North County San Diego

[FormerOwner]

lucmom,

Just HOW bad are the public schools in Mission Hills? Can you describe the schools there? I like that area a lot and I’m aware that the schools are the biggest issue for a lot of people. I’ve also noticed that a lot of the people you see walking around and doing yardwork there are in their 60’s or better. I’d like to get some inside scoop on this though.

[FormerOwner]

lucmom,

Just HOW bad are the public schools in Mission Hills? Can you describe the schools there? I like that area a lot and I’m aware that the schools are the biggest issue for a lot of people. I’ve also noticed that a lot of the people you see walking around and doing yardwork there are in their 60’s or better. I’d like to get some inside scoop on this though.

[lucmom]

If you are on the north side of Mission Hills (north of Washington), Grant Elementary is not too bad (it’s now K-8). I think most people in that area can go to Point Loma High, which would also not be horrible. South of Washington, the sequence is Florence Elementary, Roosevelt, then San Diego High. There are fine teachers at all the schools, but without saying what I do, let’s just say I have inside knowledge that keeps me from wanting to put my kids in that sequence.

Many people who live in this area put their kids in private schools, especially Francis Parker, and I think that removes local pressure on the schools to improve.

There are a lot of older people in the Mission Hills area, which is the case for our particular block, however, we’re seeing more and more families with young children around. Point Loma is nearby and offers a lot more kid activities (gyms, art classes, etc.), although having Balboa Park nearby is wonderful.

Thanks to all for the comments. The things most of you mentioned are what we’ve been considering from the lack of true diversity to the drug issues and elitism. We’re also not pushing to move right now, but just starting the process of exploring the neighborhoods. Our child is only 2, so we have plenty of time.

I was hoping there might be some area we had overlooked. Scripps Ranch actually has some good schools, (although we’d hoped for more north to be closer to extended family), and I think we’ll check into there more carefully.

We’ve looked Del Sur and 4S only superficially. Any other thoughts about those areas? Thanks so much for the help –

grace

[lucmom]

If you are on the north side of Mission Hills (north of Washington), Grant Elementary is not too bad (it’s now K-8). I think most people in that area can go to Point Loma High, which would also not be horrible. South of Washington, the sequence is Florence Elementary, Roosevelt, then San Diego High. There are fine teachers at all the schools, but without saying what I do, let’s just say I have inside knowledge that keeps me from wanting to put my kids in that sequence.

Many people who live in this area put their kids in private schools, especially Francis Parker, and I think that removes local pressure on the schools to improve.

There are a lot of older people in the Mission Hills area, which is the case for our particular block, however, we’re seeing more and more families with young children around. Point Loma is nearby and offers a lot more kid activities (gyms, art classes, etc.), although having Balboa Park nearby is wonderful.

Thanks to all for the comments. The things most of you mentioned are what we’ve been considering from the lack of true diversity to the drug issues and elitism. We’re also not pushing to move right now, but just starting the process of exploring the neighborhoods. Our child is only 2, so we have plenty of time.

I was hoping there might be some area we had overlooked. Scripps Ranch actually has some good schools, (although we’d hoped for more north to be closer to extended family), and I think we’ll check into there more carefully.

We’ve looked Del Sur and 4S only superficially. Any other thoughts about those areas? Thanks so much for the help –

grace

[doublewide]

It’s all about the parks…

At least that’s our way of finding our perfect area.

If you yahoo map an area you’re interested in you can easily pick out all the parks and go visit them.

We really get a feel for the individual neighborhoods by the parks and the people that frequent them.

For example, we thought we really wanted Poway Unified at one point but were able to eliminate most of Poway County as our type of ‘hood based on the graffiti and used condoms laying around the park parking lots. There is one really nice neighborhood though called “The Palisades”.

Also, there is a park in Sabre Springs where every moringing it’s filled with Chinese people doing Tai-Chi (however you spell that) and playing with what must be their grandkids. I think the area must be filled with multi-generational Chinese families all of whom we’ve always found very nice towards us (we’re as white as they come) and our dogs. We could never find a home there that worked for us (we’re renters and the pickings were always very slim in Sabre Springs).

So since you have time before you need to buy I say make a few trips a week with your toddler to parks in areas you like. You’ll really get a feel for the people who live in the immediate area.

Good luck,
Doublewide

[doublewide]

It’s all about the parks…

At least that’s our way of finding our perfect area.

If you yahoo map an area you’re interested in you can easily pick out all the parks and go visit them.

We really get a feel for the individual neighborhoods by the parks and the people that frequent them.

For example, we thought we really wanted Poway Unified at one point but were able to eliminate most of Poway County as our type of ‘hood based on the graffiti and used condoms laying around the park parking lots. There is one really nice neighborhood though called “The Palisades”.

Also, there is a park in Sabre Springs where every moringing it’s filled with Chinese people doing Tai-Chi (however you spell that) and playing with what must be their grandkids. I think the area must be filled with multi-generational Chinese families all of whom we’ve always found very nice towards us (we’re as white as they come) and our dogs. We could never find a home there that worked for us (we’re renters and the pickings were always very slim in Sabre Springs).

So since you have time before you need to buy I say make a few trips a week with your toddler to parks in areas you like. You’ll really get a feel for the people who live in the immediate area.

Good luck,
Doublewide

[Bugs]

If you want to see a wider cross section of your neighbors in action the place to visit is the grocery stores.

You are who you shop with.

[Bugs]

If you want to see a wider cross section of your neighbors in action the place to visit is the grocery stores.

You are who you shop with.

[seattle-relo]

What about Rancho Penasquitos? You still have access to the Poway Unified School District and there is quite a bit of socio-economic and cultural diversity. We moved to San Diego about 7 months ago from one of the best school districs in the Seattle suburbs. We were in temporary housing in PQ and I was a little nervous about how the schools would be because the school my kindergartener would attend had a pretty high rate of kids receiving free lunches. (We were at Los Penasquitos Elementary). Anyway, this school far surpassed what he was learning in kindergarten in Seattle, I was extrememly impressed with how dedicated the teachers and actively involved the parents were. And I was glad that my son had a chance to be in a classroom that was so culturally diverse, it was really great for him. I can’t verify this, but one of the mom’s told me that Los Pen had some of the highest scores in the district this year.
BTW, being a mom who totally wanted my family to feel settled when we moved here, we bought a place 3 months ago. So I totally understand wanting to buy, even when people warn you not to. I just want to say for you to try to understand the big econmic picture of a downturning market before you commit to owning a home. Had we done our research, we would have waited, at least another year or two, even though it would have been really hard.

Best of luck to you on whatever you do.

[seattle-relo]

What about Rancho Penasquitos? You still have access to the Poway Unified School District and there is quite a bit of socio-economic and cultural diversity. We moved to San Diego about 7 months ago from one of the best school districs in the Seattle suburbs. We were in temporary housing in PQ and I was a little nervous about how the schools would be because the school my kindergartener would attend had a pretty high rate of kids receiving free lunches. (We were at Los Penasquitos Elementary). Anyway, this school far surpassed what he was learning in kindergarten in Seattle, I was extrememly impressed with how dedicated the teachers and actively involved the parents were. And I was glad that my son had a chance to be in a classroom that was so culturally diverse, it was really great for him. I can’t verify this, but one of the mom’s told me that Los Pen had some of the highest scores in the district this year.
BTW, being a mom who totally wanted my family to feel settled when we moved here, we bought a place 3 months ago. So I totally understand wanting to buy, even when people warn you not to. I just want to say for you to try to understand the big econmic picture of a downturning market before you commit to owning a home. Had we done our research, we would have waited, at least another year or two, even though it would have been really hard.

Best of luck to you on whatever you do.

[4runner]

Grace,

You can also get into Grant if you live in South Mission Hills/Middleton– i.e., west of Goldfinch but South of Washington.

My daughter’s at Grant now– with the exception of one teacher, we’ve been pretty satisfied with the school. As a former magnet school, there is the type of diversity that I desire– namely, kids without a sense of entitlement whose parents value education and have worked to get them into Grant. Nothing like a little hunger to spur that work ethic…

As for high school, some people intentionally opt into sending their kids to the IB program at Roosevelt.

[4runner]

Grace,

You can also get into Grant if you live in South Mission Hills/Middleton– i.e., west of Goldfinch but South of Washington.

My daughter’s at Grant now– with the exception of one teacher, we’ve been pretty satisfied with the school. As a former magnet school, there is the type of diversity that I desire– namely, kids without a sense of entitlement whose parents value education and have worked to get them into Grant. Nothing like a little hunger to spur that work ethic…

As for high school, some people intentionally opt into sending their kids to the IB program at Roosevelt.

[SD Realtor]

Doublewide and Bugs made good points about the parks and the grocery stores… we bring our toddlers to Scripps Lake all the time to feed the ducks. We also frequent the parks in Sabre Springs and Poway. Both Del Sur and 4S most likely have exactly what you are looking for with respect to demographics. They do have Mello Roos and HOA and in 4S you will not have a large size lot. However the schools will be good and again, the demographics will be closer to what you desire from what I gather. Pricing in both these areas is what it is… higher then most people believe it should be or will be in the future.

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Doublewide and Bugs made good points about the parks and the grocery stores… we bring our toddlers to Scripps Lake all the time to feed the ducks. We also frequent the parks in Sabre Springs and Poway. Both Del Sur and 4S most likely have exactly what you are looking for with respect to demographics. They do have Mello Roos and HOA and in 4S you will not have a large size lot. However the schools will be good and again, the demographics will be closer to what you desire from what I gather. Pricing in both these areas is what it is… higher then most people believe it should be or will be in the future.

SD Realtor

[doublewide]

Bugs..Vrundy…

Bugs, you are so right about the grocery store comment. A couple of years ago I’d park my little Honda between giant Hummers and lifted Fords in Temecula grocery stores to then walk inside and be faced with women with 0% body fat and Triple D chests…man was I out of my element. If we ever leave Scripps I’m going to start house shopping by checking out the local grocery store !

Vrundy, that’s cool about your MIL. My daughter and I still go to that park and walk our dogs many mornings and everyone is so nice. There seems to be a lanugage barrier but we talk with smiles while the little kids pet the dogs. We also like to just watch the Tai-Chi, it’s so calm and graceful…but I’ve always wondered, is it rude to watch??? Grandma always said don’t stare, but it’s like watching a ballet, how can you not look?

Doublewide

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