Another thought – regarding Poway/Escondido or anything else to the east.
It’s too hot. You lose two of the main benefits of paying dearly to live in San Diego – weather and beach. Like 4plex said – if you live that far, you will rarely go. And, there’s the commute.
For the same price house, I’d rather live in Phoenix or Tucson than Poway/Escondido. Lower state taxes, lower cost of living, live closer to work.