1 ucgal
2 University City (hence the UC in ucgal)
3 2 kids, going into 4th and 6th grades
4 I like my hood for the location – semi-coastal, convenient to 5/805/52. Also decent public school cluster I love that it really is 10 minutes to La Jolla Shores beach and that I can look out my backyard and see if it’s still fogged in, or sunny already.
5. I dislike the arrogant attitude of the administrators at my local elementary. The school looks great on paper because of the kids and parents – not because of the awesomeness of the principal. Others might dislike the older (1960’s) housing stock and the jet noise from Miramar Marine airbase. Oh and a jet crashed into a house in my hood. That something I hate about my neighborhood.
If you’re going for good public schools you need to look at more than just test scores. You need to look at what programs the school offers, what other parents have to say, etc.
Commute is also key. The freeways here are crowded – and driving from north county to Coronado during rush hour in the morning might make you reconsider north county. I agree with the advice to stay south of the 56 if your office ends up being more towards downtown.
I’m not pushing University City on anyone. It works for my family – but probably wouldn’t for others.
I have friends who live in the Sunset Cliffs part of OB – Very nice homes, many with sit-down panoramic views… and up the hill from the noise/hubub. Given the need to be closer to Coronado than Oceanside – I can see the logic of that neighborhood. I would look into choicing/applying to the High tech high schools (explorer elementary, high tech middle, and high tech high.) But it’s a lottery to get in – and there are WAY more applicants that openings. (I applied for my kids and didn’t make it.)
