Help with Relocating to North San Diego area?... (Chula Vista, Corona: real estate, rental)

[Nickycoli]

We're relocating to San Diego, CA and are looking to reside in North S.D. or a community just North of S.D. My husband is a scientist and will be working at General Atomics which is located in a complex just East of Torrey Pines Golf Course. I'm wondering where would be the best areas for our family to live? He'd like a reasonable commute to his work. We have young children and would like a family-friendly area with good public schools (Elementary thru' H.S.). Other factors we're considering are: Affordability, access to S.D. offerings, other cultural and outdoor offerings of a particular area, scenic beauty & weather nuances of area, overall liveability etc. We hope to live here long-term and would like to get established in a community with down-to-earth, educated, friendly, family-oriented types. We want to live in a kid-friendly area/neighbourhood and will consider houses or condos w/ 3+bedrooms/2baths. Shared/Community pools are also appealing...Tho' I'm wondering if the water temps will be swim-able yearround or just certain months?...

Offhand areas we're considering are:

Torrey Hills, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Encinitas, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Del Mar & ????

We'd hope to live here long-term and any info. would be Greatly appreciated! (We're moving from Albuquerque, NM)

[thecarolinas10]

"Torrey Hills, Mira Mesa, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Del Mar"

I will add La Jolla to your list.
These small cities are the most expensive places to live in San Diego County. High rental and high real estate. However they are likely the best place to live. Poway has the best school district. Try Mira Mesa or Poway. It is about 15 minutes to the beaches. Either one of these cities you pick would fit your criteria. Honesty the best judge is your self. Go visit and how it is. Don't settle for something you didn't see in your eyes.

[HappyTrish]

Rancho Bernardo and Poway are both EXTREMELY friendly areas with everything from "reasonable" to expensive homes. For Poway, I like the more northern end of town. Both are in the Poway District school system which is fantastic! They aren't beachy areas, but only a 15 min drive to the coast and 25-30 mins downtown. We love it here! You can look up school info on www.greatschools.com. Good luck!

[cruitr]

What's your housing budget?

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by Nickycoli

Offhand areas we're considering are:

Torrey Hills, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Encinitas, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Del Mar & ????

Along the 5, you might also look at Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, Carlsbad, Bressi Ranch, Calavera Hills, Aviara and San Elijo Hills. Maybe La Costa?

Along the 15/56, add Sabre Springs, Carmel Mountain Ranch and 4S Ranch.

East Chula Vista would be quite a commute, but there you have Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Rolling Hills Estates, San Miguel Ranch.

Urban areas (ie, private school for kids a must) that are family oriented are Mission Hills, Kensington and South Park. I've seen many kids in Coronado, too, but I think it's more older/retired.

Someones can correct me if I am wrong, but in addition to the areas you mentioned, the above are very kid-friendly/family oriented areas. I didn't list anything for East County because I'm not familiar with it, but I'm sure there are alot of family areas there, too. Good Luck!

[Mysweetdreamsbaby]

My husband works just across the street from General Atomics. We live in Rancho Penasquitos and highly recommend it. The schools are great, it is a very family oriented community, quiet, easy to get around. He hops right on the 56 freeway and is at work in 20 minutes (although he does try to leave at off times so he doesn't hit traffic).

Otherwise I would say Poway. Mira Mesa is ok, but more crowded and not nearly as good of schools.

[Nickycoli]

Thanks for the feedback - It helps! I've read that, being inland, Poway and Rancho Bernardo get considerably hotter in the summer. Is this true and would it also be true for Rancho Penasquitos? We're accustomed to the HOT summers of Albuquerque, but wouldn't want to live anywhere hotter and I'd love to know how these areas of CA. compare. Also, I'm reading great things about the Poway Unified School District. That area is a definite consideration for us, but I'm sure my husband would appreciate and even lesser commute, if possible. How are the public schools (K-12) in Rancho Penasquitos? Are there any areas west of Poway that we should consider? Good public school are very important. Is the Poway Unified School District markedly better than other school districts in S.D. County? We'll be visting S.D. in about a month and I'd love to get a solid sense of things first. Thanks so much!

[janineg]

Rancho Penasquitos is cooler than Rancho Bernardo and Poway because right along the 15 freeway (the dividing line between RP and the other two) there is a string of hills that blocks the cooling ocean breezes. I used to live near RP and would always notice the difference as soon as I crossed the 15 towards Poway. Stay west of the 15 for more comfort. But compared to Albuquerque, I'd bet Poway and RB are a piece of cake.
Poway scool district still has a gifted (GATE) program, not sure if the schools in Carmel Valley and Encinitas still do even though they are wealthy areas. I think the schools in RP are very good (check greatschools for particular ones). I've heard good things about Park Village there.
Janine