Moving to SD area

[jwizzle]

I lived in the part of OB/Point Loma that is down the point (ie the nice part with no airport noise) for 3 years. I loved the ocean views and our neighbors, who we used to speak with all the time (unlike where I live now in UC, where I still haven’t met 2/3rds of my neighbors after living there more than a year). I would have to disagree with the people saying there are no kids – we had at least 7 kids on our block, who would go outside and play baseball in the street, despite the massive hill. I did hate the drive in and out and the fact that it took at least 45 minutes to run to the grocery store for anything, so i have to disagree with those saying it is more accessible.

I think the OP should come here before making a decision. Since his/her business partner is in Coronado (and the plan is to have an office halfway in between), I don’t know how attractive living in North County would be. And going to a tiny CV lot would be tough after living on an acre. But there isn’t necessarily a lot in between that would seem desirable and in their price range.

[Ren]

Rired, my two cents…

I’ll be relocating back to the coast next year, and my criteria is more or less the same as yours – good public schools and a place where about $1m will get a nice 4 or 5-bdrm place with a decent lot (certainly not an acre, but enough for a pool and play equipment). I’ve lived in and/or visted every corner of the county for 40 years, spent 5 years actually looking hard, and ended up picking Encinitas/La Costa – the San Dieguito district. $1.5m will get you a VERY nice house there.

La Jolla and Coronado were removed from my list very early on in the search. Del Mar lasted a little longer, but the value isn’t there like it is in Encinitas.

[sdrealtor]

Ren
We look forward to your return and it just keeps getting better around here. The owner of Blue Ribbon Pizza took over Savory and it re-opens tomorrow as Craftsman. He is an amazingly talented chef and I cant wait to eat dinner there tomorrow.

[spdrun]

I did hate the drive in and out and the fact that it took at least 45 minutes to run to the grocery store for anything, so i have to disagree with those saying it is more accessible.

There’s a Vons and Trader Joe’s in Pt. Loma, as well as an organic market. We’re talking more like 5 min by car each way, no way it’s 45.

[an]

Talking about South Carlsbad, this one looks pretty sweet: http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-110050508-2912_Managua_Pl_Carlsbad_CA_92009

It’s also sitting on 1 acre and have ocean “view”. 4800 sq-ft is pretty sweet too.

[sdrealtor]

Great house and area on that one. Its in the Estate section of La Costa. Only issues would be not tons of kids in immediate block or two area (though plenty within a mile) and San Marcos school district (though it is rapidly improving and doesnt matter as they are looking for private schools). Pacific Ridge School is less than 5 minutes away. Would love to send my son there.

[UCGal]

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.)

[sdrealtor]

Off topic question for the origianl poster. One of my favorite recollections growing up was in the Newport area. My Dad’s best friend lived in Providence and on a Summer visit they took us to their beach club. I think it was called Goosebury Bay (???). Do you live near there? This was about 40 years ago. Has it changed?

I still remember the crystal clear water and walking out a couple hundred yards without the water getting deeper. To this day I have never experienced anything like that. What a great memory.

[flyer]

Based upon the additional information the OP has shared–I would again suggest Carmel Valley and Del Mar–especially considering the price range, schools, freeway access, and the Coronado connection. JMO.

We own rentals in both CV and DM, and a couple of the families who lease from us are from the East Coast, and love both locations.

Agree that Sunset Cliffs and parts of Point Loma could be great considerations for the OP with excellent proximity to Coronado. Several family members live in both, but I think other posters have covered the pros and cons that exist there, which should also be considered. University City is also a great option, as UCGal mentioned.

Although we’re San Diego natives, we’ve lived all over the country and the world, but always come back to San Diego–so that should tell you how much we love it, and I think you will too!

[Myriad]

Hah, at least this board is predictable. Different day, different thread, same issues with the same people.

[quote=SD Realtor]rired I think you guys will be fine. Your response about what you get for 1-1.5M is very typical of people who relocate. It is an eyeopener to say the least.

My advice is continue to poll people about the area without making any commitments. I know a few posters who relocated and did it the right way. They came to town and rented here for quite awhile before making a purchase. I would advise for you to do the same.

They also asked for advice on locations, schools etc and watched the thread degenerate. There really is no rush and you can sample the different neighborhoods.[/quote]

Completely agree with SD R here. sdr, SD R, and flu have a lot of good knowledge and advice.

[bearishgurl]

Coronado has great public schools at all levels. It is a small relatively “self-contained” very walkable small town and the OP could live near their biz partner without ever having to set wheels on a freeway. The whole town (incl the strand) is safe for kids to walk and ride bikes in. There ARE lots there the size the OP is used to but those (rare) properties would likely be far above their price range. However, I think they could find something suitable there for a family of six for $1-$1.5M, although it may not have the square footage they are used to. In any case, why not RENT there near your partner while you look around the county at the different areas, try various “commutes” out during rush hours and accept longtime local knowledgeable counsel?

School is on a “traditional schedule” in the CUSD and begins August 23.

http://www.edline.net/pages/Coronado_USD

[Coronita]

Folks. I have a favor to ask of everyone….

We have a new poster here looking for candid, experience-RELEVANT advice/experience living in a particular area. In as much as everyone likes to feel they are an expert at everything, why don’t we stick to facts and personal experiences on this one ok?

There’s a reason why I suggested folks post where they live, their school environment (good and bad), the general environment,etc… Because really, so often then not, threads like this turn into a pissing match on who’s area is better than who. We can do this on other threads, leave the philosophical debates of of this one please.

[jwizzle]

[quote=spdrun]

I did hate the drive in and out and the fact that it took at least 45 minutes to run to the grocery store for anything, so i have to disagree with those saying it is more accessible.

There’s a Vons and Trader Joe’s in Pt. Loma, as well as an organic market. We’re talking more like 5 min by car each way, no way it’s 45.[/quote]

It was 15-20 minutes each way from where I lived (off of Sunset Cliffs) to the Vons/Trader Joes. Considering it’s about 4 miles, I don’t think anyone could make it there in 5 minutes. There are a lot of poorly-timed lights on Rosecrans, plus there are frequently a ridiculous number of cars/people you are dodging/fighting for spaces in the parking lot because of the massive church.

*edited to add – I agree with flu, we should stick to discussing places we have lived. And one of the major downfalls of living in Point Loma is dealing with the traffic in and out, especially the morning Naval Base traffic and the weekend church traffic.

[bearishgurl]

The OP specifically asked if any of the three areas they mentioned was “family friendly” and having spent many weekend days there, I can vouch that Coronado is indeed very “family friendly.” Of course, their biz partner can tell them much more. I know a few students from my area that are going to school over there and they do this bridge commute twice every day because they think the Coronado schools are “worth it.”

I’ve lived in this county for nearly 40 years (probably longer than the vast majority of these “North County booster Piggs” have) and understand intimately what life is truly like in the major SD Metro communities, South County and parts of East County. I don’t believe in “steering” and feel that the OP will be able to see it (and drive or sit in traffic) all by themselves when they actually get here to look around.

I have nothing against North County (or the far reaches of “North City”) except that in this instance, living in those locations could very well unduly complicate the life of the worker in the family.

flu, last time I looked, you weren’t left in charge of directing this discussion ;=]

[flyer]

Totally agree, flu.

Staying on topic per the OP’s parameters, and posting first-hand knowledge that might help the OP have always been my goal in all of my posts.

Each person has to find their “best place,” and that’s all that really matters. Hopefully, some of our targeted suggestions will help these folks find theirs.

[Author]

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