Any Escondido experts out there? (San Diego, Temecula: for sale, apartments, renting)

[CalTam]

I know Escondido has mixed reviews. However, we're living (renting) in Temecula at the moment, and I do miss being closer to San Diego....

When we launch our house search in March '08, we've talked about Fallbrook and North Escondido (Hidden Meadows). But, my City Girl self misses the feel of a "real" neighborhood...with real coffee shops, sense of community...even a little grit and grime are OK.

While Fallbrook seems lovely, there seems to be a remoteness about it that I'm not sure about. It also seems very conservative.

So...I was at a friend's photography exhibit yesterday in downtown Escondido (at Juniper and Grand) and I found myself thinking, "this is nice!" No, it's not La Jolla or Hillcrest, but it had a comfortable vibe.

I checked out the farmer's market and drove around a bit before heading home. I've heard there are historic homes in Escondido...new homes....but it seems so HUGE. I cant seem to get a handle on what the best areas are.

Where do people live? Is it possible to find a nice house within walking distance of downtown Escondido that is reasonably priced and safe?

Are there any Escondido experts out there who can answer this question?

Thanks!

CalTam

[EscapeCalifornia]

My aunt and uncle lived there. I think they were the last English speakers in town when they left in '92. You might want to look in San Marcos.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by CalTam

So...I was at a friend's photography exhibit yesterday in downtown Escondido (at Juniper and Grand) and I found myself thinking, "this is nice!" No, it's not La Jolla or Hillcrest, but it had a comfortable vibe.

I checked out the farmer's market and drove around a bit before heading home. I've heard there are historic homes in Escondido...new homes....but it seems so HUGE. I cant seem to get a handle on what the best areas are.

I am not an expert on the area by any means....

You need to drive around downtown and into the residential neighborhoods immediately around there... it's not pretty. A lot of the neighborhoods are pretty much trashed.

The nice homes are all on the outskirts of the city itself. The popular area right now is the southern part between RB and Escondido, where the fires swept through. To the east is the San Pasqual Valley which is a newer community. Also to the North there are nice rolling hills with some great areas.

The big problem with Escondido appears to be the lousy schools and the ultra-right winger local government which doesn't seem to be able to adapt to the changing demographic of the area.

[CalTam]

Hey...thanks to both of you. When I drove around for just a couple of blocks, I did notice that things seemed to change block by block.

Guess we'll keep it on the radar, but continue to learn more....

[dustybrazil]

I was reading your posting about Escondido Neighborhoods. I thought I would share with you my website www.EscondidoNeighborhoods.com and also a great neighborhood in San Marcos called San Elijo Hills. It is minutes from the 78 freeway off Twin Oaks Road up the hill. You can also check out my San Elijo Hills website at www.SanElijoHillsReal-Estate.com and my main one that has most of the popular neighborhoods in North County San Diego..................www.C21Dusty.com

Please feel free to contact me if you need any help in or before March with your home search.

Enjoy!
Dusty Brazil
Century 21 United Brokers
760 207 7245

[cnkad]

If I were relocating to san diego (and I do live in san diego, but I am not an expert on Escondido either, But I have been there and about many times and my cousin lives there now.) Escondido would be rather low on my list of places to live in. It sounds like you want a place with a nice down towny vibe....and all the "nice" areas of Escondido are not close to downtown. Here is a good tip...if you are thinking about a particular area, take a drive there at night. Then you can get a better idea of what it would be like to live there and what kind of area it is-cause everything looks better in the day time. well good luck.

[mikenmary]

I'm originally from S.D. I will be moving my family back this summer ( can't wait!!) We were looking in Escondido because we can only afford to pay for houses in the range of this area. My job will be in Fashion Valley. First we looked at Temecula....nice ,but commute would kill me I'm told. So we have been looking at Escondido, Fallbrook, and San Marcos. Now I'm reading mixed bag on Escondido, what are the nice areas?? We would love a gated community, but none under 500,000$. Any suggestions out there on a good community with good schools, good youth sports, good coffee shops, warm neighbor, family feel?? GO BOLTS!!!!

[sunshine7793]

The Escondido government is one of the few in California making a stand against illegal immigtration. But there are those who object.

[escoguy66]

I have lived and worked in Escondido for eight years now. Have lived in the area for 25 plus years. I came to work in Escondido in what was at that time a flourishing arts scene. Now, that scene is just pathetic and I am on the verge of escaping to Arizona.

There is no downtown vibe to Escondido. Sure, there are restaurants and plenty of art galleries. But, realistically, how many times does one wake up and have a need to go buy art?

The demographics of the city are changing greatly. The town is now 40% Hispanic. There have been recent killings involving that ethnicity. While the city council is taking a stand, it more or less stays the same.

There are slums in every city. There are run down neighborhoods with apartments aplenty. There are neighborhoods in this city where if you drive around when school lets out, you feel like you're in Mexico.

The nice areas of Escondido are in the southern part of the town near the mall (is also where the fire swept through, so one needs to be concerned about that every October). If you want to live in a rural area and not have to deal with the bad parts, it is possible to live here. But for those thinking they can move here and be within driving distance of San Diego, forget it. The highway traffic is a nightmare going both directions.

I guess I just don'e have anything nice to say about this town I've lived in for about eight years. Would I recommend it? No.

[Judy P.]

I have lived in Escondido since I was 16 and I am now a grandmother. I have seen many changes here and none of them to the good. Our city is being over run by illegal aliens and the crime is getting worse. We are also becoming "condo city" and it looks awful but our city council calls it beautifying Escondido!
The nice places are more in the northern part of Escondido and also the San Pasqual Valley area. We lived in Escondido Hills a few years ago and it is a nice area, also there are several new developments near by. Hidden Meadows is nice but a little further out of town.
We now have our home for sale and can't wait to get out of here. Hopefully the housing market will turn around and it will sell soon.
If I were you I would look more toward San Marcos (it is cooler in the summer for the most part)and also look at towns more toward the coast if you can afford it.
Good luck to you!