[FeistyNumerate]

Thank you both!

[FeistyNumerate]

4S has a large boys and girls club and the YMCA. This would be in addition to any of the other school programs in addition to the smaller private options as well. Plus those two have summer programs. YMCA can be on the more expensive side depending on which camp you chose. Each week can be something different, giving you the flexibility to mix it up and cater to the specific desires of the kiddo and your wallet.

In SR you have quite a few options as well. You have SAY at the schools (identical to ESS in Poway) In addition to Jing, KinderCare, Scripps Ranch Swim & Racquet Club, Sol City, & Maggie’s Art.

My son attends Jing and they too have additional enrichment options, Chess, Lego Club, Mad Science etc which is rotated throughout the year. I liked the idea of him learning Mandarin, since most schools do not expose children to a second language until middle school. Having lived abroad in Africa and Poland when he was 3-6 he was already exposed to the foreign languages, so I figured we’d continue to build on that.

My only concern if you were to elect for 4S/Del Sur is your commute. Give a cruise up the 15 one afternoon after you get off work, actually, do it a few times. It’s pretty painful. That combined with most after school programs end at 6pm, if you’re in a demanding career with long hours, you can find yourself smacking against that cut off. Plus I cannot stress enough, evenings FLY by with school age kids. If I get stuck grabbing him minutes before 6, by the time we get home decompress, walk the dogs, get dinner on the table and then finish homework, it’s bedtime. That’s not including throwing them in shower and reading to them and actually enjoying your kid time! Add in sports, any of the girlscout/boy scouts, music lessons… every.minute.counts!

Have you considered University City? Off of Governor Drive? I feel that area is a hidden gem. Would keep you guys close to SV for work however that split may make it painful.

What do you guys do for fun as a family? Are you going to be content with the local activities in 4S? Or do you find yourself maximizing the city and it’s attractions? Beaches? During the week, I’m a robot and we just get through the grind. Weekends we hit the town. I love being 20 minutes from just about anything we like to do. Museums, Balboa Park, Beaches, Restaurants, D&B… You’re kind of tucked away in 4S. Which isn’t bad if it fits your lifestyle!

[FeistyNumerate]

You can choice into Poway schools as well and they accept intradistrict and interdistrict transfers. This includes people who only work in the area and there are quite a few big companies over there. Mine specifically!

I did this for my son, based on my employers location. I actually received a call with a spot available for him but we declined as we ended up moving to SR. I have quite a few coworkers with kids who have done the same.

Also the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA in 4S has an awesome summer program. I’ve utilized both for a week or two of summer camps/care and the kiddo is always excited to go back.

As far as commutes – 15 North bound is a parking lot after 4pm on most afternoons from about Scripps Poway until the 78! Same can be the same for Southbound in the mornings, as it seems to slow down around 56/Camino Del Norte on down south. Often times the express lanes are 3/1 to accommodate, but if you’re not driving into work with your spouse you’ll have to factor in the cost of the pass.

I do agree with who ever said SR is further inland. However access to 4S/Del Sur is much more limited. With SR you can go North or South to the 56/52 and then you also have Mira Mesa Blvd & Miramar Road and the sniper roads that feed into both, to get around.

Lastly, personal opinion and may not apply to your scenario in the least bit. As a single mom, with only one kid, finding adequate before and after school care has always been a chore. His current school allows for a 730 drop off which is the first time we’ve been able to avoid before school care. However, my company works a 9/80 schedule, thus my days are long and I never opt for a lunch! So sometimes, I even cut it close to a 6pm pick up. That’s a HUGE factor in where I decide live. I always assumed having a kid would get easier (and cheaper haha!!) once he was school age! Instead we’re busier and I have much less flexibility! Most school programs have wait lists and many programs do not offer coverage for the minimum days and holidays, and if do, also have a wait list! So for me, adding 15-30 minutes daily for a commute isn’t an option. May not be an issue if you’re electing for in home or family to assist. However, there’s always a class event or performance or “something”, that comes up every week or so that I don’t want to miss. Rarely do these occur at the start or the end of the school day, either. So I’m typically skipping in and back out of work to attend. Take a gander at the school calendar and you’ll see… there’s always something going on and most kids, especially in highly active and engaged schools, don’t want to miss a beat!

I really think you’ll find the two are comparable and you just need to go with what makes you and your family happier. I’m going to miss SR and would shank someone if it meant staying here was in the cards for us! Good luck!

[FeistyNumerate]

Personally, I’d stay in Scripps Ranch. No MR’s and amazing schools. Amazing community, climate is more ideal (if only marginally compared to 4S) and the location! CV would have a slightly cooler climate (and annoying Marine layer) although wins in location. Although the traffic and the split make it a headache…

When we first returned to San Diego, in early 2011, we settled in Carmel Valley. I did so based on the recommendations for schools and the proximity to an employer in Carlsbad. Hands down, the elementary school and neighborhood have been the least pleasant experiences so far. Full disclosure, we were a younger family (mid 20’s) and I was often mistaken for my sons nanny or babysitter… so I don’t really feel like we fit in with the demographics, so to say.

We moved two years later to University City. Enrolled our son in Curie Elementary, and no real complaints about the school and or area. However, this isn’t on your radar, so I won’t go into details here.

I now reside in SR with my son, and have for the past two years. I absolutely LOVE Scripps Ranch and the schools. Love the community and I really like that the small “city” feel that the area provides.

In regards to schools, my son tested into the GATE program, and Miramar Ranch Elementary, is one of the few SD schools which offers seminar. Awesome program if your child scores high enough on the GATE test. Your little won’t even test until 2nd Grade, so may not even be worth factoring in at the present moment. Overall though, the schools and the PTA are amazing.

Plus, if you really want to enrich the kiddo, Jing Institute, will pick up your kid and take them for after school care. The costs are almost identical to SAY and other after school programs (They were actually less when I initially did my analysis) and the child will learn Mandarin & Wushu, along the typical homework and play agenda.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find anything over the past two months in this area and are now in escrow for a place up in Carmel Mountain Ranch. My employer is over in Rancho Bernardo, boarding 4S. This was a huge perk as far as commute (although my current 10-15 minutes isn’t bad at all) and the ability for the kiddo to walk to HS/MS kind of sealed the deal. If I could have found something in SR, I wouldn’t be moving.

If you can afford it here, I’d stay. Hands down.

[FeistyNumerate]

I’m in similar shoes as your buddy.

I have put in well over 10 offers at this point, with no dice. All but the initial offer have been at listing or higher! Funny part is the first offer I actually got through two rounds of countering before they accepted a last minute higher offer. There was no pressure up to that point, as it had been on the market for three weeks and I was their only offer. Then BAM things changed, drastically.

The last few offers I started at least 10K over listing. Hoping to avoid the multiple counter offer from the start. Latest offer was 10K to start, final and best was another 10K and still nothing. My offer is clean w/proof of funds. So I dunno, first rodeo, and I’m getting chapped.

Could also be the range I’m looking (under 330K – 2/2 or 2/1’s) I’m also only looking from RB – Scripps Ranch, for schools for my son.

[FeistyNumerate]

I’m struggling, significantly with the lack of inventory myself. Multiple offers, typically above listing, and no dice due to multiple(higher) offers. I’m really hoping that this is just typical low inventory and things start to open up.

[FeistyNumerate]

Thank you both!

I have called Vanguard and they’ve advised there is no fee from them to receive the IRA, but in regards to the MF’s I’d have to contact AF.

I’ll give it another go tomorrow and see if I have better luck. 🙂

[FeistyNumerate]

Thanks XBoxBoy for the link and observation of the inventory trend. Having just been outbid on a place I’ve been wallowing on the nonexistent inventory for my specs as of late. This gives me a bit more optimism.

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