Great school districts in San Gabriel Valley?

[Jay100]

Originally Posted by dawninmiami

My family just moved from Florida to South Pasadena. We love it here! But we are looking to buy a house in another year or so, and it is much too expensive in SoPas. We are looking for some other neighborhoods to consider for our family.

We need an excellent school district - one with 9 or 10 rated elementary, middle, and high schools. (Much like South Pasadena has, but further East and therefore with lower housing prices.)

My husband is working in Downtown LA, but is taking public transportation. He is willing to spend up to 1.5 hours each way to commute.

From looking at the school performance maps, here is a short list of neighborhoods. Any ideas about these?

Arcadia
Temple City
Glendora
Walnut
Diamond Bar
Cerritos
Cypress
Los Alamitos

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I think you have to find a match between your priorities and your income. San Marino offers one of the best school districts in the entire state...if you can afford to live there. South Pasadena is as good as it gets in those areas, for the price. I think if you like living around Asians and Hispanics then there are some good neighborhoods in Temple City, near the San Marino border. I would not recommend other parts of Temple though. Nothing really exciting in Glendora--if you're Asian or Hispanic though you might like the place. Diamond Bar is a bit more diverse and seems less densely populated and newer. I think if given somewhat limited options I wouldn't mind living in Diamond Bar. I would adivise you to take a drive to each place you are considering and see for yourself. Los Alamitos, isn't one of my favorite places--if you're black or a mixed, you might fit in well and like the place. I don't really know much about Cerritos or Cypress except that they are diverse and dense.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Jay100

I think you have to find a match between your priorities and your income. San Marino offers one of the best school districts in the entire state...if you can afford to live there. South Pasadena is as good as it gets in those areas, for the price. I think if you like living around Asians and Hispanics then there are some good neighborhoods in Temple City, near the San Marino border. I would not recommend other parts of Temple though. Nothing really exciting in Glendora--if you're Asian or Hispanic though you might like the place. Diamond Bar is a bit more diverse and seems less densely populated and newer. I think if given somewhat limited options I wouldn't mind living in Diamond Bar. I would adivise you to take a drive to each place you are considering and see for yourself. Los Alamitos, isn't one of my favorite places--if you're black or a mixed, you might fit in well and like the place. I don't really know much about Cerritos or Cypress except that they are diverse and dense.

Asain/Hispanic and Glendora, what am I missing? I don't think the majority of the people in Glendora are either unless you are talking the very southern part of Glendora which does have a lot of hispanics. Much of that area isn't even Glendora schools. As for not much, what are you referring to, as not much? If the Op likes So Pasa I think Glendora would be a nice choice. Obviously family life and schools are very important. I don't think the diversity thing entered into the choice of cities. As for Temple city, the north part of Temple City, that borders Arcadia is in the Arcadia school district. I do beleive schools are what seems to be one of the things the Op is looking for?

Nita

[timelesschild]

Arcadia is quite a bit cheaper than South Pas.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Jay100

Nothing really exciting in Glendora--if you're Asian or Hispanic though you might like the place.

Whoa, there. Absolutely not true. It is quite a commute to downtown L.A., though. And south Glendora is part of the Charter Oak school district (Covina), which is not ranked as highly. I would never suggest commuting from Riverside, either...the traffic would be horrendous and not worth the savings in home prices.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

Arcadia is quite a bit cheaper than South Pas.

That is probably true, but Arcadia is still very expensive. As the Op has said, checking it is out of their price range.

Nita

[dawninmiami]

I definitely plan to drive around each of these areas and see what kind of vibe we get. Right now my top picks are Glendora, Santa Clarita, Diamond Bar, or Chino Hills.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dawninmiami

I definitely plan to drive around each of these areas and see what kind of vibe we get. Right now my top picks are Glendora, Santa Clarita, Diamond Bar, or Chino Hills.

I think you have picked 4 good locations, I would put Glendora and Santa Clarita the the top, but all are good. keep us informed.

Nita

[johnLCSW]

The community of Phillips Ranch has a good school district. Although it is technically Pomona Unified, the high school Diamond Ranch has high API scores. The elementary schools of Decker and Ranch Hills are also excellent.

[irvine]

Glendora has been mentioned. It is a very conservative city. The northern parts are very attractive. Pedestrian Friendly. Not a particularly ethnically diverse city, unlike most San Gabriel Valley towns. Very good schools. LA Verne and Claremont might also fit your budget. Again, good schools, and Metrolink.

Riverside is an attractive city, but very far from LA. Although people do drive that terrible commute all the way to LA/Orange County. Metrolink is fine but no late trains leave LA's Union Station.

Phillips Ranch has been mentioned, but very, very suburban in character. Good schools: Diamond Ranch is excellent. Chino Hills, just to the south, is similar.

Look also at Cypress, Fountain Valley and Los Alamitos. These Orange County towns are pedestrian friendly to a large extent (i.e. you can actually walk to places). Good schools. The drive to LA would not be particularly fun, however. It would probably be the 605 to the 5 freeway. I think the drive home would be worse. The 5 usually backs up in East LA, beginning in the late afternoon.