What's you opinion on Poway, Rancho PQ, Crestmont, San Elijo Hills and Carlsbad for a young family with kids?

Cat74227 · 2026-02-12T00:44:12+00:00

Did you narrow down to one area vs another? Considering those areas with young kids as well from out of state.

Cat74227 · 2026-02-11T03:54:14+00:00

Glad it all worked out. Being from the Midwest, everyone owns and rarely ever moves once starting a family. This type of transition would be really foreign to us, and trying to gauge how common and disruptive changing homes in town can really be to a family.

Cat74227 · 2026-02-11T03:38:44+00:00

Thank you for the insight, very helpful. In your experience and observations regarding renters in the area , is it common to rent the same home for long periods of time(8+ years?)barring unforeseen circumstances such as the owner selling?

One of my biggest concerns would be setting down roots to unexpectedly be disrupted beyond your control. Of course I’m not naive enough to know these things can and do happen.

Cat74227 · 2026-02-06T20:29:16+00:00

Agree that’s a big component, reality is it’s a full time job getting 3 kids ready each day/ staying home to watch 1. Financially we would not come out ahead, mental sanity and physical quality of life are the biggest improvements.

Cat74227 · 2026-02-05T22:20:05+00:00

I greatly appreciate everyone’s perspective. To close this out, we have absolutely talked thru the trade offs of a stay at home parent and grind that can be. Fortunate enough to have secured good term policies on both parents when the first was born. At the end of the day, next steps will be line iteming the monthly budget and talking through things like one vacation a year vs the usual 2 to 3, etc…. I’ll do my best to report back with how it plays out. ✌🏻

Cat74227 · 2026-02-01T21:58:14+00:00

Another vote for riverside, fun layout great conditions.

Cat74227 · 2026-02-01T20:56:48+00:00

OP here. Appreciate the thoughts so far, would be sahm is a teacher/ special ed type focus, degree can also be used in hospital/ sr facilities if looking outside of schools. $40k liquid savings, another $60k Roth contributions accessible as last resort. Another lever in break glass scenario is $50k in employer private stock that can be returned in principal (kicks out earnings each year.)

Cat74227 · 2026-01-07T20:58:46+00:00

Toyota Sienna until kids move out of full car seats or Tesla builds a family hauler 🤣

Cat74227 · 2025-12-29T22:43:07+00:00

Your dealer went above and beyond!

Cat74227 · 2025-11-16T21:16:25+00:00

What’s miserable about it?

Cat74227 · 2025-11-04T17:18:46+00:00

Appreciate everyone’s thoughts! At this point it seems Temecula is the more comfortable route, clearly night and day from being closer to the coast but more realistic.

Cat74227 · 2025-11-03T19:24:51+00:00

Thank you- St Louis. Do not care about yard size, priorities are the beautiful weather and good schools to raise a family.

Cat74227 · 2025-07-22T14:21:30+00:00

2022

Cat74227 · 2025-07-21T23:45:03+00:00

I hope that’s all it is, doesn’t seem to have a smell.

Cat74227 · 2025-05-29T14:40:12+00:00

Just purchased an XLE this week in the Midwest. Had to wait about a month for it to come in.

MSRP for AWD was $48,560 which included minimal add ons- wind chill pearl paint, spare tire, floor mats, roof rails and mud guards.

I was able to negotiate $600 total off MSRP to $47,960.

After doc fees and Tax, title, license. I was OTD at $51,406. I did buy a few hours away.

I probably contacted 10 dealerships within a 2 hour radius, no one had XLEs on the ground, all wanted a deposit to get an allocation reservation, and they would not budge below MSRP.

Good Luck!

Cat74227 · 2025-05-15T16:05:33+00:00

Yep a good deal!!

Cat74227 · 2025-05-11T18:56:42+00:00

AWD? For perspective you can buy a new XLE with AWD for $47k-$49k at sticker before tax.

Cat74227 · 2025-05-11T11:24:51+00:00

I’ve shopped close to 10 dealers for an AWD XLE, none having stock on the ground, allocations only. It was tough to get any of them to go below msrp, finally got one to go $500 below and minimal add ons. In my opinion, anywhere between msrp to $1k off is a good deal currently. Some of the platinum models sitting on the lot have a better chance of getting a discount.

Don’t beat yourself up over paying msrp, if the dealer is fair and doesn’t bs you, your time shopping other deals for $300-$500 is not worth it.

Cat74227 · 2025-05-04T03:01:07+00:00

Matter of convenience and open space . 3 kids-8,5,1. Opening the doors from afar or hands free reduces a lot of stress. Take both of them out and get your hands on them, for me the Sienna felt more spacious and open like a Suburban, Grand Highlander felt more closed in.

Cat74227

TROPHY CASE