Relo NJ --> SoCal ? (Los Angeles, San Diego: for sale, real estate, homes)

[meameame12]

Friends,

Posted also in Ventura forum as to get more responses.

I've been all around the California forums, most recently in San Jose. So...my current employer had an internal shakeup, where some people went to the East Team, and others, to the West Team.

We are from New Jersey, and so, I went to San Jose with my wife, looking for places to live, and basically failed in our housing search and needs. The central issue was housing itself -- the size of what we are able to reasonably afford + the commuting distance were the main reasons for nixing the deal.

Luckily for me, my mgr approved my moving from New Jersey to Southern California--initially it was just San Jose, but I told him of the housing situation (800k budget, 4 kids, etc.), and he agreed for me to relocate to around Ventura / LA / Orange County regions. Luckily, there is much flexibility with my employer!

So here is the situation:

In my wife's case: my wife has been an OD since 2003. She now has a job offer as an Optometrist near Thousand Oaks. She is very eager to accept this offer.

In my case, I am a network engineer, have about 15 yrs of experience, and am hesitant about 1000 Oaks because searching under indeed.com found only a handful of jobs for CCIE--2 pages. Yes I will retain my job after moving. However, if I am laid off, fired, choose to leave, etc., I need to be able to obtain employment immediately. So searching indeed.com, for CCIE, under Irvine, and under Los Angeles, I've found 5 pages for employment opportunities. I also believe that Irvine has a train which goes to central LA.

In our family situation: My eldest daughter has autism--she is 9 y old, almost 10 (this September she will be 10 y old). My other kids are 8 y old, 4 y old, and 3 y old. So our eldest will require regular schooling, but needs a special assistance in the classroom. She is classified with an IEP.

Now--I called a few schools about 3 weeks back, all were located in Irvine, and was told that there is NO busing at all, inside of Orange County.

I am not sure how the busing situation works in 1000 Oaks. I will need to call them--probably later today, sometime.

The thing with Irvine is that my wife has no current opportunity.

Our timeline is by summer's end (as we have been attempting to move since early March).

What we are seeking is advice on the following:

a) great public school systems -- esp for my Autistic child (she goes to regular school, but needs special assistants)
b) busing is a huge plus-- 4 kids -- probably 3 will simultaneously go to DIFFERENT schools!
c) IT jobs in either location + OD jobs in either location
d) housing costs--we have 6 people (myself, my wife, and 4 kids)

If anyone has good information on OD job market, or cisco engineering job market, feel free to pm or reply to this forum thread.


Thanks to all.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by meameame12

In our family situation: My eldest daughter has autism--she is 9 y old, almost 10 (this September she will be 10 y old). My other kids are 8 y old, 4 y old, and 3 y old. So our eldest will require regular schooling, but needs a special assistance in the classroom. She is classified with an IEP.

Now--I called a few schools about 3 weeks back, all were located in Irvine, and was told that there is NO busing at all, inside of Orange County.

I have no firsthand knowledge of this, but Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) offers some limited transportation services:
http://transportation-capousd-ca.schoolloop.com/

These threads regarding CUSD autism services may be of help
//www.city-data.com/forum/orange-county/1221073-junior-high-good-special-needs-program.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/orang...os-advice.html

As far as housing is concerned, you would get more for your money in South County (Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Niguel) than in Irvine.

Check Real Estate, Homes for Sale, MLS Listings, Agents | Redfin

As far as a job for your wife, maybe she could extend her search into San Diego County:
https://kp.taleo.net/careersection/e...ftl?job=713707

Hope this helps.

[meameame12]

how is Mission Viejo or Lake Forest?

based on our research, so far, those places are ideal --

[loveorangecounty]

Mission Viejo and Lake Forest are both nice. I prefer Mission Viejo, Lake Forest can be a little seedy in some spots, but not horrible by any means. Both are in the Saddleback School District, which is good. Most homes are a little older in both of these cities but well kept. If it were me, I'd look for a home that feeds into Mission Viejo High School. It is a very desired high school and homes in the area hold their value due to the high school. Trabuco Hills HS is also good but is very crowded right now. Enrollment changes often so with your kids ages it could be completely different by the time they are in high school.

[dexter14]

Originally Posted by meameame12

how is Mission Viejo or Lake Forest?

based on our research, so far, those places are ideal --

I suggest you find jobs before you start looking at places to live and go from there. CA has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Finding good paying jobs here is extremely hard. If it were easy, everyone would live here.

[cgk2013]

Originally Posted by meameame12

how is Mission Viejo or Lake Forest?

based on our research, so far, those places are ideal --

Lake Forest and Mission Viejo are both great cities, close to Irvine. As far as school districts go, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, parts of Mission Viejo, and parts of Rancho Santa Margarita, and Laguna Hills are in the Saddleback Unified District. Capistrano District serves parts of Mission Viejo and RSM as well, so you would need to check those boundaries.

I live in Lake Forest and my children attend Saddleback schools, and we've been very happy so far. There are a few elementary schools that score a little lower, but I wouldn't call them bad schools by any means. Saddleback does not offer regular bus service, but does offer it for children with special needs. I'm not sure about Capistrano district. Our daughter is in fourth grade and several of the the children with mild to moderate disabilities join their class for math and language arts lessons, which is wonderful! Parent involvement is stellar within the district, and really makes a difference for the children.

As far as budget goes, you should be able to get a very nice home in your price range within Lake Forest or Mission Viejo. As to the previous post calling parts of Lake Forest "seedy", I'm not sure that is the word I would use, as it could scare people off. The areas of Lake Forest that are maybe "less desirable" or "less aesthetically pleasing" would be areas closest to the 5 freeway. Either way, LF and MV are consistently rated as the some of the safest areas in the country.

Here are some links that may help with your research:

GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community and
California School Performance Maps
Saddleback Valley Unified School District | "Preparing today's students to succeed in tomorrow's world."

Hope that helps a bit. Best of luck with your search!

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by meameame12

Luckily for me, my mgr approved my moving from New Jersey to Southern California--initially it was just San Jose, but I told him of the housing situation (800k budget, 4 kids, etc.), and he agreed for me to relocate to around Ventura / LA / Orange County regions. Luckily, there is much flexibility with my employer!

Thanks to all.

Is there a burning desire for California? Can your employer relocate you to a state where you can live comfortably on one salary?

[applesnkids]

Just a note about the autism aspect...I'd stay central OC or near Irvine. Don't go too far south (i.e. San Clemente) if you need to be at the doctor all the time. I have experience myself and friends who have more severe autism care needs and most seem to be around the Irvine/Santa Ana central area.

There are really no "seedy" parts in Lake Forest. It's just very suburban. Mission Viejo is family oriented, suburban, clean and quiet. Capistrano Unified (in my experience, depending on your school IEP or special program requirements) is completely average. Nothing great. Irvine school district is a tad better.

[BRinSM]

If your wife plans on taking the job in TO, you will not want to live in orange county. TO is quite comparable to Irvine but more left leaning and closer to LA. Schools are top notch there and $800k will get you a nice home. Again, only consider OC if both you and the wife will be working there.

[meameame12]

Originally Posted by mbell75

I suggest you find jobs before you start looking at places to live and go from there. CA has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Finding good paying jobs here is extremely hard. If it were easy, everyone would live here.

Im keeping the same job, but my wife is looking for OD job in Orange County. She has nothing yet.