From Corona to Lake Elsinore? (Santa Ana, Ontario: for sale, real estate, new house)

[MovinginCA]

Hello All,

Can anybody give me updated information on what it's like to live in Lake Elsinore? I've read some of the threads and most information is from 2007 and I wanted to see if anybody living there now had any recent experiences, advice, and/or information.

I currently live in Corona and work in Santa Ana. I know, I know.. the drive is brutal but ever since i've started using the Metrolink, it's been much easier on the stress. So here's what I'm thinking.. I'd take the 15 North to the Metro Station in Corona and let public transportation do the rest.

I've been told that North Lake Elsinore is my best bet. I've looked up the houses there and they seem to be beautiful and definitely within our price range.

So here's what i wanted to know: Whats it like in the summer? How about crime? Is the Lake really that bad? I do care about the schools but it's not a major concern now because my wife and I don't have any kids.

any other areas that would be recommended?

[OCteach]

best area is the Tuscany Hills Area. There are some mansions for sale for less than 300K. Most houses have a view of canyon lake. But I have heard that the drive on the 15 in the morning and the evening can get really bad. No side streets to take from LE to the Metro. Canyon Hills is a nice new community. It has two pools, etc. Stay east of the 15. If you buy new you get 10K in tax breaks from the state.

I am considering a move to Corona and work in Buena Park. You say that the Metrolink is the way to go? Where do you live in Corona now? Do you keep a car on the other end or take the bus? I am 5 miles from the station and I am considering a car. Also, how early do you have to leave in the am? How long is your commute? Thanks!!!

[MovinginCA]

I live by Lincoln and Highgrove st... its on the south side of Ontario Blvd and it's really a nice area. I really don't want to move but due to the economy, we're forced to sell our home and get into something more economical. From here, i get the 6:34 am Metro to Tustin. It's really convenient because once we get to the train station, there are buses there waiting to pick you up. Luckily for me, the bus drops me off right in front of my building.

So yesterday my wife and I went to look at homes in Lake elsinore and we were taken back for a few reasons. for one, the houses are grand. One that we saw, was completely immaculate. But we asked the owners why they were moving and they said it was because of the gangs. Now, i've heard that this was supposed to be the "good" part of LE so i was surprised to hear that. They said that they had some problems with burglaries, fights, and even had to run down a gang member down and hold him down until the cops came. Wow, so sad.. because the house was gorgeous. We've also drove down a few blocks and asked a neighbor who had a little girl running around. He said he never had any problems with any gangs and it's real quiet and peaceful.. hmmm.. i'm so confused.

the house was off of Lake, in Northern LE.

[OCteach]

I would stay to the east of the 15. Tuscany hills is up this really steep hill and is very secluded from the rest of Elsinore. You can get a nice place for 200 to 250K. The zip code is 92532. New houses too. The school there is very good. However, rest of Elsinore, especially by the lake, can be very rough. Good Luck!! go to californiamoves.com. This is a good real estate website.

[cincyjacket]

I just moved to Lake Elsinore this past weekend. I bought a brand new Centex home in Rosetta Canyon for $215K (4 bedrooms/3 baths, 2750 square feet). First time homeowner in California... woo hoo! The development is east of I-15, just up Central Avenue. These homes were north of $400K a few years ago.

The elementary school (Earl Warren) is brand new and is supposed to be pretty good. The high school (Temescal Canyon) is a California Distinguished School. However, I'm worried about the middle school. They have to go to Elsinore Middle School which is on the other side of I-15 and near the lake.

[RMack]

Originally Posted by OCteach

I would stay to the east of the 15. Tuscany hills is up this really steep hill and is very secluded from the rest of Elsinore. You can get a nice place for 200 to 250K. The zip code is 92532. New houses too. The school there is very good. However, rest of Elsinore, especially by the lake, can be very rough. Good Luck!! go to californiamoves.com. This is a good real estate website.

With that being said, is it safe to say Wildomar may experience the like, since it is so close to Lake Elsinore? Please advise.

[that1guy]

My parents almost moved to Canyon Hills/Tuscany Hills area. My mom wanted my input and took me to see the area. We talked to some residents and toured the region. I did some research and found it was a great bang for the buck. They didn't move since, but that's because of the fact that they have all their friends in Moreno Valley. The houses we checked out are now selling in the 200k range.

[OCteach]

Originally Posted by cincyjacket

I just moved to Lake Elsinore this past weekend. I bought a brand new Centex home in Rosetta Canyon for $215K (4 bedrooms/3 baths, 2750 square feet). First time homeowner in California... woo hoo! The development is east of I-15, just up Central Avenue. These homes were north of $400K a few years ago.

The elementary school (Earl Warren) is brand new and is supposed to be pretty good. The high school (Temescal Canyon) is a California Distinguished School. However, I'm worried about the middle school. They have to go to Elsinore Middle School which is on the other side of I-15 and near the lake.

Do you have to commute from LE? That's what scares me away.... I have to go to north OC.

[cincyjacket]

Originally Posted by OCteach

Do you have to commute from LE? That's what scares me away.... I have to go to north OC.

I vanpool to El Segundo (near LAX) in LA County. Since it's subsidized by my company, it only costs me around $20/mo. The commute takes 1 hour and 15 minutes each way. We leave at 4am from LE and leave El Segundo at 3pm.

If I had to do the drive myself every day, I wouldn't have pulled the trigger. Have you looked at your commuting options (carpool, vanpool, Metrolink)?

The lost time on the freeway sucks, but its a compromise I'm willing to make.

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by cincyjacket

I vanpool to El Segundo (near LAX) in LA County. Since it's subsidized by my company, it only costs me around $20/mo. The commute takes 1 hour and 15 minutes each way. We leave at 4am from LE and leave El Segundo at 3pm.

If I had to do the drive myself every day, I wouldn't have pulled the trigger. Have you looked at your commuting options (carpool, vanpool, Metrolink)?

The lost time on the freeway sucks, but its a compromise I'm willing to make.

My mom has van pooled for 10 years now and wouldn't have it any other way. Most folks that complain about the commute should look into the van pools out here. It really makes things easy and eliminates stress.