Any opinions on retirement in the Temecula,
Murrieta, California area. Nice weather,
warm in the winter, but not the oppressive
heat of Arizona or oppressive humidity of
Texas. No snow, the right amout of rain 14
inches per year. Nice new shopping
centers, affordable housing (by California
standards). Near the coast, close to
San Diego, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs.
Several casinos and old town for
entertainment. Other than the earthquake
hazard it appears this would be an ideal
retirement location.

Any opinions,

Ono

I live in Temecula - moved here from Laguna Niguel about a year ago. I love it here! I think it is the ideal place for retirement (although I'm not retired). Downside is the traffic (so many people moving here that the roads aren't keeping up with the volume) - but if you are retired, you won't have to travel at peak times. I don't either - I have a home office and when I'm at a clients, I fly there.

Lots of fun things to do - and Temecula is a very safe place, has a community feeling to it.

Question - what are the prices like for smaller homes (1400 sq ft or so) in the Temecula area? Moved from OC three years ago, now live in Texas. Old home is now almost $1 million. Is Temecula more affordable still?

Temecula is more affordable - but prices are going up, up and up. I would guess that a 1400 square foot home would be in the $350,000 price range.

aggiemom, look on www.realtor.com and you will get a good idea of current housing costs.

I live just south of Temecula and go there to do shopping and dining. I think everything Lynn said is correct. It's a good location and still affordable compared to San Diego or OC. The traffic is bad but that's mostly getting on and off I-15 during rush hour. As a retiree you can avoid that. It can get a little warm in the summer (90's-possibly 100) but there is no humidity. You can also get wind some of the time but overall I think it's a good location to take advantage of all that So. Cal offers.

As far as earthquakes, I have lived in the area for 15 years and until the recent Anza earthquake, there haven't really been any in the Temecula area. It's not like living along the San Andreas fault in LA which is where I lived before I moved south!!

Thanks, Lynn and Barbara. I'm familiar with realtor.com - don't know where my head was when I posted my question! Silly me.

I recently visited the area for a day of wine tatsing. It was beautiful and the wine industry is growing (no pun intended).

This post is FIVE years old.

FIRE

"Retirementadvisor" - subtle screen name

That's right Barbara, and imo, Temecula is still too hot in the summer.
But I do wonder what ever happened to paula?

janis, I thought that too!

LSky, but houses in Temecula are very affordable now.

Lsky, Paula is still on Fodor's. She is coming to the South Tahoe GTG in August. I know May was very busy for her family.

I hope they didn't buy in 2005, prices have dropped almost by half since then. Lots of foreclosed houses and green pools now.

I am still around and Dayenu is right. My daughter got married last weekend, actually in Temecula. The weather was perfect, the site was absolutely gorgeous (not a winery but in the wine country). I will post a link to some pictures when I get them together.

RBCal is correct about lots of foreclosed homes in the Temecula Valley. But if you are looking to retire or wanting to buy that first home, this is the time to buy. One of my friends daughter got married last fall and they recently purchased a very nice home for half the price it was a couple of years ago. Can't remember the exact amount right now. Overall, though, the area seems to be doing OK despite the foreclosures. They just added an addition to the Temecula Mall upscale shops and a PF Changs, etc.

I would go to San Diego..lots of deals to be had and is considered one of the prettiest places in the world and one of those mags just came out with SD as one of the best places to retire..

Hey! Hi Paula, good to see you again.

I wonder why San Diego would be considered a great retirement area? I think it's hard to get around this city if you can't drive. It may be nice for the early years but what happens later? We do seem to have a lot of senior complexes here though.

When I retire, I'd like to live in a bigger city with great public transportation. Maybe by that time San Diego will fit the bill.

Just wanted to pop in to say hello to Paula. Congrats on your daughter's wedding. It sounds beautiful!

Thanks. I will try to post a link to pictures. Right now the photos are ones that friends took at the wedding. They are on Facebook so have to see how to do a link. It's good to be back-I've missed Fodors.