30-minute commuting radius from 5/805 intersection (San Diego, Carlsbad: rent, houses, buying)

[ChrisNH]

In very preliminary stages of scoping out what a move to San Diego would cost, and want to know which areas that would include that would keep me within 30 (maybe 40 tops) minutes of the 5/805 intersection in rush-hour commuting. Can locals here give me some approximate radius of towns north/east/south that would describe that area?

Thanks.

[cruitr]

Need more info. There's a lot of expensive dirt within 30 minutes of the 5/805 split:
1. Are you renting or buying? Budget?
2. Alone or with family?
3. Do you like urban or the 'burbs?
4. Is the beach an important part of your lifestyle?

[ChrisNH]

Suburbs with family, will be buying, and budget is uncertain but isn't likely to go over $600,000. From our perspective, the whole area is close to the beach, but we certainly don't need to pay for proximity - inland is ok. The commute is more important than how long it takes to get to the beach.

[Sassberto]

If you want to stay under 600k look inland to RP, RB, parts of Poway, most locations are within 30-45 minutes of 5/805 split, San Diego County is really not all that big.

[cruitr]

To add to Sassberto's comments...
RP = Rancho Penasquitos (zip 92129)
RB = Rancho Bernardo (zip 92127 & 92128)
Poway (zip 92064)
Scripps Ranch (zip 92131) should be on your short list too.
Mira Mesa (zip 92126) has some nice homes in your price range too. The area around Calle Cristobal Rd is best.

Final comment... rent first. Don't buy for at least a year. The best parts of San Diego don't always make good first impressions.

[ChrisNH]

Cruitr and Sassberto-
Thanks for the help. Given that schools are important (I have a high school and middle school age kids) then I should probably focus on Poway, RP, RB and not so much on Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch, right? Those latter two are part of San Diego proper and would be part of the SD USD school system...correct?

Finally, what about Carlsbad/Encinitas? Too far, or above my price range, or ok if I can find something appropriate?

[Sassberto]

Mostly you have to watch for the middle/high schools, elementaries are usually OK

Scripps Ranch High is good but not sure how far you can go under 600k there. Encinitas and Carlsbad can be spotty, not sure what's good and what isn't in those areas / price range.

[jksouthbay88]

Hope you guys know the 5 and the 805 meet in two different sports.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by ChrisNH

Cruitr and Sassberto-
Thanks for the help. Given that schools are important (I have a high school and middle school age kids) then I should probably focus on Poway, RP, RB and not so much on Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch, right? Those latter two are part of San Diego proper and would be part of the SD USD school system...correct?

Finally, what about Carlsbad/Encinitas? Too far, or above my price range, or ok if I can find something appropriate?

I was going to suggest Encinitas. It might be on the outer limits of your commute time in rush hour traffic, but not necessarily depending on where you settle in the city (the more to the south, the better). I used to drive to Sorrento Valley/Mira Mesa just below the split and it would take me 20 minutes door to door, but that was leaving early for work (getting to the office at 7:00 am). You can find houses here in the $600K range, not by the beach, but you can. Carlsbad is probably too far north.
And yes, to address JK's point of clarification on this thread, I and others are assuming you mean the 5-805 split around La Jolla as opposed to the one about a mile from the Mexico border.

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by jksouthbay88

Hope you guys know the 5 and the 805 meet in two different sports.

Gee... I never noticed that.