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Hello, and a Question About Julington Creek / St. Johns / etc.
Hi girls! Long time no post. I've been too swamped at work to get on the nest for the past few months, but I've still managed to lurk from time to time. Hopefully once things calm down I can become a regular. I would still like to attend a GTG one of these days, but honestly...I'm scared because I'm shy!! 
I know a few of you have posted about the Julington Creek area, so I'm hoping you can offer some input. We're looking at new construction in the Durbin Crossing and Aberdeen subdivisions off CR 210 (is that even considered Julington Creek?). I haven't ever really spent any time in that section of town since I moved here, so I know nothing about it. Every time I ask someone about that area, I'm told that "it's really nice, but it's so far away from everything." Is it really THAT far? We've driven down there a few times and it didn't seem too bad to me. I work downtown and I'm wondering how long of a commute it would be to work. I would be commuting during rush hour in the morning, but I generally stay at work pretty late, so I assume I would miss rush hour at night.
For those who live in that area - what do you think about the distance?
Re: Hello, and a Question About Julington Creek / St. Johns / etc.
I actually live in Durbin Crossing & work in Riverside. When I work 730-430, the commute takes me 35 minutes. If I work 8-5, it takes me 45+ minutes. It just depends on the time of day. For me, I don't think it's that bad. DH & I commute together a lot of the time since he works off Phillips & University area.
Honestly, I would not buy in Aberdeen. I think I heard from someone (Kappa maybe?) that the neighborhood was in foreclosure or some other sort of financial trouble. I run through Aberdeen on my long runs & it just looks SO empty.
Our neighborhood is building like crazy though & is in no financial trouble.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM or Facebook me
I grew up in that area. CD is spot on with the commute times. 210 area is called St. Johns, not Julington Creek.
Aberdeen itself is not in foreclosure, I work with several homebuilders who are actively selling in that community. I think 210 is more convenient with easier access to 95.
Aberdeen is in default, not foreclosure:
http://floridacddreport.com/defaults.cfm
As a homeowner, you it can have serious impact on the value of your home as well as the CDD fee that you pay. You aren't goin to lose your home just because the CDD defaults, but it might not be what you had in mind when you purchased.
Also, without money, there isn't upkeep for neighborhood & amenities centers.... so no one would be taking care of the pool, trimming the hedges, mowing grass in common areas, etc.
Our realtor didn't even take us to look at Aberdeen. She said she didn't feel comfortable with the neighborhood at the time & we took her word for it.
I live off 210 in one of the new developments. I don't think we are that far from things. 25 minutes to Town Center. DH works downtown and his commute is 30-45. I like not being in the middle of everything but having lots of stuff not too far. We tend to go to St Aug instead of Jax a lot of times too.
As for the builders... I am in a Horton community and am not happy. We were the 6th house to close and were sold a bill of lies to be honest. There are close to 50 houses here now. For us, being in default means that the clubhouse/pool/amenities we were sold/promised will not be happening. We are paying a bond fee for NOTHING. Now, the new homeowners don't have to pay it and are aware that there will be no amenities. Looking towards the future for us, it makes it very difficult to sell our home. B/c of foreclosure on the land holder, they have "no money" for upkeep and mowing. So, we are crazy overgrown to the point that the neighbors maintain the common areas.
I would be happy to share more via PM if you like. Bottom line, buy existing
I've heard some truly horrendous things about DR Horton. I spent countless hours reading online reviews of home builders & I read so many horror stories about them. I think I know which community you're in....
Or don't buy in a neighborhood that isn't at least 50% complete
I've been wondering where you were.
I think you're looking in very nice areas. These areas are being built up, so eventually they will not be so far from everything, just far from the "everything" that most people are used to.
How is it that my BABY is going to be 3?
BFP-2/25/11; 8 Wk U/S-3/25/11-No HB, measured 6.5 wks; D&C
Wow, I am so sorry you're dealing with that! I'd be so sad about not getting the amenities you're paying for. That's definitely not fair. What happens to the bond you're paying into?
How is it that my BABY is going to be 3?
BFP-2/25/11; 8 Wk U/S-3/25/11-No HB, measured 6.5 wks; D&C
That's what I was thinking. I just needed to hear it from someone else.
All this info is very helpful. We definitely need to do a lot more research before we go any further. Thanks again, everyone!
a portion of the bond fee goes towards the infrastructure that is already here. Since there are no amenities, we have virtually no O&M. That helps but we still have a 30 yr bond. There is discussion among the 14 of us that it impacts to talk to an attorney. Right now the bond holder is holding Horton in default and I think a lawsuit will be forthcoming. In turn, Horton is foreclosing on some company it is in bed with as a landholder. It is just one giant mess.
When we first bought, 3 1/2 yrs ago, we were sold on having "free" cable as part of our HOA dues. We planned on having DirecTv so we really didnt care one way or the other since we werent paying for it. Maybe 6 months later they called a meeting and said oopsie, we "forgot" to budget in the free cable. So now each lot has to pay an extra $490 for cable no one is using. sorry for your luck! The look on the sales guy's face was awful. He had no clue.
Again though, this is a reflection on Horton, not on the area. I really do love living down here. I just hate for someone else to get stuck like we are =(
Yep, that was me. We were looking at new construction in Aberdeen because we fell in love with a floorplan offered there by Richmond American (why it's only available in Aberdeen, I have no idea) but the more we learned, the more leery we became. The neighborhood is in financial trouble so I'd proceed with caution if I were you. Don't make any rushed decisions. We're still looking at Durbin Crossing and the other areas nearby, but I'm just skeptical as to whether or not Aberdeen will ever build out completely. They have all kinds of amenities planned (hence the CDD fees), but I'll be surprised if they ever come to fruition. If you're going to buy in a community with CDD fees (and an HOA for that matter), you want to make sure they're in good financial standing.
01.03.09 {MARRIED BIO}
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Kappa, that's so weird about the Richmond floor plan. Will they not build it in Durbin Crossing? They have lots off of Veterans Parkway in DC.
The last time we checked (which was admittedly a few months ago), this particular floorplan still wasn't offered in DC, but I hope that changes. The base price is near the top of our budget so once we added in all the extras, it could end up being too expensive anyway.
01.03.09 {MARRIED BIO}
Make a pregnancy ticker