Corona vs. Temecula (San Diego, Riverside, Oceanside: transplants, big house, employment)

[looking2reloc]

Hi!

With the decline in housing prices, I am looking to buy either in Corona or Temecula. In your opinions, taking out the employment aspect out of the equation, which is a better place, Corona or Temecula? What are the pros and cons? If Corona or Temecula, which would be good neighborhoods to live in, in terms of less traffic, access to the freeways, shopping, proximity to the beach(es), and things to do?

Thanks in advance!

[eclipxe]

If you like newer and cleaner -> Temecula
Corona is older and more established and has a bit more character. Schools are better in Temecula. Corona is closer to Orange County and has a larger LA/OC influence. Temecula has a large San Diego influence (mixed with OC/LA transplants as well).

Temecula -> South Temecula. Morgan Hill, Redhawk, Paseo Del Sol, etc. Very nice. Harveston is also nice. South Temecula (Redhawk) to Oceanside is a quick drive (25-30 minutes). It is much longer from Corona to the closest beach (Corona Del Mar or Laguna Beach). Corona has Dos Lagos shops but Temecula has a regional mall. The mall is getting an expansion soon with more stores and restaurants. Corona is a close shot to Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga and all the shopping in OC. Temecula has access to North County Fair and Fashion Valley. I don't know much about arts/entertainment in Corona but Temecula has plenty of things in old town (the theater, live music, a few really good bars and restaurants).

Take my opinions with a grain of salt - I live in Temecula.

[flo2900]

Originally Posted by looking2reloc

Hi!

With the decline in housing prices, I am looking to buy either in Corona or Temecula. In your opinions, taking out the employment aspect out of the equation, which is a better place, Corona or Temecula? What are the pros and cons? If Corona or Temecula, which would be good neighborhoods to live in, in terms of less traffic, access to the freeways, shopping, proximity to the beach(es), and things to do?

Thanks in advance!

Corona hands down!
Proximity to OC ( beaches, jobs, airports etc)
Stay close to 91 freeway and avoid the 15.
Temecula is in the middle of nowhere far away from San Diego, L.A., O.C.
Giood Luck!

[Yvonne1207]

Former Corona resident here...

Corona is more centrally located to many things... but that is about all that is good.

If smog is a consideration, Temecula is much less smoggy.

[antialphabet]

How's safety in Corona?

I'm not too familiar with either place, but my preconceived notions of those places falls in line with the other posters' descriptions.

I see Temecula as new suburb with a lot of people who can't buy a big house in San Diego, and decide to commute that whole way. I think of it as being a newly developed bedroom community.

Corona, I see as a typical IE town.

[flo2900]

Originally Posted by Yvonne1207

Former Corona resident here...

Corona is more centrally located to many things... but that is about all that is good.

If smog is a consideration, Temecula is much less smoggy.

Right!
Corona is centrally located and if your life is in OC you will not find a better compromise. Corona housing is almost half in price if you compare it to its very close neighbor to the west Yorba Linda. I`d rather drive a little more than pay double for ther same house in Yorba Linda 5-10 minutes away!

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by flo2900

Right!
Corona is centrally located and if your life is in OC you will not find a better compromise. Corona housing is almost half in price if you compare it to its very close neighbor to the west Yorba Linda. I`d rather drive a little more than pay double for ther same house in Yorba Linda 5-10 minutes away!

Corona is a good choice if you must work in Orange County. The problem with Corona is that because it is close to Orange County there is little in-town. Shopping/Entertainment/etc. Temecula is a little further out but has more shopping options and "stuff" to do. Old town, the community theater, the wineries, golf, the mall, Pechanga. You can stay in town for most things. Corona gives you quick access to the OC market but you are locked out of San Diego (the commute is killer). Temecula is a good hedge, as you have access to entertainment and jobs in both OC and San Diego.

My group of friends and I usually hang out in downtown san diego - it's about 50 minutes from Temecula and there is much more to do than in OC.

Beaches are 25-30 mins away. Closer than in Corona and no need to deal with the 91.

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by antialphabet

How's safety in Corona?

I'm not too familiar with either place, but my preconceived notions of those places falls in line with the other posters' descriptions.

I see Temecula as new suburb with a lot of people who can't buy a big house in San Diego, and decide to commute that whole way. I think of it as being a newly developed bedroom community.

Corona, I see as a typical IE town.

Temecula has been saw its first widespread development in the 70's when the 15 was constructed. Of course it boomed in the last 15 years with new, big houses. There is still a bit of character in town (in terms of Old Town and housing options).

I'd say there is a pretty equal mix of OC and SD expats in Temecula.

[BRinSM]

both are decent places and both have their positives and negatives (as others have mentioned), but ultimately you'll need to make a decision based on where you will be working. however, if you'll be working from home, i would go with temecula; it is no hotter than corona in the summer and beach access to oceanside is about the same distance from corona to newport beach.

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

both are decent places and both have their positives and negatives (as others have mentioned), but ultimately you'll need to make a decision based on where you will be working. however, if you'll be working from home, i would go with temecula; it is no hotter than corona in the summer and beach access to oceanside is about the same distance from corona to newport beach.

A couple of minor points why I would choose Temecula over Corona (keeping in mind that I *AM* biased)

1. Temecula feels cooler in the summer than Corona. The Rainbow gap gives the area a microclimate with cooler ocean breezes in the afternoon and light morning fog. This allows the wineries to thrive out here.

2. Less smog. Corona is in the LA/SB/Riverside basin and is saturated daily with the same smog. Temecula is not in the LA basin so we avoid a lot of the brown skies

3. Beach access from Temecula is a quick drive on the 15 and 76. There is usually *very* light traffic and the 76 is being straightened and widened. The average time to the beach is 25-30 minutes from Southern Temecula. Beach access from Corona involves the 91 which is almost always backed up. This is just a personal observation, but getting to the beach from Corona feels like a chore - the effort involved isn't worh the reward. However I sometimes drive to the beach on my lunch break from Temecula, just to see the water. It is a relaxing drive and most of it is very scenic.

Just my biased opinion though!