Mission Viejo to Carlsbad (Oceanside, Irvine: rentals, school districts, camp)

[hopefaithlove]

What is traffic like going North from Carlsbad to Mission Viejo around 6pm and South at 8am? I'm trying to make up my mind if the commute is worth it in order to live in Carlsbad and work nights at Mission Hospital.
My alternative is to live in Carlsbad and commute South to work at Sharp in Kearny Mesa in the evenings and return North in the am. It looks like that option is worse. Any ideas?
We're still considering living in San Clemente (to be closer to Mission Viejo) but w/ a toddler all the rentals seem to be something we would've been fine w/ if it were just us 2. However we have to look at school districts, proximity to parks, etc and Talega is too far of a commute to my husband's job in Carlsbad. Anyone want to convince us the drive is worth it?..or recommend places we haven't thought to look as far as rentals? We're looking at less than 2200 for a 2bd.

[missionhome]

There should not be any traffic in the directions you will be going at those times. Occasionally you may hit the immigration station area along Interstate 5 through Camp Pendleton which can slow things down, but otherwise it should be full speed ahead.

It is about 40 miles from Carlsbad to Mission Viejo so I would guess around 35 minutes each way.

[tew]

Both those cites are nice. Why not move to MV to be close to work?

I lived in Oceanside for 2 years, city next to Carlsbad and the rent wasn't to much. Check it out.

[OC Investor2]

I go south in the am and north in the pm. My drive from Irvine to Carlsbad is 40 minutes. Mission is right off the 5. You should be able to do that drive in 30-35 minutes