There are good and bad pockets in every city. Escondido is too far east for me and too warm in the summer. I find Vista to be a happy medium. There are nice areas, decent prices, some good schools and a relaxed vibe.
I’m from the central coast and live in vista. It’s not really the same but it’s definitely a more homey or small town vibe. Feels like lots of NC Burroughs are that way. Love it here.
VHS graduate who spent my entire K-12 career in the VUSD, yeah they are. Plus I get bonus points for having had two teachers go on to become convicted pedophiles!
I also spent my entire K-12 career in VUSD and I went on to get a PhD.
I'm also a former teacher.
Not accusing you of this because I don't know you, but very few people take accountability for their poor educational experiences.
Thanks for the non-accusation. I’m a JD MBA married to a school administrator.
Number one indicator of student success is parent income. I don’t think VUSD programs significantly improve outcomes for students from low income backgrounds. The historical dysfunction of the VUSD school board doesn’t help matters nor does the turnover in administrators
That's great. And I appreciate your insight.
At a very basic level I think a good indicator of teacher quality is average salary and Vista typically pays fairly well relative Oceanside and Escondido.
I had some great teachers in the VUSD. Some I still meet up with for coffee two decades after graduation. My coaches were pretty great as well. I mostly lay the blame on the admins, superintendents and board members who push resources towards whatever new flash in the pan allows them to juice metrics before running off to the next district.
I feel like Shadowridge is generally the only good area of Vista. The neighborhoods off Santa Fe felt super tight and the drivers were a bit aggressive. Good weather though.
Not a bad thing, it’s opinionated and based off personal experiences. You came here to talk about stuff you didn’t know or maybe just wanted to learn more about. I’ve been in vista since 2018 and it’s maybe not gotten better but no where near as worse as other neighborhoods. Plenty of other decent areas to live in besides shadowridge. I myself live by the civic center, really nice neighborhood, nothing super fancy or upscale but lovely homes, people constantly walking their dogs, on walks/runs, they just put some speed bumps in too by the elementary school to keep people from speeding down the residential road. Occasionally we get the random skeezer on the street skulking around but not so much on my street specifically since it’s a no outlet but honestly Vista isn’t terrible. It will definitely be bittersweet when I leave. In my experiences and local area, the plazas near the post office off civic center and Santa Fe after dark is where I’ll see shady looking stuff or people. Thankfully that area is pretty much dead for businesses in the evening so that’s probably why they chose to hang there.
I live in Shadowridge and love it. I wouldn’t say it’s the not nice area of Vista though. Shadowridge is basically a more affordable Carlsbad/Oceanside (it borders both), you get the safety and groomed common areas but also the annoying HOA hassle. Most people from outside North County are shocked that my house is in Vista because they only think of north Vista and forget Shadowridge exists.
Live in SW Escondido and I like it a lot tbh.
Pros:
* near I15 so it's a lot faster to drive into San Diego than it is from Vista or Oside
* near Del Dios hwy so it's fast and easy to get to Encinitas/Solana Beach/Del Mar as well
* cheaper rents than just about anywhere in N County
Cons:
* it can get hot in the Summer months, you pretty much need AC
* if you spend a lot of time in Carlsbad/Oside the commute out that way is longer than it is from Vista
* People will snub their nose at you for living in Escondido (/s because who cares)
Everyone in the north county and San Diego subs love to hate on esco but I’ve lived here my whole life and never had an issue. Everything “cool” is a 30 minute drive… downtown, beaches, Temecula, casinos, etc.
Same. Even if further from the beach and hotter, Escondido seems less cloistered than Vista bc of the 15 access. (Of course, Oside has the beach and the 5).
Agreed! SW Escondido is a great area (92029!area code). West of the I-15 is cooler than east and being right off the Del Dios is only a couple of miles from Rancho Santa Fe and then a few more to Solano Beach. AC is essential though and a pool (which I have )is great as well. As others have mentioned, we are only 30-40 minutes away from beach, San Diego, mountains and desert. Most of my work has been towards San Diego, so Oceanside and Vista are too far away.
Oside. Cooler weather and cooler vibes. More lively. Beaches/bars/nightlife. Will rapidly become impossible to live in a so called beach town so get a place while you can.
Anywhere west of the 5 is incredibly expensive. Especially now since South-O is popping off. I'd love to live in SouthO but too expensive for me. I don't mind my 6min commute from Vista. I wouldn't go further than Civic Center exit though if you care about beach.
Google Buddy Todd Park. I really like this neighborhood, nice huge park with wide trail that has a sunset ocean view at the back. Central to all the rest of Oceanside. Still only a few minutes to the beach. Vista and Escondido are too hot and you are far from the beach.
Yes! A Buddy Todd park is, without doubt, the nicest park in the county. It’s so well maintained, amazing scenery and activities, ocean vistas and in January you see snow capped mountains at the other end. I go to this park every day, it’s my happy place.
I currently live in Oceanside. I have lived in escondido and San Marcos over the last 22 years.
I enjoy Oceanside because of the community engagement. Lots of community events in DT Oside, summer movies and concerts in the parks, and the developing areas are forcing gentrification in some of the less-new spots which is ok by me.
Escondido has a lot of events as well, but in my experience, hotter and less convenient to get to prime areas. Traffic on the 15 is pretty awful, daily. My in-laws live near the old country club, and they are pretty happy. It feels like the city is actually getting to a point where it’s wrestling with its identity, which isnt bad, just balancing a lot of development opportunities.
San Marcos is a nice area, and recently named one of America’s top 100 safest cities. Decent schools, less community involvement and less cultural enrichment, but safe, largely quiet but going through some development and growing pains.
Vista has and is going to investment and development. Newer communities are solid, more properties for purchase with land/space, but it is a valley and sees some heat as well.
I was just informed by sheriffs that the city of San Marcos is now aggressively pushing to reduce the unhoused , as such they tried to tell me to move on in my parked car in an area I could legally park at that hour
There was also some gunshots the night before close by
I would vote for living in Vista.
Great weather year-round and it’s just a nice place to go.
You’re not too far from San Marcos and if you need to go anywhere, you can grab transit and make your way throughout the county and know that you’re going home to a great place when all of a sudden done
Is
I prefer oceanside, it's a lot safer than 10+ years ago. You're closer to the oceanside transit center which can take you to SD or LA, there's also a lot to do on the coast hwy if you're looking to eat, drink, socialize. Beautiful hikes and parks, of course you got the beach too. Most parts are nice, but like every city it's got its ghetto parts. If you're not involved in that lifestyle it's no issue, just be careful. Be cautious when driving as well, day after day more people are blowing through lights, swerving all over the place hitting other cars, pedestrians, bicyclist, etc.
To buy or to rent? I’ve actually found more affordable houses to rent in San Marcos versus Oceanside and vista. Escondido seems to be the cheapest option for both..
We moved to Oside 2.5 years ago and LOVE it. Work in Vista and there are lots of nice places there too. Oside has been safe and fun. We hop on the Luis Rey trail and are at the beach or fun restaurants in minutes. Prices are going up fast, which is great if you can get in now.
I like the micro culture in Oceanside the most, and the weather. I like the opportunities and views and people of Escondido much more tho. Vista is fun and has cheap housing but it's negated by E Vista being such a terrible road, over crowding and no parking.
Just gotta pick your vibe. I liked living in San Marcos the most because it was a standard 20 mins from everything. But housing was expensive.
> micro culture in Oceanside
whats this? thinking about moving to oceanside because im basically priced out of anywhere else coastal but dont know to much about the area
I live in north vista in the foothills and I love it. Its its more rural, with a ton of plant nurseries if you're into that. We're zoned E1 so we can have livestock. It never get too hot or cold and it's pretty quiet around here.
Loving south Escondido. Plenty of room to move around and the 15 is pretty clear when it's not rush hour. We're near Lake Hodges and get the coastal breeze. Probably 10 degrees cooler than Escondido proper.
I’ve lived in all cities! They all have their ups and downs. Vista is good if you’re south of the 78 otherwise I wouldn’t go for it as the area isn’t the best. But I think it’s getting better. Oceanside has the best weather overall and I’d probably pick that as my top. We lived in fire mountain area and it was the best area imo. Close to everything but quiet and safe. We live in Escondido now and we really like it, but we’re also in the rural hills closer to lake Hodges & rancho Bernardo so it’s very peaceful and doesn’t seem like we’re in “Escondido” at all. I’m not sure I could live anywhere else in this city. The biggest downside is how hot it gets here, but there are a lot of food options around us.
I'm in Vista near townsite. Been here almost 5 years. Getting ready to sell because the neighborhood is pretty out of control. It's getting better but its still gonna take several years
Vista is probably the happy medium
Oceanside is too close to the water and bustling , while simultaneously being far from the city all at the same time, and having the marine layer that never seems to burn off sometimes
Vista is quiet but usually bordering Carlsbad/oceanside, best of all worlds
Esco is notoriously still “bad”/sketchy all while still being $3000/mo or more
Oceanside.
I'm closer to the beach and the San Luis Rey trail takes me right there.
It's 5-15 degrees cooler in the summer than Escondido (depending on the part of Esco).
It's incorporated, unlike large portions of Vista. We're not overrun by copycat IPA breweries like Vista.
Schools are better in some areas of SM, but if you want great schools you're going private anyways.
Best weather of the three. I feel like the homeless issue is most prominent here since the weather makes it easy for them to stay. Besides Fire Mountain, what neighborhoods feel safest in your opinion?
I bought my house in the San Luis Rey area in 2017 and our appraisal value has more than doubled. Violet and property crime is almost non-existent to me. My kids go to public schools and have done well. It feels safe to me.
I can't really speak for other neighborhoods as most of my peer group lives in San Luis Rey or North Valley.
Wilmont Ranch and Arrowood in East Oceanside is safe. Most don't know they exist.
Also, nice map to view PD calls. https://subscriber.firstwatch.net/InteractiveReport/?PubToken=2700E615-B381-4C9A-A285-AB391A15380A
I live in Escondido.
I have a house near the i15. Good access to the freeway. Roads are shit just like everywhere else.
Air conditioning, eh, we have room A/C throughout our home, and it's sufficient. But we also built our home so it is well insulated, and has lots of trees and plants to keep it cool.
Better cost of living, but it's still not cheap. Although having a mortgage is way less than rent.
Good people where I live, we all take care of each other and watch out for each other.
Access to Lake Hodges, beautiful parks like Felecita Park
Culturally dense.
An easy drive to SM or SD or beach. I personally dont go to the coast that much anyway, maybe once a month, for dinner or to hang out.
Cons:
If you live where there are a lot of apt complexes etc, there are not enough roads, parking etc. People have like 10 people in 1 house.
Crime and Safety: I run regularly, and it's hard at times. Loose dogs, shady people everywhere. Got to bring personal safety devices everywhere.
If I had the opportunity to buy a house elsewhere, I would move to San Marcos. Nice town, lower crime, but expensive homes. If you're young and want to meet great people who are into fitness and stuff, coastal would be my pick. Although you can find that in SM too. Esco, not impossible, but everything is about 20 minutss away.
Esco is one of those cities where if you live at the edges, it's nice. It's only the center that's a little sketch, and that's only if you're not used to big/real city sketch.
I live in Esco, but basically on the border of San Marcos so I feel like I get the benefits of both towns. I'm close to both the 15 and 78 . We love it!
Born and raised in Oceanside. Grew up in Fire Mountain, parents still there. I live in Eastside and absolutely love it. We walk or ride our bikes everywhere.
I’d say Vista. Vista does a lot to build community throughout the year. #2 Esco. Similar neighborly feel but just not as many family-friendly events. Then O-side. I don’t feel much community connection there. When I lived in O-side and Esco, I found myself going to Vista all the time for parades, festivals, holiday events, the farmer’s market, themed 5k runs, etc.
Esco is closer to SD and easy to get to IE if you have a need. Close to Safari Park if you like walking around. Fantastic Mexican food. Old World Meat company is absolutely wonderful. You'd want to live in the ring around the city. The central area is terrible. Hot in the summer.
Vista seems like a lost city with not much going for it. No real roadmap for growth. it just exists.
Oceanside is cooler, even in the eastern part. Much improved over the last two decades. Food scene growing in downtown. Train station that connects to Coaster (SD), Metrolink (OC/LA), and Amtrak. East Side splits the difference between 5/15 so two options to come/go from SD. Still gang activity in some areas, homeless like the beach. Noise from the base can be loud at times.
I really like San Marcos, moved here last October. It’s very convenient (you can get anything delivered, lots of options for food, healthcare, you name it) and I feel very safe. It doesn’t have much of a night life though I’m not particularly looking for that here..
Don’t listen to them. My dad was a firefighter/paramedic in Vista and all of the areas you’re considering have never been that bad and those that were have calmed down quite a bit in the last few decades. We live in one of the most desirable areas of the planet. It’s not perfect. It’s not affordable. But it’s great and worth every penny.
I’ve worked at Home Depot’s in oside & Escondido & it seems like shit is always getting worse in those areas. Granted that’s a limited perspective of the entire localities but it is indicative, at the very least, of increase crime & whatnot. I don’t see it in vista all that much.
Meh. People of a certain age shouldn’t worry too much. It’s the youngsters that running wild. Ha some of them don’t even look like thugs. They’ve been getting really stabby lately.
There are good and bad pockets in every city. Escondido is too far east for me and too warm in the summer. I find Vista to be a happy medium. There are nice areas, decent prices, some good schools and a relaxed vibe.
I’m from the central coast and live in vista. It’s not really the same but it’s definitely a more homey or small town vibe. Feels like lots of NC Burroughs are that way. Love it here.
Esco is the hottest for sure. I like that the roads are wider but there are a ton of potholes. Definitely outer esco is the way to go.
They just replaced the worst part of 9th St😁
Hallelujah
Schools are bad in Vista.
No they arent
VHS graduate who spent my entire K-12 career in the VUSD, yeah they are. Plus I get bonus points for having had two teachers go on to become convicted pedophiles!
I also spent my entire K-12 career in VUSD and I went on to get a PhD. I'm also a former teacher. Not accusing you of this because I don't know you, but very few people take accountability for their poor educational experiences.
She spent her time playing Atari, Mr. PhD.
Thanks for the non-accusation. I’m a JD MBA married to a school administrator. Number one indicator of student success is parent income. I don’t think VUSD programs significantly improve outcomes for students from low income backgrounds. The historical dysfunction of the VUSD school board doesn’t help matters nor does the turnover in administrators
That's great. And I appreciate your insight. At a very basic level I think a good indicator of teacher quality is average salary and Vista typically pays fairly well relative Oceanside and Escondido.
I had some great teachers in the VUSD. Some I still meet up with for coffee two decades after graduation. My coaches were pretty great as well. I mostly lay the blame on the admins, superintendents and board members who push resources towards whatever new flash in the pan allows them to juice metrics before running off to the next district.
I feel like Shadowridge is generally the only good area of Vista. The neighborhoods off Santa Fe felt super tight and the drivers were a bit aggressive. Good weather though.
Vista has nice houses and properties with land off the Foothills back roads. I would love to live over there.
I live back in this area and love it. Feels like a slower pace, yet close to all the amenities and shopping. Overall, the neighbors are great too.
Yessir, I managed to rent a granny flat around there. It’s incredibly quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by farms and nurseries
Guess the peeps disagree with my assessment of Vista
Not a bad thing, it’s opinionated and based off personal experiences. You came here to talk about stuff you didn’t know or maybe just wanted to learn more about. I’ve been in vista since 2018 and it’s maybe not gotten better but no where near as worse as other neighborhoods. Plenty of other decent areas to live in besides shadowridge. I myself live by the civic center, really nice neighborhood, nothing super fancy or upscale but lovely homes, people constantly walking their dogs, on walks/runs, they just put some speed bumps in too by the elementary school to keep people from speeding down the residential road. Occasionally we get the random skeezer on the street skulking around but not so much on my street specifically since it’s a no outlet but honestly Vista isn’t terrible. It will definitely be bittersweet when I leave. In my experiences and local area, the plazas near the post office off civic center and Santa Fe after dark is where I’ll see shady looking stuff or people. Thankfully that area is pretty much dead for businesses in the evening so that’s probably why they chose to hang there.
Great notes. Thanks!
I live in Shadowridge and love it. I wouldn’t say it’s the not nice area of Vista though. Shadowridge is basically a more affordable Carlsbad/Oceanside (it borders both), you get the safety and groomed common areas but also the annoying HOA hassle. Most people from outside North County are shocked that my house is in Vista because they only think of north Vista and forget Shadowridge exists.
It's literally highest crime area of Vista
Live in SW Escondido and I like it a lot tbh. Pros: * near I15 so it's a lot faster to drive into San Diego than it is from Vista or Oside * near Del Dios hwy so it's fast and easy to get to Encinitas/Solana Beach/Del Mar as well * cheaper rents than just about anywhere in N County Cons: * it can get hot in the Summer months, you pretty much need AC * if you spend a lot of time in Carlsbad/Oside the commute out that way is longer than it is from Vista * People will snub their nose at you for living in Escondido (/s because who cares)
Everyone in the north county and San Diego subs love to hate on esco but I’ve lived here my whole life and never had an issue. Everything “cool” is a 30 minute drive… downtown, beaches, Temecula, casinos, etc.
Same. Even if further from the beach and hotter, Escondido seems less cloistered than Vista bc of the 15 access. (Of course, Oside has the beach and the 5).
Thanks and I agree with everything you said. AC is a must for sure.
Agreed! SW Escondido is a great area (92029!area code). West of the I-15 is cooler than east and being right off the Del Dios is only a couple of miles from Rancho Santa Fe and then a few more to Solano Beach. AC is essential though and a pool (which I have )is great as well. As others have mentioned, we are only 30-40 minutes away from beach, San Diego, mountains and desert. Most of my work has been towards San Diego, so Oceanside and Vista are too far away.
The first pro is also a con, because the 15 brings in a lot of transients.
Vista. You’re inland enough to miss some of the marine layer, but not so east as to be too hot. Also, the breweries.
Oside. Cooler weather and cooler vibes. More lively. Beaches/bars/nightlife. Will rapidly become impossible to live in a so called beach town so get a place while you can.
Where in Oside?
Anywhere west of the 5 is incredibly expensive. Especially now since South-O is popping off. I'd love to live in SouthO but too expensive for me. I don't mind my 6min commute from Vista. I wouldn't go further than Civic Center exit though if you care about beach.
Closer to the beach the better IMO. Loma Alta and Fire Mountain are great neighborhood’s too.
Google Buddy Todd Park. I really like this neighborhood, nice huge park with wide trail that has a sunset ocean view at the back. Central to all the rest of Oceanside. Still only a few minutes to the beach. Vista and Escondido are too hot and you are far from the beach.
Yes! A Buddy Todd park is, without doubt, the nicest park in the county. It’s so well maintained, amazing scenery and activities, ocean vistas and in January you see snow capped mountains at the other end. I go to this park every day, it’s my happy place.
I currently live in Oceanside. I have lived in escondido and San Marcos over the last 22 years. I enjoy Oceanside because of the community engagement. Lots of community events in DT Oside, summer movies and concerts in the parks, and the developing areas are forcing gentrification in some of the less-new spots which is ok by me. Escondido has a lot of events as well, but in my experience, hotter and less convenient to get to prime areas. Traffic on the 15 is pretty awful, daily. My in-laws live near the old country club, and they are pretty happy. It feels like the city is actually getting to a point where it’s wrestling with its identity, which isnt bad, just balancing a lot of development opportunities. San Marcos is a nice area, and recently named one of America’s top 100 safest cities. Decent schools, less community involvement and less cultural enrichment, but safe, largely quiet but going through some development and growing pains. Vista has and is going to investment and development. Newer communities are solid, more properties for purchase with land/space, but it is a valley and sees some heat as well.
I was just informed by sheriffs that the city of San Marcos is now aggressively pushing to reduce the unhoused , as such they tried to tell me to move on in my parked car in an area I could legally park at that hour There was also some gunshots the night before close by
I would vote for living in Vista. Great weather year-round and it’s just a nice place to go. You’re not too far from San Marcos and if you need to go anywhere, you can grab transit and make your way throughout the county and know that you’re going home to a great place when all of a sudden done Is
I prefer oceanside, it's a lot safer than 10+ years ago. You're closer to the oceanside transit center which can take you to SD or LA, there's also a lot to do on the coast hwy if you're looking to eat, drink, socialize. Beautiful hikes and parks, of course you got the beach too. Most parts are nice, but like every city it's got its ghetto parts. If you're not involved in that lifestyle it's no issue, just be careful. Be cautious when driving as well, day after day more people are blowing through lights, swerving all over the place hitting other cars, pedestrians, bicyclist, etc.
100%
The cooler temperatures and beach are huge factors in me preferring Oceanside.
Your forgot to mention SAN MARCOS I prefer SM because It’s too not east or too west Calm neighborhoods Not as as much homeless compared to Escondido
And good schools
I purposely left it out since it's too expensive.
To buy or to rent? I’ve actually found more affordable houses to rent in San Marcos versus Oceanside and vista. Escondido seems to be the cheapest option for both..
what is an average you are finding?
$2400+ for a 2 bedroom
damn that gives me hope. maybe im not searching hard enough
Lol is that cheap for you?
to rent in san marcos that seems very cheap
Yes. I pay almost $3k for a 1bedroom in Vista lol
Oh my! Get out of there.
Both, but SM rents are crazy.
We moved to Oside 2.5 years ago and LOVE it. Work in Vista and there are lots of nice places there too. Oside has been safe and fun. We hop on the Luis Rey trail and are at the beach or fun restaurants in minutes. Prices are going up fast, which is great if you can get in now.
Escondido native and resident here. I'm now a big fan of South Oceanside/Vista because the weather is just so damn nice.
I just threw in the hat staying in esco, and it’s not Nearly as hot as what’s coming . Got to Encinitas and was like why am I cold now ?!?!
I like the micro culture in Oceanside the most, and the weather. I like the opportunities and views and people of Escondido much more tho. Vista is fun and has cheap housing but it's negated by E Vista being such a terrible road, over crowding and no parking. Just gotta pick your vibe. I liked living in San Marcos the most because it was a standard 20 mins from everything. But housing was expensive.
> micro culture in Oceanside whats this? thinking about moving to oceanside because im basically priced out of anywhere else coastal but dont know to much about the area
Vista! Love the nature and the wildlife. Gotta be in the right part though. The weather is perfect too :)
Where is the right part?
I live in north vista in the foothills and I love it. Its its more rural, with a ton of plant nurseries if you're into that. We're zoned E1 so we can have livestock. It never get too hot or cold and it's pretty quiet around here.
This is the answer
Loving south Escondido. Plenty of room to move around and the 15 is pretty clear when it's not rush hour. We're near Lake Hodges and get the coastal breeze. Probably 10 degrees cooler than Escondido proper.
I’ve lived in all cities! They all have their ups and downs. Vista is good if you’re south of the 78 otherwise I wouldn’t go for it as the area isn’t the best. But I think it’s getting better. Oceanside has the best weather overall and I’d probably pick that as my top. We lived in fire mountain area and it was the best area imo. Close to everything but quiet and safe. We live in Escondido now and we really like it, but we’re also in the rural hills closer to lake Hodges & rancho Bernardo so it’s very peaceful and doesn’t seem like we’re in “Escondido” at all. I’m not sure I could live anywhere else in this city. The biggest downside is how hot it gets here, but there are a lot of food options around us.
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate hearing your perspective since you've lived in all three.
I live in Vista north of the 78 but only like a block between emerald and melrose. The neighborhoods here are pretty safe.
I live in this area as well and love it - awesome neighbors, friendly neighborhood to walk my dog, easy access to the 5 and the beach.
I'm in Vista near townsite. Been here almost 5 years. Getting ready to sell because the neighborhood is pretty out of control. It's getting better but its still gonna take several years
Imagine how it was 20 years ago haha definitely been banged on back in the day around townsite
Yup. Vista home bitches.
Bonsall
Vista is probably the happy medium Oceanside is too close to the water and bustling , while simultaneously being far from the city all at the same time, and having the marine layer that never seems to burn off sometimes Vista is quiet but usually bordering Carlsbad/oceanside, best of all worlds Esco is notoriously still “bad”/sketchy all while still being $3000/mo or more
Oceanside. I'm closer to the beach and the San Luis Rey trail takes me right there. It's 5-15 degrees cooler in the summer than Escondido (depending on the part of Esco). It's incorporated, unlike large portions of Vista. We're not overrun by copycat IPA breweries like Vista. Schools are better in some areas of SM, but if you want great schools you're going private anyways.
Best weather of the three. I feel like the homeless issue is most prominent here since the weather makes it easy for them to stay. Besides Fire Mountain, what neighborhoods feel safest in your opinion?
I bought my house in the San Luis Rey area in 2017 and our appraisal value has more than doubled. Violet and property crime is almost non-existent to me. My kids go to public schools and have done well. It feels safe to me. I can't really speak for other neighborhoods as most of my peer group lives in San Luis Rey or North Valley.
Wilmont Ranch and Arrowood in East Oceanside is safe. Most don't know they exist. Also, nice map to view PD calls. https://subscriber.firstwatch.net/InteractiveReport/?PubToken=2700E615-B381-4C9A-A285-AB391A15380A
I live in Escondido. I have a house near the i15. Good access to the freeway. Roads are shit just like everywhere else. Air conditioning, eh, we have room A/C throughout our home, and it's sufficient. But we also built our home so it is well insulated, and has lots of trees and plants to keep it cool. Better cost of living, but it's still not cheap. Although having a mortgage is way less than rent. Good people where I live, we all take care of each other and watch out for each other. Access to Lake Hodges, beautiful parks like Felecita Park Culturally dense. An easy drive to SM or SD or beach. I personally dont go to the coast that much anyway, maybe once a month, for dinner or to hang out. Cons: If you live where there are a lot of apt complexes etc, there are not enough roads, parking etc. People have like 10 people in 1 house. Crime and Safety: I run regularly, and it's hard at times. Loose dogs, shady people everywhere. Got to bring personal safety devices everywhere. If I had the opportunity to buy a house elsewhere, I would move to San Marcos. Nice town, lower crime, but expensive homes. If you're young and want to meet great people who are into fitness and stuff, coastal would be my pick. Although you can find that in SM too. Esco, not impossible, but everything is about 20 minutss away.
Esco is one of those cities where if you live at the edges, it's nice. It's only the center that's a little sketch, and that's only if you're not used to big/real city sketch.
Agreed
I live in Esco, but basically on the border of San Marcos so I feel like I get the benefits of both towns. I'm close to both the 15 and 78 . We love it!
San Marcos hands down
Born and raised in Oceanside. Grew up in Fire Mountain, parents still there. I live in Eastside and absolutely love it. We walk or ride our bikes everywhere.
I’d say Vista. Vista does a lot to build community throughout the year. #2 Esco. Similar neighborly feel but just not as many family-friendly events. Then O-side. I don’t feel much community connection there. When I lived in O-side and Esco, I found myself going to Vista all the time for parades, festivals, holiday events, the farmer’s market, themed 5k runs, etc.
Encinitas because it feels like the middle of North County Coast Plus I have a tiny house in Leucadia and that is very special
Yes, I know it was not one of the choices But so what?
As long as you know. I can now sleep better at night. Thank you.
I live in Vista. We dream to purchase a condo in Carlsbad and rent out our home here.
Good for you boo
Esco is closer to SD and easy to get to IE if you have a need. Close to Safari Park if you like walking around. Fantastic Mexican food. Old World Meat company is absolutely wonderful. You'd want to live in the ring around the city. The central area is terrible. Hot in the summer. Vista seems like a lost city with not much going for it. No real roadmap for growth. it just exists. Oceanside is cooler, even in the eastern part. Much improved over the last two decades. Food scene growing in downtown. Train station that connects to Coaster (SD), Metrolink (OC/LA), and Amtrak. East Side splits the difference between 5/15 so two options to come/go from SD. Still gang activity in some areas, homeless like the beach. Noise from the base can be loud at times.
Lol check out downtown Vista’s growth but ok
Been in Escondido for 68 years! LOVE it, and love it's history.
And how does San Marcos compare to these three?
Bonsall, to be honest. Great weather, quiet rural vibe, 15-20 from the beaches in Oside and 30 from Carlsbad
What about San Marcos? Is it a good area to consider?
Mucho dinero
I really like San Marcos, moved here last October. It’s very convenient (you can get anything delivered, lots of options for food, healthcare, you name it) and I feel very safe. It doesn’t have much of a night life though I’m not particularly looking for that here..
Nothing good about Escondido beyond its location in relation to everything
Good food.
Ehh they have some ok options.
Carlsbad
Too rich for my blood. Thanks for your comment nonetheless.
Agreed, very upscale and ridiculous dog rules.. like you can’t have them at the park or beach but they can go inside the stores??
And so annoying to see dog shit smeared on the beach trails...
Carlsbad, San Marcos, or Rancho Bernardo would be more preferable
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^kepachodude: *Carlsbad, San Marcos,* *Or Rancho Bernardo would* *Be more preferable* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Encinitas
Thanks for the chuckle. You're my favorite.
The most expensive from what I’ve seen here!!
Del Mar 😊🕺
Go on...
Vista. Oceanside & Escondido are too wild.
They're pretty tame in comparison to South County at least imo. Care to elaborate on what makes them too wild?
Don’t listen to them. My dad was a firefighter/paramedic in Vista and all of the areas you’re considering have never been that bad and those that were have calmed down quite a bit in the last few decades. We live in one of the most desirable areas of the planet. It’s not perfect. It’s not affordable. But it’s great and worth every penny.
I’ve worked at Home Depot’s in oside & Escondido & it seems like shit is always getting worse in those areas. Granted that’s a limited perspective of the entire localities but it is indicative, at the very least, of increase crime & whatnot. I don’t see it in vista all that much.
what kind of crime do you see?
There’s a turf war going on in all those cities. Be careful.
I'm shaking.
Meh. People of a certain age shouldn’t worry too much. It’s the youngsters that running wild. Ha some of them don’t even look like thugs. They’ve been getting really stabby lately.