Poway vs Carlsbad (San Diego, Encinitas, San Marcos: rental market, how much, home)

[MovingtoSanDiego2010]

We are relocating from MD next spring. We are considering Carlsbad and Poway. We would be working in La Jolla (close to Del Mar). Are there mosquitos in Poway? Wildfires in Poway? Which would be better? They both seem like nice places to live, similar cost of a home, both good schools. Warmer in Poway and closer to Downtown San Diego. Cooler in Carlsbad and closer to the beach. Does this sum it up correctly?

Thank you!!

[JakeDog]

Mosquitos are not an issue in San Diego. Coming from the East Coast, you will forget they even exist. Wildfires could happen anywhere, but haven't for a while. The relative danger of a wildfire would depend largely upon your particular location in either town. In a populated area it probably wouldn't be a factor. Poway is a lot warmer in the summer. Poway is more country in feel, Carlsbad is more beach. The commute from Carlsbad would be shorter. Both have good schools with a slight edge to Poway. Do you want space/yard or proximaty to the ocean. This will largely make the decision for you.

[Beware_of_Dog]

Carlsbad has my 2 all time favorite restaurants and so much to do all along the coast. I would always choose Carlsbad over Poway, and even San Marcos over Poway. I was never a fan of Poway, but some people seem to like it. That is one nice thing about S.D. county, each little community has its own uniqueness and charm.

[RunMichelle]

I hate to thread jack, but this is my exact dilemma. However, my issue is my expected job market is going to be government based in the DT San Diego area.

Commute wise, which is going to be the better for me? I-5 North to Carlsbad or trying to cut up and over to the Poway area?

During the work week I’ll be a single mom (husband will be home on the weekends) so I’m not sure how much of a buffer I’ll find with childcare to allow for a commute. My son is school age but it's that before and after school care I'm unfamiliar with.

I'd like to be closer to SD but the rental market is cheaper in those two areas with good schools. (the priority)

[RunMichelle]

Nevermind. I don't want to thread jack, I'll make a new post! :0)

[jbear182]

I would always pick Carlsbad. Not only having access to the beach but being near the other coast communities. Did you check into Encinitas? IMO Encinitas is better than Carlsbad and light years better than Poway. Poway is a suburb nothing more nothing less. North County coast you havess to the water, cool towns and a better overall vibe.

[makingcoffee]

I live in Carlsbad, and it's a great town. From Carlsbad down the coast through Leucadia and Encinitas is my favorite area in SD. It's very relaxed and the beaches are lovely and easy to get to. The only downside with Carlsbad is my commute to work: I work down in La Jolla (UTC, really), and the drive up and down the 5 every day is brutal. Probably 45-60 minutes each way. But sometimes I'll hop over to the 101 and drive home along the coast, and the views are so beautiful that the long drive isn't so bad.

[BacktoBlue]

Both are great plaxces to live. The cool thig about poway is that it's in the "country" yet it has a city feel.

Carlsbad would be my first choice since it's coastal, but Poway is great too.

[oddstray]

Poway might have once been in the "country", but no longer. Now it's right next to Scripps Ranch, Sabre Springs, Carmel Mountain Ranch, and Rancho Bernardo. There's no longer much "country" until you start getting east of Poway.

[BacktoBlue]

The city motto is "The city in the country" right?