Searching for best place for 4 kids and wife/myself (Los Angeles: to rent, low crime)

[comin2cali]

We are finally making the move to the west coast. I am self employeed and my company is based out of Ohio/Kentucky so I dont have to worry about jobs, commute, or anything other than my wife and four kids.

My kids are 11, 10, 7 and 4 - and I am hoping to find a good montessori school to send them to.

My wife and I are early 30's, she is thinking about going to school to do something (maybe hair) after spending 12 long years stuck at home.

We love the SoCal weather, but want to stay out of the Los Angeles lifestyle and our primary concern is staying in a safe area like we are used to. I have been reading a lot about Temecula.

We are going to rent for the first couple years, just to make sure this is a permanent move.

Really looking for advise on everything A to Z and a big thank you in advance for anyone who takes the time to make suggestions.

Also looking for advise on how to find a great nanny, housekeeper and extra help around our homestead.

Thanks in advance!

[Snort]

The best advice I can give you is to take a trip out and drive around the places you've researched online. Your needs and tastes are unique and all we can do is give our opinions.
I've lived in various place in CA and I'll just give you a list of favorites: Del Mar (how wealthy are we?), Encinitas, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, San Clemente, Ventura, Santa Barbara.
Temecula is okay, but very vanilla and pretty uncomfortably hot in summer.
The real gem (apart from SB), is the Central Coast. San Luis Obispo (aka SLO) is another very mild weather place to check out.

[nightlysparrow]

Look at Thousand Oaks and adjacent Westlake Village. There are 5 Montessori schools, award-winning middle and high schools, low crime. Check the Ventura County forum here.

[Think4Yourself]

San Diego has great weather and big city amenities though if you move just outside of the city a country like feel. It's not as expensive as Santa Barbara, which is good, but you will find land prices higher than in Ohio. Other than the price of land though things are generally pretty cheap, heating and cooling costs are almost non-existent (unless you move to east county or the mountains), produce and food are cheap as well as extremely fresh, there is a good community feel in most neighborhoods, and the schools are even good. Plus there are tons of parks and open spaces to enjoy. It's the best of the best in Southern California IMHO.

[Dean Trails]

[quote=Snort;29367114]The best advice I can give you is to take a trip out and drive around the places you've researched online. Your needs and tastes are unique and all we can do is give our opinions.
I've lived in various place in CA and I'll just give you a list of favorites: Del Mar (how wealthy are we?), Encinitas, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, San Clemente, Ventura, Santa Barbara.
Temecula is okay, but very vanilla and pretty uncomfortably hot in summer.
The real gem (apart from SB), is the Central Coast. San Luis Obispo (aka SLO) is another very mild weather place to check out.[/quote

Yep, a good list. I have researched and lived in a few of them. I would add Camarillo, Laguna Beach and Poway.

Of course my all time Favorite is!!!!! the SLO Life!! San Luis Obispo!!!