Where do people with children live in the palm springs area? (Palm Desert: vacation home, neighborhoods)

[onthelake1617]

My husband has an excellent job offer in the Palm Springs area and we would love to move there except that we have 2 teenage children in high school, one a senior and one a freshman. We are worried that maybe it's not a good place for families with kids even though ours are almost grown. But then we have heard that more families are moving there. We would not move until after this school year so our daughter can finish high school but our son would start school there his sophomore year. I have heard that La Quinta and Palm Desert High schools are good, but it seems that most people lean towards Palm Desert being the better school. What neighborhoods do people that live there full time with families live in? We think La Quinta is where we would like to live, but would like some input on this. Any information would be helpful. We know the weather and love it, but of course we haven't lived there, we have visited twice this summer and previous years. Thanks.

[Twinkle Toes]

They live everywhere. Both of my kids graduated from Palm Desert High School.

[onthelake1617]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

They live everywhere. Both of my kids graduated from Palm Desert High School.

That's great! Could you be a little more specific? I have looked at homes and did not notice kids, so maybe we are looking in the wrong areas. I have asked people and can't seem to get a specific answer from anyone. This would really help since I've noticed that most of the homes are vacation homes and people only live there part-time. I've heard that it's changed in recent years but need some reassurance. Maybe you could tell me what it's like to grow up in the area since you raised your children there? We have been looking in gated communities in the $500k to $700k range in La Quinta.
Thanks!

[MamaRed]

If you visited during the summer, you wouldn't see a lot of kids out and about. They're either at friends' houses hanging out at the pool, inside with the AC on, or someplace cool for vacation. LQ, PD, and PS high are all good schools, with their good and bad groups just like any other school. My 3 kids were all active in sports at PSHS. Events against LQ were always fun, with good, friendly, supportive competition. Most of our parents really disliked going up against PD because the kids were rude, confrontational, and played with a win at all costs attitude. It sounds like you're looking at one of these two schools. With no first hand experience, just judging based on sportsmanship and the overall vibe when walking on campus, I would pick LQ as the more welcoming campus. Just a little bit different, somewhat outsider's perspective of the two. Good luck with your move!

[Val89011]

Hi. I am in the same position. We have vacationed in the Palm Desert area for years. We are now thinking of relocating full time to the desert. We will be moving with a freshman in high school. I am looking for a nice area that is family friendly and people live there full time. We are in the the 700,000 or so price range. I would like to live in a gated community in La quinta or Palm Desert...but I am hoping for friendly. We have a dog, so I do not care about living on a golf course unless there is a gate.

Would love to join a COuntry Club... any suggestions on family friendly clubs?

thanks so much.

[murfslaw]

Val,
Palm Desert is a great choice. We love Big Horn Country Club which has some kids activities. It may be a little bit more adult oriented though.
Murf