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Catalina Island

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Ever since arriving in Newport Beach I had wanted to visit Santa Catalina Island. It’s one of those things where because it’s right there, just 25 miles off shore, you tend to put it off….constantly. Anyway, late summer 2014 and my old buddy ‘Big Wave’ Dave was in town from Bend, OR. This was the perfect opportunity to make that long awaited trip.

What we had not bargained for was the Annual jazz festival taking place on the same weekend so literally every hotel room in Avalon was booked solid!

Plan B – Day Trip. We would drive down to Dana Point on Saturday morning and get the 7.45am Catalina Express ferry over to Avalon.

The ferry ride takes about 80 minutes from Dana Point harbor and costs around $75 for a return ticket. It’s worth booking online and arriving early as parking can be an issue.

Once docked you stroll around the harbor, past t-shirt shops and touristy stuff, and into the little town of Avalon. The Island was once owned by William Wrigley Jr and he had developed Avalon into a resort island destination. It was more like Bend OR, cloudy and a little chilly when we arrived so decided to find a hole in the wall breakfast joint. Both Dave and I decided to head out of town and we stumbled upon a ‘locals’ hangout called The Sandtrap where we enjoyed a breakfast burrito and yet another cup of coffee.

The clouds cleared and it was turning into a gorgeous California day. Next stop was back into the town to find a golf cart to rent (loads of them about) to tour the Island. We opted for a 4 hour rental which was more than enough. Some wonderful views overlooking the harbor (Dave is considerably shorter than he looks in the photo!).

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We stopped off on the tour to take photos (there is a zip line and various little bars) and headed back into town. Walking around to the famous Avalon Casino, we found a little gem of a spot (Descanso Beach – from town walk towards the Casino and keep going) we had a beer and enjoyed the rest of the late Summer day.

As for the Real Estate in Avalon there was plenty of vacation rentals and time share options plus small/medium type boutique hotels and B&B’s. Up on the hills overlooking the harbor larger homes were being built. It has a very laid back feel but there was definitely a new buzz with upscale restaurants and shops starting to line the main beach area.

If you want to venture beyond Avalon then there are shuttle buses available to take you to campgrounds etc. You can also get hiking and biking permits.

Our ferry home was 7pm but there were earlier options.

“Man in underpants coming through”

 

Gray Dove

California Dreaming – November 2014

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Irvine 

The City of Irvine has been created out of a Master Plan that was developed by the Irvine Company in the middle of the last century. The Irvine Ranch consisted of over 100,000 acres and stretched from the Pacific Ocean inland some 25 miles.

Modern transportation links, a business friendly environment and a world class school system make Irvine the destination of choice for many families. It is also consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the United States.

Condominiums (flats), Town Homes and Single Family Residences (detached house) are available.

Irvine offers more of a family experience but still only a few miles from the surf and sand.

To find out more about living the California Dream, please contact Ross;

Ross@RossStJohnArmstrong.com
+1 949.689.1669

Desert Modern

California Dreaming – October 2014

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Desert Modernism

Since the 1920’s visionary modernist Architects have designed sleek, modern homes that embrace the Desert environment. The geographic surroundings of the Coachella Valley have inspired a design aesthetic that is called “Desert Modernism”.

Palm Springs and the surrounding areas (Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and La Quinta) are an easy 2 hour freeway drive from Los Angles or Newport. There are also non-stop flights from Los Angeles ( LAX) into Palm Springs (PSP).

A warm dry climate with Winter (Oct-Mar) temperatures in the 70’s . Summer (Apr-Sept) are much hotter, often well past 100 degrees F. Many properties do have swimming pools.

Real Estate in the Desert tends to be a lot more affordable than many of the Coastal towns.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information on buying Real Estate in Palm Springs or California in general. I will be able to provide a full suite of services to help with the transition from UK to US.

If you would like to learn more about the Real Estate opportunities in Palm Springs then please contact Ross

Ross@RossStJohnArmstrong.com
+1 949 689 1669

Peninsula

California Dreaming – September 2014

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Whether you intend to use a California Residence as a holiday retreat or something
more permanent, you will need help and advice to guide you through the process.

Within my team we have UK Citizens who have moved to the US and can, through
experience, pass on their first hand knowledge. The Service Provider Network which
includes Attorney’s, Tax Experts and Real Estate Professionals will be able to resolve
most issues as you move towards a California Lifestyle.

We are located in Newport Beach with easy access to both Los Angeles International
(LAX) and John Wayne Orange County (SNA) Airports.

Some of the concierge services we can provide are;
• Real Estate – Buying and Selling Residential/Investment Properties
• Mortgage and Loan Advice
• Visa and Immigration
• US Tax Strategy
• Property Management
• Travel Advice and Transportation Services

If you would like to find out more about living the California Dream, please contact Ross
Ross@RossStJohnArmstrong.com
+1 949.689.1669

1009Muirfield - Front_ ross armstong

California Dreaming – August 2014

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One-Stop Shop

Buying a property overseas can be a daunting prospect. There are a whole host of unfamiliar processes which create doubt and uncertainty. With this in mind, I have built a professional team that not only have a huge wealth of experience but understand the International perspective. Having moved from the UK to the US myself in 2001 I know what to expect and can provide first hand experience. Being able to provide a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for all your needs (Financial Loans, Visa and Immigration Analysis, Property Management and Tax Advice) helps make the process of buying Real Estate in California a lot less complicated.

We have a number of different financial programs for Foreign Nationals. Whether you plan on using the property as a holiday home up to 90 days per year, as a tourist, or as a Primary Residence due to your Resident Alien/Green Card status we can find the right program for you.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll be happy to provide you with the information you’re looking for.

Ross@RossStJohnArmstrong.com
+1 949.689.1669

JULY PROPERTY SHOWCASE

1009 Muirfield Drive
Newport Beach California 92660
List Price: $955,000 (£550,000 approx.)

Newport Beach Townhome located minutes away from the shops and restaurants at Fashion Island, the beaches of Corona Del Mar and Balboa Peninsula and a 10 minute drive from John Wayne Airport.

1,760 sqft with 2 bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms, 2 patios for entertaining and an attached double garage.

Further details on this property can be provided upon request.

NewportHarbor_ross armstrong

California Dreaming – April 2014

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With endless miles of sun-drenched sandy beaches stretching along the coastline from Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles to San Diego close to the Mexican border, Southern California is truly America’s sunshine state where every day is summer. While inland vineyards flourish on
almost every hillside, stunning scenery in the State’s National Parks also attracts residents and visitors alike to this land of contrasts and surprises.
Palm Springs basks in balmy temperatures in the midst of the desert landscape of the Coachella Valley, a short cable car ride brings visitors to the chilly heights of the Mount San Jacino State Park where cross-country skiing proves a popular pastime in the winter months.

It was this heady combination of year-round sunshine and infinite variety which brought Sutton Coldfield born Ross St.John Armstrong to Southern California a few years ago. A career with BP saw Ross move to the United States in 2001. After periods spent living and working in both Minneapolis and Chicago, he settled in Newport Beach, Orange County.

“My father is an architect and instilled a love of design and an interest in property in me from an early age,” Ross explained. “This combined with the fabulous lifestyle enjoyed across Southern
California inspired me to leave corporate life behind and pursue a career as a Real Estate Professional helping clients buy and sell property across the sunshine state.”

During his regular visits to see family and friends in Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and London Ross realized that for many UK residents dreams of buying a home in California would only ever be just a dream because of the complexities of the State’s Real Estate market and buying so far from home. However a recent collaboration with UK Estate Agents means that Ross can now offer a bespoke service for anyone wishing to buy their own California dream.

Owning your own home in California means that you can enjoy up to twelve weeks of sunshine living at any time of the year while earning a significant rental income throughout the remaining months. All legal, lending and property management advice is available through Ross’s affiliation with the Berkshire Hathaway Brokerage in the US so, whether it’s coastal living with ocean views or resort style living in an upscale condominium community, perhaps it’s time to make California dreaming a reality. Direct flights are available daily from Heathrow to Los Angeles while for passengers seeking a more scenic route via the US East Coast flights are also available direct to John Wayne Airport in the heart of Orange County.

To find out more about living the California Dream contact Ross:

Ross@RossStJohnArmstrong.com
+1 949.689.1669