Moving to California.. help?? (Los Angeles, San Diego: middle-class, best neighborhoods, to rent)

[caberstory]

HI! I am a mom planning a move to California with my two middle-school boys. They will both be in 6th grade next year. The two cities I am looking into are Carlsbad (North county San Diego) and L.A. L.A would be a better option for my work situation, but although I have been there many times... I am not very familiar with the area. The main reason for our move is to better my children's education situation. Florida does not have the highest quality schools and my oldest is in an ESE program from autistic children. I would like to know from the L.A locals about the best middle school areas in L.A as well as the best (and most affordable) residential areas. I think we will end up with a three bdrm house or apt. depending on cost. If you know Carlsbad... info on the schools... residential areas there are helpful as well... Thanks in advance... Kim

[JTGJR]

Hi caberstory! If you've looked around on the board much, you'll find that most are not impressed (rightfully so!) with the state of the education system in California, let alone Los Angeles. It's pretty miserable in the LA Unified School District. What you WILL find is what one would expect . . . the best schools are located in the best neighborhoods and most are NOT LAUSD schools. There are many good school districts from Malibu to Palos Verdes along the coast, as well as Pasadena and others more inland. But they're the exceptions. There are also many good private schools if that's an option for you.

You don't say if you'll be looking to purchase a home or rent. But most of the areas with the good schools will run >$600K for a 2-3BR home and the rents will likely be minimum $2K/mo for a family-friendly place.

Sorry, can't speak to Carlsbad, but I know others on the board will be able to answer for it. And, I'm sure, you'll get some great school tool links from the folks around here.

[caberstory]

Thank you for the info. I figured the best schools are in the most expensive neighborhoods. That is the case everywhere... Anyway... I am open to info on private schools as well. CA is one of the FEW states with exceptional autism programs.... and we need a great autism program for my oldest. I definitely cannot afford to buy. I am in the same housing crises as all of you in CA and hope to rent my home in FL as I KNOW it will not sell. The CA living expense is considerably higher than FL living expense... so I will most likely live in a three bdrm apt unless a great rent comes up on a house in a great school district. Everything happens for a reason and I'm hoping for all our ducks to form in a row.... We'll see....... So what are the "expensive" yet great school areas?... Thanks again!!! ~Kim

[EscapeCalifornia]

You should really be looking in one of the more affordable parts of California. Think Sacramento, Fresno, Riverside, etc.

[caberstory]

My work limits me to a few cities nationwide. LA is a city I could easily work.... other than LA is New York, Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando.... I am in a bit of a 'box"... for the needs of my career. NYC, Vegas and Chicago are much less desirable to me than LA...

[JTGJR]

Here are a few, relatively recent, threads that have addressed your questions.

Best Elementary School Districts Middle Schools in these areas are good as well
Private Schools in the South Bay
Nice Middle Class Neighborhoods

[Charles]

Originally Posted by caberstory

HI! I am a mom planning a move to California with my two middle-school boys. .....L.A would be a better option for my work situation,....The main reason for our move is to better my children's education situation.

What line of work are you in?
Where (in California) will you be working?
What is your budget for housing?

[amc760]

carslbad is one of the more upscale communities in san diego.

san diego in general is a better place to raise a kid in my opinion.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by caberstory

Thank you for the info. I figured the best schools are in the most expensive neighborhoods. That is the case everywhere... Anyway... I am open to info on private schools as well. CA is one of the FEW states with exceptional autism programs.... and we need a great autism program for my oldest. I definitely cannot afford to buy. I am in the same housing crises as all of you in CA and hope to rent my home in FL as I KNOW it will not sell. The CA living expense is considerably higher than FL living expense... so I will most likely live in a three bdrm apt unless a great rent comes up on a house in a great school district. Everything happens for a reason and I'm hoping for all our ducks to form in a row.... We'll see....... So what are the "expensive" yet great school areas?... Thanks again!!! ~Kim

i hope you aren't expecting to find those "exceptional autism programs" in LA public schools. i have an acquaintance who makes a great living suing LAUSD and other local school districts for IDEA non-compliance. you might want to consider someplace like the HELP group.

[CESpeed]

Try Parents magazine. They often have listings of alternative schools. I believe the Westside, Santa Monica and Brentwood have schools for special education children. Of course a three bedroom will be around $3,000.