Temecula area for raising a family... (Los Angeles, San Diego: for sale, crime, home builders) - San Bernardino and Riverside Counties - California (CA) -The Inland Empire - City-Data Forum

WNYerinSOCAL · 09-08-2006, 02:11 PM

My husband and I are originally from Western NY and have been in CA for almost 10 years now. He still pines to go home and lately I have been looking into it. We have 4 small children I am a sahm for the time being but was a secondary teacher and am keeping my credential current so I can go back when childcare etc permits. Dh is a middle school principal and it is much easier for him to get a job w/in CA since we are here already. It is not as easy as asking for a transfer in education that doesn't work.

So we are looking for an area in So cal that may work out better for us and allow us to stay in southern california as an option. Criteria we want; good public schools, family friendly, outdoor activites with in a quick drive, somewhat affordable as being in education does not pay the big bucks(thinking under 600K for a decent house) and demographics that are at the very least balanced. We have lived in Alta Loma, Apple Valley and North Fontana. Each has things we liked but also a lot we dislike.

We have looked at houses in Temecula/ Murietta areas and have enjoyed the people we have met from the area. I know it is one of the best school district in the area but I also dont want a district that is all about test scores alone.

So any info on this are you can provide would be greatly appreciate!

Twinkle Toes · 09-08-2006, 02:29 PM

Check out Palm Desert and La Quinta.

socketz · 09-09-2006, 07:59 AM

"Check out Palm Desert and La Quinta."

I LOVE that area for vacationing (i.e. go to La Quinta resort 3-4 times a year), but I'm not sure kids would enjoy growing up there. Many of the stories I've heard about the kids (mainly teens) there is that they are bored out of thier minds and typically get involved in drugs and such.

I could be wrong because this is mainly hearsay.....but...

As for Temecula/Murietta, that would be high on my list as one of the best places in Socal to raise a family (Safe/Great Schools, Great Community Feel)...................IF...........you did not have to commute into either SD or LA for work.

Doesn't sound like that's the case with you. The only thing that would be careful of is buying a home now....That particular area has very little employment of its own, so when the RE market in San Digo goes south, I predict Temecula gets hammered.....seriously, ride through and look at all the for sale signs you see there....

All of those folks are people sick of making that brutal commute.

WNYerinSOCAL · 09-09-2006, 10:44 AM

I am not sure we want to go to LaQuinta area I have vistited but it doesn't seem to be the environment we want. Also since we know Apple Valley area I think if I wanted desert again I wld head back up that way.

We have thought as I am asking about Temecula the most. Other areas we have looked at Yucaipa, Beaumont, and the mountain commnities; Wrightwood, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear.

Trutfully if it was easier for my husband to land an educational admin job in another state I would probably go for it. Our other concern is he has 10 years in the retirment system here already and it is a very decent system.

Any info is greatly appreciated about Temecula or any of the other areas we have considered. TIA

NYSD1995 · 09-12-2006, 07:46 PM

Temecula is a nice area for raising a family but a terrible area if you need to commute to San Diego. The 15 commute is simply insane. A lot of people do it, but personally, there is no way I would subject myself to that kind of abuse on a daily basis.

tweety · 09-13-2006, 02:13 PM

Temecula has grown enormously over the last 10 years. It is a clean newer area with lots of shopping. Along with that growth though the traffic has gotten pretty bad. But it is close to I-15 and less than an hour to San Diego.

The Beaumont area is growing but other than the new developments it is a much older town and looks kind of shabby. They just got a super Wal-Mart and a Home Depot. It is slated for more new stores in the future. Weather is pretty good year around. It does get up over 100 in the summer occasionally and even some snow in the winter ( one day maybe) but it melts right away. Yucaipa and Calamesa are right down the road and there are some pretty new housing developments back in the hills. San Bernardino is the closest place for any real shopping and its only a few miles down the road.

KittyG · 04-03-2007, 11:02 PM

Temecula, Murrieta-beautiful area...the people are overall quite friendly and down to earth..This is a great place to raise a family! That's why we've moved here..It has a quaint charm, some areas a small town charm, despite the area is growing..I love the areas in the wine country, De Luz and La Cresta -I actually like the best..so you can get away from the crowds easily..If you don't need to commute or commute during rush hours, that would be great..Temecula & Murrieta schools are great..My kids go to Murrieta SD and they love it, They have so many activities! I'm impressed with the school...We used to live in Orange County and despite that being a distinguished school- it doesn't compare!!! Murrieta is not as crowded as Temecula (Temecula still isn't as congested as many other areas). It's still close enough to all the shopping in Temecula..anyplace I have to go, isn't farther than 10 minutes!! The newest area is French Valley- (79 South Winchester Exit-between Tem & Murrieta). New schools opening here!!!! This city is actually called Winchester- it's divided between 4 school districts. you can get really inexpensive beautiful home (New home builders have good discounts now) and still have your child go to a Temecula or Murrieta school! If not, just arrange for them to go to one!!! There's a great Tem Prep school and 2 charter schools in Tem..New Elem in Murrieta- I've heard it's a charter school?? Lisa J. Mails- opening in the fall..It's supposed to be a great school..

beachett5 · 08-03-2008, 08:51 PM

Were looking into Buying a Home in Murrieta temecula ?
We currently Live in Dana Point I have 4 teen agers at home and Have Been warned about the area ? Drugs and crime ? And there's Nothing for the kids to there so they opt for the Drugs and Crime I'm seceriously thinking of taking our Home Off the Market and Staying here and Not Moving ....
Any one Who can let Me Know if theres any truth to this ?
Concerned Mother .....

SoCalDaveL · 08-04-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNYerinSOCAL

My husband and I are originally from Western NY and have been in CA for almost 10 years now. He still pines to go home and lately I have been looking into it.

As an ex-NY'er myself now living in Temecula, I can certainly understand where you're coming from. I miss good pizza, bagels & Chinese food. Not much good out here (well except for NYPD in Corona for pizza & bagels). What I don't miss about NY? Hazy/Hot/Humid summers and cold, snowy winters. I'm guessing you had it worse off in the winter in Western NY (I was from Long Island).

But other than missing the food and friends, I love it out here. Temecula is a wonderful, family oriented town. I wouldn't suggest it to my younger brother who's single, but its very family oriented. As stated in previous posts, Temecula has gone through quite a bit of growth. It was growing rapidly when I first moved out here w/ my family in 2004 and had kept going until about 2006. With that growth the housing prices soared (there was a lot of communities being built then). Now w/ the market tanking... you can actually get some great deals on homes. Houses that sold for $450+ in '04 and were appraised at as high as $650 in '06 are now available in the low to mid $300's (in some cases).

As also mentioned in previous posts is the commuting distance. The great thing about Temecula is that its centrally located. A quick 55 minute trip south on the 15 and you're well inside San Diego or you can head north and be in Los Angeles within an hour or so. The downside to that is that commuting in traffic extends those times and makes it dificult & wearing on both the driver and the car.

But since there are so many attractions within driving distance (from Sea World & Balboa Park to Disneyland & Knotts Berry Farms) as well as the Pechanga Casino (which hosts a number of shows & restaurants in addition to just having a busy gambling floor) & over 22 wineries in town and plans for a water park to be built, that there's quite a bit to do. Many of the communities have parks & trails to walk/jog/ride bikes/etc. Some have pools. There's lots of shopping & plenty of places to eat (although its primarily chain restaurants). There's also Old Town which has many events, quaint shops and a Farmers Market every Saturday. The little leagues (baseball, soccer, etc) are quite busy... and competitive.

And yes, the schools have a very good rating compared with the rest of the state. Although it is California, so take it for what its worth.

SoCalDaveL · 08-04-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachett5

Were looking into Buying a Home in Murrieta temecula ?
We currently Live in Dana Point I have 4 teen agers at home and Have Been warned about the area ? Drugs and crime ? And there's Nothing for the kids to there so they opt for the Drugs and Crime I'm seceriously thinking of taking our Home Off the Market and Staying here and Not Moving ....
Any one Who can let Me Know if theres any truth to this ?
Concerned Mother .....

I hate to say it but wouldn't that be the case anywhere? What's there ever for kids to do? Isn't it all up to the kids as to what they want to do and up to the parents to teach/guide them correctly?

It really doesn't matter what there is in the town, either the kids will love it or hate it (typically because they'll think its 'cool' to not like it).

Yes, the casino & wineries are wonderful in town, but no place for kids. There's a community center which offers crafts & dancing and all sorts of classes for kids (I've had my own signed up for classes and they loved it), there's a pool there and a gym (that basketball leagues play in). There's also plenty of sport leagues (my kids have played softball, baseball and now are in soccer - of which I'm coaching). There's also a skate park which gets quite a bit of people there regularly and every so often they host competitions and exhibitions there.

There are 3 different movie theaters (2 with regular showings & 1 discount theater showing movies a couple of months later)

... and then there's the Mall.

**NOTE sorry if the beginning of the post came off sounding too much like a rant. Wasn't meant to.