I live in Harveston. I’ve lived there for almost two years.

I really like the area. It all depends on what you want/need.

If you want a big lot, lots of space, and privacy, then it’s not ideal. As others have commented above, the lots are generally on the small side. There are quite a few different builders and different subdivisions that went into Harveston at different phases, and all have different plans, different sized lots, etc. The “cottages” which line the lake and the immediate areas behind/around the lake have the SMALLEST lots in harveston and in my opinion, a poor design. it maximized the number of houses they can put in…but it’s not my cup of tea. the cottages have garages in the rear and the “front” of the house does have a street in front of it, but no driveway. so to park your car you have to approach your house in an alley that runs along the back. it’s very tight and looks like a condo/townhome parking. the houses are so close they look/feel like townhomes – despite being free standing.

There are a few developments that have larger lots.

One thing I’ve noticed about Harveston is that there are VERY few lots that have secluded/private rear yards. First off, the cottages do NOT have backyards…they have a small amount of space between the house and the rear garage…very condo feeling to me.

the other areas that have rear yards either back up onto major streets, interior streets, or back up onto other houses. I have a lot that has a secluded private rear yard that backs up on a greenbelt – but there aren’t a lot of lots iwth that type of location w/in harveston…so you have to consider what you want/need.

one thing I do like about harveston is the HOAs. someone above said that harveston looked like a ghetto..with all due respect, I’ve seen ghettos and Harveston is NOTHING like that at all. the lots in some areas are small, and the houses look cramped, but they are NICE looking houses, and 99% of them have well kept yards. the association does enforce the rules. a neighbor of mine was fined for having a boat in their driveway – it was there for a week or two…they don’t normally keep it there, but got lazy, dind’t return it to the stoarage yard and got nailed. another neighbor got a warning/threat of fine for having some oil stains on their driveway.

I have drien through areas on Winchester/French Valley that have better prices for more square footage and no HOAs, and the yards look like crap. 5 cars in the driveway,front of the house, boats, RVS, motorcycles, oil stains, dead grass…and there are 5 houses in a row like that…THAT looks crappy..not ghetto crappy, but it does not look like an upscale neighborhood.

I personally find tha tmost of Harveston is well kept and in general a nice area. the location is great. 5 min to the mall. 5 min to the freeway. 5 min to Costco. it’s also 5 min to my job. 🙂

if you commute to San Diego, then south Temecula migth be better, but if that’s not an issue – Harveston is very nice.

The lake is great. it’s not Miramar Lake with fishing, and power boats…it’s “large pond”….but it’s pretty, well maintained, and most of the people there are walkign their dogs, jogging, etc. you don’t have gang bangers drinking 40 ouncers on the lawn… the worst thign i’ve seen is the occasional high school couple that are making out on the grass or something…not exactly hard core criminals..

Harveston has a nice pool/spa facility. the clubhouse is available to rent for parties and it is very nice. there are several parks in the area – there is a kiddie park right next to the lake.

i have three small children, and part of why we like Harveston is the kid friendly atmosphere. you can walk from your house (if youlive near the lake) to the lake, let your kids play on the swings, jungle gym, then walk around the lake, and b/c it’s not so big, you can walk around it with kids…and then go back home. you get out, get some fresh air, see some water, let your kids enjoy being outside, and you don’t even have to get in the car.

personally, i would not buy ON the lake. i know people who live ON the lake and they love it. they like the view. but i also hear them complain about the foot traffic that is constantly going by…because the joggers, bikes, etc will be walking around your front yard…not IN your yard, but back and forth near it.

i’d rather live slightly OFF the lake, but close enough to walk to it. which is exactly what i have.

with the prices falling, there are a lot of good deals to be had in Harveston.

if you think you like it but don’t want to buy, then rent something and try it out. if the choice is north Temecula, I don’t think there is anything aside from Hareston that is as nice for the money.

especially if yo have kids…i think for a family this is a nice area.