Traffic to Carlsbad (San Diego, Del Mar: rent, how much, buying)

[silvamela]

Hi everyone,
I will be moving to San Diego area in few weeks and I still don't know if traffic going north on 5/805 is really bad or not. My work will be in Carlsbad and I am looking for a place in Carmel Valley. I am coming from Florida...
Would living in Carlsbad itself be a better choice? I visited nice places there but I am much attracted to live close to San Diego.
Anyone's input is highly appreciated.
Thanks!

[jksouthbay88]

Not bad in the morning bu 5 South traffic is not that good.Esp on Fridays because of all the tourist coming into the county.

[kimmer]

If you're going to be working in Carlsbad, consider living in Carlsbad. The traffic isn't too bad heading north weekday mornings, but 5 south is crazy in the mornings, even Saturdays, like the previous poster said, especially on Friday afternoons. Rush hour traffic seems to be really bad earlier, around 3:00pm. The best way to tell if you can handle the traffic is to do it over and over for awhile to see if it grates on you. I would recommend renting (vs. buying) just in case the traffic is too much on a day-to-day basis.

[silvamela]

Thanks everyone! Do you guys think it will be any different in terms of traffic going N to Carlsbad if I will rent a place in Carmel Valley as opposed to UTC? Carmel Valley is quite expensive and not so dynamic I am affraid.

[sdurbanite]

Given your situation, I choose to live in UTC over Carmel Valley. CV is very nice but also very quiet and suburban. UTC has more restaurants and shopping to choose from (Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc.) The demographics is also younger because of the university and is sorta "yuppie-ish", if that matters.

It's basically, one or two exits south of CV, and I don't think traffic will be any different from there to Carlsbad. You are also closer to La Jolla and the center of San Diego.

Good luck

[little]

they are adding lanes to I-5 both N and S bound, not sure when it will open, anybody knows?

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by little

they are adding lanes to I-5 both N and S bound, not sure when it will open, anybody knows?

I think it will be 2+ lane that open in mid 2009 if I'm not mistaken.That whole merge project was not worth one penny.The slowing on 5North is because of the ending carpool lane that turns into a fast lane,and an EXIT ONLY lane at Via De La Valle.It turns a freeway that has like 8 or 9 lanes into 3 in about 3 1/2 miles.Thats why once you pass Lomas Santa Fe Drive it starts to pick up again.As for the 5South there might be a little improvement, but when traffic starts slowing at 815AM on a Saturday I don't know how much they can do.

Here's a tip for those visiting SD from the North on Saturdays in the summer.5 South can slow all the way from past the OC line to Carmel Valley.In 2004 we were stuck in 4PM traffic from Camino Capistrano(SJ Cap in OC) to Del Mar Hts Road and never made it over 50MPH!A 45 min drive took 2 hours and 15 mins.

[docodpatel]

I am in a similar situation. I am going to be working in Carlsbad for about two months starting in May. I want to live somewhere where there is a younger crowd and lots to do like restaurants bars etc. I was considering the La Jolla area.... are there any other areas I should be considering.... with the traffic into consideration. I'd be commuting on I-5 N and am willing to spend around 30-45 minutes driving....

[GratefulDeb]

If you want a younger crowd you need to head to PB.