Thinking of buying a house in a nice part of San Diego or the surrounding suburbs? A place where you can have 2.1 kids, a dog, and a mini-van? You’ve got a lot of options. Here are a few, in no particular order.
La Mesa
La Mesa has a unique character – you feel like you’re close to just about everything, but miles away from the hustle and bustle of city living. The heart of La Mesa is its charming downtown area, with all sorts of amenities and delightful parks.
Poway
You may have heard Poway called “the city in the country,” and that’s a fairly accurate assessment. Located just off I-15, Poway is family-friendly, has a great school district, and plenty of outdoor recreation. You’d love living in Poway.
Chula Vista
This is the second-largest urban area in the county, but still fairly small with just over 165,000 residents. It’s growing quickly, and there’s not a lot of new housing available. Still, it has good neighborhoods, friendly people, and lots of charm.
Escondido
This is the largest of the North County suburbs, and is actually pretty much a city on its own. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for recreation and shopping, but still quite a few agricultural areas. All roads lead to Escondido.
Santee
Here’s another fairly urban location that still has some agricultural areas. It’s growing, so real estate is getting more expensive, but it’s still within reach of a growing family.
Carlsbad
Housing in Carlsbad is a bit pricey, but isn’t it worth it to live near LegoLand? For parents, the nightlife is great. However, the commute to San Diego can be difficult – you’ll have to use the I-5.
Ramona
If you’re looking for a slower pace, Ramona is your kind of town. The downtown district is kind of sleepy, and homes typically occupy large lots. There’s a strip of fast food outlets and retail establishments along the main highway, but Ramona hasn’t quite achieved “urban sprawl” just yet.
Summary
There are plenty of choices for family life in the San Diego area. Choose your pace, and pick a location.
Sources:
http://sandiego.about.com/od/livinginsandiego/tp/tp_suburbs.htm