Poway is affectionately known as the city in the country. Here, you can enjoy a mix of rural charm and modern convenience. The city’s rolling hills and country landscapes cultivate a sense of peace for residents who care about their relationships with their neighbors but also appreciate being spread out from them. Although it is a slower pace of life, you won’t be without your modern conveniences or entertainment options. Shops and restaurants are plentiful, particularly around Poway Road. 

It even has a few spots that are locally-famous, like the historical ambiance of [**Old Poway Village**](https://poway.org/452/Old-Poway-Park) and Instagram-worthy [**Potato Chip Rock**](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/potato-chip-rock-via-mt-woodson-trail) along the Mt. Woodson Trail (Google it, you’ll see what we’re talking about). If being in a ‘city in the country’ is still a little too much ‘city’ for you, escape further via the area’s 70+ miles of nature trails. Or, if you need a reminder as to why you moved away from ‘all the people,’ take the short drive to the beach or downtown San Diego.


Rural Charm Meets Modern Convenience

The Best Thing About Poway?

The more rural lifestyle that attracts some to Poway is others' worst nightmare. If you opted for some extra acreage where you can keep horses or grow some of your own food, you can also expect to drive 15-20 minutes to get to shops and other conveniences. And even then, you might feel like you need to travel outside of Poway if you’re seeking an upscale grocery store or eatery. Additionally, most who live in Poway don’t work here. You should expect to factor in a commute to Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Sereno Valley or other nearby areas where companies are more likely to have office space. These realities coupled with Poway’s location just east of the I-15 freeway means you’ll be contending with some traffic during rush hour. 

Just to be clear, not everyone is in this boat. If you work from home, commute time clearly isn’t an issue for you. If you opted to live closer to downtown Poway in a more traditional neighborhood with sidewalks, then you will be able to walk to shops and things without any issue. If you have kids, you’ll find an abundance of parks and outdoor activities to enjoy together. But if you’re expecting to move to this popular San Diego suburb and find many of your urban favorites or decent public transportation, you’re going to be disappointed.


You’ll Need a Car

The Worst Thing About Poway?

This used to be the type of place you could ride your horse to your favorite bar and nobody would bat and eye. Ok, we’re being dramatic, but hear us out. There’s a little tension in Poway between the folks that want it to remain “the city in the country” and the more recent transplants who expect the amenities and restaurant choices to reflect the high-end price of their $1.4 million home. In other words, the newbies wouldn’t mind a Whole Foods and a fancy date night spot while the oldies think things were fine just the way they were.

However, everyone can agree that the connection to nature makes Poway a special place. Families and individuals alike love the city’s patchwork of parks. You can go horseback riding, cast a line on Lake Poway, or cycle on city trails. While temperatures do typically get about 10 degrees hotter in the summers compared to the coast just 20 miles west, they don’t prohibit folks from getting outside and enjoying the simple beauty of their surroundings.


Caught Between the Old and the New

Lifestyle of Poway

Families come to Poway for the school system, and especially, the high school athletics. The Poway Unified School District’s 39 schools serve 36,000 students. [**Niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/poway-unified-school-district-ca/) commends the district with an “A+” overall rating and [**GreatSchools.com**](https://www.greatschools.org/california/san-diego/poway-unified-school-district/) gave most of the schools an 8 or 9/10 score. Parents can rest easy that no matter where they live in Poway, they have a high probability of their child receiving an above-average education from the district’s 27 elementary schools, 8 middle schools and 7 high schools. [**Poway High School**](https://powayhigh.powayusd.com/), in particular, is applauded for its superb athletics program which has produced several professional athletes over the years. Students can expect to achieve above-average rankings in all their core subjects plus get to explore and stretch their capabilities in agriculture, architectural design, computer animation, automobile repair, music and more. 

If you’re looking for religiously-oriented private school options, Poway has those too. Two top-rated Christian options, [**The Cambridge School**](https://www.cambridgeclassical.org/) and [**Cathedral Catholic High School**](https://www.cathedralcatholic.org/), are relatively easy driving distances. You’ll also find that [**San Diego Jewish Academy**](https://www.sdja.com/) and the all-girls [**Torah High School**](https://torahsandiego.com/) of San Diego provide impressive educations.


Go Team!

Schools in Poway

At some point, the tide is going to tip towards more development and the slow pace of life in Poway will gradually give way to a more buzzing city tempo. It’s not right around the corner, and it won’t happen overnight, but every new construction tips the scales a bit more that way. Move to Poway now to get your fix of the country life, and then celebrate the Whole Foods and four-star dining when it makes its way there, because it will. 


Before It's Gone

Why You Should Move Here Now

Revived in the late 1940’s to resemble an old western town, Old Poway offers residents a walk down memory lane without compromising on modern conveniences. The beauty of Old Poway Park draws families to its playgrounds and picnic areas, and is also where locals gather weekly to support local artisans and purchase fresh produce at the farmers market. Also in Old Poway, the Poway-Midland Railroad is a popular attraction for families who want to see how people used to travel long before Teslas were driving themselves. The housing market in this neighborhood can be competitive. You’ll find vintage homes and fewer new builds, meaning possible construction costs after you move in.


Families

Old Poway

In the southern part of Poway lies the Green Valley neighborhood, where rolling hills, manicured yards and lush landscapes offer residents a sweet suburban escape. Think spacious and spread out. Larger, beautiful homes on larger, landscaped lots are common here. Local green spaces, like [**Poway Community Park**](https://poway.org/307/Community-Park), allow families and friends to gather to enjoy playground amenities and community picnics. For a bit more adventure, residents can explore the nearby 700-acre canyon habitat of [**Blue Sky Ecological Reserve**](https://poway.org/337/Blue-Sky-Ecological-Reserve). Due to the neighborhood being primarily residential and a bit tucked away, homeowners may have to drive a short distance to the nearest shops, restaurants and amenities. 


Green Valley

Over on the eastern side of Poway you’ll discover a secluded and exclusive neighborhood filled with luxury homes on large lots. As the name implies, the natural surroundings are highlighted by picturesque lakes. If you’re looking for access to green spaces and rolling landscapes, you might want to take a look at the Bridle Lakeside neighborhood. Nearby [**Lake Poway**](https://poway.org/401/Lake-Poway), offering boating, fishing and hiking opportunities, plus several private parks, walking trails and recreational facilities help residents make the most of their active, outdoor lifestyle. Some residents do find that having to drive a little ways to run your errands to be a bit inconvenient


Bridle Lakeside

Poway

**Would you rather live in Mira Mesa, Poway, Carmel Valley, Downtown, Oceanside, or Chula Vista?**

It depends on who is asking and what you're looking for.

If you have a family and won't mind suburbia, Poway and Carmel Valley are for you. If you're primarily looking to raise children while saving some money, Poway it is. It's a little out of the way from most of the main attractions in San Diego and cheaper than Carmel Valley. If you want to be closer to the beach but wont mind paying for it, Carmel Valley is a pretty solid option. I lived in Carmel Valley and for the most part it was just kind of boring. Lots of Karen's tbh.

If you're interested in Asian food and work in the Sorrento Valley area, Mira Mesa is pretty great for that. Lots of young families.

Downtown is if you're on the younger side of things and don't mind the noise, smell of piss, and just general downtown living. I do suggest areas neighboring Downtown like Mission Hills, East Village (although the homeless situation is out of control), and Golden Hill.

Chula Vista is good if you want to save money but wont mind a longer commute. Same with Oceanside. They're both pretty cheap in general comparison to the rest of San Diego.

**What's Poway like?**

Lived there for ten years. To sum it up: Golf,families, wealth(north poway), great schools, a few good places to eat in the surrounding towns like rancho Bernardo and 4s. Great hiking and overall a really safe feeling. Great place to raise a family but if you're looking to be a part of the San Diego scene I would think somewhere along the coast or near downtown. It's not really that close to the freeway so going anywhere feels like it takes a while but it's not a deal breaker.

**Considering moving to Poway - pros and cons
Hello, We lived in LA but are considering Poway. Can you give me pros and cons? I know it has a great school district and crime is low. Do you love it? Hate it?**


I've been here for 4 and love it. I live near community park so my slice of Poway is very walkable and has a great community. I have a kid under 2 so it's perfect.

City services are wonderful and very responsive to the city app. The parks are always kept clean and in good condition. The city events are small but generally well done imo.

The city has great hiking and running paths.

The only downside is that's there isn't much to do, but San Diego is only 30 min away


it's great if you have kids. If not you might get bored. It's nice that it does feel like a small town with attractions of san diego nearby if you want them. If you're used to hip restaurants and whole foods markets etc you will be disappointed. It's not just like moving out of the city but back in time to the 80's (homes, food and shopping choices, big backyards, etc). I love that i don't really have to get on the highway to do most shopping/activities. In fact I can ride my bike to most shopping.

We have two young kids and the schools are great. My wife and I are two antisocial homebodies who are always busy so we love to get weekends at home to grill, play music and enjoy the yard and pool with the kids. if that sounds good to you'll love it.

Poway, California

A City in the Country

Looklyloo Score: 89

Reviews

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