I want to raise my kids in a 'neighborhood' where people actually talk to each other. Does this exist? (Santa Clarita: renting, house)

[tiresidedown]

I've lived in CA since 87 and haven't found a place like that yet. I have 2 and 4 year old sons and I want to plant the family somewhere and stay there, develop friendships with neighbors, be able to walk places and call it home.

I moved a lot as a kid and have no community roots and few long-time friends. I have no problem making acquaintances, but I never really learned how to develop long-term friendships and I want my kids to grow up in one place and have roots.

Preferences:
Beach not far
ability to get out into trails/nature
good schools
progressive, young community

Ideas?

[NewportBorn]

Dana Point CA
Carlsbad CA
Encinitas CA

[pll]

Village Park, Encinitas, CA.

[jaynetarzana]

Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea or Leucadia. I have friends who live in Encinitas right now and they know their neighbors and there is a yearly neighborhood party as well as a dinner party where you move from one house to the next and meet your neighbors. They really like it.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by tiresidedown

I want to plant the family somewhere and stay there,
Beach not far
ability to get out into trails/nature
good schools
progressive, young community

Where is your (and spouse's) job?
What line of work are you in?
Renting or buying? What is your budget or price range?

Without this information you will probably get responses spray painted all over the place.

Also, it's hard to measure the probability of making friends. People with no friends aren't friendless because of where they live and people with friends have them despite where they live.

[FresnoFacts]

I live in one of those neighborhoods, its just that its a few hours inland from the beach.

My neighbors invite each other over for BBQs, Bunco parties, etc. Parents are always watching out for each others kids. Need to borrow a tool, no problem. Going out of town, there is always a neighbor who will watch the house and water the plants.

That life exists, you just need to look for it.

[ImRandy]

What is a Bunco party?

[maja]

Santa Clarita (except for the beach)

[maja]

Originally Posted by ImRandy

What is a Bunco party?

Its a dice game women get together to play while their husbands play Texas Hold-Em. Real hot in the yuppy, burb world.

[Twinkle Toes]

If I had bunco parties, I'd call our group "The Bunco Squad".

I live in a 'hood where we all get together and have dinner parties and get togethers, but we don't have the beach. We all have pools in our backyards though!