Encinitas and South CBD are great places to raise a family if you like the suburbs.
As a Los Angeles native, it took a while for me to get used to it (still not there completely) because it’s pretty bland, race-wise. White and brown (both Lat Am and Asian), and that’s about it. Sucks if you like an active night life.
OTOH, it’s quite safe, clean, and shopping is pretty convenient. You have good schools, nice libraries, decent beaches (which can be way too crowded in the summer).
Not bad, but the houses ARE too expensive. Some are definitely coming down, though. These things roll from the outskirts-in, and from the poorer n’hoods to the wealthier ones. The Village Park area has come down rather significantly, and the area around RSF Rd and Melrose (in Carlsbad, with San Marcos schools, I believe) are certainly down from the peak.
Just have to give it time if you want to buy in these areas. We’ve been waiting for over four years (but still live here as renters — yay!), and will probably have to wait another two or more. 🙁
