[quote=Scarlett]Thanks KIBU, I heard from my co-workers that actually 52 rush hour traffic got worse since they opened that extension.
Changing commute to non-rush hour is doable, but even so we are talking 45′ door to door for me and maybe 40′ for my husband (from Otay Ranch). On the other hand, PQ/Sabre Springs commute got worse according to my co-workers.
I disagree about San Marcos schools. The high school has improved substantially – API the same as the Carlsbad ones. I don’t remember the other schools. Commute – like Chula Vista more or less (+/- 5′ at non-rush)
Clairemont – let’s say you manage to choice the kid into UC schools – which is still a hassle and UC schools are not exceptionally great, except perhaps Curie. Still for the age of the houses and the school quality I think it’s still too expensive.
Mira Mesa is of course, still on the table due to the shorter commute and lower prices. Still, we did not like the general area, beside the Calle Cristobal one – that is pretty limiting to a small area. We will revisit it though, for sure.
I know, very hard decision! Maybe the prices will go down more by the time we have to buy….[/quote]
Scarlett, you are correct that the commute from Chula Vista to/from LJ/UCSD is 40-45 mins in the non-rush hours. In the rush hours, I would add 10-15 mins to that, barring any accidents. However, this time frame is only applicable to/from 91910 and 91911. These two zips (except for a small pocket of 91911) DO NOT have “newer” (>=year 2000) construction. The other 3 Chula Vista zips will take longer for your commute, unless you each pay the approx $88 month to use the SR-125 toll road to SR-54, SR-94, I-8 or SR-52 … or commute to work together to save one monthly toll.
I wouldn’t count on being able to “choice” into UC schools as a Clairemont resident unless your children qualify for VEEP status or a magnet program (into Spreckels, NOT Curie). If you want Curie for your kids, you will have to move into its attendance area, IMO.
Chula Vista Elementary School District IS a very good district. It has many top-rated schools. Sweetwater Union HS District ALSO has several great schools. In addition, SUHSD has a partnership with SDSU called “Compact for Success.”
