Reverse Commute to Temecula (San Diego, Riverside: new home, buy, best school districts)

[NewinSD]

Hi,

We just moved from Boston to SD for a great job that will be 3 days in Temecula and 1-2 days in Oceanside/Vista. We have a 2 year-old daughter and my wife, who's parents live in Del Mar, would like to stay within reach to them as well to the best school districts (which rules out San Marcos, Escondido, Temecula). Therefore, we have tentatively looked at Poway/4S Ranch/Rancho Bernardo (with quick access to the 15, and as per Google, Yahoo, and Ziprealty about 40 minute commute times to Temecula), as well as the La Costa area in Carlsbad (with better commute times to the Vista office and about a 45 minute commute to Temecula).

I would very much appreciate any advice on

1) which might be the best location and community to live in given our situation and preferences, and

2) what the actual commute times are from a) the Poway/Rancho Bernardo area and b) the La Costa/Carlsbad area to Temecula or Vista (Google always gives longer times than yahoo maps, and ziprealty has the shortest times), given real traffic conditions for this "reverse commute".

Thank you very much!

[NorthSDLifer]

Nobody does that commute, so good luck on that one.

What makes you so sure the schools in Temecula aren't good enough? That is one of the only reasons to live there. Uh, I mean that is one the key reasons why people move there from places such as Escondido, Vista and Oceanside.

[esmith143]

If you have a job in Temecula, that's a gift best not squandered. Buy there. A house in Temecula will be literally three times cheaper than an identical house in Rancho Bernardo or La Costa. Schools are good, too.

[bobbianco]

How close is temecula to the ocean (drive time?)? Are there places close (within 1hr drive) to fish in the ocean? Is the fishing good there?

[f_m]

Originally Posted by bobbianco

How close is temecula to the ocean (drive time?)? Are there places close (within 1hr drive) to fish in the ocean? Is the fishing good there?

I think Oceanside is the closest town by the ocean from Temecula. It's about 45 miles, so under an hour drive. I don't know about fishing, but people do fish there. People also fish in Lake Elsinore, which is near Temecula.

In Temecula, the housing is close to $100/sq ft for fairly new homes, while San Diego area will be $250-$300/sq ft for typical, and over that for newer homes. I just talked to someone that moved to the area south of there, he got a home where you can't see anyone else's house from his front door. Of course you will need to run the A/C a lot of the time.

[Boompa]

I had a house built in Temecula for $429,000, three years ago, it's worth about $170,000 right now. Riverside County collapsed. I think I'd rather live in Temecula and go to Winchester or San Gabriel on the week end.

[Encinitan]

Ok, unlike the other posters here, I'm not going to try and talk you out of your stated preference not to live in Temecula. I'll just assume that you've done research and decided that it's not best for you, your family, and your situation.

1) which might be the best location and community to live in given our situation and preferences, and
I think you've identified the best options. As long as you know that it's going to be a long but not traffic-plagued commute, the best options with the best schools and close to your in-laws in Del Mar would be what you've stated (Cbad/La Costa, Poway, RB). I'd stay as close to the 15 and the 78 as possible, just to cut down on surface street commuting.

2) what the actual commute times are from a) the Poway/Rancho Bernardo area and b) the La Costa/Carlsbad area to Temecula or Vista (Google always gives longer times than yahoo maps, and ziprealty has the shortest times), given real traffic conditions for this "reverse commute".
I used to drive from Temecula to Solana Beach quite a bit and I'd come down the 15 to Escondido then cut down Del Dios past Lake Hodges and I seem to remember it being right about an hour door to door. So I'd say that's a safe bet for your indicated commute. Maybe more, maybe less, but about an hour. And let me tell you, that long of a commute will wear on you. I drove from Fullerton (in OC) to Riverside for 6 years (52 miles one way) and it gets old real fast. Keep that in mind and good luck to you.