I moved from SDiego to “one of those places back East” myself five years ago. I had been wishing and hoping I could find a way to return to SanDiego weather and my extended family. Finding this site gave me a glimmer of hope that real estate had become as ridiculously over-priced as I thought, and that it was as unsustainable as I thought. However, after reading here for months, I have slowly made the decision that living where I do isnt so bad. Our house is absolutely large and lovely. Neighborhood is gorgeous with Husdon River views and sweeping vistas, the best in the city. Schools the best in not just our city but in the region. Ya, ya, ya, I know Torrey Pines is a good school (I went there), but when scores are ranked nationally, even good ol’ TP is only good ‘for a CA school’… it is not as high as some would think nationally.
We have had none of the increase in real estate inventory which is plaguing so many cities around the country. None. People are still anxiously trying to get to homes before realtors do here – as they always have. Prices do not go up wildly though – even with the demand. Slow and steady.
We also lived in Coronado for a long time. Families would come from back East and were just thrilled when their kids were tested that they were so far ahead academically. I do not agree that San Diego if chock-full of academics on par with the East Coast set. The basic high school education does not compare – just for starters.
Sometimes I look through the photos of RSF/Del Mar homes for sale and am intrigued to see my old neighborhood so grossly overbuilt. Then I see the big beautiful kitchens that look like mine here back east – then the 3Mil price-tag… Reality sets in that in North County… even with my husband’s 160+ salary, and given all the things are kids are involved in musically and athletically, we can afford no more than what our home is worth here… about $550-6k. That amount will currently buy us a POS condo (“piece of s*&t” for the unindoctrinated) in Carmel Valley. No thanks. I keep watching, but am losing any yearning at all to return. I spend 6 weeks a summer there. Maybe that is all I need.