Family moving to San Diego from Bay Area (Carlsbad, Poway: for sale, real estate)

[familylove4]

A family of 4 relocating to San Diego from Bay Area due to my husband's new job at UCSD. My daughter will be starting high school this coming year, and my son will be in 4th grade.

We are looking for:
1. family friendly neighborhood, with great schools.
2. easy commute to UCSD
3. warm but no fire hazard!

Our budget is about 700,000 to 800,000 for a 4+ bed house. We might rent first but would definitely want to buy a house as soon as we find the area we want to live in.

Our questions:
1. Where should we look?
2. Is it even possible to find a house within our price range, that is both family friendly AND close to UCSD? I've heard about Poway, but isn't it too far from UCSD? What about fire hazard around Poway?
3. Is it too late to register my daughter in a good high school. She is an straight A, honor student and we would like to keep it this way! I know here in Bay Area, good private schools and some better public schools, already have had their registration periods and do not accept new applicants. How is the situation there?

I really appreciate any suggestion and help.

[avcoastal]

Hi there. I am a Broker and moved form Los Gatos about 12 years ago so I know your frame of reference . I may consider Poway and Rancho Bernardo areas, schools are good and it is warm. They are in canyons so fire danger is always more that if you lived coastal. I think that you will find the commute ok, but not great. It is a VERY surburban area.

Another thought is south Carlsbad (The San Dieguito Union school district part). The commute will be a bit longer but in this market you will be able to obain a nice house at your price point in a great school district. Commute will be about 30 to 40 minutes at peak time and about 20 minutes otherwise. I think that you will love the laid back sophistication of Carlsbad + you will be very close to the beach.

Much luck to you.

[familylove4]

Thanks so much for the reply. Would you say Poway is more like Los Gatos? Saratoga? Almaden? or kind of like Morgan Hill? Blossom Valley? or even more like East Bay communities? I'm trying to picture it demographically.
We love south Carlsbad. The only problem is that none of the two good high schools in the district are accepting new students anymore. Thanks again :-)

[PappaBarco]

We are relocating from the Bay Area too; family of 4; kids to be in 6th and 4th. Daunting, at least to me. Sounds like you are describing Carmel Valley but it all depends on what you like and how you want to live. I think that gets your daughter into Torrey Pines HS and your hubby with a sub 20 minute commute.... but I am not so sure. Definitely first call is to the school district. For house prices, use Redfin and search around the neighboroods using the map and your price and size perameters, but always filter using the 3-6 month sold data as your guide of affordability, not the new listings data since there are still some people trying to sell houses that didn't hear there was a market crash. Ultimately I would advise that you rent and then buy once you are down there and know the areas more. Who knows, maybe you want a shack near the beach more than the spit-shine new 4000 sq ft tract house, or vice-versa.... Best of luck

[cruitr]

University City (zip: 92122) is an easy 5-10min commute to UCSD.

Here's a sample house:
SDLookup.com | 4253*Caminito*Terviso - MLS# 100021343

If you look around, University City has some nice homes in the mid-$700K range too. Here are all the homes for sale in 92122 right now:
SDLookup.com | University City Houses

[loveautumn]

I'd recommend Del Mar/Carmel Valley area for location, schools, access to freeways, shopping, beach, etc.

Poway to UCSD would not be an easy commute and, although very family friendly, is uber suburban, and very cookie cutter. There is definitely fire hazard is some of the Poway areas.

[dubdpt]

I would also look into scripps ranch, carmel mtn, and sabre springs (near poway). All 3 are off I-15 with access to Hwy 56. The school systems are good in these areas and will likely be cheaper than coastal I-5 communities, but you have a decent home buying range.

I agree with others to rent initially and than look to buy once you know the areas better. I grew up in Mira Mesa which is close to UCSD, but I would stay away from considering this area as it has changed alot since my family and I left. My parents live in Scripps Ranch and my brother and his family live in Carmel Mtn and enjoy their areas, but just watch how close you are to open canyon areas for wildfire risk.

Good luck.

[familylove4]

Wow! I love this forum. Thank you all! This really helps. I mean "daunting" would be the mildest word I can choose in our case. I'm all and much more!
I will try Redfin. Thanks Pappabarco.
University City's commute looks great, but how are the schools? (cruitr)
Does anybody know a good real estate agent to recommend?

[cruitr]

I hear University City schools are good but not as good as Poway or Carmel Valley. However, University City is "20 minutes from anywhere in San Diego". And you'll:
1. spend more time at the beach
2. spend more time with your husband
3. spend a lot less for commuting costs
4. spend no sleepless nights worrying about fires.

[moved]

University City is in the SDUSD District. The high school would probably be University City High.