DC to SD, please advise on areas!

[sdhkshdcny09]

You should definitely be looking into Chula Vista and San Marcos. Most/many schools are on par with the best districts and you get a lot more bang for your buck. Plus, these areas are typically more diverse (demographically & economically) and new.

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by Taktix1

Yup, thanks for that. I was looking up Encinitas and Carlsbad while writing that post.

I couldnt find much in Encinitas, most were condos or multi family homes. Weren't very many SFR's for sale under $650k.
On the flip side, Carlsbad has quite a few SFRs for sale under $650k that look very well maintained.

How are the schools/safety in Encinitas/Carlsbad?

I live in carlsbad and my rent is about the same as your current mortgage, I live in a nice 2 bedroom apartment with a view.

so you can definitley rent here for what you were looking for (the budget you mentioned.

I don't have kids so I can't speak to the differences between encinitas and carlsbad schools. If I were a parent though i'd probably lean toward Carlsbad just in that its a bit more conservative...er...less hippieish. I think there are more alternative lifestyles (for lack of a better word) in Encinitas and I think I'd be concerned more about other parents ..sleepovers, etc. I think that is anywhere but would sum up the minor differences between Encinitas and Carlsbad.

For a guy/girl from DC or Chicago (me) the two are the same place.

I guess there are better districts within carlsbad, I would look into that by the time the baby is 5. But for living in an apartment I wouldn't worry about.

Calrsbad and Encinitas are nicer than most of Oceanside, but there are cheaper parts of oceanside that might work too while you are renting and not worried about the schools.