San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

Hi all,

We are off to San Diego on monday to do a recce trip. We will be staying in the Kensington area and thought we would ask for some suggestions on here for good areas to look at for settling in!

We are a family of four - myself, wife (USC), Son (16) and daughter (nearly 4). We have already done some research ourselves online but know there must be people on here who know the area and whats good/bad!! I will be looking for work in the IT field (Cisco Network Engineer) when we eventually move but would be happier living in a good area and commuting further if necessary.

We are looking for a mixture of reasonably good schools and relatively inexpensive rent (hens teeth I hear you cry!!!!).

Thanks in advance

Blimmer

P.S. If anyone knows a good realtor to register with please feel free to recommend (have heard it can be a minefield!!!!)

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

I like South Park, it has a good mixture of independent shops and restaurants and bars. Is close to downtown, freeways, airport and Balboa Park. Typically the houses are older. I've no idea about schools though.

If you're looking for more of a 'cookie cutter', strip mall and safe neighbourhood then Carmel Valley, Sorrento Valley, Sorrento Mesa, etc. You'll also get some gret schools in these areas.

I'd be interested to know where your research led you.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

What kind of commute would you be willing to put up with?

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

You say that you are looking for work, so, potentially, you could end up anywhere in San Diego county - so don't discount North San Diego County.

It has some very good school districts, family oriented neighbourhoods and good amenities. Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch comes to mind

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

Thanks for the info, will look into South Park etc. Our research has mainly been based around schools, north San Diego seems to be the best area for this, Poway in particular.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

I guess an hour is kinda what I am expecting. This is what I currently do in the UK and am well used to it

Thanks for the info, Poway does seem to have a good reputation so I think we will definitely be taking a drive up there!!

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

No idea how bad the traffic is out that way, but an hour could be only as far as 10 miles in the morning in a car.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

Kensington is a nice area in its self but the local schools don't seem so great.
City Heights, just down the road, is an area to avoid. La Jolla, Del Mar and Solana Beach to the North are all very nice places to live but are maybe a bit further than you would like to travel. North park and South park both have lively communities. We live about 5 minutes (drive that is) from Kensington and it takes my wife about 25 minutes to get to work up in La Jolla If she leaves the house after 8 am its nearer to a 35 minute commute.

If you have the opportunity check out the Kensington Vine wine bar at the end of Adams Ave (4187). They have excellent Pinots and do a great cheese plate.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

City heights is really improving and is not nearly as bad as people like to make it seem, while not for everyone, its hardly a bad area and certainly not one to avoid.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

There are some fantastic areas in and around SD, (and as someone else mentioned, city heights has improved a lot, I have friends who just bought a house there.)
If you don't mind a commute, Carlsbad is has also come a long way, really great beaches, good schools, and the property is slightly more affordable. however, the commute might be a major factor in your decisions, it can be really bad going into downtown SD. La Jolla is stunning, and you'll fall in love with it! but, property prices are high, hence my suggestion of Carlsbad. We are from San CLemente, and a lot of our friends moved down that way.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

Thanks all for your suggestions, flight is tomorrow morning will let you know how we get on!!!!

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

That area appears to have the best schools.

http://schoolperformancemaps.com/ca/...18378%2C10%2C1

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

Poway tends to be on the wealthier side, so they get the better schools, the lower income area's which some are very nice places get shafted because their schools receive less funding.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

Less funding is part of the problem but it is also genes, sufficient family income, and the parents and peers outlook on the importance of education that also are major contributing factors. All of those are a given in a wealthly school district.

Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
 

I can highly recommend Tammy Robbins

TR Realty & TR Mortgage

DRE# 01441811

Office: (619)699-7301
Fax: (619)239-1586


Tammy found us the perfect house. She was very patient with us! Feel free to PM me. :)