Temecula or San Marcos or Oceanside (San Diego, Carlsbad: crime rates, house, neighborhoods)

[Rpallstate]

Hi everybody,

I recently found out that I will be working very close to promenade mall in Temecula. We are currently living in Springfield, IL and planning to move to either Temecula or San Marcos or Oceanside. We are considering southern side of Temecula ( south of 79) for good school district. We loved San Marcos areas as well for its little cooler weather and close to beach and San Diego. We have 2 children ( 2 yr old boy and 5 month old girl).
We would definitely like to live in safer Area with good school district and mainly moving for good weather. I would not mind little commute if living in good school district with lot of activities for toddlers.

I would really appreciate your help and input on those three area.

[Captjob]

Temecula would be your city of choice based on the three you mentioned. South of Hwy 79 (Temecula parkway) you will find Vail Ranch, Redhawk and Wolf Creek communities. Paloma and Paseo Del Sol to the North of Hwy 79 as well as Crowne Hill. All nice choices.

The Temecual/Murrieta school districts are top in the state while San Marcos/Oceanside are no comparison.

Depending on your budget and what you are looking for, San Marcos and Oceanside homes will cost far more for less home and worse schools. Oceanside attracts those the "have" to live by the beach yet they trade a very safe community for one of the higher crime and violent crime rates in the North San Diego County.

San Marcos has been growing but not at the rate of Temecula. San Elijo Hills is the newest community and homes average 650-900K while the same home in Temecula will be in the 400-500 range.

I grew up in San Marcos and worked for the city for over 30 years. FYI..over 80% of the city employees of most North County cities including San Marcos live in the Temecula area if that helps.

[Rpallstate]

Thank you, Captjob. I appreciate your advise.

Is there any other good communities with children around my kids age?

We are also looking particularly for their classes for swimming, dance and Montessori school.

[Danalysd]

we live in Temecula and I can agree with Everything Captjob said. We moved up from San Diego for the schools and cheaper housing costs. Live in Redhawk and it is great. Have a 4 year old who goes to Seedsower montessori in Lake Harveston community. There is a waiting list so I suggest getting on it now. Plenty of Dance studios geared towards kids in the area. You can find private swimming classes or Temecula does them during the summer at the high schools for much cheaper.

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by Rpallstate

Thank you, Captjob. I appreciate your advise.

Is there any other good communities with children around my kids age?

We are also looking particularly for their classes for swimming, dance and Montessori school.

Temecula/Murrieta are full of young families etc. Literally thousands of kids here and every kind and type of child/kid/family activity you could imagine.

All three of my kids were born and raised here. They have plenty of friends and are have been involved in soccer, baseball, cheer, gymnastics, drama, karate, swimming etc not to mention all the school activities. You name it, it's available.

[Rpallstate]

Thanks Captjob. We are leaning towards coming to Temecula after all reviews and our own research.

[stefanwest]

You will love it out here and you really can't go wrong with Temecula or Murrieta. I moved up here from Oceanside in 2002. I also used to live in Carlsbad - both were great but they are very expensive and aren't even close to offering so many family things to do, etc. My friends from there, come up here to my house in Murrieta for BBQs, wineries, events, Old town Temecula, you name it.

So trust me you will love it up here and there are so many great neighborhoods up here, you will have a hard time . When are you coming out this way?

[Rpallstate]

Thank you, Stefanwest.

I appreciate your input. I am starting my job most likely from July 1st. I will be working around promenade mall. Would you suggest any neighborhood area with in 10-20 min driving which are more desirable and also if any area that I should avoid? I am thinking to come for quick visit sometime in April.

[JohnSoCal]

It is really a matter of finding a home you like. There are no bad areas in Temecula or Murrieta.

[raredeminaz]

You should look at the Harveston neighborhood in N Temecula. Tons of kids and activities plus you would be about 5 minutes from work. Everyone I know who lives there loves it. Look at the assigned schools. The differences between a 9 and 8 rated school in Temecula are minimal.