Camp Pendletons - neighborhoods/towns nearby (Oceanside, Carlsbad: appointed, affordable apartment, rentals)

[amywill5918]

My husband's contract with the base here is ending this year and we really have to finally decide where we want to go. Lockheed Martin is taking over and they like to hire their own so we may have no choice but to move. One possible option is Camp Pendleton.

My husband will make between 18-25 an hour. I assume there is a cost of living increase for that area too. So we don't do too bad but for CA I think that's like minimum wage.

Can anyone tell me a town/city closeby that is safe, kid friendly and not too sky high in rent. I've lived in expensive areas like SF and MD/DC area so I know how high rent can be and usually was caretaking or renting with others. We don't have that option. He's used to about 600 for a nice two bedroom apartments and townhouses in nice areas as he's from Meridian, MS and we now live in NM. We'd likely prefer not to pay more then 900 for an apartment with hopefully two bedrooms. There are so many neighborhoods around there to choose from and I've taken some time to look at area stats...not only expensive but as high in crime as Albuquerque, NM it seems. We know we have to go smaller, that's a given...

I'm hoping for a nice safe affordable apartment in a kid friendly area with parks. I don't really care about bars and clubs and such - but movie theatres would be nice - he's only two but soon he'll be into that kind of thing. I wouldn't mind a neighborhood with more of older people - we're in our late thirties or retired folks as long as there are parks closeby, hopefully within walking distance.

Thanks in advance for any help in exploring this option.

[Snort]

Think more in the range of $1500 for a nice single bedroom apartment and you won't be too disappointed when you do your craigslist check. Downtown Carlsbad is the nicest place near Camp Pendleton that comes to my mind.

[AKgirlinCA]

Definitely Carlsbad or some parts of Oceanside. Investigate the rentals in Oceanside before deciding. Anything in Carlsbad will be fine. As noted above, you need to expect at least $1300-$1500 for the type of apt. I think you want.....and that's one bedroom. Good luck. Let us know if we can help anymore.