Where to live in Oceanside (San Diego, Orange: rentals, crime, townhouse)

[photobpilot]

My wife starts work in Encinitas in a few weeks. I am still looking for work out there but will probably end up working Orange county. Because of my need to commute we are looking at living in Oceanside. That and its the only place we can afford without living way inland.

I have yet to meet someone who knows the area that does not respond "Oceanside is scary". I lived in some rough cities before so I was not worried but upon research it looks like there is a lot of gang activity.

I was out last weekend looking at rentals. I knew when I got near the back gate something was wrong, "this is not where I want to live". Some research since has confirmed that.

The places I liked were between El Camino and College and Oceanside Blvd and Hwy 78. Are these areas safe? I imagine the violence stays in the gang neighborhood but is property crime prevalent in other neighborhoods?

What other things should I consider in living in Oceanside?

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by photobpilot

My wife starts work in Encinitas in a few weeks. I am still looking for work out there but will probably end up working Orange county. Because of my need to commute we are looking at living in Oceanside. That and its the only place we can afford without living way inland.

I have yet to meet someone who knows the area that does not respond "Oceanside is scary". I lived in some rough cities before so I was not worried but upon research it looks like there is a lot of gang activity.

I was out last weekend looking at rentals. I knew when I got near the back gate something was wrong, "this is not where I want to live". Some research since has confirmed that.

The places I liked were between El Camino and College and Oceanside Blvd and Hwy 78. Are these areas safe? I imagine the violence stays in the gang neighborhood but is property crime prevalent in other neighborhoods?

What other things should I consider in living in Oceanside?

photbpilot,

I cant offer any personal insight into Oceanside from a residential standpoint. But yet you are right regarding "scary". What really scares me are the psycho soccer moms in any Costco parking lot. Look out!

Here is a tip. Use the ARJIS system. We have a centralized database of all criminal activity in SD County.
San Diego Regional Crime MAPS

It gives 90 days worth of criminal activity with all kinds of parameters you can set to your choosing.

[janineg]

The area you described above is the Rancho del Oro area and I think it's considered safe and desirable. You could also try the Oceanside area below the 78 freeway, near Lake Calavera and the big preserve surrounding it. Here's an example of a listing: 3 Bdrm Townhouse, Oceanside—Carlsbad Schools (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/apa/2370972020.html - broken link) I live pretty close to this, and it's a decent area abutting some very nice Carlsbad areas.
This is in a great location in southern Oceanside, right next to Shadowridge: Adorable Home with Large Fenced Yard and Deck!!! (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/apa/2362711066.html - broken link)
I also love Fire Mountain, which is off the Jefferson exit, north. It's really nice.
Janine

[sdhkshdcny09]

Rancho Del Oro and Fire Mountain are basically the nicest parts of Oceanside- higher performing schools, lower crime, well-maintained, etc.

[photobpilot]

Originally Posted by rhanifin

Rancho Del Oro and Fire Mountain are basically the nicest parts of Oceanside- higher performing schools, lower crime, well-maintained, etc.

I like the Fire Mountain area. Saw a nice looking place in Rancho Del Oro, but wife vetoed any area where all houses were pink or looked exactly alike. Probably a good idea as with all my hobbies and projects the neighbors would hate me.

I have seen the Keystone place on line already, big deck, jacuzzi, If they allowed cats I would send them a check today.

There is a place we really like in San Luis Rey. From Google maps the cul de sac it is on looks nice as does the house, yard etc. Its proximity to the Back gate though makes me nervous.

[photobpilot]

Originally Posted by photobpilot

There is a place we really like in San Luis Rey. From Google maps the cul de sac it is on looks nice as does the house, yard etc. Its proximity to the Back gate though makes me nervous.

Just looked closer at Google Maps. As nice as the neighborhood is near this house is in, the center part of San Luis Ray is a huge trailer park. Now 'd be as much concerned about tornadoes as much as gang bangers for neighbors.

[Yvonne1207]

Stay away from the back gate....

[novabrite]

I know this is an old post, but I just wanted to bump it, in case anyone is searching this topic currently. My best friend lives near the back gate, and the area is really not that bad. Yes, there is some crime here, but it is TARGETED crime. Someone was shot in this area, and yes, it was gang related. That gives everyone the willies. Guess what? The dude was shot in point-blank range in daylight, meaning he knew his attacker and allowed his attacker to get that close to him. What does that mean? He was killed by someone he knew, just as is the case with 90+% of homicides. Honestly, unless you are IN a gang and plan to pull something shady that would give someone a reason to want you dead, I don't think you're in any danger of getting shot by gang members. As opposed to the gang bangers in the midwest, where I am from, who drive by and pop off a glock in the air, peppering everyone with bullets, this is not so bad. Honestly, there have been more murders out on Coronado, but when millionaires kill each other, it's just intriguing tabloid fodder.

I spend a lot of time at her house (she lives on Siesta), and the neighborhood is more than fine. We take walks there with our kids, and everyone is friendly. She parks a newer BMW in the driveway, and no one has ever touched it or any of her stuff. I think the crime is exaggerated here. If you are from a city that actually has really dangerous places, like East St. Louis or Detroit, or Springfield, IL, you'd laugh at what is considered by some to be "scary" out here.

[Cardiff Kook]

what the hell is the back gate??

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by novabrite

Honestly, there have been more murders out on Coronado, but when millionaires kill each other, it's just intriguing tabloid fodder.

thanks for the laugh. that was a good one