Area Between Carlsbad & La Jolla (San Diego, Vista: apartments, lease, condo)

[lyner]

My wife and I currently live in the Shadowridge Vista area of North County. I work in Carlsbad, and my wife will be working in La Jolla soon. We plan on relocating to a new apartment somewhere in between.

What areas should we be looking at, in between the two areas, from a commuting perspective? We've enjoyed our stay in Shadowridge as we think it is a good balance of safety, proximity, and cost (good overall value).

Overall, we are new to SD, but initial research has my eye on Carmel Valley, as it would be close to the I-5. We wouldn't mind being somewhere inland if we can have decent commute times and save some money on rental.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Encinitan]

Encinitas certainly fits the bill from a commuting standpoint and safety too and maybe from a budget perspective also, since there are lots of apartments and townhouses around. More so than in Solana Beach or Del Mar I mean.

[AADAD]

My wife who is a broker here for many years recommends Carmel Valley or Rancho Pennasquitos for overall value. We lease a condo in Sabre Springs. Cost will be higher in CV and it may avoid the westbound 56 which can be a bear in the morning if your commute times are 8-5. I commute 6a and 8p so I miss all that living in Sabre Springs. Encinitas will be more expense but if you can swing it, that would also be my first choice.

[oddstray]

The commute from Rancho Penasquitos to La Jolla is not trivial. I'd suggest either Carmel Valley or Encinitas over Rancho Penasquitos, for that reason. Probably Carmel Valley, to minimize your wife's commute since she'll be driving in rush hour traffic and you, heading to Carlsbad, will be going opposite traffic.

[lyner]

Reviving this old thread:

What are everyone's thoughts on Mission Valley, considering commutes to Carlsbad and coastal La Jolla? We're a mid-20's couple currently living in Shadowridge Vista in North County, and we find ourselves wishing we were closer to the action.

The coastal towns between Carlsbad and La Jolla have been high on our list, but they can be on the expensive side and have limited newer and upgraded apartment options (self-inflicted limitation, but probably no compromises here). Even then, I think moving a bit closer to San Diego proper would be a nice change of pace and allow us to experience more of what SD has to offer.

Mission Valley seems to be the furthest south that we should go for the commute. We understand Mission Valley isn't where the action is, but being close to some trolley stations and being in the vicinity where Uber would be a viable option should be a big plus.

Is there anything else that we should consider or account for?

[Pedro2000]

I don't get the "where the action is" line. You live in Carlsbad, you want to move to places like Carmel Valley, so how did 'where the action is' ever even come up? If you think Mission Valley isn't close to the action, why would you ever think of moving to Carmel Valley? It's pretty much families and schools and not much else.

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by Pedro2000

I don't get the "where the action is" line. You live in Carlsbad, you want to move to places like Carmel Valley, so how did 'where the action is' ever even come up? If you think Mission Valley isn't close to the action, why would you ever think of moving to Carmel Valley? It's pretty much families and schools and not much else.

They live in the Shadowridge section on Vista right now. If they want to be near the "action" they need to be in one of the coastal towns IMO

[Axxlrod]

People in their 20's enjoy living near PB, MB and Downtown for the bar scene. Maybe try Clairemont Mesa?

Then when you're in your 40's with kids, and no longer want to bar-hop until 2am, and don't really want to live around all that noise, you move up to North County.

So the OP is doing it backwards, but trying to make the change.

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

People in their 20's enjoy living near PB, MB and Downtown for the bar scene. Maybe try Clairemont Mesa?

Then when you're in your 40's with kids, and no longer want to bar-hop until 2am, and don't really want to live around all that noise, you move up to North County.

So the OP is doing it backwards, but trying to make the change.

I'm in my late 20's. Encinitas gives a good combination and healthy balance for what I'm looking for at this point in my life.

If the OP is 24, then maybe he's still down to party every weekend until 2am. But if he's 28 he might not want that as much anymore. That's why I recommend coastal north county. It offers enough to do on the weekends if you want to party without being excessive like PB