Lake Elsinore??? (San Diego, Riverside, Temecula: crime, house prices, schools)

[socalfamily]

Can anyone tell me what the reputation of the Lake Elsinore community is? I have heard that it is highly ridden with drugs, is this true?

Thanks!

[Cbundy]

Have family in Temecula and Murrieta and am sorry to say that Lake Elsinore has a very bad reputation. Gang activity/problems, drugs, crime - sort of major trailer trash community. I know some people who won't go there at all. Of course every place has problems, but if I was looking to move somewhere in that area I would not choose Lake Elsinore.

[Fodder]

Well, like most things in life...it depends. The 15 freeway tends to divide the city in half, with the older, west side condsidered the "wrong" side of the tracks and tending to be the rough area. The newer, east side tends to closer mirror the other parts of Southwest Riverside County with its cookie cutter track homes, newer schools and a bit more affluence.

[BobbyB]

It used to be considered a pretty heavy "meth" area as of a few years ago. With all of the development as of late, I don't know what it's rep is; there are probably a good amount of tweakers still living there, their concentration having been diluted down due to new families moving into all them new homes. I recommend taking a day trip and see for yourself. Either way, there are some good people livin there. Nothing but helpful people there about 5 years ago when my boat broke and I was stranded on the shore.......

[amspianist]

I know that lake elsinore has gotten a pretty bad rep in the past, but in my opinion I see a lot of opportunity for it to become a very nice place if they develop and redevelop the city right. I live on the north side of lake elsinore and I love it. There are some sketchy older areas that are kind of run down and need work, but the nicer parts of lake elsinore (north side/alberhill, tuscany hills, Rosetta canyon) are just that, very nice. Its hard to complain when you wake up to a view of the lake every morning. The city as a whole could use a revamp, and they are actually working on updating the general plan so hopefully that will address a lot of issues.

If you want to move there just do your homework on some of the areas. Rosetta canyon is off of the 74(central ave), the north side you can get to off of lake street, and tuscany hills and canyon hills are located off of railroad canyon. It also has some of the most beautiful views in southern california (except for the people that have ocean views of course). See for yourself: http://images.google.com/images?q=la...=Search+Images

As far as gangs go, I think Murrieta has more and murrieta is a nice city. I read an article about it not that long ago.. murrieta was first (highest), lake elsinore was second and temecula was third (lowest)

I dont think it is a "bad" city. Its nowhere near perfect, but I could see it shaping up to be a very nice city in the years to come.

[rippmo]

I currently work in the city of Lake Elsinore and Live in Murrieta, this area within the last year has grown so quickly and corporate America has found its way here, of course there are good and bad parts of every city I feel with the new businesses, homes, and schools being built and opened in the city of Lake Elsinore soon enough people will learn to care for their city, and within the next five years I think this city will be one people will love to visit and maybe even move....what other city can you visit and do things such as skydive, fish, take a boat trip on a lake, ride a dirt bike or go shopping at an outlet mall, all within a 5 miles radius....I enjoy this city and once the makeover is complete this will be a great tourist attraction, and even maybe a new home for some!!

[myboysmom]

Hi,
I would like to honestly tell you that Lake Elsinore is NOT a nice place. I live in Temecula which is south of there about 20 minutes. I know two families that moved there from out of state not knowing the area. They are MISERABLE. The schools are terrible, the area is very unattractive and is full of drugs, crime, etc... I know they're trying to improve the city so maybe there's hope.

The lake is disgusting, it's brown and oily from all of the boats, it a place for drunks to sit on their old dingy boats and drink their Buds. It's really ugly.

Like I said though, maybe the city will improve. They just put in a Costco which is usually a good sign.

Good luck. I hate to sound so negative but you really should know.

[Sonic]

Is a warm place during summer ...very hot but then so are all of the inland areas

[Twinkle Toes]

Go with Temecula instead. It's the lesser of two evils.

[bigdaddy5]

It seems like the summer temps of the inland communities seem to get warmer every year. Desert-like it seems. A friend of mine who lives in Murrieta, is planning to move back to San Diego (proper) than deal with the heat. To him and his new family, the lower house prices aren't worth much if they have to stay indoors with the a/c on all the time.