Need opinions on commute between Carlsbad and Temecula (Oceanside, San Marcos: rental homes, homes)

[sds1350]

My husband will be working in Temecula. We are trying to decide between living in Temecula (close to work) or living in Carlsbad (for the ocean) while he commutes to Temecula. We have 4 school age children and both locations seem to have great schools. While Temecula is obviously less expensive, we all love the ocean. Sounds like my husband would have a reverse commute. We are willing to give up house/yard size to be close to the ocean. We lived in Phoenix area for 10 yrs and I didnt like the heat, dry, dusty conditions. I grew up in Northern CA about 45 min to coast. Any input from locals would be great. Thanks in advance for your help!

Oh, I guess I should mention, we are looking at rental homes with great schools (we have elementary, middle and high school age kids). If we purchase, we may wait a yr to see what the market does.

[Encinitan]

If the dry, dusty conditions in Phoenix didn't suit you, then Temecula is not for you. It's warm and dusty out there in the summers. Winters are pretty mild, but the summers are brutally hot. Highs at or above 100 throughout August, September, even October can be toasty.
However, from close to the beach in Carlsbad to Temecula, even with a reverse commute, is going to be long. Maybe 45 mins to an hour each way, depending on exact locations.
While I'd certainly prefer Carlsbad over Temecula, having lived in both cities, the commute should be a factor as that can really wear on you over time.
Sounds like you have the right idea as far as renting first and waiting for the market to settle down a bit.
Good luck to you.

[Yvonne1207]

Carlsbad to Temecula is about a 45 minute commute one way without traffic. But it is on the 76 highway which is a bit curvy and a 2 lane road. Not something I would want to travel on daily. JMHO.

[sds1350]

Thank you both for your input. We will be out visiting in March. We will have to look at both areas closely and drive the commute to get a feeling of what will work. Both are nice areas, so its a nice problem to have, huh?!!

We have a lot of school and neighborhood info on Temecula but does anyone have any input/opinions/observations on neighborhoods and schools in Carlsbad??

Thanks.

[MtnDude]

Temecula to Carlsbad isn't a bad commute at all.....40 - 45 minutes each way to Temecula and back. When you take Interstate 15 South heading towards Carlsbad, you take the shortcut to bypass all heavy traffic. Get off on Deer Springs Road and take it to San Marcos Blvd and it automatically becomes Palomar Airport Rd into Carlsbad about 3 miles down the road. I did this commute for 2 years straight in the past. Never take the 2 lane 40 mph Highway 76, It's too windy and not safe, especially when there is thick thick heavy coastal fog laying like a blanket in the early mornings.

[MtnDude]

Carlsbad is an awsome beach city. Very nice and beautiful weather. I don't know much about the schools there, but the only downfall is that the city has very strict residential regulations there. Like for example you're not alot to wash your car at all at your home. If so you will get a $500 fine and have to strictly take it to a designated local car wash. Because they don't want any soap or water run off touching the driveways and sidewalks and collecting material and sending it down the storm drains. Kind of overboard considering when there is rain outside and all of the raw sewage gets dumped out into the oceans here anyways in California.

[TLarkin]

You may want to consider Fallbrook, A great little community, easy to get to the beach, and easy to get to Temecula.

[dweej]

Originally Posted by TLarkin

You may want to consider Fallbrook, A great little community, easy to get to the beach, and easy to get to Temecula.

Hmmmmm, I used to live in Oceanside, then Fallbrook, and now live in Temecula, and although Fallbrook has its good qualities (weather and scenery being the biggest ones), I would never choose it over Carlsbad or Temecula. The trip to the beach is still a hike on the 76, the schools leave a lot to be desired, and there are very few retail or entertainment opportunities. When we lived there, we found ourselves driving to Oceanside or Temecula every single weekend to accomplish/do/visit/play.

[luvSD]

Your situation doesn't sound good and I feel for ya. Of the two, Carlsbad is nicer: it's closer to the coast and it's an active community with stuff to do and enjoy. The commute from Carlsbad and Temecula is about 45 minutes if traffic is moving. 45 minutes once a week is fine, but twice a day is going to be hard on you. Just think : 45 minutes x twice a day x 5 days a week = 7.5 hours of your life dedicated to driving to and from work. That's almost an entired 8-hour work day! Is there a way that you can work from home (telecommuniting) so you don't have to drive everyday?

On the other hand - Temecula is hot. When you come visit in March, you won't be able to tell, you might think it's quite acceptible after all. But all I have to say is "hot". I imagine that lots of Temecula people stay in air conditioned homes/offices all day to avoid the heat. Perhaps if you worked in an air conditioned office, then the heat would not be such a big issue.

[dweej]

Originally Posted by luvSD

Perhaps if you worked in an air conditioned office, then the heat would not be such a big issue.

This is so funny because only someone from SD would imagine that someone might not have a/c in their office . When I worked in Del Mar, we had no heat or air conditioner at our office. Some days we were freezing our buns off and sometimes we were literally drenched in sweat, but most days were just fine. Here in Temecula, every single place of employment will offer air conditioner, I can promise you that . On the really, really hot days, I'd rather be in an a/c temp controlled office in Temecula than a no-a/c-havin' office on the coast .