you didn’t mention your price range, but if you can afford it, Del Mar, has all those things.

[quote=SK in CV]you didn’t mention your price range, but if you can afford it, Del Mar, has all those things.[/quote]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. Not sure about it being down-to-earth, or having large enough lots, but for a wealthier area with a “downtown village” area, I can’t think of another place that comes close to Del Mar, other than La Jolla, but don’t think that’s as good for kids as most of the people there seem to be on the older end of the spectrum (Del Mar, too, but there are some younger areas).

Have to agree with spdrun, too, though. If you’re looking for very good schools, large lots (3/4 acre+), large homes that are not “cookie-cutter” houses, AND a more down-to-earth vibe…not sure that it’s really possible to find in Southern California, to be honest.

There are lots of neighborhoods in SD that meet your requirements, but you’ll need a time machine to get to them.

[quote=NYMom]I totally hear you. Our town where we live, the kids don’t even get bussed to school! We can walk to schools, the village, parks, friends houses, and my husband has a 7 minute walk to the train which takes him to NYC in 30 minutes. It’s ideal for sure. But he’s FROM California, and is dying to return. I think my marriage basically depends on it at this point. So, pretty compelling. :)[/quote]

You can find what you’re looking for in Mission Hills (SD 92103), although it might be smaller than what you say you need/want (~2600 sf) for your price range. Grant School (public) serves grades K-8 and you will likely have a choice of one of the academies at SDHS (depending on WHERE in Mission Hills you live), Pt Loma or Mission Bay HS (Pt Loma is better) or you can try to choice your kids into the HS of your choice (within SDUSD). Also the buses for Bishops (private HS) pick up/drop off students at two stops in MH and there are separate boys and girls Catholic HS’s in North Park (92104), situated ~3 miles away. Those properties are most like the properties in the neighborhood you will be leaving (elevation, setback, neighborhood, trees, architecture, walkability, etc). Many of MH’s residents have lived there for decades and may even be the 2nd or 3rd generation of their families living in their family home.

MH is situated 2.5 – 3.5 miles from dtn SD, due north and is on the 83 busline and just a short drive downhill to the Old Town trolley transfer station.

The only other area comparable to MH that I can think of is Glorietta Bay in Coronado but the homes there are out of your price range.

I forgot to add that MH has its own shopping district and some of the sidewalks there are 4-5′ wide with tree easements. It also has small groceries and other small biz interspersed in a couple of different areas (walkable by its residents) and is situated just 3 miles from Lindbergh Field (SD airport). You will CERTAINLY find a 7K sf lot and even a 12K sf (corner) lot but alley access on many of MH’s lots makes a smaller lot feel more usable. MH DOES have 1/2 to 1 AC lots above the Presidio but I fear any listings in this area may be out of your price range unless you are willing to do major work on the place (not even sure if there are any “fixer” properties left around there).

Unfortunately, the large lot you desire combined with the nearby urban amenities you desire isn’t very doable in SoCal except possibly in BH, like you previously mentioned that you considered but your price range makes all of your desires in one pkg a bit challenging.

[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]
You can find what you’re looking for in Mission Hills (SD 92103), although it might be smaller than what you say you need/want (~2600 sf) for your price range. [/quote]

No, she can’t. Not with her lot size requirement.[/quote]

Temecula wine country. Sort of. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/33670-Pauba-Rd-Temecula-CA-92592/2106137295_zpid/

This place is walking distance to some schools 1 mile to elem. Scool. Very bikeable right near Temecula country like but less than a mile from stuff maybe two miles to the freewat.

This one’s not very nice and price is high. Just drove by it last night taking kid to a piano lesson. Cool area.

Not sure there’s any feeling of belngingness though