Commute from San Marcos to Irvine (San Diego, Oceanside: home, transfer, live in)

[shepdogs2]

Hello,

My partner and I are considering a move to California from Florida, she is being transferred. We are excited about the move and have choices between Northern and Southern California. In Southern California we are considering San Marcos or Carlsbad-- appreciate any details on the commute? How long by car? We want to find a home on larger lot -- near beaches etc and liked the San Marcos area but are worried about commutes...

Thanks in advance for any help

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by shepdogs2

Hello,

My partner and I are considering a move to California from Florida, she is being transferred. We are excited about the move and have choices between Northern and Southern California. In Southern California we are considering San Marcos or Carlsbad-- appreciate any details on the commute? How long by car? We want to find a home on larger lot -- near beaches etc and liked the San Marcos area but are worried about commutes...

Thanks in advance for any help

If you can leave early enough to beath the traffic, you might be able to get away with 1 hr on a good day. But I would be prepared for at least 90 minutes. In the afternoon I would not be surprised if it took 2hrs to get home. You are going to hit solid traffic north of Pendleton almost all the way to Irvine because that is LA commuter traffic. You may be able to take the 73 toll road which cuts a bit more to the west.

[shepdogs2]

So commuting North on I-5 in the AM and back south to San Marcos in the evening would be just as bad? 60 minutes or worse?

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by shepdogs2

So commuting North on I-5 in the AM and back south to San Marcos in the evening would be just as bad? 60 minutes or worse?

The SD county portion wont be that bad but the OC portion will be bumber to bumper.

SoCal traffic is no joke.

[socketz]

I commuted from RB to OC for 6 months and it wasn't that bad (1.25 hours).

San Marcos is about 20 mins closer.

[Roman11]

If you lived in Carlsbad to Irvine would be better then San Marcos. It'll keep you off of the 78 which can get pretty bad. Also the 5 around Mission Viejo is where the traffic can get pretty heavy.

Here's a thought, Have you looked at San Clemente to seattle down in. It's close enough to San Diego but closer to your work in Irvine. It's a nice community and might be a better option for you.

Also the train does stop at Oceanside and San Clemente if you don't need to take your car to work but that's rare here in Southern California.

Good Luck,

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

That stretch all depends on the time you drive it. We live in San Marcos and drive to lots of events in Orange County. It's 45 minutes to Irvine in ideal conditions up to 90 minutes when jammed. The traffic clears south of San Clemente, most of the time. A worse stretch of the 5 is north of the Orange County line into downtown LA. That's a challenge.