Gay Friendly area in North San Diego County (Oceanside, Carlsbad: best town, 2015)

[travisandjay]

Looking at possibly locating to the San Diego area from Seattle with my partner of 11 years and our two children, ages 9 and 7. Looking at the San Marcos, Carlsbad, Encinitas area although open to Oceanside as well. Would love to hear information regarding schools and neighborhoods, and those areas that might be more open to our diverse family structure.

[sdhkshdcny09]

Originally Posted by travisandjay

Looking at possibly locating to the San Diego area from Seattle with my partner of 11 years and our two children, ages 9 and 7. Looking at the San Marcos, Carlsbad, Encinitas area although open to Oceanside as well. Would love to hear information regarding schools and neighborhoods, and those areas that might be more open to our diverse family structure.

I would say Encinitas is the best town for you. Good schools and it is a more liberal city.

Oceanside is home to a military base and is fairly conservative. San Marcos and Carlsbad are more conservative as well.

[loveautumn]

I'd cross Oceanside off the list. Not just because of the military and it's more conservative, but there are lots of gang issues there.

The towns you mentioned are more suburban in nature...is that what you are looking for? If you want more urban edge, then Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park areas would be worth checking out.,

[travisandjay]

Thanks for the info. We can deal with some of the conservatism as long as it's not too radically conservative. The gang issue in Oceanside is a different story.

We'll continue to look in Encinitas, Carlsbad, and San Marcos. We realize it's the burbs, but we are considering the schools and from what we've read, the schools in San Diego aren't the best.

[parker]

Hi travisandjay!

My husband and I live in San Marcos, in San Elijo Hills. We chose the area for the schools. Here is a link to the CDE's accountability reports...http://api.cde.ca.gov/reports/page2....1=submit...put in a portion of the school's name to receive information regarding API scores.

Personally, we have no biases against choices in anybody's choices in their lifestyles. I hope, living in San Marcos, we are not in the minority.

Good luck with your move and I wish you the best to your family!!!

[travisandjay]

Thanks. We have been reading good things about the schools in San Elijo Hills. It seems a bit of a challenge to find great schools in an area that's affordable.

[loveautumn]

define "affordable"

[parker]

travisandjay...Thanks. We have been reading good things about the schools in San Elijo Hills. It seems a bit of a challenge to find great schools in an area that's affordable.

Yes, this is the challenge. When we first started looking, a year ago, we honed in on a general area given the location between my husband's work and our family in L.A. Then I looked at API scores for the county via CDE, then started closing the circle. Our choices became VERY limited once we chose the school our girlies would be attending. We bought a house that I like, but do not love, because of the school zone boundary. We are very happy with our choice...but would have liked to have had a bit more options with our house (like a larger yard)...but I do remember that this is the sacrifice for the girl's education.

[travisandjay]

Affordable would be defined as 500k maximum, but that might be pushing the budget a bit.

[travisandjay]

Thanks Parker. That seems to be our strategy as well.