San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
#1
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset (soon to be San Diego, Ca!)
Posts: 28
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!!!!)
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!!!!)
Last edited by Blimmer; Mar 3rd 2011 at 9:49 pm.
#2
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.
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.
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,620
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
It has some very good school districts, family oriented neighbourhoods and good amenities. Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch comes to mind
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset (soon to be San Diego, Ca!)
Posts: 28
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.
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.
Last edited by Blimmer; Mar 4th 2011 at 11:36 am.
#6
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset (soon to be San Diego, Ca!)
Posts: 28
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!!
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
It has some very good school districts, family oriented neighbourhoods and good amenities. Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch comes to mind
#8
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.
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.
Last edited by southerncomfort; Mar 5th 2011 at 4:57 am.
#9
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Posts: 0
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.
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.
#10
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Currently in Devon, UK...moving back to sunny CA!
Posts: 129
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.
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.
#11
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset (soon to be San Diego, Ca!)
Posts: 28
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.
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.
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.
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.
#12
Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
#13
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: San Diego, CA - Advice/Suggestions
#14
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.
Last edited by Michael; Mar 6th 2011 at 11:33 pm.
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
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.
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.