Sounds like you have it all pretty figured out. Only thing I will say is kids walking downtown where? Temecula?
This isn’t for you, but from what I can see, even if poorly zoned, San Marcos seems better off right now than Vista or Escondido. Ren is right — retail in Vista is pretty piss poor overall. Vista Village ain’t bad for what it is, but much of Escondido Ave/Santa Fe corridor is a joke. I’d say the housing stock isn’t as bad as some might say, but I’m not a Shadowridge guy.