I lived in Eastlake since 1999 and work in Sorrento Valley/UTC area. We lived in Mira Mesa prior to coming to Eastlake. I can’t say we “really love” this area but we can’t say we hate it either. There are things that I don’t like, but there are things that me and family love as well.
I didn’t grow up here in the States. I came here after college. When I was single I lived all over the country and it’s only when I got married that I settled here in San Diego. We lived in Mira Mesa for less than a year and then we moved to Eastlake. So I really can’t compare Eastlake to any other sub-urban neighborhood here in San Diego.
Commute:
I worked 2-3 days a week from home but if I have to go to the office, I try to avoid the “rush hour” period. But most of the times if I leave at 8 AM, I will be at the office at around 8:40. I’ve lived here in the South Bay long enough that I studied the traffic pattern really well and know what lane to take during traffic. Example of this is on 805 near Plaza, I take the slower lane since it seems faster. Another example is near Balboa and Clairemont. Just before Balboa, I navigate toward the slower lanes and if I see break light ahead, I take the Balboa/Clairemont exit lane, and then merge back again to the freeway. It probably saves me about 10 minutes doing this.
I always take 805 going north and 5 (then 94 then 805) going south. I used to take the Toll Expressway but it’s very expensive and can’t justify the $2.25 that I have to spend for saving about 5 minutes of my commute time.
