Suburbs of Rancho Bernardo are killing my soul - help!!! (Encinitas: safe neighborhood, to buy)

[GrannySmithApple]

Hi all,

We just moved to RB from DC for my new job. We are looking to buy a th for under 600K in a good school district. I'm not a fan of commuting, so I would like to stay within 30min rush hour distance. Are there any places we can afford, that are less cookie-cutter, suburban feel than RB? Don't get me wrong - I think RB is really nice, safe neighborhood,.. It's just too 'normal' for my taste.

[armourereric]

Ramona, seroiusly, used to manage the Jack at Carmel Mountain and 15, commute was 22 mins and you can get a small farm for $600K up there, plus you can use the "back door" route to Ramona, Highland Valley Road.

[skelaki]

You could also look in Poway. It's not a planned community like RB was and has good schools.

[NYSD1995]

Mira Mesa? Sorry there is really no good option in that area for what you are looking for. 15 corridor is actually not a bad commute if you want to be in central SD

[kettlepot]

I feel your pain. RB is pretty soulless.

Sassberto has given you your strongest option. Reverse commute north on the I-15. You could buy something in Normal Heights or Kensington.

Schools are mediocre but improving. It's not the school that isn't good, it's the lack of educational goal setting amongst the families of some of the students. Your child could get a good education if that is what you emphasize at home.

[whiteboyslo]

Originally Posted by skelaki

You could also look in Poway. It's not a planned community like RB was and has good schools.

I don't know if Poway is much better than RB in terms of having more personality.

I'd go south. Southern Scripps Ranch is kinda cool with all the trees, and puts you that much closer to downtown, etc. Going south also puts you against traffic.

Mike

[photo4fun]

Originally Posted by armourereric

Ramona, seroiusly, used to manage the Jack at Carmel Mountain and 15, commute was 22 mins and you can get a small farm for $600K up there, plus you can use the "back door" route to Ramona, Highland Valley Road.

+1 Ramona

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

I feel your pain. RB is pretty soulless.

Sassberto has given you your strongest option. Reverse commute north on the I-15. You could buy something in Normal Heights or Kensington.

Schools are mediocre but improving. It's not the school that isn't good, it's the lack of educational goal setting amongst the families of some of the students. Your child could get a good education if that is what you emphasize at home.

This^^^
I don't get why so many parents don't understand this

I call 3rd on the Ramona Recommendation. Don't discount Poway either. There are some nice older parts of Poway( near Poway high school) that are not cookie cutter.

[RosieSD]

Granny, which area of the county is your job located in?

[bloom]

RB has that new corporate development homogeneity feel, like pleasantville. Much of Carmel Valley, east Encinitas, Poway, Scripps Ranch may be the same. Try older communities that capture the true SoCal old charm.