What’s it like living in Valley Center?

[NotCranky]

O.K. here is a snapshot of San Diego County, semi-rural living from someone who actually does it.

I live on 20 acres.Probably similar to things you can see in Valley Center. It’s 20 minutes to the nearest actual suburb, all the amenities suburbs have and my kid’s schools.It is 45 minutes to downtown and beaches but half of it is scenic.My older kids can ride the bus to school but we frequently take them too. The first suburban community we come to is Rancho San Diego and it is becoming pretty nice.

The distance to amenities/activities is the one aspect the OP mentioned and it is a drag sometimes for my wife and me. It works for us because my wife works part time and I have always lived a semi-retired lifestyle with much of my modest earning originating from home/home office. We only use day care moderately, for socialization, so we were taking care of our kids at home anyway and plan day care for when it is convenient to our in-town schedules. Most of my neighbors commute to work everyday and still want to live here over their other choices.

The other thing I believe people are talking about on the thread is aesthetics. If the goal is to live “country estate” or “private resort” it is going to be a very expensive endeavor. If one can actually tolerate living country-like , it is a lot of of work but not economically worse than living on a smaller more manicured lot and beautifully appointed property.

We have huge views of mountains and the city and some ocean views. My kids live in modern house in campground like setting. My estate type neighbor offered to put a gate in our shared fence to his jacuzzi and pool. I garden a lot and build things/weld ect. I have room for all that and will probably eventually have a barn or warehouse to work out of. I get to drive a tractor. We threw a spring celebration party and had room for 150 guests, a steel drum band, 3 ponies, llamas,several bonfires, a soccer game and skeet shooting.Next time we will do an underground pig roast.

I derive a benefit from the larger lot in that it is zoned for a legal rental in addition to the main house. Sure the lot isn’t worth a fortune but that rental can pay my mortgage and taxes or house family members in the future.

My houses are built for the climate. The hottest daily high average is for the months of July and August and it is 89 for each month.The nightime average are 63 or so, and it usually gets there shortly after dusk. We don’t don’t have “June gloom”, not that I would mind it. We are in a high fire zone but safe in my opinion.

Electricity, which includes getting lots of water from the well has averaged $50.Most peoples water bills are higher than that, even in tract homes. $800 worth of propane have gone more than a year now. The second house is smaller/more efficient so the bills will be lower for it.

[JACKQLYN]

I have a lot of family in VC & I’m up there at least every other weekend visiting my grandparents.

VC has been my home away from home my entire life & I love it there.

Aside from the casino traffic on Valley Center Rd – VC has managed to remain the back woods of North County & I so hope it remains that way.

I must warn that a few of the small markets really rip you off but the main market is pretty good. The new gas station in works is much needed & the people are nice.

[JACKQLYN]

I have a lot of family in VC & I’m up there at least every other weekend visiting my grandparents.

VC has been my home away from home my entire life & I love it there.

Aside from the casino traffic on Valley Center Rd – VC has managed to remain the back woods of North County & I so hope it remains that way.

I must warn that a few of the small markets really rip you off but the main market is pretty good. The new gas station in works is much needed & the people are nice.

[JACKQLYN]

I have a lot of family in VC & I’m up there at least every other weekend visiting my grandparents.

VC has been my home away from home my entire life & I love it there.

Aside from the casino traffic on Valley Center Rd – VC has managed to remain the back woods of North County & I so hope it remains that way.

I must warn that a few of the small markets really rip you off but the main market is pretty good. The new gas station in works is much needed & the people are nice.

[JACKQLYN]

I have a lot of family in VC & I’m up there at least every other weekend visiting my grandparents.

VC has been my home away from home my entire life & I love it there.

Aside from the casino traffic on Valley Center Rd – VC has managed to remain the back woods of North County & I so hope it remains that way.

I must warn that a few of the small markets really rip you off but the main market is pretty good. The new gas station in works is much needed & the people are nice.

[JACKQLYN]

I have a lot of family in VC & I’m up there at least every other weekend visiting my grandparents.

VC has been my home away from home my entire life & I love it there.

Aside from the casino traffic on Valley Center Rd – VC has managed to remain the back woods of North County & I so hope it remains that way.

I must warn that a few of the small markets really rip you off but the main market is pretty good. The new gas station in works is much needed & the people are nice.

[svelte]

[quote=ocrenter]
interesting you said that. JtR actually mentioned very large lots as a deficiency and not a plus a few months back on a post regarding Magnolia Estate over at Bressi.
[/quote]

Hey OCR, even owners of those big north Poway lots are worried about large lots requiring lots of water taking property value hits:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/13/residents-want-water-rates-plan-revised/?northcounty&zIndex=148513

In reference to a new tiered water rate in Poway:

“The [Green Valley Civic] association says the new structure will lead to a decrease in property values, as well as unfair increases in the bills of large water consumers, even if they manage to conserve a large amount of water.”

[svelte]

[quote=ocrenter]
interesting you said that. JtR actually mentioned very large lots as a deficiency and not a plus a few months back on a post regarding Magnolia Estate over at Bressi.
[/quote]

Hey OCR, even owners of those big north Poway lots are worried about large lots requiring lots of water taking property value hits:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/13/residents-want-water-rates-plan-revised/?northcounty&zIndex=148513

In reference to a new tiered water rate in Poway:

“The [Green Valley Civic] association says the new structure will lead to a decrease in property values, as well as unfair increases in the bills of large water consumers, even if they manage to conserve a large amount of water.”

[svelte]

[quote=ocrenter]
interesting you said that. JtR actually mentioned very large lots as a deficiency and not a plus a few months back on a post regarding Magnolia Estate over at Bressi.
[/quote]

Hey OCR, even owners of those big north Poway lots are worried about large lots requiring lots of water taking property value hits:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/13/residents-want-water-rates-plan-revised/?northcounty&zIndex=148513

In reference to a new tiered water rate in Poway:

“The [Green Valley Civic] association says the new structure will lead to a decrease in property values, as well as unfair increases in the bills of large water consumers, even if they manage to conserve a large amount of water.”

[svelte]

[quote=ocrenter]
interesting you said that. JtR actually mentioned very large lots as a deficiency and not a plus a few months back on a post regarding Magnolia Estate over at Bressi.
[/quote]

Hey OCR, even owners of those big north Poway lots are worried about large lots requiring lots of water taking property value hits:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/13/residents-want-water-rates-plan-revised/?northcounty&zIndex=148513

In reference to a new tiered water rate in Poway:

“The [Green Valley Civic] association says the new structure will lead to a decrease in property values, as well as unfair increases in the bills of large water consumers, even if they manage to conserve a large amount of water.”

[svelte]

[quote=ocrenter]
interesting you said that. JtR actually mentioned very large lots as a deficiency and not a plus a few months back on a post regarding Magnolia Estate over at Bressi.
[/quote]

Hey OCR, even owners of those big north Poway lots are worried about large lots requiring lots of water taking property value hits:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/13/residents-want-water-rates-plan-revised/?northcounty&zIndex=148513

In reference to a new tiered water rate in Poway:

“The [Green Valley Civic] association says the new structure will lead to a decrease in property values, as well as unfair increases in the bills of large water consumers, even if they manage to conserve a large amount of water.”

[barnaby33]

I grew up in VC, left in 92. To say it has changed a lot would be an understatement. First if you don’t have kids its all about the distance/lifestyle choices you are willing to make. You’ll have to do your shopping in Escondido.

Second, “Valley Center is country living.” That is what the brochure would say if there were one. Its not. It has a huge mix of people mostly on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, but as others have posted its a real mix.

Casinos, have absolutely ruined it as far as traffic goes, dear lard the traffic there is HORRIFIC on VC road.

Heat is relative. I remember in the summer of 84 when it hit 110 every day for four weeks straight. Most of the summers it hits 90+ regularly. If you don’t like that kind of heat, stay coastal as VC is hotter then other areas around it.

Mostly VC is about what you give to what you get. You get a 2 acre minimum, but no sewers. You get some peace and quiet, but you have to drive 20+ minutes to get to Escondido. You have to give on close contact with your neighbors, but you get 3 casinos within 15 minutes.

I’d rather live in Hillcrest!

Josh

[barnaby33]

I grew up in VC, left in 92. To say it has changed a lot would be an understatement. First if you don’t have kids its all about the distance/lifestyle choices you are willing to make. You’ll have to do your shopping in Escondido.

Second, “Valley Center is country living.” That is what the brochure would say if there were one. Its not. It has a huge mix of people mostly on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, but as others have posted its a real mix.

Casinos, have absolutely ruined it as far as traffic goes, dear lard the traffic there is HORRIFIC on VC road.

Heat is relative. I remember in the summer of 84 when it hit 110 every day for four weeks straight. Most of the summers it hits 90+ regularly. If you don’t like that kind of heat, stay coastal as VC is hotter then other areas around it.

Mostly VC is about what you give to what you get. You get a 2 acre minimum, but no sewers. You get some peace and quiet, but you have to drive 20+ minutes to get to Escondido. You have to give on close contact with your neighbors, but you get 3 casinos within 15 minutes.

I’d rather live in Hillcrest!

Josh

[barnaby33]

I grew up in VC, left in 92. To say it has changed a lot would be an understatement. First if you don’t have kids its all about the distance/lifestyle choices you are willing to make. You’ll have to do your shopping in Escondido.

Second, “Valley Center is country living.” That is what the brochure would say if there were one. Its not. It has a huge mix of people mostly on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, but as others have posted its a real mix.

Casinos, have absolutely ruined it as far as traffic goes, dear lard the traffic there is HORRIFIC on VC road.

Heat is relative. I remember in the summer of 84 when it hit 110 every day for four weeks straight. Most of the summers it hits 90+ regularly. If you don’t like that kind of heat, stay coastal as VC is hotter then other areas around it.

Mostly VC is about what you give to what you get. You get a 2 acre minimum, but no sewers. You get some peace and quiet, but you have to drive 20+ minutes to get to Escondido. You have to give on close contact with your neighbors, but you get 3 casinos within 15 minutes.

I’d rather live in Hillcrest!

Josh

[barnaby33]

I grew up in VC, left in 92. To say it has changed a lot would be an understatement. First if you don’t have kids its all about the distance/lifestyle choices you are willing to make. You’ll have to do your shopping in Escondido.

Second, “Valley Center is country living.” That is what the brochure would say if there were one. Its not. It has a huge mix of people mostly on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, but as others have posted its a real mix.

Casinos, have absolutely ruined it as far as traffic goes, dear lard the traffic there is HORRIFIC on VC road.

Heat is relative. I remember in the summer of 84 when it hit 110 every day for four weeks straight. Most of the summers it hits 90+ regularly. If you don’t like that kind of heat, stay coastal as VC is hotter then other areas around it.

Mostly VC is about what you give to what you get. You get a 2 acre minimum, but no sewers. You get some peace and quiet, but you have to drive 20+ minutes to get to Escondido. You have to give on close contact with your neighbors, but you get 3 casinos within 15 minutes.

I’d rather live in Hillcrest!

Josh

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