I think the kids are a reflection of their parents values. Sure, with a “wealthy” school like Torrey Pines you are going to have the typical “rich kids” but my experience of my child’s friends are that they are responsible, hard working, young adults with parents that care deeply about their futures.

Like Asianautica said, you can find evidence for all types of children in just about any school. Again, it’s the values the parents impart to their children that matters.

I could easily afford to live in RSF (I have developed lots of land there) but I like the values of the parents in Carmel Valley better (that’s why we live here).

Most folks here earn great incomes but are not super high net worth individuals with big egos to match. They are solid hardworking people with high levels of intelligence and strong family values. Lots of doctors, business owners and PhDs on my street and all of them maintain conservative values.

Again, I agree with Asianautica, the values of the parents are manifested in the behavior of the children. And by the way, I have never heard of a drug problem at Torrey Pines High School, at least not with any of the kids my child associates with and as far as promiscuity goes, its on the increase at all schools.

Again, I must state how impressed I am with all the kids I have met from Torrey Pines, most of them through the swim team (my child is a varsity swimmer). Two sisters in particular came here from England with their parents, who heard this was a great place to raise kids. And so far, all their parents can do is praise the area and never miss a chance to tell me how happy they are living here.

I think the key to the essence of a place is to spend some time there and get a feel for how you are treated. Go to the grocery store (a great place to get a “feel” for a community), hit a few restaurants, go to a movie. Observe the people and how they relate to one another as well as to “outsiders.” It will tell you volumes of the mindset in that community…