Murrieta vs. Temecula (Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Inglewood: crime, to buy, to live)

[AddieJane]

Originally Posted by marshallnoise

Hey all, I am new to the forum but have been lurking for a while.

My wife and I are going to be moving from Vista, CA to either Temecula or Murietta. We feel that for our price range, the 78 corridor is over priced and generally offers piece of crap homes. We are in the introductory $220K range and all we have around us is either Condos or 1960s tear downs.

Temecula and Murietta (Temecula in particular) offers a nice option to us. We both work in Carlsbad but feel that the commute would be long, yet worth it. We don't want a problem home or one that needs tons of work to make decent. We don't want crappy neighbors bumping polka until all hours of the night. So Temecula is it for us.

We just got back from a drive up there this evening (Friday) and didn't notice horrible traffic. I would be interested in knowing what kind of traffic people are talking about? I understand that the 79S is a nightmare and that was pretty obvious but seemed related to the Casino.

Anyone have anything to offer?

I am so confused about the traffic comments. What traffic???!! I guess if you are coming from a rural town with population of 50, then this would be traffic, but I've never encountered real traffic in Temecula. I could get from S 79 to Harveston in 15 minutes during rush hour. That's not traffic...

[AddieJane]

Originally Posted by brittanykayy

Murrieta. It's prettier, more natural, and has a more "small town feel". Temecula is only 3 minutes from Murrieta anyway. murrieta is also a little cheaper.

I disagree. Temecula's wineries are unrivaled by Murrietas brown hills. It's much prettier in Temecula. Though I agree, this argument is silly. It's basically the same town. It's like comparing San Clemente to Capistrano Beach...

[kawailani]

i have a question...my husband & I are thinking of moving to temecula (from honolulu hawaii) thanks to all of your good comments =) this might sound kind of strange & ignorant. the thought actually never even crossed my mind till it was brought up by MULTIPLE people we talked to. so here goes... We are both of mixed ethnicity & we look mixed (mostly hawaiian & mexican and hawaiian & spanish). My husband is COVERED in tattoos. He has both arms almost fully sleeved (including his hands), both legs partially done, tattoos on his scalp (which you can't see unless his head is shaved/buzzed),his chest, & back. so the thought never ocurred to me until it was brought up by many about how he would have a hard time fitting in, getting work (he works in law enforcement), & how he might be mistaken for a gang member (by companies/jobs, law enforcement, or even other gangs). By the way his tattoos are mostly polynesian in design but you probably wouldn't be able to tell until you get up close. Am i being ignorant? Would he be mistaken & targeted by gangs?? Please keep in mind we are from Hawaii & we know nothing i repeat nothing about gangs in so cal!! I'd like to believe society is more open minded but im not sure. Your response is greatly appreciated!! Mahalo!

[twinmum]

Kawailani - your husband will fit in fine in the "Inland Empire".... tattoos (and lots of them) are very, very common.

[solid90062]

My understanding is that visible tattoos are not allowed by many law enforcement agencies. You may want to double check.

[AKgirlinCA]

You're kidding right? Tattoos not allowed by law enforcement...this is 2009 not 1920.

[jtsigma]

Originally Posted by AddieJane

I am so confused about the traffic comments. What traffic???!! I guess if you are coming from a rural town with population of 50, then this would be traffic, but I've never encountered real traffic in Temecula. I could get from S 79 to Harveston in 15 minutes during rush hour. That's not traffic...

Just got back from Temecula spent the entire day there and they were right. Traffic is not good out there, considering it is a weekend and considering this is not a metropolitan city. I live in the South Bay and would say the parts of Temecula I visited today were comparable in congestion. I think it's because it's the only shopping area for a lot of the more rural cities so everyone congregates there. Not a good thing, imo, except that you can take away from it the economy is recovering and that's why everyone is out shopping. Beautiful city though!

[Montana2Clark]

Like most here, I can say with some certainty - Murrieta and Temecula are NOT exactly the same. Temecula is MUCH nicer. Just because they are close in proximity doesn't mean they are the same community...Temecula is a better planned community with much more to do and see. Someone said it well - Temecula relates more to San Diego and Murrieta is similar to Riverside.
Paseo del Sol, Crowne Hill, Redhawk are all nice areas in Temecula that Murrieta doesn't offer.
That should give you a pretty good idea of how the 2 compare.
btw - I've lived in Murrieta, just across from the ball park near the police station and I've lived in Morgan Hill, off the 79 in Temecula.

[jtsigma]

Originally Posted by Montana2Clark

Temecula relates more to San Diego and Murrieta is similar to Riverside..

Oh boy. NOW I know what everyone is talking about Temecula side being snobby. Don't forget that Temecula IS IN RIVERSIDE! Boy, can you imagine if Temecula was in the OC or somewhere other than the IE, what kind of chips on the shoulder people would have then? Let me remind you one more time.. you are IN THE IE so please do not think you are better than anyone. Be humble. Although you've made up my mind that I like the Murrieta side a lot more now

[jtsigma]

If you look at crimereports.com at the past 6 months data, the # of crime (especially drug incidents) are more abundant in Temecula even compared to Lake Elsinore!!! Murrieta? ZERO crime for past 6 months!