Relocating and want info on places to avoid in Oceanside/Vista/Carlsbad/Escondido/San Marcos (San Diego: apartments, crime rate)

[Hanawi]

Hey everyone,

I just got a job based about 5-10 minutes north of Escondido, and am looking to relocate to the area. My budget starting out is fairly modest for the SD area with a high-water mark of 1200-1300 bucks a month. Currently, I'm looking at a large swath of area from Carlsbad to Oceanside (longer commutes) to Vista, Escondido, and San Marcos. I've read some threads on the areas already, but just was curious if there were concrete areas to steer away from since my income will probably drive me to some of the cheaper places. From what it seems like, there are definitely more prominent areas of all of these towns that are gang-heavy and crime-heavy.

I'm in my early 30s, laid-back, like to get out and meet people, hike, go to the beach, etc., so I'd be interested in opinions on the best places to live as well. It seems like Solana Beach/Encinitas/Leucadia are popular choices for someone my age and interests, but I think the commute would be brutal from those areas to the Hidden Meadows area. Right now, I'm thinking of the Carlsbad/Vista/San Marcos borders (ie. Shadowridge), but am open to suggestions. And, of course, specific apartment suggestions are definitely welcome.

Thanks.

[cruitr]

5-10 minutes north of Escondido... are you working for a casino?

[htnspz]

$12-1300 for an apartment or the whole budget for the month? If that's your budget for your housing, I wouldn't concentrate too much on the bad areas, because the budget would fine for most of the nicer apartments you're looking at on your budget.

[sdhkshdcny09]

Shadowridge is a nice area. stay south of the 78 if you are looking in that area though, its much safer and a lot less ghetto. there are plenty of affordable apts. off shadowridge drive and sycamore avenue to choose from- i think there are about 6-7 complexes in the immediate area, all close to the 78.

[socketz]

You may want to gauge the traffic on the 78 prior to moving west as it can be a bear.

You are going against the main stream of traffic on both legs of your commute, so you may be ok.

It sounds like you are single, so I would try to live as far west as you can afford and steer clear of the bedroom communities in North County Inland as it will not be that interesting to you.

[Hanawi]

Thanks for the help. Just to clarify: I am single, so things like schools, etc. aren't that important to me at the moment. And the 1200-1300 is my housing budget alone. Though, something closer to 900-1000 would be ideal. And no, I won't be working at a casino. :-)

If I understand it correctly, the major traffic on 78 is westbound in the morning and eastbound in the evening. Is that correct?

And I've heard elsewhere that the closer to Carlsbad in Oceanside (ie. south of Oceanside Blvd), the better the area (less crime, etc.). Is that a good general rule of thumb?

[sdhkshdcny09]

Originally Posted by Hanawi

Thanks for the help. Just to clarify: I am single, so things like schools, etc. aren't that important to me at the moment. And the 1200-1300 is my housing budget alone. Though, something closer to 900-1000 would be ideal. And no, I won't be working at a casino. :-)

If I understand it correctly, the major traffic on 78 is westbound in the morning and eastbound in the evening. Is that correct?

And I've heard elsewhere that the closer to Carlsbad in Oceanside (ie. south of Oceanside Blvd), the better the area (less crime, etc.). Is that a good general rule of thumb?

yeah thats how it works. Eastbound traffic is absolutely horrible in the afternoon- the worst in San Diego County actually. If you ever find traffic going to work, travel along Buena Creek Road or Twin Oaks Valley Road to Deer Springs Road, which is a back way to the 15.

sort of. San Marcos actually has a lower crime rate than Carlsbad though. North County is pretty much a bedroom community, so there arent very many places for young people. (except Encinitas.... and the downtown portions of Carlsbad and Oceanside- but they have the highest crime rates)

[10,000Lakes]

Originally Posted by Hanawi

Hey everyone,

I just got a job based about 5-10 minutes north of Escondido, and am looking to relocate to the area. My budget starting out is fairly modest for the SD area with a high-water mark of 1200-1300 bucks a month. Currently, I'm looking at a large swath of area from Carlsbad to Oceanside (longer commutes) to Vista, Escondido, and San Marcos. I've read some threads on the areas already, but just was curious if there were concrete areas to steer away from since my income will probably drive me to some of the cheaper places. From what it seems like, there are definitely more prominent areas of all of these towns that are gang-heavy and crime-heavy.

I'm in my early 30s, laid-back, like to get out and meet people, hike, go to the beach, etc., so I'd be interested in opinions on the best places to live as well. It seems like Solana Beach/Encinitas/Leucadia are popular choices for someone my age and interests, but I think the commute would be brutal from those areas to the Hidden Meadows area. Right now, I'm thinking of the Carlsbad/Vista/San Marcos borders (ie. Shadowridge), but am open to suggestions. And, of course, specific apartment suggestions are definitely welcome.

Thanks.

Are you open to having a roomate, because not only would it save you $ but you could get a nicer place too. http://www.pendletonyardsales.com/it...799&src=SEARCH here is one right by the beach!

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by Hanawi

If I understand it correctly, the major traffic on 78 is westbound in the morning and eastbound in the evening. Is that correct?

The 78 is pretty bad in either direction in the afternoon, (although definitely moreso heading East) but it's *super* easy to take surface streets to traverse the East-West corridor if need be.

[Shellso]

You should check out the San Elijo hills area in San Marcos.