Moving with family (San Diego, Oceanside, Escondido: apartments, rent, condo)

[indecisive]

Need some advice folks, I am moving with my family to the SD area - working in the Del Mar area. My work hours are flexible so I'll most likely do the 7 am to 4 pm shift to avoid traffic. Income around $130k, kids in elem school. have ~ $50k to put down on a house.

so, where can I find a decent house in a safe, newer neighborhood, with great schools and clean surroundings, decent shopping (for essentials) with high summer temperatures less than 90, and houses between $450k and $550k? If this scenario is unreasonable, how about a similar neighborhood where very nice 3 bed room apts are available for ~ $2k.

Or am I dreaming? if I at least know where not to look that would be helpful as well. A 40 minute commute is about all I desire. And, anyone know about Shadow Mountain Community Church?

[Dadof2]

Hello there...I moved from my home town of San Diego a few years ago to North Idaho, although I so miss San Diego weather! In terms of your housing search, you will have a difficult time finding anything in a decent to nice area under 650k these days and probably closer to 700-750...it is sad, but true, sorry to break the news to you...In terms of Shadow Mtn. church, I am very familiar, as I attended there for many, many years. I personally know the pastor, David Jeremiah, and his family quite well. Big church, lots of activities, great teaching, more than superficial sermons, good people, etc. If you want more info on either the housing or Shadow Mtn., please let me know, as I would be happy to give you more details!

[NYSD1995]

San Dieguito Union and Poway Unified are generally regarded as the best schools. There are highly rated schools throughout SD County but SDUSD is especially spotty.

450-550k with great schools will put you in a decent 2BR condo in RB, Poway, Carmel Valley, Scripps Ranch which all have well-regarded middle and high schools.

For detached homes you will find most likely be looking at slim pickins of fixers and smaller houses in older pockets of homes Poway and RB, the entry level for most houses in North County is about 650k in that area.

You will need to go either go to Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, La Mesa, SD metro to find more selection for detached property, and the schools can vary quite a bit in those areas. Places like Granite Hills, Fletcher Hills, Allied Gardens, Santee have generally good schools if not as well-regarded as the North County districts.

[indecisive]

Thank you Dadof2 & Sassberto.

It seems as though Scripps Ranch, Santee or Poway are the places to live if you have kids. I have seena couple of small houses (on ziprealty), in Santee, Poway and Scripps Ranch for ~$550k, no idea about the areas though. I do see apartments available for $2200 or so in these areas. This is a big cost of living adjustment for us where $550k would get me a 4000 sq custom home on a 1/4 acre lot, and salaries where I live are just 3% lower than San Diego.

At this point I would rather rent in a good area, close to great schools, recreational areas, shopping and churches rather that own a home in a so-so area - though my taxable income would go up considerably.

Dadof2, how large is the church I mentioned? Is it ethnically diverse?

[Dadof2]

Size of the church is fairly large...my guess is in the 3-5 thousand range on any given Sunday...there is also the Junior and Senior H.S. there (private christian), as well as a smaller christian college, so the overall campus is pretty big. It is televized via "Turning Point" and Pastor Jeremiah is heard around the world on many stations...in terms of it being ethnically diverse...hmm, good question...historically not really, very little...however, in the past 5 years or so, more and more ethnicities have been attending, but overall is is predominantly caucaison. Most eberyone I know there are good, solid people who do not look at race when considering friendships...hope this info helps!

[orionid]

I would look in a community called 4S Ranch within the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego County. Nice sense of community, lots of variety for most price ranges, and the Poway School District for your kids.

[indecisive]

thanks oriond, i will look into rancho bernardo, should i just stick to the 4S Ranch, or do I expand the search?

[dynomite1]

Try La Mesa. It's 10 mins. from Shadow Mtn. Church. Sorry, SD. is not really easy for a family. I do not advise anyone with family to move here. The party here was 10+ years ago. Your $130k is a good salary anywhere. It will not go far here. Especially with family expenses. Make a budget and stick to it and you can probably make it here. Stay away from car payments if you can. They will sink your ship.

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by orionid

I would look in a community called 4S Ranch within the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego County. Nice sense of community, lots of variety for most price ranges, and the Poway School District for your kids.

4S ranch is a great family community with great schools. Also a great church there is Maranatha Chapel. www.4sconnect.com can give you more info on 4S ranch.

[cnkad]

If you are working in Del mar, I would check out Encinitas. Your commute would be short and it is a great family place and they do have some really good schools. You just have to find out which ones are nice. Cardiff (an area inside encinitas) has some of the best schools in the state (so they say.) You might have better luck with a condo in your price range, if you want something new that is. I also agree that most of Rancho Bernardo and poway are nice, although in Summer they can get very warm as they are more inland. I personally would stay away from La Mesa or santee if I had a choice...But there are people who really like those areas so...check them out for yourself. I just think that La Mesa is not what it used to be and Santee...well I'm curious to see what other people say. Some advice on San Diego...sometimes it is better to have less house in a better neighborhood then the other way around, I would find the neighborhood I like best and then look for somewhere in that area. Anyway thats my two cents.