Best area to raise kids? (San Diego, Carlsbad: houses, buy, best schools)

[HelloNY]

Just wondering where the best area to raise kids is? I'm looking to stay with 10 miles of the city, and saw some homes in "Clairemont." Is that area or an area around there good? It seems to be in my price range, and have read that it is wise to stay north of I-8. Thanks for the info, it is very appreciated.

[starkt]

Clairemont is a mixed bag. Parts of it are nice, other parts aren't. Be careful if you buy a house there. I've heard of people who had major plumbing problems. Most of the houses were built in the 40s/50s and many need upgrading. Also, make sure you know where your lot lines are. I served on a jury when one Clairemont homeowner sued the neighbor in back of him for removing a tree from his property. I don't think the public schools are particularly good in Clairemont.

Your best bet is to live in Encinitas or Carlsbad if you're raising kids -- if you can afford those areas, that is. Those areas are a half hour drive from San Diego if traffic conditions are good, over an hour if traffic conditions are bad.

Other areas to consider that are closer to downtown San Diego are Del Cerro, Tierrasanta, La Mesa, Poway and Scripps Ranch. Del Cerro is across Highway 8 from San Diego State University. Tierrasanta is east of highway 15 and north of 8 (look for Tierrasanta Boulevard). Fires have threatened the area. Ditto Scripps Ranch, which is east of highway 15 and north of Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Poway is its own little city, and its supposed to be very nice. La Mesa is just south of highway 8 about 10 miles from downtown.

[socketz]

North County Inland is extremely kid friendly and does not have the random seedy elements the beach communities like Encinitas, Carlsbad have.

Try:
Scripps Ranch 92131
Carmel Valley 92130
Rancho Bernardo/Carmel Mtn 92127/92128

Specifically, look in 4S Ranch in Rancho Bernardo. We live in this area and I'd guess that 1 out of every 2 homes here have 2-3 kids under 11 years old. If you go to the 4S park on the weekend, you'll see what I mean....there is also almost 0 crime, friendly people, excellent shopping, some of the best schools in San Diego and of course, we're still only 5-6 miles from the coast.