I’m constantly getting asked about new construction neighborhoods in San Diego. In an
established city, new construction homes can be few and far between. In recent years though,
San Diego has invested in creating more homes to meet the housing demand and several of the
best new neighborhoods are located right here in North County San Diego. I share my Top 7
New Construction neighborhoods in this video!
Arlo in Torrey Highlands
Built by Lennar Homes, Arlo is part of the Merge56 project in Torrey Highlands. Centrally
located off the 56 freeway, it will be close to all the new amenities they are creating at
Merge56, while still being just a short drive to the beach and Downtown San Diego. The details
of what exactly the Merge56 project will include have changed in recent months (there was
even a recent community input night for the project in early January) so make sure you’re
subscribed to our YouTube Channel to keep up with all of those updates.
As of filming, Plan 1 is available now, with Plans 2 and 3 to come in the future. Plan 1 homes
start at $1,585,000 and the HOA is currently $308 per month. The Mello-Roos is $4,037/year. If
you’re not familiar with what a Mello-Roos fee is, it’s part of a bond that is levied to pay for all
of the improvements needed to sustain a new community like roads, water, electricity, schools,
and more.
The Farm in Poway
Poway is affectionately called “the City in the Country” and this new construction home project
actually sits on the site of the old StoneRidge Country Club. There are two neighborhoods
within this new community. The first is called “The Cottages,” and features ninety beautiful
homes boasting between three and five bedrooms. They have single story and two-story plans
available. The second neighborhood is called “The Homestead Collection,” and features twenty
larger homes, all with five bedrooms each. Together, these two neighborhoods make up “The
Farm.” There are no Mello-Roos fees at The Farm, but the HOA is $611/month, which is a
significant added cost. Lennar, the builder of these homes, plans to reserve much of the site as
open space, trails, and green areas so residents can enjoy that connection with nature that a
name like “The Farm” implies.
Avion in the Hills of Black Mountain
Another Lennar project, Avion is nestled in the hills of Black Mountain, right next to the
beautiful 4S Ranch community. These homes are three-stories, with the garage on the bottom
level, and have smaller backyards than some other homes nearby. The HOA is currently
$242/month and the Mello-Roos is $4,434/year. Pricing for these homes starts at mid $1.3
million. Amenities include a dog park and green belt. Some homes will also likely have stunning
views of the Black Mountain area. This community is located in the Poway Unified School
District (PUSD).
Lumen in Pacific Highlands Ranch
Built by Shea Homes, these brand-new townhomes are part of the newer community of Pacific
Highlands Ranch, between Carmel Valley and Torrey Highlands. The plans range in size from
1,600 sq. ft. to about 2,600 sq. ft. You are just around the corner from the Pacific Highlands
Ranch Town Center with a Trader Joe’s, shopping, dining, and other businesses. Some of these
townhomes are “shopkeeper” units which means you have commercial space on the bottom
floor that you will own and manage. This is a great option for people with small businesses or
who want to maximize the ROI of their investment. These townhomes start at $1.2 million with
Mello-Roos fees ranging from $2,500 to $4,900 per year.
Parkside in San Marcos
Heading north of the 56 to San Marcos, we land in another new Lennar community called
Parkside. These homes are actively selling and range in size from 2,900 to 3,400 sq. ft. These
homes offer a 5-bedroom floor plan. Community amenities include a pool, spa, dog park, picnic
area, and tot lot. The HOA is currently $252/month and the Mello-Roos is $3,124/year. A bit
less than some of the other new construction neighborhoods on our list.
Melrose Heights in Oceanside
Oceanside is an older San Diego community that has experienced a renaissance over the last
decade. It’s also the site of our next new construction neighborhood! One of the most
affordable options on this list, the Melrose Heights community has four different
neighborhoods. Three of them offer townhome-style units and many of the townhomes start in
the high $500,000’s. They also have one single-family-home community called Neptune.
Amenities include parks, a tot lot, and a community pool. All this plus you’re just a short drive
to downtown Oceanside and the beach! HOA fees range from $169-$270 per month. There are
no Mello-Roos fees here, though you do have to pay an annual $50 assessment fee to the city
of Oceanside.
East Cove Cottages in Encinitas
Encinitas rarely has new construction homes available, but Warmington Residential is currently
building fourteen homes in the new community of East Cove Cottages. These homes range in
size from 1,700 to 2,100 sq. ft. Mostly two-story homes, there are a few single-story homes
offered, though these may have sold out by publication. Something unique this builder did was
to make each floor plan and elevation a little bit different, which is a nice touch for a small
community. The HOA is $229/month and there is no Mello-Roos fee, just a $600 annual
assessment due to the city of Encinitas. This small pocket community is just east of the I-5
freeway, giving you easy access to downtown Encinitas and the beach.
Looking for a new home in San Diego? Whether you’re looking for a new build or the home of
your dreams, I would love to help you find it. I can represent you on the purchase of new
construction homes as well, and it’s a good idea to always seek your own representation apart
from the builder. Get in touch to get started today!