Best schools and places for family near Half Moon Bay (Daly City: apartment, foreclosure)

[SRCaliforniaBound]

My fiance's work has a shuttle that picks up at Hwy 1 and 92 (Half Moon Bay), we are wanting to move in the area and are open to go north or south but within reason. We are trying to get in somewhere before school starts in Auugst. I live in St Louis, MO and he lives in Dublin, CA. We will be renting for a year or two but want to stay in whatever area we pick, our rent range would be between $2500 and $3500/month. Schools are very important, I have an almost 13 year old that does very well in school and I want a school that he will not get bored at academically. Does anyone have any recommendations or comments on the varying school districts in the area, specifically the middle and high schools? I would also like opinions on communities. I would like an area where there are other kids, it seems like there are very few kids where we live right now and would love for him to be around more kids. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and comments!

[ImRandy]

There's just the one high school in HMB (HMB High School, Cabrillo Unified School District). South of HMB there really isn't anything until you hit Santa Cruz (an hour away). North of HMB the next closest community with a high school is Pacifica (Oceana and Terra Nova (closest), Jefferson Union High District). All three schools are just a little above average in rankings. Good but not great.

[Jasmine658]

Between HMB & Pacifica, schools in Pacifica are better, but the quality of homes are better and more modern in HMB. Terra Nova High School is in a beautiful environment, with great weather despite the bad rap Pacifica gets for their northern part of the city near Daly City or near Skyline Blvd (the fog zones). Back of the valley in Pacifica is about as ideal a climate as one could get. The tunnel at Devil's Slide is nearing completion and traffic should move better then, not that it is ever really bad except summer weekends.

Very few homes come up for rent in Pacifica, however, another problem to be ready for, and many people are vying for the same house to rent. I manage properties and the rental market is so strong right now, reminding me of 1999 all over again, and many renters are coming in to try to rent the same place in competition. As a renter, you need to bring your stuff with you - have proof of employment, copy of last 2 paystubs, pre-filled out application, copy of driver's license & latest credit report to present, and try to make a good impression. But even more important than that - you need to do your own background check on the home, as some are headed for foreclosure, could not be sold, so homes were put on market to rent instead as temporary solution! We had the other nightmare occur with a rental - landlord moved back in within a few years!

So make sure the home has been a rental for many years, with no plans on selling, or even safer - just rent a real apartment.