Oceanside, Vista or Temecula? What is the best city to buy a home and raise a newborn? (San Diego: crime, buying a home)

[Lucas'smommy]

My husband was recently transferred to work in Oceanside. We want to buy a house in either Oceanside or Vista. What is the best city to live in? We have a 9 week old baby boy and would like to buy a house in a safe place with good schools. We also thought of maybe buying a home in Temecula and my husband would commute from Oceanside to Temecula. We have never lived in North County and don't know the area at all. We have heard some not so good things about living in Oceanside and Vista and I wanted some advice from people who know the area as we are clueless about it. Thanks for any advice or suggestions!

[HelloGoodbye]

If it were me, I would buy in Temecula. Nicer area, better schools. Temecula has more newly built areas, a lot of Oceanside and Vista is not so attractive but that depends on your price range. You will get more for your money in Temecula the only downside is the drive which is why I do not live there.

[Lucas'smommy]

Thanks for your advice! Our price range is around $375k. I think Temecula would be a good place to raise a family as well but I am scared about leaving everything I know in San Diego behind. I also don't want my husband to be away from his baby son for so long because of his long commute. Living in Oceanside or Vista would be ideal because it's close to his work but I am not sure if those places are good safe places to raise a family.

[AADAD]

The commute could be awful. People who like Oceanside enjoy a culturally diverse area and close to the ocean. The pier is always fun and with a baby the ocean is a real nice place to spend days. Crime may be a little higher statistically but I have family there for many years and they have not had any issues. If you are concerned, get a large dog (seriously).

Temecula for my money is a suburban swamp (reminds me of Phx) Tourists clog major roads, it's hot and dusty and just because you can get everything does not mean it's fun. As your baby grows you can judge then if the schools will be fine in Oceanside...or not. Save money live by the beach is my advice.

[oddstray]

Amount of house for your money - advantage Temecula

Commute - huge advantage Oceanside/Vista
Weather - huge advantage Oceanside/Vista
Walkability - advantage Oceanside/Vista
etc.

There are pockets of not-so-good in Oceanside and in Vista. If you stay away from them, you should have no worries about crime.

I don't know enough to comment about schools in any of these areas.

[Lucas'smommy]

Thanks for the advice! We are going to look at houses in Oceanside and Vista. Is North Valley in Oceanside a bad area?

[jzbik]

Have you considered San Marcos? Just a bit further east than Vista. We live there with our son and are very happy with the neighborhood and school.

[AADAD]

Originally Posted by Lucas'smommy

Thanks for the advice! We are going to look at houses in Oceanside and Vista. Is North Valley in Oceanside a bad area?

I recommend you judge safety by condition of the neighborhood, vehicles in disrepair and overall "gut feel". That said a visit to the local police station might be helpful or as you are driving ask people who you see. The issue in all areas is crime of opportunity. People and their homes that appear vulnerable are frequently victims.

I don't have any problems with Oceanside. Be aware that the hospital Tri City has a variable reputation in Vista. If you have choices in health care choose Scripps which is closest to those cities in Encinitas. Health care in Temecula is adequate. The closer to San Diego the better. Childrens Hospital in San Diego is the best for kids.

[Cardiff Kook]

My family has lived in both the shadowridge area of Vista and now currently live in Ocean Hills. They have enjoyed living in both areas and have not had any concerns about safety or crime fwiw

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by jzbik

Have you considered San Marcos? Just a bit further east than Vista. We live there with our son and are very happy with the neighborhood and school.

I was going to make the same suggestion! San Elijo Hills is in fact an award winning school district, I believe. I would look at San Marcos as well, over Vista or Oceanside.

Although, check the boundaries for oceanside and carlsbad, as far as school districts-sometimes they are funky enough to land you in a better district than you would have thought [ie, some of encinitas is in rancho santa fe/san dieguito school district; mailing address is encinitas]....I don't know O-side or Carlsbad enough to say if this is true, but I would check it out if I were the OP.

Also, I believe some of Escondido even lands in the San Elijo school district (i'm not sure the name of the district-it's in san elijo hills-google it!). Again, check district boundaries for the cities surrounding Oceanside and Vista.

Check greatschools dot com for schools reviews....
And:
Vista has numerous charter schools-free public schools that are state funded rather than district funded, including a newly opening Montessori k-8. Vista's charter schools are diverse in type. Google for a list of them. Charter schools are open to anyone residing in CA state; so if you live in o-side, you can attend a charter in san marcos or vista, for example.