Relocating to the San Diego Area? (Oceanside, Carlsbad: apartments, rentals, buying a house)

[KarmaPhx]

My fiance and myself are finally making the long awaited move out of AZ and we have decided on the San Diego area for our relocation.

We have a strong interest in the area north of San Diego near Carlsbad and Encinitas.

We are looking to live within a 45 minute drive to the beach with traffic, and from what I can see on the map most of the area is within that distance?

We are looking to spend around $1000 a month for the first year we move there, and if we really like the area we are considering purchasing a house, but for now we want to live there and see the area before we make a big decision.

So how are these areas? I have never been north of Del Mar but from what I have heard from people I know and research it seems like a great area, and more affordable than the actual city of San Diego.

How far of a drive would it be to get to LA? Do they have any trains or anything? What about back down to San Diego from that area?

Any help or tips would be great, thanks!

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

My fiance and myself are finally making the long awaited move out of AZ and we have decided on the San Diego area for our relocation.

We have a strong interest in the area north of San Diego near Carlsbad and Encinitas.

We are looking to live within a 45 minute drive to the beach with traffic, and from what I can see on the map most of the area is within that distance?

We are looking to spend around $1000 a month for the first year we move there, and if we really like the area we are considering purchasing a house, but for now we want to live there and see the area before we make a big decision.

So how are these areas? I have never been north of Del Mar but from what I have heard from people I know and research it seems like a great area, and more affordable than the actual city of San Diego.

How far of a drive would it be to get to LA? Do they have any trains or anything? What about back down to San Diego from that area?

Any help or tips would be great, thanks!

The areas of Encinitas and Carlsbad are generally very nice, newer, safe areas with great schools (with a few exceptions). They are similar to Del Mar, but different too. More laid back maybe and certainly more affordable. Del Mar is so small and exclusive that it tends to be among the most expensive cities to live in San Diego.
I'm not sure I'd say Encinitas and Carlsbad are "more affordable" than San Diego. I think the opposite might be true, since they are coastal areas and tend to be more expensive in terms of both rentals and purchased homes.
It's been a while since I rented around here, so I'm not sure what you could find in the $1,000 range. You might want to consider moving inland a bit (San Marcos?) which is still within a 45-minute drive to the coast and might offer you more in terms of value for your rental budget.
It's about a 2 hour drive to LA from here. The Amtrak stops in Solana Beach and Oceanside and serves all of OC and LA and points north. The Metrolink also comes into Oceanside and serves the same areas. As far as getting into San Diego from Encinitas/Carlsbad, there is the Coaster commuter train that has two stops in Carlsbad and one in Encinitas and runs downtown several times a day, with stops in between.
I hope this answers some of your questions.

[KarmaPhx]

I looked around on craigslist, and a few sites like apartments.com and rent.com and from what I saw the Encinitias/Carlsbad area was more affordable for living closer to the beach.

I found a few 1bd places for around $900, some are newer looking. If we really like the area we plan on buying a house, and we are getting married here in the next year too.

[Greatday]

If you really want less expensive, try Oceanside.

Carlsbad, Encinitas etc are more expensive - and more expensive than San Diego.

Also, and this may be of some interest - Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas are "Military towns" so to speak - their proximity to Camp Pendleton - USMC - have a lot of impact on the area.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Greatday

If you really want less expensive, try Oceanside.

Carlsbad, Encinitas etc are more expensive - and more expensive than San Diego.

Also, and this may be of some interest - Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas are "Military towns" so to speak - their proximity to Camp Pendleton - USMC - have a lot of impact on the area.

I am actually considering enlisting in the Marines or Navy, which is one of the reasons we chose this area .

I am looking into Oceanside I just heard it was a little more ghetto.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

I am actually considering enlisting in the Marines or Navy, which is one of the reasons we chose this area .

I am looking into Oceanside I just heard it was a little more ghetto.

Oceanside is a Marine town

As for enlisting - a career in the Military can be a good one. Today is my son's 23rd anniversary in the Navy - in the Medical Corp - and is attached to the Marines (and has also been TDY'd to the Army and Air Force). He is returning the ME in Sept for his 6th tour / OIF. His wife now has 20 years in service

If you decide on Navy - Boot is in Great Lakes.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Greatday

If you really want less expensive, try Oceanside.

Carlsbad, Encinitas etc are more expensive - and more expensive than San Diego.

Also, and this may be of some interest - Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas are "Military towns" so to speak - their proximity to Camp Pendleton - USMC - have a lot of impact on the area.

Encinitas is not a military town. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's far more politically liberal, pro-environmental, surf-oriented.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Encinitan

Encinitas is not a military town. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's far more politically liberal, pro-environmental, surf-oriented.

Sounds perfect.

[forestgump72]

Originally Posted by Encinitan

Encinitas is not a military town. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's far more politically liberal, pro-environmental, surf-oriented.

I remember when Encinitas use to have nice little Mexican-American neighborhoods and was one of the best places to live in all of North County

Now it seems more like La Jolla everyday , Costly and Elite attitudes .

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by forestgump72

I remember when Encinitas use to have nice little Mexican-American neighborhoods and was one of the best places to live in all of North County

Now it seems more like La Jolla everyday , Costly and Elite attitudes .

I think it's still one of the best areas to live in North County, and those neighborhoods still exist. Take a drive east on Santa Fe Drive from I-5, the area around the former San Dieguito High School. Huge Mexican-American community there, complete with awesome Mexican grocery called El Napolito.
And all over Leucadia, among what's left of the greenhouses, there are lots of little neighborhoods like what you are describing.
By and large, Encinitas has retained most of its small-town, funky, non-conformist vibe. If you think Cardiff or Leucadia or even downtown Encinitas look like La Jolla, I don't think we're talking about the same La Jolla. There are very few parts of town I mistake for La Jolla, let's put it that way.