Tell me about living in Encinitas (do you like it?) (San Diego: apartment, renting)

[Angel Bear]

Looking at relocation for early next year. My hubby and I are most likely getting jobs in the San Diego area. In prior trips, we've spent some time along the beach towns from San Diego up to Oceanside. We both really loved Encinitas.

Can you tell me some things about Encinitas--what is it like to live there?
How's the commute nowadays to San Diego proper or the other nearby towns?

We're pretty open-minded about which town we'd live in, but Encinitas seemed to fit us best We'll be starting out in an apartment most likely until we get a feel for the area before buying a condo or house there...

We're in our late 30's, no kids (never will), enjoy surfing, bicycling (road and mountain), running, live music, metaphysics/spirituality, yoga, and being in nature. We're pretty laidback and non-pretentious types (not too "crunchy" but enjoy natural foods and that vibe).

Help and input appreciated!

Thanks,
AB

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Angel Bear

How's the commute nowadays to San Diego proper or the other nearby towns?

Check this out during the times you expect to commute:

Sigalert.com San Diego Traffic Map

[cruitr]

What's your budget for a house purchase? Coastal Encinitas can be quite pricey. You'll find much better deals east of I-5.

[Snort]

Yep! The I-5 commute can truly, truly suck. I'd live closer to work rather than deal with that mess day in and day out. Been there, done that.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Angel Bear

Looking at relocation for early next year. My hubby and I are most likely getting jobs in the San Diego area. In prior trips, we've spent some time along the beach towns from San Diego up to Oceanside. We both really loved Encinitas.

Can you tell me some things about Encinitas--what is it like to live there?
How's the commute nowadays to San Diego proper or the other nearby towns?

We're pretty open-minded about which town we'd live in, but Encinitas seemed to fit us best We'll be starting out in an apartment most likely until we get a feel for the area before buying a condo or house there...

We're in our late 30's, no kids (never will), enjoy surfing, bicycling (road and mountain), running, live music, metaphysics/spirituality, yoga, and being in nature. We're pretty laidback and non-pretentious types (not too "crunchy" but enjoy natural foods and that vibe).

Help and input appreciated!

Thanks,
AB

It sounds like you have the right idea right off the bat in terms of renting an apartment to check out the area before jumping into a house. So kudos for that.
I can see from your listed interests why Encinitas would appeal to you. It's pretty much what this area is all about. The surfing, cycling, yoga, etc. You'll find all that here and more.
I guess we like Encinitas because it has the best of both worlds. It has the cool, funky little downtown and the surfing in Cardiff and Leucadia, but it also has the commercial shopping district east of I-5 that you need for everyday life. We live in that area of town called Village Park, and we love it. We're not on the beach, but it's a 7 minute drive to Cardiff and Moonlight Beach. I surf pretty much every day and we do family walks on the beach, so that's big for us.
The morning commute on the 5 south into San Diego can be brutal, I won't lie. But it depends on what time you go. The earllier, the better in terms of avoiding the worst traffic. There's very little traffic going north toward Carlsbad. And even the southbound traffic generally lets up around Solana Beach, just a few miles south, then you're back up to full speed.
I think you'll really love Encinitas. It is expensive, I suppose, but it's worth it. If you're going to move to San Diego, you might as well live somewhere you are happy.

[uptown_urbanist]

I've never lived in Encinitas (so read this with that in mind), but have relatives there and have visited over the years. I've always enjoyed visiting, and for a time considered trying to move there ourselves. Downtown Encinitas is great; feels like a classic smaller beach town. Encinitas itself has changed a lot over the years, but still seems to have retained some of the elements that I find so appealing. If you're lucky you'll work somewhere along the train, then you can avoid traffic altogether and just take the train. The Coaster stops right in town. There's also an Amtrak station in Solana Beach; I think a monthly pass will let you ride both (thereby expanding the number of train options you can take) although I'm not sure about. (Amtrak also heads north to LA if you want a daytrip, or Metrolink picks up in Oceanside; it's a beautiful ride up the coast.)

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by Angel Bear

We're in our late 30's, no kids (never will), enjoy surfing, bicycling (road and mountain), running, live music, metaphysics/spirituality, yoga, and being in nature. We're pretty laidback and non-pretentious types (not too "crunchy" but enjoy natural foods and that vibe).

You pretty much described Encinitas to a tee.

[loveautumn]

I've lived in Encinitas for 21 years now and of course have seen it change. But it has everything you could want really. Close to the beach, close to freeways, has every store you could ever need close by, and is probably one of the most desirable communities to live in San Diego.

As you may have discovered, there is "old" Encinitas (beach community) west of I-5 and "new" Encinitas east of I-5 (the burbs).

There is alot of traffic in Encinitas, however, because there are only three main roads in and out...Encinitas Blvd, El Camino Real, and Leucadia Blvd, so it does back up.

but you can't go wrong choosing Encinitas!

[Angel Bear]

Thanks so much for all of the help and insights! We really feel it is a perfect match for us and our interests

I'll probably be working north towards Carlsbad area and hubby south towards San Diego. I also have my own business on the side too. I'll probably add a second business too of being a yoga teacher at some point. Also, my hubby will probably have 1-2 businesses too...All of this in addition to day jobs (yes, that Midwestern work ethic...but we like to play hard too).

We're not too concerned about it being "expensive"...we're aware that the cost of housing is higher in coastal areas, etc. And, of course, won't be buying a property at first, as I mentioned.

We're pretty open-minded and flexible about where we end up living in San Diego area, but Encinitas always calls to us.

I love that there are public transportation options and also, for day trips. How awesome!

We live in a large metropolitan area with killer commutes right now, so totally used to it and having to navigate that. Hubby will probably be on dawn patrol every a.m., so he'll be on the roads early after surfing to get to work. I get up around 5-7 a.m. each day...So, I'll be on the road early too

Thanks so much and many blessings,
AB

[windnsea00]

Encinitas is a cool beach town, I actually don't spend much time there but I should!