Olivenhain vs. Rancho Santa Fe vs. Poway? (San Diego, Carlsbad: appointed, short sales)

[limitup]

Another cool thing about Olivenhain I just realized is that the kids would go to Pioneer elementary which is literally just a few miles from Olivenhain. That's a BIG plus. Thanks for all the replies. Keep 'em coming if you have any more comments!

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by limitup

Another cool thing about Olivenhain I just realized is that the kids would go to Pioneer elementary which is literally just a few miles from Olivenhain. That's a BIG plus. Thanks for all the replies. Keep 'em coming if you have any more comments!

Then La Costa Canyon High, a very good high school.

[JV1818]

That is right....I forgot about Pioneer elementary. From what I hear, it's a great school....it's also pretty new.

Some nice gated communities (but not full blown ones like the Bridges or Fairbanks Ranch) include Double L Ranch, Country Rose, Wild Flower, Windsor Rose and Knights Bridge.

And since I can't post pictures of those places, which is pathetic....but anyway, you're going to have to look those up yourself. All are very nice....my favorite is Double L Ranch because of the views...but they're all great.

I would take a drive around Olivenhain. Take your time and explore the area...it's not that big, so I'm sure you'll get a feel for it pretty quickly.

In addition, you're not too far from El Camino Real, which has every store you can think of. I'm not sure if you're into jogging, but there is a great trail system in Olivenhain and in RSF (which is next door).

You're going to love Olivenhain...I don't know anyone who doesn't! It's a great place to raise a family.

[djxpress]

Olivenhain is a nice area because you have nice homes, along with really nice homes and you won't run into as much of the Mid-Atlantic English accent in Olivenhain as RSF.

[JakeDog]

With kids I'd pick Olivenhain. This may sound weird, but I think its public school options are actually better than RSF. RSF is gorgeous, but there is something about it that just seems a bit over the top for me. Olivenhain is understated, cheaper (not cheap), has more diversity of incomes (you have the "poor" businessmen/attorneys/doctors mixed in with milloinaires whereas RSF is almost execlusively HUGE HUGE money). Olivenhain has a nice country feel, but is just minutes from the rest of Encinitas. Based upon what I've heard, kids from Olivehnain are treated normal whereas RSF has a connotation that may be a burden for some kids (spoiled, ultra-rich, country club). The homes in RSF are definitely more "consistently" nice, however. If you are considering Poway for more family oriented communities, you should look into Encinitas Ranch and other similar cul-da-sac communities near Olivenhain (although it doesn't sound like that interests you).

[loveautumn]

I live in Encinitas and I would 100% pick Olivenhain if you have the money...it's a unique place to live and you won't regret it. Poway would be my last choice, mass suburbia.

I figure, no matter how much money you have, there's always somebody who has more and who has less.

[katmah]

I have been looking in the area a lot and have fallen in love with Olivenhain! I am planning to find a place in this area to rent so that I can get a feel for it. My husband and I have 2 kids, ages 5 and 2. As far as I can tell, it seems to be a great place to raise kids. I have heard wonderful things about the schools, particularly OPE (Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary). I honestly haven't looked in to Poway at all because we love being coastal. RSF is beautiful and has great schools but I know what you mean about the "keeping up with the Jones' thing". That would be my concern too but don't know anyone who has actually lived there.

Good luck!

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by katmah

I have been looking in the area a lot and have fallen in love with Olivenhain! I am planning to find a place in this area to rent so that I can get a feel for it. My husband and I have 2 kids, ages 5 and 2. As far as I can tell, it seems to be a great place to raise kids. I have heard wonderful things about the schools, particularly OPE (Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary). I honestly haven't looked in to Poway at all because we love being coastal. RSF is beautiful and has great schools but I know what you mean about the "keeping up with the Jones' thing". That would be my concern too but don't know anyone who has actually lived there.

Good luck!

Just a note of caution on OPE. Our new neighbors moved from that school to our school because there were first graders with iPhones and iPods and such, basically with a very strong "Keeping up with the Joneses" and materialistic vibe. It's second-hand, but they seem like down to earth people who felt very out of place there so, take it for what it's worth.

[rsproule]

Olivenhain and RSF are essentially the same in terms of climate and proximity to beaches, and they are definitely superior to Poway in this regard. If money is not the primary issue, I would rule out Poway.

With regard to RSF versus Olivenhain:

RSF has slightly better schools (academically) than Olivenhain, but the difference is probably too small to have an impact on your kids. RSF is more prestigious, but some say it has more snobs & posers.

Olivenhain has the following advantages over RSF:

- Probably 20% less expensive for a comparable property
- Easier to find a newer home with a modern floor plan
- Less traffic (at least in the Lone Jack road corridor)
- Kids will mix with more "regular" people


If prestige is not an issue, it probably comes down to the merits of the individual property as opposed to which community.

[Akama13]

You do not need to live in Poway to live in the Poway school district. I would not live in Poway for that reason. Buy in Olivenhain.