Housing (location) advice --new job Torrey Pines area San Diego (San Jose: to rent, house)

[carmensf]

My husband is looking at a job located in Torrey Pines area (off of Genesse) --we are looking for recommendations for a great family oriented neighborhood to rent (initially) a home. We have 2 young children (elementary) so a good school district/area is of key importance.

We currently are in the Bay Area and have a lovely neighborhood --lots of families, tree-lined streets etc. I realize we may not find a match in this area --but something certainly want family oriented, hopefully a home w/decent size lot (for backyard play), good schools ---we're not necessarily interested in the "keeping up the the jones" type areas --although perhaps that's all we can expect if in a great school district?

At any rate --looks for recommendations that allow for no more than 20/25 min commute (during commute hours) from the TorreyPines location.

Any/all feedback is appreciated!

[bloom]

Carmel Valley, Mission Hills, Encinitas
What SF neighborhood are you coming from?

[carmensf]

We're moving from San Mateo --thanks for the feedback!

[bloom]

What are the rents like in San Mateo?

[carmensf]

Depends on size of house/apt.....4b roughly $3k and up...2b maybe $1800+ huge $$range depending on where in San Mateo

[bloom]

Originally Posted by carmensf

Depends on size of house/apt.....4b roughly $3k and up...2b maybe $1800+ huge $$range depending on where in San Mateo

Seems rents generally comparable to here.

Can anyone provide analagous neighborhoods between SF and SD areas if that is possible?

For example, maybe:
Walnut Creek = Carmel Valley, homogenous, suburban tract housing (or am I off)

[barryg]

I work off Genessee as well. Carmel Valley, Sorrento Valley......all close and nice areas. Good for families. I live a little more inland in 4S Ranch. Very nice and very family oriented as well.....but a longer commute (18mi each way).

[carmensf]

Barry --how long would it take to drive (during morning/evening commute) to 4SRanch? I've heard about Carmel Valley --not as much about Sorrento Valley but can see its close by....thanks much

[carmensf]

Comparing SF Bay - SD housing is a bit tough...certainly Walnut Creek does have some tract home --but not nearly the level of Carmel Valley. Many homes in WC are still older/individual homes that have been upgrade/remodeled. Probably newer areas (further inland) like Pleasanton, Livermore/surrounding are going to have that "tract home" scenario.
You really won't find much of that type (tract homes) development along the Peninsula (San Bruno down to San Jose) --maybe some in San Jose/Sunnyvale.

Rent in East Bay (Walnut Creek, Orinda, Lafayete) would be in $2700 (WC) to $3500+ (other areas) range. The Peninsula will be higher cost for comparable homes. (i.e. friend sold her house here in San Mateo $850K --home less than 2,000 sqr feet and small lot --paid same amount of $$ for home in Pleasanton but now has a 2900 sqr ft home w/a pool). Definately more for your $$ East Bay --but fewer (local) job opportunities.

[barryg]

Originally Posted by carmensf

Barry --how long would it take to drive (during morning/evening commute) to 4SRanch? I've heard about Carmel Valley --not as much about Sorrento Valley but can see its close by....thanks much

It depends on the route. If you take the 56, there's traffic during rush hour times....it could take 30-45 min.

What I do: I only take the 56 if I leave the house after 9:15am (rarely)to start work or leave the office at 6:30pm or later (almost always).

All other times I take San Deguito road off Camino Del Sur which goes thru Rancho Sante Fe and bypasses the 56 altogether and puts you right near the 5. Backroads, never any bad traffic, minimal traffic lights, pretty ride/drive. I take this route 90% of the time coming to work and 20% of the time going back (b/c I leave at 6:30pm most days).

In my car-30 min from 4S Ranch to Genessee and Campus Point Drive (just off Genessee and the 5).
By motorcycle-20-25min.

Hope that helps.