Relocating to San Deigo: Tierrasanta or Poway? (San Diego, August: rent, homes) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

jamie79766 · 05-24-2010, 01:09 PM

I'm relocating to San Diego based on a new job offer. I will be working just south of Miramar and just north of Montgomery Field. I have two kids (2 year old and 6 year old) so schools are very important to us. I don't want a crazy commute so I'm currently looking at Poway and Tierrasanta. I can afford to buy a home up to $600K.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback anyone can provide on these two communities. Also, if you have any other communities you'd recommend please let me know.

NYSD1995 · 05-24-2010, 02:35 PM

Poway, if schools really matter, Tierrasanta feeds into bad high school.

cruitr · 05-24-2010, 02:45 PM

Of the two, I'd go with Tierrasanta: 10 minute commute to work, quiet bedroom community, and OK schools.

Here's a sample Tierrasanta home in your price range:
SDLookup.com | 10848*Corte*Playa*Toluca - MLS# 100026553

If you're new to the area, I'd rent a home for a year or so. San Diego is a big place and it's very hard to buy the right home here based on anonymous forums and weekend visits.

Kele · 05-24-2010, 05:04 PM

I have a 13 year old. After studying all of the schools in the San Diego area intently, we're moving to Poway in August. Considering all that I've read, that is where I want my son to go to school.

esmith143 · 05-25-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Poway, if schools really matter, Tierrasanta feeds into bad high school.

This is true, however, it may not be wise to subject oneself to additional 30-40 minutes/day of commute time just because Tierrasanta has a bad high school, when the oldest kid is still 8 or 9 years away from high school. Especially if renting. Tierrasanta elementaries are quite good, for the most part.

socketz · 05-25-2010, 05:41 AM

Because the schools are so good within the Poway School District, the entire area tends to attract a consistent family oriented mindset. This in turn creates a specific, and very nurturing environment that caters to families in many more ways than just great schools. You can easily find a home for 600k in the older part of Poway, Westwood in RB - 92127 or Rancho PQ. If you can break the 600k mark and venture maybe into the 620s, you can buy a much nicer home because there are fewer buyers above 600k and sellers are still in a panic mode in these higher price ranges (i.e. many 650k homes can be had in the 620s). Below 550k, it's war and most homes in the area that are not on, or back up to busy streets, garnish multiple offers and sell quickly.

I personally think you'd be much happier in this area long term. In addition, because of the reputation the school district carries, resale will remain excellent for years to come.

As a point of reference I have kids 9,7 and 0 and have dozens of friends that live in the area as well -with kids- and they would not consider living anywhere else.

jamie79766 · 05-26-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socketz

Because the schools are so good within the Poway School District, the entire area tends to attract a consistent family oriented mindset. This in turn creates a specific, and very nurturing environment that caters to families in many more ways than just great schools. You can easily find a home for 600k in the older part of Poway, Westwood in RB - 92127 or Rancho PQ. If you can break the 600k mark and venture maybe into the 620s, you can buy a much nicer home because there are fewer buyers above 600k and sellers are still in a panic mode in these higher price ranges (i.e. many 650k homes can be had in the 620s). Below 550k, it's war and most homes in the area that are not on, or back up to busy streets, garnish multiple offers and sell quickly.

I personally think you'd be much happier in this area long term. In addition, because of the reputation the school district carries, resale will remain excellent for years to come.

As a point of reference I have kids 9,7 and 0 and have dozens of friends that live in the area as well -with kids- and they would not consider living anywhere else.

Thank you for all of the information. It really helps. Would it really be a 30 to 40 minute commute just to go from Poway to a point that is between Miramar and Montgomery field? I'm not commuting all the way into downtown San Diego. Instead, I'd be commuting to an area that is just to the west of Tierrasanta.

esmith143 · 05-26-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie79766

Thank you for all of the information. It really helps. Would it really be a 30 to 40 minute commute just to go from Poway to a point that is between Miramar and Montgomery field? I'm not commuting all the way into downtown San Diego. Instead, I'd be commuting to an area that is just to the west of Tierrasanta.

15-20 minutes each way.

lrmsd · 05-26-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esmith143

15-20 minutes each way.

I concur-15-20 min. commute from poway to MM.
I myself wondered where the 30-40 min. figure came from.
I'd pick poway over tierrasanta, too.

jamie79766 · 05-27-2010, 01:53 PM

Thank you. I guess the obvious answer is for me to actually drive the commute when i get down there. I'll just wake up early and drive out to Poway and then leave around 7:15am and drive to work. Tierrasanta is closer but from what I've read it sounds like Poway is very family oriented and we'd probably like it there.