The Meadows, Lake Forest by Toll Brothers

CalBears96 said:
Why do you even recommend GP? MR is ridiculous and most of them, other than Altair, are condos.

As for school, personally, I would also prefer my son to go to a school where competition is less intense (but not MUCH less). I actually wouldn't want him to go to IUSD. 😂
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You're definitely correct on the ridiculous mello roo situation in GP. And the fact that not one of the new homes in Solis has a driveway is aggravating. The only reasons I would say GP > Eastwood is because I feel like Eastwood is too overrated for the amount of money it costs. The new developments are all nearing 2M at the lowest for the same copy-and-paste house. Obviously, Irvine is known for its copy-and-paste style but at least with other communities (such as GP) there are top-of-the-notch amenities and park/trail systems.

Eastwood only has two parks for the entire village and is irritatingly close to that asphalt plant as well (that's definitely the biggest issue I see plaguing the community as of late). Not to mention the fact that some streets in Eastwood are a mere few yards from Northwood, making that entire portion of the village look so mismatched. If I had to buy a house in great park (which I never would) at least I would feel secure knowing I have 9+ community parks and neighborhood trails and coffee shops to go to vs. two community pools and a sidewalk path. Eastwood is the ugly sister of Stonegate. And with the new Orchard Hills community coming up, Eastwood Elementary will be more crowded than ever. In GP I believe there are 3 K-8 schools and one high school all within walkable distance.

In case it wasn't clear I definitely do not recommend anyone purchasing in great park, but I definitely suggest it over Eastwood. The biggest problem aside from costs and such is definitely the lack of retail, but I feel like that isn't specific to great park but more the whole north Irvine area. At least that "Five Point X" project seemed to have been approved, but we know how Irvine can be 🤷‍♂️
 
It's true that GP has a lot of community parks, but its HOA fees are also like $400, while it's $139 at Eastwood.

PS also has a lot of community parks, something like 17, but we only pay $281 for HOA fees (for condos) or $168 for SFR.

You can say that IP homes (not just EW, although EW is more overpriced than PS) are overpriced, which is true, but they are superior to the homes at GP. The ones GP that have similar sq ft as IP homes are 3 stories.

In terms of lack of retails, I feel that PS and GP are in the worst shape.

I see some construction going on at Irvine Blvd between Axis and Magazine, next to Altair, but I don't know what they're building there.
 
CalBears96 said:
It's true that GP has a lot of community parks, but its HOA fees are also like $400, while it's $139 at Eastwood.

PS also has a lot of community parks, something like 17, but we only pay $281 for HOA fees (for condos) or $168 for SFR.

You can say that IP homes (not just EW, although EW is more overpriced than PS) are overpriced, which is true, but they are superior to the homes at GP. The ones GP that have similar sq ft as IP homes are 3 stories.

In terms of lack of retails, I feel that PS and GP are in the worst shape.

I see some construction going on at Irvine Blvd between Axis and Magazine, next to Altair, but I don't know what they're building there.
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I definitely think PS is one of the best (if not the best) villages in Irvine. I just wish there was more diversity in terms of entertainment and retail. And by "diversity" I mean the bare minimum.

Next time you are out in the Altair area would you mind taking pictures of said construction site? I am interested in knowing what's happening. It could just be that dirt company they have had their for a while.
 
Looks like the 7th and final installment will be The Sequoias (in lieu of the school). At 3400-3500+ sqft, this will be the highest tier home within the community.

IMO, not such a bad thing as it’ll elevate the value of the community overall.
 
anteaterMD said:
Looks like the 7th and final installment will be The Sequoias (in lieu of the school). At 3400-3500+ sqft, this will be the highest tier home within the community.

IMO, not such a bad thing as it’ll elevate the value of the community overall.
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The problem I see with it is it’s in the worst location in the meadows. Near bake pkwy & rancho pkwy.
 
Based only on the square footage range and borrowed pictures, it looks like The Sequoias will be a reboot of The Evergreens.

Agreed on the location being among the worst in The Meadows. I wonder if the builder will do anything to adjust for that, like larger lots, a park that isn't a death trap of ropes for children, and/or pricing.

Speaking of pricing, check out those Magnolia model prices. $2.9M, $3.1M, and $3.2M. The recent non models were selling for around $2.2M I think...
 
anteaterMD said:
Looks like the 7th and final installment will be The Sequoias (in lieu of the school). At 3400-3500+ sqft, this will be the highest tier home within the community.

IMO, not such a bad thing as it’ll elevate the value of the community overall.
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I hope they build the model homes soon. If one thing that TB does well is their exterior. We think they have the best exterior design. Their front yard landscaping is second to none. We would like to see their models to get some idea for our front yard landscaping when we move into Cielo in 6-8 months. Would be nice if they have the models by then.
 
someguy said:
Based only on the square footage range and borrowed pictures, it looks like The Sequoias will be a reboot of The Evergreens.

Agreed on the location being among the worst in The Meadows. I wonder if the builder will do anything to adjust for that, like larger lots, a park that isn't a death trap of ropes for children, and/or pricing.

Speaking of pricing, check out those Magnolia model prices. $2.9M, $3.1M, and $3.2M. The recent non models were selling for around $2.2M I think...
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$2.9M, $3.0M*, and $3.2M
 
anteaterMD said:
Looks like the 7th and final installment will be The Sequoias (in lieu of the school). At 3400-3500+ sqft, this will be the highest tier home within the community.

IMO, not such a bad thing as it’ll elevate the value of the community overall.
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Are you a resident of The Meadows? If so, do you have kids? I'm wondering how people feel about the lack of a school from a personal perspective. I don't know anyone who lives there so I haven't had a chance to get a real feel for that. From an outsider looking in, it seems like a school was necessary, but maybe most residents don't feel that way. I know I referenced something back in this thread about upset residents, but now that more people moved in I'm curious about the general consensus.
 
irviniteeee said:
Are you a resident of The Meadows? If so, do you have kids? I'm wondering how people feel about the lack of a school from a personal perspective. I don't know anyone who lives there so I haven't had a chance to get a real feel for that. From an outsider looking in, it seems like a school was necessary, but maybe most residents don't feel that way. I know I referenced something back in this thread about upset residents, but now that more people moved in I'm curious about the general consensus.
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Couldn't the residents sue Toll Brothers & the city? The city I feel has the most to be blamed. As a city, they know what the enrollment in each school is and whether or not a school is needed. The fact they ended up saying the school is not needed due to sufficient openings in the current schools makes the entire situation very suspicious.
 
The community lost all leverage for a school to be built once homes were sold. Zero chance they can get enough homeowners to care enough to initiate a lawsuit. People get outraged at a $5 HOA increase... so to collectively hire a lawyer and proceed with a potential legal fight? Laughable.
 
The school was a brilliant marketing ploy by TB. There's no legal recourse.

1) The uncertainty of the school was disclosed by TB in purchase documents
2) The city declined to build the school, so the option passed to SVUSD
3) SVUSD declined to build the school, so the land reverted back to TB
4) TB offered to pay SVUSD 150% of statutory developmental fees (for what will be the "Sequoia" tract), SVUSD happily accepted
5) The original proposal took many years for the relevant government agencies to evaluate, meanwhile, TB was selling houses and informing buyers of the proposed school
6) Upon completion of the evaluation, the various agencies determined (A) the school site was one of the worst ever proposed in California, (B) SVUSD did not have the enrollment or demographic projections to justify the construction of a new school, and (C) SVUSD did not have the financial ability to support the construction of a new school.

So in short, the proposed school was DOA, TB disclosed the proposal to buyers, TB benefited from the idea of a proposed school they placed buyer's heads, the community was nearly sold out by the time the government declined to build the school.

Short of an e-mail between TB executives saying "We know it will take years for the government to decline a school but that is enough time for us to sell out the community, so let's inform buyers of the proposal along with the required legal disclosures for the marketing benefit even though we are nearly certain one will never be built, muaahahahaha", there's nothing anyone can do.
 
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someguy said:
The school was a brilliant marketing ploy by TB. There's no legal recourse.

1) The uncertainty of the school was disclosed by TB in purchase documents
2) The city declined to build the school, so the option passed to SVUSD
3) SVUSD declined to build the school, so the land reverted back to TB
4) TB offered to pay SVUSD 150% of statutory developmental fees (for what will be the "Sequoia" tract), SVUSD happily accepted
5) The original proposal took many years for the relevant government agencies to evaluate, meanwhile, TB was selling houses and informing buyers of the proposed school
6) Upon completion of the evaluation, the various agencies determined (A) the school site was one of the worst ever proposed in California, (B) SVUSD did not have the enrollment or demographic projections to justify the construction of a new school, and (C) SVUSD did not have the financial ability to support the construction of a new school.

So in short, the proposed school was DOA, TB disclosed the proposal to buyers, TB benefited from the idea of a proposed school they placed buyer's heads, the community was nearly sold out by the time the government declined to build the school.

Short of an e-mail between TB executives saying "We know it will take years for the government to decline a school but that is enough time for us to sell out the community, so let's inform buyers of the proposal along with the required legal disclosures for the marketing benefit even though we are nearly certain one will never be built, muaahahahaha", there's nothing anyone can do.
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Very interesting. Thanks for breaking that down. Welp as I said before, buyers gotta do their due diligence at the end of the day. Can't trust the builder or your buying agent.
 
someguy said:
The school was a brilliant marketing ploy by TB. There's no legal recourse.

1) The uncertainty of the school was disclosed by TB in purchase documents
2) The city declined to build the school, so the option passed to SVUSD
3) SVUSD declined to build the school, so the land reverted back to TB
4) TB offered to pay SVUSD 150% of statutory developmental fees (for what will be the "Sequoia" tract), SVUSD happily accepted
5) The original proposal took many years for the relevant government agencies to evaluate, meanwhile, TB was selling houses and informing buyers of the proposed school
6) Upon completion of the evaluation, the various agencies determined (A) the school site was one of the worst ever proposed in California, (B) SVUSD did not have the enrollment or demographic projections to justify the construction of a new school, and (C) SVUSD did not have the financial ability to support the construction of a new school.

So in short, the proposed school was DOA, TB disclosed the proposal to buyers, TB benefited from the idea of a proposed school they placed buyer's heads, the community was nearly sold out by the time the government declined to build the school.

Short of an e-mail between TB executives saying "We know it will take years for the government to decline a school but that is enough time for us to sell out the community, so let's inform buyers of the proposal along with the required legal disclosures for the marketing benefit even though we are nearly certain one will never be built, muaahahahaha", there's nothing anyone can do.
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It wasn't just residents in Meadows that were hoping for the school a ton of people in Baker Ranch were also holding their breath for this school that never had a chance....
 
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