Marston @ Del Sur versus Lennar @ The Lakes

[NewBuyerConflicts]

[quote=anonlawyer]
Disclaimer: We wound up buying a 2955 sq ft at Hawthorne… smaller than we would have liked, but 300-400k less on a lot that looks right down the canyon and isn’t anywhere near power lines. Not really the same market as Marston/Lakes, but it made a lot more sense for us.[/quote]

Anonlawyer,

That is pretty much the conclusion I came up with. Hawthorne is the perfect price point for the area and the design reminds me of Marston. I do agree that right now there is no concern about kids getting into the Del Sur schools or even the new D39.

Perhaps, I am just factoring too much in but with a newborn and most likely soon to be second our kids won’t start school for another 5-6 years. Therefore the advantage of Del Sur residents having priority or a higher allocated spot may be moot. My concern is that by that time, the Del Sur area will be built out plus all the townhomes/condos that are plan means that even with the higher allocated seats the competition or the ratio of seats/kids would be just as much percentage wise as say the Lakes. But at least there even with the lower number of seats if you take that into account the few kids vying for them made me come to the conclusion that we might have the same “chances” come 5-6years when our kids enter the school system.

[NewBuyerConflicts]

All,

Thank you so far for all your comments. If I didn’t directly reply or quote you, please note that I did read and appreciate your thoughts.

It is a great help because even though we are home owners right now. It is quite different going from a condo for two working professionals to looking at a potential forever home for a growing family. Plus “gulp” to save for so long and to put this in my mind so much money to spend for a residence compare to most anywhere else in the US this amount would be considered insane.

So, listening/reading your thoughts and your experience do help alleviate some of our worries. Plus it is nice to see there are quite a few of you out there that went through the same process and thoughts.

Your experiences and insights are greatly appreciated from this expected mom!

[joec]

[quote=NewBuyerConflicts]

Anonlawyer,

That is pretty much the conclusion I came up with. Hawthorne is the perfect price point for the area and the design reminds me of Marston. I do agree that right now there is no concern about kids getting into the Del Sur schools or even the new D39.

Perhaps, I am just factoring too much in but with a newborn and most likely soon to be second our kids won’t start school for another 5-6 years. Therefore the advantage of Del Sur residents having priority or a higher allocated spot may be moot. My concern is that by that time, the Del Sur area will be built out plus all the townhomes/condos that are plan means that even with the higher allocated seats the competition or the ratio of seats/kids would be just as much percentage wise as say the Lakes. But at least there even with the lower number of seats if you take that into account the few kids vying for them made me come to the conclusion that we might have the same “chances” come 5-6years when our kids enter the school system.[/quote]

Not sure what it will be like in 5 years, but having purchased in 2009 (5 years ago you could say), we didn’t get into Design 39 and of all the families we knew, only 1 person got in and the kid was starting 6th grade…A friend said no one she knew got in and that was 15+ people from her kid’s classroom.

I don’t know the breakout allocations for the different CFD areas and which had more or less, but I have doubts that it’d be that easy to get into whatever school you choose. Many of the schools in Poway Unified are still too crowded and there is a lottery for all the newer schools EVERY year.

I suppose it’s better to be prepared than disappointed, but I don’t know where you are getting the info that it’s such a slam dunk. Best bet, call the school district and ask them how likely you will get into any of the schools since I think your estimates might be off from my own personal and first hand experience.

Sorta like with the UC system now, I’d honestly prefer my kids go to a private school (or avoid PUSD if I could) if they are able to (preferably Stanford) 🙂 and go to a school in LJ, Solana Beach, RSF, etc…

[henrysd]

[quote=toddt]What does everyone think about the Van Daele homes in The Lakes? They are obviously not on the same level as the Lennar homes location-wise but the floor plans seem well designed.[/quote]
Van Daele homes in the Lakes are almost sold out. I went their sales office a week ago, they told me they are selling fast at the pace of 3-5 homes per week. There are only 2 home lots still available and they are listed on MLS now. Even the 3 model homes are already sold. You don’t have much choice there.

[toddt]

OK, but what do you think of them?

[Essbee]

I went to a kindergarten readiness forum at my children’s preschool last night. The presenter was a kindergarten teacher from Stone Ranch. She said that this year, they anticipate that everyone living in the Stone Ranch or Monterey Ridge school boundaries is expected to get in (ie NO wait list), because the opening of Design39 should offload both of them. She did not specifically address Del Sur because no one in last night’s audience lived in that area.

Now, regarding D39… ultimately, I know of 4 kids from the preschool class whose parents applied for D39 kindergarten slots. (We did not apply). Apparently, two got in and two did not. One of the parents I was speaking with was speculating about “racial quotas”. It just happens that the two kids who got it were Caucasian, and the two who did not were Korean and Indian. The Korean parent felt that perhaps there were quotas against “too many” Asians in the school. I have not idea if that is correct, but that is apparently speculation among some in this community.

[NewBuyerConflicts]

[quote=joec]
Not sure what it will be like in 5 years, but having purchased in 2009 (5 years ago you could say), we didn’t get into Design 39 and of all the families we knew, only 1 person got in and the kid was starting 6th grade…A friend said no one she knew got in and that was 15+ people from her kid’s classroom.
[/quote]

JOEC,

Did you buy in Del Sur and are the families you mentioned also in the Del Sur CFD that didn’t get in? If so, that is scary.

One of the “sales pitch” that we got from Marston, was that our kids were pretty much guarantee to get into the Del Sur Schools and that for D39 we had “priority” over the other CFD neighborhoods. By buying into Del Sur, our CFD meant our kids pretty could chose to go to D39 or the existing school there.

They made it seems like if we didn’t get into D39 (highly unlikely) we were at least getting into the schools already in the Del Sur neighborhood.

[UCGal]

[quote=Essbee]
Now, regarding D39… ultimately, I know of 4 kids from the preschool class whose parents applied for D39 kindergarten slots. (We did not apply). Apparently, two got in and two did not. One of the parents I was speaking with was speculating about “racial quotas”. It just happens that the two kids who got it were Caucasian, and the two who did not were Korean and Indian. The Korean parent felt that perhaps there were quotas against “too many” Asians in the school. I have not idea if that is correct, but that is apparently speculation among some in this community.[/quote]
I have two coworkers who applied for their kids. One (Vietnamese) did not get in. The other (Indian) got in. Just adding that as data points.

[Del Sur 14]

http://www.powayusd.com/doc_library/2013-14/D39CGeneralInfoLetter.pdf

I think you are being a bit paranoid in your racial guessing. The following is relevent for Design 39

“The degree of attendance priority for a given school facility that is to be assigned to a student residing within a CFD shall, basede on the proportion of that school facility which is being funded by that CFD. For example if CFD “X” is funding forty (40) percent of a school facility, while CFD “Y” is funding twenty (20) percent of that same school facility, the students residing in CFD “X” would be given first priority to approximately (40) percent of the seats at such school facility, while the students residing in CFD “Y” would be given first priority to approximately (20) percent of the seats at such school facility.”

Seems rather straight forward to me. Don’t know exatly what percentage each CFD area is but the CFD’s that are eligible and part of this formula are:
(4,6,8,12,13,14 and 15)

◦
CFD Nos. 6, 14 and 15 are the primary CFDs that will have the opportunity to participate in the selection process for a seat at D39C.

◦Families in CFDs 4, 8, 12 and 13 will also have the opportunity to participate in the selection process for a very limited number of seats.

Students from eligible CFDs who choose to appl;y will then have their names entered into a lottery.
So your have a much better chance if you are in 6/14/15

[joec]

It’d be nice if they listed out what the specific percentages were for each CFD. I don’t live in Del Sur so I can’t say how hard it was to get in. 1 person I do know now has gotten in from Del Sur.

Maybe the Del Sur allocation was higher, but I think it’d be nicer for everyone involved to know what the actual number breakouts are so at least you won’t be surprised.

That said, I think any thing called a “sales pitch” should be suspect. If there are simply too many young kids for a particular school in that area, there’s probably no safe way they can let you into the school due to availability of teachers/rooms/etc.

Read this on what happened last year for the Santa Luz area…I think homes in that area are much more expensive than Del Sur…

60 (SIXTY!!!) parents couldn’t get in due to too many students. They have to now drive 30 minutes to go to Adobe Bluffs which is a much OLDER school…maybe still a “good” school, but you’re going to a NON Mello-Roos school even though you’ve been paying the MR fees.

http://www.pomeradonews.com/2013/08/20/parents-pusd-superintendent-clash-over-no-space-at-school/

My point is just to go in eyes wide open…as you can tell, I’m deathly afraid as to what school my kids will “get” to go to.

I’d live in a diff area if I could just to avoid the stress.

[Coronita]

.

[flyer]

I completely understand the stress many of you who are parents of young children are going through with the school situation in the areas you’ve mentioned, especially since we have friends who are in the same boat, but I can tell you, it’s not going to get any easier as time goes on.

In our kid’s age group (early to late 20’s) many parents are stressing over why, after after sending their kids to elite private schools, and incredible universities, many are still have difficulty finding their “dream jobs,”–especially if they want to stay in San Diego–and buying their own homes (unless the parents purchase it for them, as we have) is pretty much out of the question.

In the final analysis, our kids ended up finding their “dream jobs” through family connections, even though they all had great educational backgrounds, so, IMO, education is wonderful, but, to keep it in perspective, there are truly many variables that lead one to success.

[joec]

[quote=flyer]I completely understand the stress many of you who are parents of young children are going through with the school situation in the areas you’ve mentioned, especially since we have friends who are in the same boat, but I can tell you, it’s not going to get any easier as time goes on.

In our kid’s age group (early to late 20’s) many parents are stressing over why, after after sending their kids to elite private schools, and incredible universities, many are still have difficulty finding their “dream jobs,”–especially if they want to stay in San Diego–and buying their own homes (unless the parents purchase it for them, as we have) is pretty much out of the question.

In the final analysis, our kids ended up finding their “dream jobs” through family connections, even though they all had great educational backgrounds, so, IMO, education is wonderful, but, to keep it in perspective, there are truly many variables that lead one to success.[/quote]

I agree with you completely…ALL my jobs except for 1 was through referrals. The 1 job I got on my own, I got fired from eventually. 🙂

That said, it’s always been who you know, not what since if you want to get promoted, you better know how to play the office politics game and not piss off someone who could get you fired.

From my experience as well and similar to what I posted in the other thread about 30-40 years ago vs. now, it’s just not possible for most people to stay and live in CA and buy a home in San Diego/Bay Area/Los Angeles especially for people coming out now. Certainly not in the areas which people would compare with 30-40 years ago or half desirable areas. Everyone I knew who bought a home in the bay area had family help and these homes are mostly 1 mil+. Unless you hit it rich through stock options, it’ll be tough for most folks just getting a “regular job” to buy. One reason for the delayed household formation/marriage as well.

Knowing what I know now vs then, I’d recommend more kids try to start companies if they can…Doesn’t have to be tech, but good experience to be entrepreneurial.

[flyer]

More good points, Joe.

Even in my own life this played out. After college, my goal was to be hired as a pilot by a major airline ASAP. As luck/fate would have it, a friend’s Dad happened to be the Chief Pilot for the airline I most wanted to fly for. Many years later I’m still there, and have enjoyed every minute of the ride.

Personally, I think many young people (and parents) today are being sold a bogus promise that education in, and of itself, will automatically lead their children to the life of their dreams, and, as we’ve seen with many of our kids friends, that has not played out in real life.

We’ve seen many disappointed young people of late– who thought life came with a guarantee–because everyone around them told them it did. Apart from education, our kids knew we would help them with connections, and, as you and I both mentioned, that element has turned out to be the most valuable resource of all.

It was even a major factor with regard to my daughter getting into med school, and my other kids would, most likely, never have become execs in the film business without my wife’s connections.

[joec]

Yeah, I’m sorta sad about the realities of life.

Maybe it’s with my parents being Asian and not really making those business connections or working to help each other (my dad sorta expects just doing hard work will get recognized) and you’ll just “get” the promotions, jobs, etc…even if you don’t toot your own horn. Very far from the truth I think, especially with the Asian glass ceiling. Maybe some of the other posters can share how far they have advanced in their career, but like you say, it really makes all the difference with who you know to get jobs, promotions, schools, etc…

As I’ve posted before, I watch Bloomberg daily and if you look at everyone who sits as an anchor on some of the shows, I think on 1 day, of the 5 people there, they commented that 4 were from Harvard and 1 was from Yale I think. As great as UC schools are, I honestly think they hold much lower respect outside CA with the business exec community.

Yes, a Harvard or Stanford education doesn’t guarantee a thing in life and it’s still the connections, but I think they will get you much further if you’re looking or hoping for a corner office position eventually.

Personally, I hope my son just gets a sports scholarship somewhere, but that’s probably even more competitive. 🙂

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