Moving to North County-Need Advice

[joec]

The downside with some of the Poway schools is that a lot of them are full and there have been articles about it where someone lived across the street from the highly rated elementary school, but was forced to go to the much older (25 years) Adobe Bluff school…

Not that AB is a bad school, but walking to school vs. driving 30 minutes sucks. You’d think they will at least let you go to a mello roos school, but I didn’t read that from all the aticles.

Even if you pay upwards of 6-10k in mello roos does not guarantee you a spot in any particular school within the PUSD…just “some” PUSD school.

Del Sur has had a ton of new houses and is still building so that would be a concern. There is a new school being built, but my guess is it would be “full” too.

[evolusd]

We’ve been really happy for the last 2 years in San Elijo Hills, a master-planned community in the southwest corner of San Marcos. Great schools (very high APIs), special neighborhood feel with walkable town center (Albertson’s, Hendo’s, Yogurt Utopia, dry cleaners, Relm Wine Bar, Cafe Stoked, etc), tons of hiking trails and pretty close access to Carlsbad and Encinitas retail/beaches. All in all, it’s been a really great community where neighbors, at least in our subdivision, really look out for eachother and their kids.

Definitely not as ‘prestigous’ as the Crosby or Santaluz, but your commute would be much shorter to Fallbrook and the community offers a lot of what you’re looking for without outrageous HOA/Mello Roos.

Davidson Communities purchased 10 homes on the most premium lots in the master plan a few months ago and plan to release them right in your price range, I believe. Panoramic ocean views and pretty big lots.

http://northcountynewhomes.com/new-luxury-homes-in-san-elijo-hills-the-estates/

http://www.davidsoncommunities.com/the-estates-at-san-elijo-hills.php

[Anonymous]

Temecula is great if you want more affordable housing and miles and miles of surburban housing and big box stores. Also, most people that I know move up there really miss San Diego and regret their decision. I was one of them. I could not wait to get back into San Diego. Quite frankly, it lacks professional performing arts programs (except for children’s programs). Got any musemums and zoos close by?? I realize you are sensitive about Temecula, and no more reason to write anymore. I am sorry that I touched a nerve.

[Essbee]

[quote=cato1974]
It does seem that the school pyramid for that development is also quite appealing.. Del sur/Oak Valley/Del Norte…[/quote]

If you like Oak Valley/Del Norte, then definitely check out Ivy Gate as well. It feeds into Stone Ranch/Oak Valley/Del Norte and it is very nice. Unfortunately, I don’t think there are currently any listings there, but perhaps by the time you are looking, there may be.

[paramount]

[quote=konakai]Temecula is great if you want more affordable housing and miles and miles of surburban housing and big box stores. Also, most people that I know move up there really miss San Diego and regret their decision. I was one of them. I could not wait to get back into San Diego. Quite frankly, it lacks professional performing arts programs (except for children’s programs). Got any musemums and zoos close by?? I realize you are sensitive about Temecula, and no more reason to write anymore. I am sorry that I touched a nerve.[/quote]

Good observations regarding Temecula. It’s funny you mention this, as I spend a good deal of my time in San Diego and I can never find a BIG BOX store around when I need one.

Where are they?

Someone please tell me, where are the BIG BOX stores in San Diego? Have they been zoned out of existence?
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[yes, I’m joking since we all know San Diego is loaded with BIG BOX stores just like Temecula]

I Like Big Box and I Cannot Lie

I like big box and I cannot lie.
You other shoppers can’t deny

[flyer]

Personally, I have to agree with NJ, in, that, with your price point, I would definitely check out Carmel Valley. We lived there for several years, before moving to RSF, and still own rentals there.

You have a lot to consider–schools, commute times, Mello-Roos, HOA fees–etc., etc.–but with all of the info that’s been shared, I’m sure you’ll make a good decision.

[The-Shoveler]

Seriously when was the last time you went to the zoo?
or the museum?

I went to the zoo and all the museums down by the zoo and national city area about 3 years ago, I think I am good for another year or two before I go see them again.

You seem a little sensitive yourself there, just saying.

There are some really nice Golf courses in Temecula by the way.

[spdrun]

I used to go quite frequently (mainly to museums) when I was a kid and my dad worked in New York… I guess that falls under “nice to have if you have kids”, though 20-25 mi extra won’t make a hell of a lot of difference when doing that.

HOWEVER, if I were raising a family in San Diego, I’d strongly consider somewhere within walking/biking distance of a beach. As a kid, I used to spend summers at the shore — being able to walk to the beach, to the store, down the street to hang out with friends was great when you were ten.

For under $1.5MM, you CAN find such a thing in North County south of Oceanside. It will probably be older and smaller, but the area is more important than house size.

[cato1974]

I’ve also read some about people not being able to send their child to PUSD despite having paid Mello Roos in a zoned community. That would be irksome to say the least. I’ve spent some time going over the new k-8 school going up and it seems very promising. Maybe the opening of that school in 2014 will help alleviate some of the capacity issues.
You guys are all giving us a lot of homework to do and places to explore when we come out!

[ocrenter]

Sorry, late to the party, lots of excellent suggestions. But would definitely mention Cielo as another option for you.

Location is on the other side of Del Dios Highway from Crosby, the west side of the development goes to RSF schools, but the east side of the development goes to Escondido, so you do have to do your due diligence.

The prices likely higher than you would like to spend, but just throwing it out there as a possible option.

Crosby is probably your best option given you’ll have the option of taking Del Dios to the I-15 as well as the option of going south through Camino Del Sur. Crosby will be going to PUSD schools.

Santaluz is REALLY nice, but again, you’re more south than you should be and you’ll be forced to take Camino Del Norte all the way to the I-15 as Del Dios is gated off. Same goes for Ivy Gates, just too far south.

The Lakes is adjacent to Crosby. Also PUSD schools, you’ll have to check to see if you can drive pass Crosby to get to Del Dios Highway.

If you want to be in the best neighborhoods, these are where you should be concentrating on and still with a reasonable commute. By having the ability to take the Del Dios Highway, you are shaving off 10 minutes off your commute each way.

I do like San Elijo Hills, but it is your classic upper middle master plan community, think 4S Ranch.

Carmel Valley is going to be WAY TOO FAR for Fallbrook.

Go with Crosby or Cielo!

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

[yes, I’m joking since we all know San Diego is loaded with BIG BOX stores just like Temecula]
I Like Big Box and I Cannot Lie
I like big box and I cannot lie.
You other shoppers can’t deny]

Yes. You are correct about San Diego having big box stores–here is a revelation: most big cities do have them!

However, several little pockets within San Diego county that have independently owned stores/boutiques in real neighborhoods where you can actually walk to the store or restaurants where as in Temecula you have to drive to such a place. (e.g., Old Town Temecula. Let’s not forget Temecula is in Riverside county and not in San Diego county!

Have you been to South Park, downtown San Diego, or Carlsbad lately? I think I touched another nerve from another Temecula resident. Oh yeah, lets not talk about the 100+ degree summers in Temecula while you play golf! lol. There is no diversity in activities there. Frankly, I have bit my lip each time I would read a plug for a move to Temecula by a Piggington poster who lives there. I knew I would get a snippy reply as other posters have gone out and mentioned their thoughts on Temecula, and got ostracized. I was correct with that assessment. I have been a member on Piggingto’ns for over 7 years, and I thought I would go out on a limb and post my experience living in Temecula. It was horrible and boring!

[spdrun]

Just to play ‘ol Scratch’s attorney for a change, could one not own a home within walking distance of Old Town Temecula?

[Anonymous]

[Just to play ‘ol Scratch’s attorney for a change, could one not own a home within walking distance of Old Town Temecula?]

Why yes there is lovely Section 8 housing within a close walk to downtown Temecula. Another Temecula resident? lol.

[spdrun]

Guess that answers my question. Not much for sale at all on the same side of 15 as Old Town. There are a few housing developments on the other side within walking distance, but not much available close in.

This being said, proximity to Section 8 isn’t a deal-breaker in my book. Section 8 subsidies are everywhere, where you may not even realize. I own a 1/1 investment condo in a pretty nice area of SD, but there are a few Section 8 tenants in the complex. It’s not “the projects” or “the hood” — some landlords just choose to take a subsidy.

[The-Shoveler]

Dude the weather in some of the areas mentioned in SD are not much different, but anyway I am really glad you moved out of Temecula as well.

Please feel free to stay away.

The rest is just not worth my time.

[Author]

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