luvsan I would definitely agree with the points rustico and meandale brought up. Also do you know what part of town you would be working in? That will also have some bearing on the choice. Again, my primary advice would be to rent, but with the kids in school hopefully you could rent in at least potential areas where you would want to live. Possible rental areas are the places that rus and meandale mentioned, even somewhere like tierra santa, and other spots. Clairemont is spotty with okay areas and not so okay areas but overall the schools in Clairemont, (SDUSD) are nothing to shout about. University City is a better choice then Clairemont (for renting) at least but again, may not be in the budget.