Is Los Angeles/Southern California a Good Place to Raise Children? (San Diego: fit in, best cities)

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Sunil's Dad

Now I am married with preteen children.

I would not uproot my family just because you have pleasant memories of Southern California from twenty years ago. I hate to say it but the public schools in CA are not what they were 30 years ago, and certainly not what they were before Prop. 13 passed. You're probably aware that we are now in the middle of a state budget crisis. N.J. spends almost twice as much per pupil on instruction as CA does.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by BennyPhoenix

If I were you I wouldn't look for diverse schools. I'd look for good schools that are safe. Too many schools here are violent and gang ridden.
There are many decent schools here that are safe, most are diverse(IMO).
The better schools here will be mostly white and asian. You also cannot judge a school here by the neighborhood. Some awful schools are in good areas, some good schools are in OK areas.

I only want diverse schools (and neighborhoods) because I remember being the only one of my kind in my school growing up. Not a very good feeling. But as I said, safety trumps diversity in my book. I'd rather be in a monochromatic setting that is safe rather than a diverse, gang-ridden one. But if there is no real choice between the two, I'll just stay where I am.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

I would not uproot my family just because you have pleasant memories of Southern California from twenty years ago. I hate to say it but the public schools in CA are not what they were 30 years ago, and certainly not what they were before Prop. 13 passed. You're probably aware that we are now in the middle of a state budget crisis. N.J. spends almost twice as much per pupil on instruction as CA does.

Again, this is the kind of stuff I need to hear. Thanks.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by Charles

Where will you be working?

We have our own business and can live anywhere, within financial reason of course.

[the one]

as it stands, you can find a good house for 500k in this housing market now. prices have dropped substantially and you can get into some nice areas in LA.
the question is, will you be in LAUSD.
if you move to LA proper. then yes, you will be in LAUSD, but you can always opt for the local charter schools that have popped up all over this town. these can be some of the best schools.

if you dont move to LA proper, but greater LA, pasadena, south pas and surrounding areas can offer you the diversity, safety and housing stock you desire.

the south bay is also a good place. torrance(particularly closer to PV) is very nice.

both the south bay and the pasadena area are within a reasonable distance to LA(downtown). you get the excitement of LA, without having to dodge bullets.

if you are a more pioneering family man, you can always venture into silver lake, echo park, highland park and other LA neighborhoods. these are a bit more urban, vary block by block, have some poor performing skills, but you will get more bang for your buck.
(and if people try to tell you that black folk get killed in HLP, and its not safe. its an exageration. i regularly frequent the food 4 less in HLP and its pretty diverse with blacks, asians, browns, etc.)

or you can also bypass LA and go to santa clarita, or irvine, but thats not really LA anymore. its the LA area. orange county, north county.

it depends on what you want. but whatever it is, im positive LA has it, within reasonable prices.

[BennyPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Sunil's Dad

I only want diverse schools (and neighborhoods) because I remember being the only one of my kind in my school growing up. Not a very good feeling. But as I said, safety trumps diversity in my book. I'd rather be in a monochromatic setting that is safe rather than a diverse, gang-ridden one. But if there is no real choice between the two, I'll just stay where I am.

Most decent schools are diverse. Few neighborhoods are diverse here. Diverse neighborhoods will have a mix of latino, black, maybe some asian, but few if any whites. There is a good reason for it. There is a black neighborhood(ladera heights) that has some nice areas and is upper middle class black. Frankly, I cant think of a black or latino neighborhood(outside of ladera) that I would consider living in; and I am black. Blacks with money tend to move to Ladera Heights or to the better predominantly white areas.
Your best bet is living in a white neighborhood and sending your kids to a diverse school. I live in a white area and my neighbors have not been a problem. They are family people like me, and are fine. My kids have been bothered by some of the latino kids and the muslim kids at their school. The white kids dont bother them. Most of my kids friends are white, my son's best friend is white. They behave like brothers and dont seem to have an issue with looking different. I am hoping that kids like them are the future of this country. My son never says anything about not having close black friends. I grew up in Phoenix in the 60's, I know what you are saying.

[Lucario]

Originally Posted by BennyPhoenix

Most decent schools are diverse. Few neighborhoods are diverse here. Diverse neighborhoods will have a mix of latino, black, maybe some asian, but few if any whites. There is a good reason for it. There is a black neighborhood(ladera heights) that has some nice areas and is upper middle class black. Frankly, I cant think of a black or latino neighborhood(outside of ladera) that I would consider living in; and I am black. Blacks with money tend to move to Ladera Heights or to the better predominantly white areas.
Your best bet is living in a white neighborhood and sending your kids to a diverse school. I live in a white area and my neighbors have not been a problem. They are family people like me, and are fine. My kids have been bothered by some of the latino kids and the muslim kids at their school. The white kids dont bother them. Most of my kids friends are white, my son's best friend is white. They behave like brothers and dont seem to have an issue with looking different. I am hoping that kids like them are the future of this country. My son never says anything about not having close black friends. I grew up in Phoenix in the 60's, I know what you are saying.

I thought about Ladera Heights (or Baldwin Hills?) but got the impression that even there, gangs had a presence.

[jc76]

Santa Barbara? Not L.A. but I hear it's safe and diverse...also very expensive.

[flagspeed]

Originally Posted by Sunil's Dad

More than 20 years ago, when I was young, dumb and full of.......,I lived in LA. I absolutely loved it. I am from the East Coast, and lived there all my life. But I loved everything about Los Angeles. I loved the diversity, the weather, the friendliness of the people, the women - especially the women. Now I am married with preteen children. I am African American/Latino. My question is this. Is LA a good place to raise children? Where in Southern California is? Would I have to go north (Westlake Village?) or south (Laguna, Irvine, Newport Beach?) to get away from heavy gang influence? I used to know the area, but now am basically clueless. Where could I go in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernadino or Ventura Counties that would be diverse, safe and have good schools? Are housing prices still out of control there?

Hey 15 miles north of Ventura County is Carpinteria. A small beach community. It is diverse for the most part. Has 2 Elemetary Schools, 1 midde and 1 High school with options of Private and alternative schools. I Live here and am currently attending 9th grade at the local High school. You shouldn't hav any problems. I actually have some problems (Not major) for being of white descent. But other then that good place to raise a family. Im not sure about the price of housing.Economy has been going up and down lately.Thanks! (Sorry if I didn't type correctly my keyboard is broken..

[flagspeed]

O yeah And When I meant having problems because I am white. There are alot of Mexian people down here incase you were wondering what kind of "Races" are here lol. Thanks