Blue Collar Family- can we make it?

[normsw]

Realistically your $1500 MIGHT get a 3 br apt in a so-so area, or possibly even a small house in Escondido. The beach cities rents are out of sight. Stay away from Oceanside, it has a big gang presence. Research all the apts in the yellow pages and internet for Escondido, San Marcos and Vista. If you have any contacts in S.D. county, ask them to advise you. Get on the internet and research and re-research. I llive in Escondido and apts start at $900-1000 for 2 br, more for 3. But less than in neighboring towns. Not a bad place to live, but 60% hispanic, a lot of them here for generations. Downtown has been upgraded and gentrified to some extent, and more coming. A very good hospital, Palomar Med. Ctr. is here. Good schools and not a big active gang problem here at this time. Convenient to shopping (N.County Mall) and a new theatre complex; a huge variety of restaurants; 2 Von's, 2 Ralph's, 2 Albertons, Henry's mkt, Jimbo's health food supermarket, several drug chains, etc. etc. Should be lots of day care in the phone book. Lots of churches of all denom. Been here 5 yrs; on balance it's an OK place. (I lived in Orange County for 35 yrs, can no longer afford it.) People here are friendly, unlike some bedroom areas. Sorry to sound like the Chamber of Commerce; I have no affiliation with them or any other organization. Just my own experience here.

[jsant5]

San diego county is a great place to live and one of the best kept secrets for family values and small town atmoshere. the North count areas you are looking at are in the higher dollar real estate market but by moving a bit inland from the coast to Vista or san Marco the prices can come to within your 1500 dollar a month budjet
the schools are generally good in those areas also.

And you do not have to shovel snow unless you want to ,because you can in approx 30 min drive up to Julian ( Mountains) and have snow and a Hot apple Pie (Homemade) or in the other dirrection be down at the beach streching out enjoying the sunshine!!

Its been a great place for me for more than 35 years!!

[roger9552]

San Diego is having a downturn in construction so I don't know how easy it is to get a good job in construction. Also with Mexico just down the road,there are a large labor pool that will work for lower wages than in NY. I won't relocate here under the current situation.