Moving from NYC to San Diego.....but where in San Diego????? (Oceanside: rentals, house)

[rachelruiz1]

SO many factors for a move when you have 5 people to consider!! Please help me decide which area is best suited for our family.

Must have:
1. Excellent public high school w/ AP courses
2. 4 bedroom house for $2700/mo.
3. Safe Area

I have been heavily considering the Encinitas area. It seem to be the only beach town that is in our price range. What do you think? Also any info on "La Costa Canyon" high school would be great.

Also considering San Marcos, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, & Poway.

All of my info for this move is coming from wikipedia, school websites, & craigslist. I really need some good advice from someone who knows this area. Thanks so much!!

[Encinitan]

Over all, I think you'll enjoy Encinitas. The downtown area is very charming, lots of little shops and great restaurants. There are a lot of outdoors activities to do, at the beach, hiking trails, etc.
As for what you're looking for, Encinitas seems to meet all your criteria. You can get a house in your price range, but it won't be right on the beach. A mile or two inland you should be fine, and still a short drive down to the beach. Most areas of the city are very safe. The only iffy (or sketchy, as we say) areas are off Santa Fe Drive just east of the I-5. Other than that pocket of town, just about anywhere else you're going to be just fine.
If you can afford Encinitas, you will appreciate the difference between the inland areas you mentioned as alternatives, especially in summer. There is not as much to do in those areas compared to Encinitas, IMHO.
LCC is a great, certainly above average high school. It serves Encinitas and southeast Carlsbad. It has outstanding athletics and strong academics. Something like 90 percent of grads go to college, so it's that kind of learning environment.
Good luck on your move. I'm born and raised here, now raising my kids here, so if I can help you out with more info, just post it here or PM me.

[JakeInSoCal]

The Encinitas/Carlsbad area is very nice. Cheaper by alot compared to the other coastal cities & unlike Oceanside doesn't have a gang problem. Its very beautiful too because the cliffs just jutt out even off the coast border & the buildings go on them. Its kind of like an urban paradise valley, I guess. I like it alot & its close to some very nice beaches & not to far from downtown. And a good thing is that the smog from downtown & inland doesn't reach those areas.

[ubringliten]

As a NYC resident a year ago, I wouldn't settle in RP, RB, SM or Poway. They will be too dull for you. I second Encinitas, and I would like to add Mission Hills (very charming, in central SD, with lots of shops and eateries).

[loveautumn]

I've lived in Encinitas for over 20 years and I know you will just love it here! I mean we have our share of small strip malls and traffic, but Encinitas has everything you could want. Right near the beach, Carlsbad Forum (shopping), Trader Joe's, Whole Foods (coming soon), churches, schools, golf courses, right next door to Olivenhein and Rancho Santa Fe (very wealthy areas)...the only thing we really don't have close by is movie theatres, you would have to go to La Costa for that (just a few miles away).

Old Encinitas (we call it) west of 5, is very beachy, funky and has lots of little shops, restaurants, etc. too. East of 5 is basically the "suburbs" part of Encinitas. Right down the road is Cardiff, another great beach town. I live on a small hill and I have awesome views of the mountains to the east.

Truly, it is hands down one of the best places in SD to live (in my humble opinion).

[catpearson]

Don't rule out points closer to San Diego, unless you have a reason to prefer north county (such as a job there). Point Loma (including Ocean Beach) is another nice close-to-water area where there are at least a few 4-bedroom homes for rent in your price range. Pt. Loma High is a good school. Pacific Beach is another possibility; apart from the areas right along the beach that cater to vacation rentals, there are many quiet neighborhoods of single-family homes. I don't see any 4-brs that meet your criteria for rent there right now, but the inventory is also changing and you needn't rule it out.
Actually, I'm not sure if you mentioned water, or that was just the other people in your thread. But if you don't actually need to be right at the water, there are many more neighborhoods you might choose from.
Let me know if you want more details.
Cathy

[nmnita]

Pt Loma would be my pick if you can find something to rent in your price range; after that, yes, Encinitas would be nice. Where will you or your spouse be working? Are you talking about downtown San Diego, that would make a difference.

Nita