I’m going to take some heat for this but that’s the way it goes.
The San Elijo area of San Marcos is a 5-minute drive to your job location, maybe 10 minutes during rush hour. It’s a master planned community that’s well insulated from detrimental conditions. The prices there are equal to most of Vista. It’s not Carlsbad, but it’s actually closer to your job than the La Costa Oaks area of Carlsbad, which is located in the next valley to the south and has the same homes from the same builders for 20% more.
The home in Vista you’re looking at is a good 30 minute drive to your job and it’s all surface streets. If you’re going to spend that kind of money you mght as well spend it someplace that’s closer to work.