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[quote=AN]It sounds like you want new, big, and under $600k. If that the combination you’re looking for, there’s not much w/in 30-45 minute (normal w/ traffic) drive. You can go w/ either Santee or Chula. Both have new, big, and under $600k. But the school is definitely not to the same level as PUSD or SDUHSD. I personally would pick Chula over Santee, due to the proximity to the ocean and down town. But I would never want to commute more than 20 minutes (w/ traffic) to work.[/quote]

Not exactly new and big. I want something relatively new (less than 15 years), 2000-2300 sf (not any bigger than that) and around 500K, preferably under, definitely not 600K and definitely not high MR (less than 300/mo) or high HOAs, and good school district ( not necessarily PUSD or del Mar). So a relatively average SFR. And I compromised on commute, to 45′ instead of 20′ what we both have now (work in La Jolla, rent in UTC).

I don’t think I am asking for too much, am I? I just don’t know much about the rest of San Diego except UTC, Carmel Valley, Penasquitos, RB. There must be areas that satisfy those things, esp. school district. It can’t be all that bad.

[Scarlett]

[quote=SkyRanchOwner]We looked at the newer Chula Vista homes, but because of the commute time to Sorrento Valley, approx. $5 toll road for the 125, we chose to buy in Sky Ranch in Santee.

They are opening the 52 to connect right below the mountain, so the commute to Sorrento Valley will be about 30 minutes. With no traffic or traffic that is moving, I’ve made it in about 25-30 minutes from Sky Ranch.

Here is a link.
http://www.skyranchliving.com/

For schooling, the private schools around the area would be best, but there are some decent public schools.

Here is a thread discussing the area:
http://piggington.com/skyranch_in_santee%5B/quote%5D

Thanks for the links. Yes, Santee is certainly an interesting area. Any idea how reasonable would a private school in your area be? The houses in Skyranch are not cheap like in Chula Vista, plus high HOAs, so I wouldn’t save much money, if at all – certainly not enough to send my kids to private school on that, I think. In general I think Skyranch is still a bit overpriced for the public school quality. Do you think it has reached bottom?

[Scarlett]

[quote=SkyRanchOwner]We looked at the newer Chula Vista homes, but because of the commute time to Sorrento Valley, approx. $5 toll road for the 125, we chose to buy in Sky Ranch in Santee.

They are opening the 52 to connect right below the mountain, so the commute to Sorrento Valley will be about 30 minutes. With no traffic or traffic that is moving, I’ve made it in about 25-30 minutes from Sky Ranch.

Here is a link.
http://www.skyranchliving.com/

For schooling, the private schools around the area would be best, but there are some decent public schools.

Here is a thread discussing the area:
http://piggington.com/skyranch_in_santee%5B/quote%5D

Thanks for the links. Yes, Santee is certainly an interesting area. Any idea how reasonable would a private school in your area be? The houses in Skyranch are not cheap like in Chula Vista, plus high HOAs, so I wouldn’t save much money, if at all – certainly not enough to send my kids to private school on that, I think. In general I think Skyranch is still a bit overpriced for the public school quality. Do you think it has reached bottom?

[Scarlett]

[quote=SkyRanchOwner]We looked at the newer Chula Vista homes, but because of the commute time to Sorrento Valley, approx. $5 toll road for the 125, we chose to buy in Sky Ranch in Santee.

They are opening the 52 to connect right below the mountain, so the commute to Sorrento Valley will be about 30 minutes. With no traffic or traffic that is moving, I’ve made it in about 25-30 minutes from Sky Ranch.

Here is a link.
http://www.skyranchliving.com/

For schooling, the private schools around the area would be best, but there are some decent public schools.

Here is a thread discussing the area:
http://piggington.com/skyranch_in_santee%5B/quote%5D

Thanks for the links. Yes, Santee is certainly an interesting area. Any idea how reasonable would a private school in your area be? The houses in Skyranch are not cheap like in Chula Vista, plus high HOAs, so I wouldn’t save much money, if at all – certainly not enough to send my kids to private school on that, I think. In general I think Skyranch is still a bit overpriced for the public school quality. Do you think it has reached bottom?

[Scarlett]

[quote=SkyRanchOwner]We looked at the newer Chula Vista homes, but because of the commute time to Sorrento Valley, approx. $5 toll road for the 125, we chose to buy in Sky Ranch in Santee.

They are opening the 52 to connect right below the mountain, so the commute to Sorrento Valley will be about 30 minutes. With no traffic or traffic that is moving, I’ve made it in about 25-30 minutes from Sky Ranch.

Here is a link.
http://www.skyranchliving.com/

For schooling, the private schools around the area would be best, but there are some decent public schools.

Here is a thread discussing the area:
http://piggington.com/skyranch_in_santee%5B/quote%5D

Thanks for the links. Yes, Santee is certainly an interesting area. Any idea how reasonable would a private school in your area be? The houses in Skyranch are not cheap like in Chula Vista, plus high HOAs, so I wouldn’t save much money, if at all – certainly not enough to send my kids to private school on that, I think. In general I think Skyranch is still a bit overpriced for the public school quality. Do you think it has reached bottom?

[Scarlett]

[quote=SkyRanchOwner]We looked at the newer Chula Vista homes, but because of the commute time to Sorrento Valley, approx. $5 toll road for the 125, we chose to buy in Sky Ranch in Santee.

They are opening the 52 to connect right below the mountain, so the commute to Sorrento Valley will be about 30 minutes. With no traffic or traffic that is moving, I’ve made it in about 25-30 minutes from Sky Ranch.

Here is a link.
http://www.skyranchliving.com/

For schooling, the private schools around the area would be best, but there are some decent public schools.

Here is a thread discussing the area:
http://piggington.com/skyranch_in_santee%5B/quote%5D

Thanks for the links. Yes, Santee is certainly an interesting area. Any idea how reasonable would a private school in your area be? The houses in Skyranch are not cheap like in Chula Vista, plus high HOAs, so I wouldn’t save much money, if at all – certainly not enough to send my kids to private school on that, I think. In general I think Skyranch is still a bit overpriced for the public school quality. Do you think it has reached bottom?

[Scarlett]

[quote=briansd1][quote=meadandale]all the way down to chula juana [/quote]

“chula juana” should give an insight into why certain folks would never buy down there.[/quote]

I don’t know, but two of my acquaintances bought in the last year in Chula Vista. And the in-laws of one of my friend live there and they really like it. Asian, and European people if that matters. From what they described, it certainly wasn’t the image I had of Chula Vista – I thought it was mostly poor immigrants and such, and that the schools were bad. They live in newer housing (less than 10 yrs old) there, that’s why it got me interested. I’d like to have a place like theirs for 400K, even with a 50′ commute.

[Scarlett]

[quote=briansd1][quote=meadandale]all the way down to chula juana [/quote]

“chula juana” should give an insight into why certain folks would never buy down there.[/quote]

I don’t know, but two of my acquaintances bought in the last year in Chula Vista. And the in-laws of one of my friend live there and they really like it. Asian, and European people if that matters. From what they described, it certainly wasn’t the image I had of Chula Vista – I thought it was mostly poor immigrants and such, and that the schools were bad. They live in newer housing (less than 10 yrs old) there, that’s why it got me interested. I’d like to have a place like theirs for 400K, even with a 50′ commute.

[Scarlett]

[quote=briansd1][quote=meadandale]all the way down to chula juana [/quote]

“chula juana” should give an insight into why certain folks would never buy down there.[/quote]

I don’t know, but two of my acquaintances bought in the last year in Chula Vista. And the in-laws of one of my friend live there and they really like it. Asian, and European people if that matters. From what they described, it certainly wasn’t the image I had of Chula Vista – I thought it was mostly poor immigrants and such, and that the schools were bad. They live in newer housing (less than 10 yrs old) there, that’s why it got me interested. I’d like to have a place like theirs for 400K, even with a 50′ commute.

[Scarlett]

[quote=briansd1][quote=meadandale]all the way down to chula juana [/quote]

“chula juana” should give an insight into why certain folks would never buy down there.[/quote]

I don’t know, but two of my acquaintances bought in the last year in Chula Vista. And the in-laws of one of my friend live there and they really like it. Asian, and European people if that matters. From what they described, it certainly wasn’t the image I had of Chula Vista – I thought it was mostly poor immigrants and such, and that the schools were bad. They live in newer housing (less than 10 yrs old) there, that’s why it got me interested. I’d like to have a place like theirs for 400K, even with a 50′ commute.

[Scarlett]

[quote=briansd1][quote=meadandale]all the way down to chula juana [/quote]

“chula juana” should give an insight into why certain folks would never buy down there.[/quote]

I don’t know, but two of my acquaintances bought in the last year in Chula Vista. And the in-laws of one of my friend live there and they really like it. Asian, and European people if that matters. From what they described, it certainly wasn’t the image I had of Chula Vista – I thought it was mostly poor immigrants and such, and that the schools were bad. They live in newer housing (less than 10 yrs old) there, that’s why it got me interested. I’d like to have a place like theirs for 400K, even with a 50′ commute.

[Scarlett]

Since I had kids I never lived in less than 1600 sf, and I think we won’t be happy in less. Could we make it work if need arises? Sure! But it would take a lot of work, time, and stress and you will really miss a lot of nice things your house had. And all the minor and not so minor inconveniences of the new place will start to really suck, and annoy various members of your family, and well, it’s just not going to be easy. Beside that, you will have to change furniture to fit, throw/donate/store a lot of other things… Can you ALL deal with all the stress? Probably your kids are going to be pretty affected by this. Not saying is not a good lesson for them, but… just hard to bear sometimes. I’d rather commute a little, than downsize quite that much. Something like 1700 sf with 4 bdr would have a much higher chance of success, IMHO. 1300 sf, 3 bdr, not much.

To me it’s not clear why you want to buy this particular house 1300 sf. Have you looked around at houses plenty? Perhaps for a similar amount you can find a house that will suit you much better.

Sure, mortgage-free is attractive A LOT but if I were you, because of the kids, I wouldn’t move. Or in the worst case, I’d rent out the big house (which can be difficult), so you can give it a try. You shouldn’t have problems to rent the smaller place if you changed your mind, or sell.

[Scarlett]

Since I had kids I never lived in less than 1600 sf, and I think we won’t be happy in less. Could we make it work if need arises? Sure! But it would take a lot of work, time, and stress and you will really miss a lot of nice things your house had. And all the minor and not so minor inconveniences of the new place will start to really suck, and annoy various members of your family, and well, it’s just not going to be easy. Beside that, you will have to change furniture to fit, throw/donate/store a lot of other things… Can you ALL deal with all the stress? Probably your kids are going to be pretty affected by this. Not saying is not a good lesson for them, but… just hard to bear sometimes. I’d rather commute a little, than downsize quite that much. Something like 1700 sf with 4 bdr would have a much higher chance of success, IMHO. 1300 sf, 3 bdr, not much.

To me it’s not clear why you want to buy this particular house 1300 sf. Have you looked around at houses plenty? Perhaps for a similar amount you can find a house that will suit you much better.

Sure, mortgage-free is attractive A LOT but if I were you, because of the kids, I wouldn’t move. Or in the worst case, I’d rent out the big house (which can be difficult), so you can give it a try. You shouldn’t have problems to rent the smaller place if you changed your mind, or sell.

[Scarlett]

Since I had kids I never lived in less than 1600 sf, and I think we won’t be happy in less. Could we make it work if need arises? Sure! But it would take a lot of work, time, and stress and you will really miss a lot of nice things your house had. And all the minor and not so minor inconveniences of the new place will start to really suck, and annoy various members of your family, and well, it’s just not going to be easy. Beside that, you will have to change furniture to fit, throw/donate/store a lot of other things… Can you ALL deal with all the stress? Probably your kids are going to be pretty affected by this. Not saying is not a good lesson for them, but… just hard to bear sometimes. I’d rather commute a little, than downsize quite that much. Something like 1700 sf with 4 bdr would have a much higher chance of success, IMHO. 1300 sf, 3 bdr, not much.

To me it’s not clear why you want to buy this particular house 1300 sf. Have you looked around at houses plenty? Perhaps for a similar amount you can find a house that will suit you much better.

Sure, mortgage-free is attractive A LOT but if I were you, because of the kids, I wouldn’t move. Or in the worst case, I’d rent out the big house (which can be difficult), so you can give it a try. You shouldn’t have problems to rent the smaller place if you changed your mind, or sell.

[Scarlett]

Since I had kids I never lived in less than 1600 sf, and I think we won’t be happy in less. Could we make it work if need arises? Sure! But it would take a lot of work, time, and stress and you will really miss a lot of nice things your house had. And all the minor and not so minor inconveniences of the new place will start to really suck, and annoy various members of your family, and well, it’s just not going to be easy. Beside that, you will have to change furniture to fit, throw/donate/store a lot of other things… Can you ALL deal with all the stress? Probably your kids are going to be pretty affected by this. Not saying is not a good lesson for them, but… just hard to bear sometimes. I’d rather commute a little, than downsize quite that much. Something like 1700 sf with 4 bdr would have a much higher chance of success, IMHO. 1300 sf, 3 bdr, not much.

To me it’s not clear why you want to buy this particular house 1300 sf. Have you looked around at houses plenty? Perhaps for a similar amount you can find a house that will suit you much better.

Sure, mortgage-free is attractive A LOT but if I were you, because of the kids, I wouldn’t move. Or in the worst case, I’d rent out the big house (which can be difficult), so you can give it a try. You shouldn’t have problems to rent the smaller place if you changed your mind, or sell.

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