neighborhood help (San Diego, San Francisco, Orange: transferring to, school districts, college)

[batransplant]

We are considering a relocation from the bay area.We currently live in an upscale area with very good schools, expensive cost of living for what you get, and most people here are college educated professionals with an strong emphasis on education. We are a professional couple in our late 30's with a toddler.

Can someone tell me what these San Diego areas are like? We are trying to narrow down where to potentially look for a place to live. I like charming communities with some creativity, great dining options, good weather, safety, good schools, and nice people. I am not looking for any red neck areas with a crystal meth presence so please let me know if any of these communities have this element.

Del Mar
Carlsbad
Encinitas
Rancho Santa Fe
Carmel Valley
Solana Beach
La Jolla

[NYSD1995]

Asked and answered dozens of times in this forum. Please search some of the older threads. Based on what I've already read of your posting history, you will absolutely hate living in San Diego.

[batransplant]

Why do you say that? I have family in San Diego who I am very close with plus the weather is great. I think it might be more wholesome than LA where I grew up, plus some of the school districts appear to rival the bay area...at least elementary and middle.

[batransplant]

Oh...and I lived in San Diego for a year during college and had a great time before transferring to UCI, but that was a long time ago. I don't want to consider Orange County due to the conservatism and bizarre level of materialism so San Diego seems like a good choice. I miss the good weather.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Asked and answered dozens of times in this forum. Please search some of the older threads. Based on what I've already read of your posting history, you will absolutely hate living in San Diego.

I have not reviewed her posting history (I'll take your word on that), but from what I'm seeing here, I agree. I can see into the future, the threads created to complain about how boring SD is, how there's no good restaurants, too conservative, blah blah blah. Why do people move here knowing what SD is then try to change it? I'll never understand that.

[djxpress]

Originally Posted by batransplant

I am not looking for any red neck areas with a crystal meth presence so please let me know if any of these communities have this element.

You do realize that San Diego is one of the largest meth cities in the country (being across the border from Mexico and all)?

[NYSD1995]

This is a person who complains that the San Francisco Bay Area is "too laid back".

You ain't seen nothing on laid back until you've seen San Diego.

My troll-o-meter has been twitching on this one for a long time.

[batransplant]

Have you spent much time in the bay area to compare against San Diego in terms of laid back? Again, I grew up in So Cal and have only been in the bay area for 3 years due to a career relocation. Now my husband may be able to relocate to San Diego. The weather and topography in the bay area is causing major health problems for me and my 2 yo daughter. My allergies are a constant maintenance and misery, and the constant gray skies have caused seasonal affective disorder.

I am looking for warmer weather with much less fog and rain, and closer to the water with excellent schools.

Can anyone recommend a town I assume in North San Diego county which might fit the bill? I dont mind a marine layer or june gloom. I lived in Marina del Rey before moving to the bay area so I get that weather pattern.

[janineg]

Wow, I don't understand the semi-hostile responses you've gotten to a reasonable question. You don't seem very trollish to me! Anyway, as I posted in your other thread, research Encinitas.
Janine

[batransplant]

Thanks Janine! Much appreciated!