the dreaded commute (San Diego, Oceanside, Escondido: houses, construction, schools)

[anniebeeeee]

So we are moving to San Diego this weekend, and simply cannot decide between two houses. My husband has a job in Poway and despite our best efforts it appears as if a closer home just wasn't possible. One of the houses is in oceanside close to the vista city line and the next is north east Escondido.. We have little ones so his commute time is of huge importance. According to Google maps from the oceanside home it's an approx 35 minute commute and from the Escondido home 15. What can you locals tell me about both areas and actual commute time. Being from southern New Mexico, we have no true understanding of the challenges we are facing. Any and all insight will be appreciated.

[whiteboyslo]

I'd skip the Oceanside house if commute is a concern. Getting across 78 in traffic can be a nightmare, especially at the 15/78 interchange. And, coming from Oceanside in the morning, you'd be going WITH traffic.

Mike

[1AngryTaxPayer]

I'd take the Escondido one if not too close to downtown (barrio).

[skeke]

Escondido would be a lesser commute. The 78 out of Oceanside is infamous for it's traffic jams. No housing that met your needs in Poway? Too bad as that is where your husband will work and a great family area with super schools.

[oddstray]

Have you tried looking in Rancho Penasquitos? It's in the Poway USD and is just across I-15 from Poway.

[USDefault]

Originally Posted by anniebeeeee

According to Google maps from the oceanside home it's an approx 35 minute commute

It will be double that due to horrendous traffic. Guaranteed. 78 and 15 are the worst during morning and evening commutes, period.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by USDefault

It will be double that due to horrendous traffic. Guaranteed. 78 and 15 are the worst during morning and evening commutes, period.

Yeah, I'd check out Google Maps during the actual rush hour time that your husband would be going to work. I'm not sure it would always be double that time but Google Maps is the most valuable when you're actually looking at traffic times during the time of the commute.

I agree the Escondido one probably makes the most sense. I-15 isn't bad at all with all those lanes unless there is an accident or raining, etc. Man, I love all those lanes. I wish all freeways were like I-15.

[TristramShandy]

Originally Posted by USDefault

It will be double that due to horrendous traffic. Guaranteed. 78 and 15 are the worst during morning and evening commutes, period.

15 is a dream compared to the 805. But the 78 is horrific. They've been doing some construction on it, and an extra lane should help, but when I drive from San Marcos to Lake Murray, it can take as long to get from Palomar's exit to the 15 as it does to get to starting on the 15 to the 8. Just awful. Supposedly there is a bottleneck on 78 East after 3 o'clock 98% of the time on Mondays through Fridays.

[Tags]

I live in NE Escondido and commute to El Cajon. When we bought last fall we had also looked at homes in that No Man's Land (commute-wise) on the 78 between the 5 and 15. Trust me and everyone else here when we tell you that although the area is desirable in many ways, commuting from there to the 15 corridor is a major PITA -- both ways.

In contrast, I come down Bear Valley Parkway in the morning and pick up the 15 by the North County Fair mall. It's a pleasant drive with light to moderate (depending on the time of year) traffic. It avoids not only the 78 but the typical slowdowns on the 15 that begin just north of that entrance.

[AADAD]

Escondido.