you have easy access to Seal Beach and Long Beach for restaurants.
Not sure I subscribe to the idea Newport Beach housing is due for a major correction. I don’t think there’s a lot of overleveraged residents. Banks haven’t been doing the crazy loans to my knowledge. There are no new housing developments with new buyers carrying high mortgages. Most of my neighbors have lived in their houses for years and have no or minimal mortgages. I paid cash. This seems to be true of people I know from Newport Coast to West Newport. That type of environment doesn’t breed fire sales to crash home prices. If you can find a place you’d be happy living for the next 10-15 years down here, even buying now after the market has come up a bit of the lows, it’ll likely be a decent investment in the end … If you plan to live there only a couple years and then expect to be able to move up I think in most cases you’re better off renting.
May 6, 2016, 5:07 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 165
ACCDraw – in Newport I think the best value you can get for your money is Newport Heights. Lido is nice, but in my opinion only advantageous to the heights if you can afford harbor front. Driving onto Balboa Island on a summer Saturday is miserable … a few times of that would make me hate living there. I think SFO777 is on the right track settling in south Orange County. You get a bit more for your money outside of Newport/Laguna and really the only thing you’re losing is proximity to Los Angeles. If you don’t require commuting to Los Angeles area regularly there’s really nothing in my opinion that justifies the price difference between Newport and San Clemente for example.
I think Huntington Beach is interesting too. If you’re looking $5 MM plus I certainly wouldn’t look there, but there’s good value in the $2-3 MM range. And if you’re up in Huntington Harbour you have easy access to Seal Beach and Long Beach for restaurants.
Not sure I subscribe to the idea Newport Beach housing is due for a major correction. I don’t think there’s a lot of overleveraged residents. Banks haven’t been doing the crazy loans to my knowledge. There are no new housing developments with new buyers carrying high mortgages. Most of my neighbors have lived in their houses for years and have no or minimal mortgages. I paid cash. This seems to be true of people I know from Newport Coast to West Newport. That type of environment doesn’t breed fire sales to crash home prices. If you can find a place you’d be happy living for the next 10-15 years down here, even buying now after the market has come up a bit of the lows, it’ll likely be a decent investment in the end … If you plan to live there only a couple years and then expect to be able to move up I think in most cases you’re better off renting.
I think Huntington Beach is interesting too. If you’re looking $5 MM plus I certainly wouldn’t look there, but there’s good value in the $2-3 MM range. And if you’re up in Huntington Harbour you have easy access to Seal Beach and Long Beach for restaurants.
Not sure I subscribe to the idea Newport Beach housing is due for a major correction. I don’t think there’s a lot of overleveraged residents. Banks haven’t been doing the crazy loans to my knowledge. There are no new housing developments with new buyers carrying high mortgages. Most of my neighbors have lived in their houses for years and have no or minimal mortgages. I paid cash. This seems to be true of people I know from Newport Coast to West Newport. That type of environment doesn’t breed fire sales to crash home prices. If you can find a place you’d be happy living for the next 10-15 years down here, even buying now after the market has come up a bit of the lows, it’ll likely be a decent investment in the end … If you plan to live there only a couple years and then expect to be able to move up I think in most cases you’re better off renting.
Needless to say, there is a lot going on in South Orange county to give prospective buyers or renters cause for caution when selecting a home. (hence my PM to the OP).
May 7, 2016, 5:57 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
If you don't mind relinquishing a view for walkability, check out Corona Del Mar, Balboa Island & Lido Island. 10" from SNA. 5" from Fashion Island. More inventory & taking longer to sell. I'm NOT a realtor. ACCDraw.2 & I are in same boat as you. Waiting for sellers to get the memo, their house isn't worth "that much".
ACCDraw – in Newport I think the best value you can get for your money is Newport Heights. Lido is nice, but in my opinion only advantageous to the heights if you can afford harbor front. Driving onto Balboa Island on a summer Saturday is miserable … a few times of that would make me hate living there. I think SFO777 is on the right track settling in south Orange County. You get a bit more for your money outside of Newport/Laguna and really the only thing you’re losing is proximity to Los Angeles. If you don’t require commuting to Los Angeles area regularly there’s really nothing in my opinion that justifies the price difference between Newport and San Clemente for example.
I think Huntington Beach is interesting too. If you’re looking $5 MM plus I certainly wouldn’t look there, but there’s good value in the $2-3 MM range. And if you’re up in Huntington Harbour you have easy access to Seal Beach and Long Beach for restaurants.
Not sure I subscribe to the idea Newport Beach housing is due for a major correction. I don’t think there’s a lot of overleveraged residents. Banks haven’t been doing the crazy loans to my knowledge. There are no new housing developments with new buyers carrying high mortgages. Most of my neighbors have lived in their houses for years and have no or minimal mortgages. I paid cash. This seems to be true of people I know from Newport Coast to West Newport. That type of environment doesn’t breed fire sales to crash home prices. If you can find a place you’d be happy living for the next 10-15 years down here, even buying now after the market has come up a bit of the lows, it’ll likely be a decent investment in the end … If you plan to live there only a couple years and then expect to be able to move up I think in most cases you’re better off renting.
I think Huntington Beach is interesting too. If you’re looking $5 MM plus I certainly wouldn’t look there, but there’s good value in the $2-3 MM range. And if you’re up in Huntington Harbour you have easy access to Seal Beach and Long Beach for restaurants.
Not sure I subscribe to the idea Newport Beach housing is due for a major correction. I don’t think there’s a lot of overleveraged residents. Banks haven’t been doing the crazy loans to my knowledge. There are no new housing developments with new buyers carrying high mortgages. Most of my neighbors have lived in their houses for years and have no or minimal mortgages. I paid cash. This seems to be true of people I know from Newport Coast to West Newport. That type of environment doesn’t breed fire sales to crash home prices. If you can find a place you’d be happy living for the next 10-15 years down here, even buying now after the market has come up a bit of the lows, it’ll likely be a decent investment in the end … If you plan to live there only a couple years and then expect to be able to move up I think in most cases you’re better off renting.
San Clemente is very also very expensive. Our town home is only 1150 SQFT and is worth about 550K- because it has an ocean view and is near a golf course. Needless to say, there is a lot going on in South Orange county to give prospective buyers or renters cause for caution when selecting a home. (hence my PM to the OP).
LOL. Thanks arlflyer.
May 7, 2016, 6:17 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,319
It's funny you're moving back to CA (where I grew up), as most Californians are moving here to CO and making life hell for us 🙄😁. I'm thinking of doing the same though with how crazy the market is now, but definitely never back to CA for me, I'd go broke quickly!
Wish you both the best, keep the great TRs coming!
Wish you both the best, keep the great TRs coming!
May 9, 2016, 6:50 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
It's funny you're moving back to CA (where I grew up), as most Californians are moving here to CO and making life hell for us 🙄😁. I'm thinking of doing the same though with how crazy the market is now, but definitely never back to CA for me, I'd go broke quickly! Wish you both the best, keep the great TRs coming!
May 9, 2016, 9:00 pm
#42
was thetravelingRedhead
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Western Michigan
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Silver Premier
Posts: 642
Very nice TR and good luck with move!
That UA club spread looks decent... surprising.
I'm in the same boat too- Moving from Chicago to Dallas later this month!
That UA club spread looks decent... surprising.
I'm in the same boat too- Moving from Chicago to Dallas later this month!
Jun 11, 2016, 10:10 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,341
I do hope you don't have your shoes on the bulkhead under that blanket 
The St Regis looks like a really nice property.
Glad you found a new home without delay, and hope the move has gone well!
The St Regis looks like a really nice property.
Glad you found a new home without delay, and hope the move has gone well!
Last edited by Genius1; Jun 11, 2016 at 10:24 am
Jun 11, 2016, 4:00 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
We're almost completely finished with the move... moved in 10 days ago and the boxes are all gone. The art is being hung today... by a professional since Mrs. SFO refuses to let me hang pictures. Not sure why she insisted on someone else. No one can see all those hit-and-miss holes in the wall when the picture covers them.
