Chicago to SD - looking for Safe, semi-walkable burbs along I-15??

[socketz]

4S is EXTREMELY kid friendly, as is most of the 92127/92128 zips (Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs, 4S). 4S is probably one of the most kid friendly because unlike true Rancho Bernardo, it was built from the ground up as an engineered burb. RB began it's life as a retirement community, which it still feels like in many of the areas within 92128 along the east side of 15.

The problem for most people with 4S is that there are not alot of small homes in 4S, so even though the prices have tanked since the downturn, they are still not cheap. When you find a small home, it is normally attached OR is one of those odd patio homes where the garage is in the back which is part of an attached alley.

Exit off Camino Del Norte and head west.....check it out yourself. Nice area.

Mello Roos yes, but the area is maintained extrodinarily well and has lots of wide open space and parks. Nice ones.

In addition, the extension of Bernardo Center drive across Black Mountain has now put 4S much closer to Santa Luz (my favorite part of San Diego) and the coast.

[ChicagotoSD]

Thanks all, especially Socketz and Esmith. 4s ranch seems to have some good qualities that we desire, so will definitely check it out. It may be a little artificial, but we are ok with that at this stage in our life, with young kids. As they get older, we will look for something different. Esmith, I agreed with most of your comments, but was surprised to hear your categorization of upper middle class as $130K - $150K. We are in that neighborhood for Combined household income, but definitely don't feel too well off. I guess it is all relative, but mortgage and daycare for 2 kids takes up a very large portion of our new take-home income. Maybe once they are in a public school full-time, it may be a little easier. That is our other reason for not looking too close to the ocean - we don't want to spend it all on a house, and then have nothing left to actually enjoy our time in San Diego with. Hopefully, renting, and then maybe buying in the burubs will keep us in a good place financially. (Yes, I know - OR we could make a lot more money, etc, but I am just being realistic)

[esmith143]

Esmith, I agreed with most of your comments, but was surprised to hear your categorization of upper middle class as $130K - $150K. We are in that neighborhood for Combined household income, but definitely don't feel too well off.

Like I said, the specific definition of middle class is debatable. 130K (150K if you're double income and you want to send two kids to daycare) is the threshold for admittance to 4S Ranch. Below that you will only be able to afford a condo. Many residents make more than that. My definition of middle class is a neighborhood where you're more likely to meet teachers than lawyers. A public school teacher at San Diego Unified with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience makes around 55K. Needless to say, two-teacher households aren't common there.

I know what you mean when you say you don't feel rich trying to raise two kids on double income in 130-150k range ... but imagine how you'd feel on 80k. And 80k is above median family income for San Diego.

[janineg]

Yes, I think 4s ranch would be good for you. They designed it to look like an old-fashioned neighborhood with porches and garages hidden in the back. They aren't all like that, but that's the feel it's going for. The commercial area is between Rancho Bernardo Rd. and Camino del Norte. It has a library, grocery store, natural grocery store called Jimbo's (like Whole Foods), restaurants, etc. A great new high school is being built called Del Norte High, the two elementaries are Monterey Ridge and Stone Ranch. There's also a really neat free park that has water sprinklers and fountains along with a huge 3 story play structure: 4S Ranch HOA Prk (Pioneer Splashpark) | Orchids & Onions.
I used to live near Verrazzano in a condo, and I always wondered why people who could spend 800k on a house wouldn't do it someplace where they could get a bigger yard.
Janine

[ChicagotoSD]

Thanks all, we have a house hunting trip planned in a couple of weeks, and looks like we will start from 4S and go from there. Esmith, your point is well taken. It is all relative, and any income is more than enough for someone, and not nearly enough for someone else. We are happy to have what we have, and are just trying to make some good decisions based on that. Thanks for all the helpful info, it will definitely get us started on the right foot.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by esmith143

I know what you mean when you say you don't feel rich trying to raise two kids on double income in 130-150k range ... but imagine how you'd feel on 80k. And 80k is above median family income for San Diego.

I have lived on that income range for several years... and no, you will not feel rich, especially not with a 500k+ mortgage. In fact you might feel downright broke depending on how many fancy toys you own. The two income tax burden with childcare and the huge mortgage and property tax costs of an expensive home definitely do add up fast. Last time I ran the numbers it was costing me easily 90k+ before I saved a dime.

We wanted to go down to a single income when our kids were born, so I made a decision to buy into a neighborhood way below my income range in order to get the income buffer that made me feel comfortable. Given the collapse in the economy and the loss of job security as a result, I am glad that I did, but there are distinct drawbacks to that approach! We are very simple with basic needs but found ourselves struggling to save a big chunk of our income.

[oddstray]

[quote=socketz;8631381]Try Sabre Springs (92128) . There are several areas in Sabre Springs with detached homes within walking distance to the large shopping hubs right off Carmel Mountain Road.[quote]

It's a bit of a walk from Sabre Springs up to the shopping in Carmel Mountain Ranch. That might be OK for you, or you might want to look for a place that's in the Carmel Mountain Ranch neighborhood.

The eastern part of Rancho Penasquitos is close to a large shopping area with Vons, CVS and Rite Aid, a few restaurants (none terribly exciting), and the post office.

Most neighborhoods have some parts that have shops within walking distance, and have other parts without shops nearby. Sorry, that's not very helpful in your search.