Family of five Chicago to north county (San Diego, Encinitas: real estate, lease)

[Larabug]

We are relocating to San Diego (north county) from Chicago. We are looking for an area that is laid back, educated and has homes with some outdoor space ( not your typical midwestern looking suburb). We are leaning towards Catholic schools but would like to have a good district just in case. Need a usag gym for gymnastics. Activities for kids. An hr commute to airport. A trader joes always helps!

Rancho Bernardo, Bonsall?

Any advice would bE great.

[oddstray]

Bonsall is a bit farther out, distance-wise. RB might work. It's in the Poway school district, which is one of the best in the area. Additional neighborhoods in the Poway school district that will offer some outdoor space (more or less, depending on the age of the property) include Rancho Penasquitos, Santa Luz, Torrey Highlands, Carmel Mountain Ranch, and Poway itself. PUSD Boundary Maps

Any of these areas is family-friendly. There's a TJ's in CMR and another a bit further south in Mira Mesa/Scripps Ranch.

[earlyretirement]

What is your price range to buy or rent?

Oddstray's post is spot on target. You're going to LOVE San Diego. I'm originally from Chicago and certainly don't miss those brutal winters.

All those areas on oddstray's list are good. Some better than others. It all depends on what your budget is. We bought in Santaluz last year and absolutely been thrilled with the area and the development. It exceeded our wildest expectations on how great it would be. Tons of activities for the kids, big 11 acre private park plus several smaller parks, lower density than many areas (1,000 homes on almost 4,000 acres). Private walking trails and the entire development is gated and there are rolling hills so it's great to ride your bike or your kids to ride their bikes, etc. Some of the views are absolutely breathtaking.

There are some Catholic schools in the area. Carmel Valley has a few of them but you may find if you are in the San Diegito or Poway Unified School District that you may not need to send your kids to private schools. They are very good here in this District.

[Larabug]

We are selling our house here but waiting to buy out there. We would like to lease $3600 or less. Would love to have a similiar lifestyle as to when we buy. Plus less transition for the kiddos.

What are the good catholic schools?

[oddstray]

What's your description of 'your typical midwestern looking suburb'? I haven't been to the midwest for decades, so I don't really know what it is that you're trying to avoid.

Any more description of you lifestyle? That might help us suggest particular neighborhoods over others ...

[loveautumn]

St. Michaels, Poway K-8
St. John's, Encinitas pre-school - 8
Cathedral High School - Carmel Valley


If you search "Catholic Schools San Diego", they will all come up and you can check them out.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

St. Michaels, Poway K-8
St. John's, Encinitas pre-school - 8
Cathedral High School - Carmel Valley


If you search "Catholic Schools San Diego", they will all come up and you can check them out.

Wow those are pretty spread out. I imagine in the CHI area that Catholic Schools are closer in proximity, no?

Come to think of it, private schools (including Cathloic) dont seem to be mentioned here much at all on the boards as being good or bad as far as education is concerned. I am sure the price of real estate offsets the costs in the better school districts to warrant a jsitifed position on public school being 'enough', but for Catholic Schools the focus is more broad than academics.

I am curious how their performance is measured? Clearly public schools have these metrics available via greatschools or standardized state scoring.
Anyone?

[Larabug]

We are looking for a neighborhood not a huge huge subdivision. I like the idea of a gated community. Will need space for a pool in yard and enough space to garden (3/4 to an acre).
Yes, that is our thinking towards Catholic schools. We look forward to a smallest community and would like to keep out kids in same school in this transition.

Great info. Keep it coming!

[loveautumn]

The 3 that I listed are just examples...there are quie a few more.

[futbol]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

Wow those are pretty spread out. I imagine in the CHI area that Catholic Schools are closer in proximity, no?

Come to think of it, private schools (including Cathloic) dont seem to be mentioned here much at all on the boards as being good or bad as far as education is concerned. I am sure the price of real estate offsets the costs in the better school districts to warrant a jsitifed position on public school being 'enough', but for Catholic Schools the focus is more broad than academics.

I am curious how their performance is measured? Clearly public schools have these metrics available via greatschools or standardized state scoring.
Anyone?

My kids went to St. Michael's Catholic elementary/middle school.

Nice community, but academically they are not much better than Poway Unified public schools, which are already very good.