We're getting restationed at Pendleton after 10+ years away and are considering moving on base. We're interested in San Onofre 3 because of the schools, square footage and beach. I have some questions and would love any insight you might have!

They've opened San Onofre 3 to SNCOs, no? Is it mostly NCO's there or a mix? Is it a quieter neighborhood? Crammed? Playgrounds? Or would we get one of those smaller, older 1-cars in San O 1?

I have a 3 1/2 year old. Are there any neighborhood playgroups? Child care swaps to be able to hit the gym?

I don't know anything about the OC. How's the nightlife? I'd love to be able to pick up some bartending shifts. Anything doing in San Clemente?

Really looking forward to moving back to Cali and getting our roots planted! Especially if we can wing a 2400 sq ft house 5 minutes from the beach! :D 

We just moved into S03 a about a month ago.
Its pretty quiet up here. There are play grounds all over the place, most of them are pretty small, but the community centers have big ones.

I'm not sure about childcare swaps or play groups but I'm sure there are some. They also have mommy and me pre school at the community center here in S03.

I'm not sure about the rank here either. My husband is a sgt but friends ours are staff and they live here, a quick call to the housing office and they should be able to tell you.

These houses are very nice, Imo, some of the better ones on base. I don't know much about the nightlife either, but there are a million restaurants and bars in san clemente. I'm sure you won't have an issue getting a job.

Hope that helps some :) 

Unless they just recently changed the policy, SO3 is for E4/E5 with a certain number of kids. SO1 is the only housing in San Onofre for E6+.

We lived in San Onofre 1 for 18 years and moved to HI last August. The schools are great, shopping/restaurants are fab. Weather/view is amazing. I miss it terribly. :) 

Thanks for your insight!

San O is the only base housing option for us due to the middle school. I've heard scary things about Oside schools, and my son is special needs. No way. Carlsbad seems pretty out of our league, at least until I find a new job. Rock and a hard place with this 8th grade issue.

Am I getting the wrong impression that the NCO housing is superior to SNCO? The photos I've seen of San O 1 made it seem small and dark. We're coming from 2400 sq ft, and San O is a half hour drive for my husband. I'm not sure I could sell him on San O 1.

Excited about the mommy and me preschool either way! The community centers seem wonderful.

I'd love to ask housing, but can't get anyone on the phone. We've been trying since last week and are moving this week so I'm getting anxious as you can tell. 

LOL, no your observation is spot on. E4/E5 have the big, beautiful, brand-new, 2 car garage homes. We lived in 4 different houses in San Onofre 1 (as our family grew) and it's not that bad, the rooms are small and boxy and there's not a lot of storage, but you're closer to the school and chances are you'll have a great ocean view? Have you called the San Onofre housing office? They could answer general questions about neighborhood (949) 940-9178 :) 

Thank you for the phone number! Hopefully I can get the scoop tomorrow. It's really confusing that their 'hot sheet' only goes to E5, even in supposed E6 and up neighborhoods. And certain websites and forums totally contradict each other or don't have the info I'm looking for. There should really be an easier way when you've got to pick a neighborhood sight unseen. :). 

It's really confusing that their 'hot sheet' only goes to E5, even in supposed E6 and up

I think that's because there's an over-abundance of NCO housing and not enough for SNCO, so there is never anything on the Hot Sheet for SNCO because people are actually waiting for those, while NCO families can slide right in. I hope you can speak with someone today to alleviate some concerns. You will LOVE San Onofre/San Clemente :)