8 Great Things About Buying Escondido Homes

The name Escondido translates to "hidden" in Spanish, but the benefits of living there are coming out of hiding. Did you know that Escondido is only 20 minutes from the coast and 30 minutes from downtown San Diego?

It's the 37th largest city in California, and its current population in 2021 is 151,289. San Diego County will grow by 1 million people by 2030 according to projections. Many of those people are expected to move to Escondido.

An Escondido home cost much less than those in San Diego, and this affordability is just one of the many reasons people are flocking to the city.

Are you considering buying a home in Escondido, but still have questions? This brief guide will explain some of the best advantages of living in Escondido and why it's worth considering for your next home.

1. Competitive Escondido Real Estate Market

Escondido real estate trends show that homes in this city retain their value. In fact, homes have been steadily appreciating at a 5% rate over the past 10 years. As of October 2021, homes had appreciated over 15% from 2020. 

Around 186 homes were sold by Escondido real estate agents in October 2021 alone. Homes often receive multiple offers and can sell between 2% - 5% above the asking price. This no doubt indicates the growing popularity of the city.

2. Types of Homes In Escondido

There is a large variety of homes to choose from in Escondido that make the city flexible for any style and offers a diverse price range.

Escondido boasts many homes with acreage, pools, gated homes, golf course locations, new construction, and undeveloped lots and land.

The styles of homes are plentiful, whether you're looking for traditional or modern houses. There are also several multi-residential options, such as duplexes and penthouses.

3. Historic Downtown Area

Old Escondido is the name for the city's downtown area. Houses in this historic area have fascinating architectural styles. Craftsman, Victorian Bungalows, and other turn-of-the-century homes are found here.

Downtown is home to several art galleries, shops, and fantastic local restaurants. There are also multiple historic walking tours to get people more acquainted with the history of this beautiful area.

4. Dixon Lake

As mentioned early, Escondido is only 20 minutes from the coast. However, it boasts its own large body of water called Dixon Lake. 

Escondido’s water supply comes from the lake, so there’s no swimming or personal watercraft allowed. However, boats can be rented.

There are 45 campsites at Dixon Lake, making it a great area for those who love nature. There are also walking trails all along the perimeter of the lake to explore.

5. Daley Ranch

Daley Ranch is another great attraction for history buffs and nature lovers. The nature preserve is well over 3,000 acres. Archaeologists say it was originally home to many Native American tribes before being abandoned.

Today, the massive nature preserve is filled with amazing hiking trails and makes it a favorite spot for those living in Escondido.

6. California Center for the Arts

It might surprise you to learn that the California Center for the Arts is located in Escondido. It's something many locals are most proud of in their city since the building was completed in 1994.

It's a performing arts center consisting of a beautiful concert hall and theatre. It's also home to a contemporary art museum, several dance studios, and multiple banquet facilities for weddings and other events.

7. Dining and Shopping

There is something for every shopper in Escondido. Smaller boutiques, book shops, clothing, gifts, and several other locally owned businesses are found downtown.

Westfield North County Mall offers more contemporary shopping with large department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom. It also has several restaurants, food chains, and a food court.

8. Escondido Schools

The choice of schools is another great benefit of living in Escondido. There are 57 preschools, 50 elementary schools, 34 middle schools, and 26 high schools in the area.

Preschools

Escondido KinderCare, Felicita Montessori School, and Country Club Child Care are just a few of the excellent preschool options. While these schools are typically for pre-kindergarten, some do offer age ranges from 0-12.

The preschools in Escondido offer excellent safety, security, and follow all health guidelines. Preschools like Guidepost Montessori Virtual School even offer online classes.

The average monthly cost for preschools in Escondido is $940. This is under the absolute lowest California preschool tuition, which is $1,011 monthly.

Elementary and Middle Schools

The options for both public schools and charter schools for elementary and middle schools received high grades for in 2020. Heritage K-8 Charter school was among the absolute best.

Bernardo Elementary is considered one of the best public elementary schools in the area and has around 640 students enrolled. L. R. Green Elementary is another fantastic public elementary school that serves the Escondido Union area and has about 781 students enrolled.

Quantum Academy is a public middle school and offers great one-on-one student interaction because of its modest enrollment of 316 students. It serves grades 4-8.

Bear Valley Middle School is another popular option and serves grades 6-8. It is a larger school and has almost 1,000 enrolled students currently.

High Schools

Public high schools San Pasqual and Del Lago Academy had A grades in 2020 based on test scores and academics.

Escondido Charter High is a hybrid public and charter school. It consistently receives high rankings and has about 879 students in grades 9-12.

Del Lago Academy Campus of Applied Science is a newer school built in 2013 and focuses on educating future scholars, innovators, and world citizens. It is considered both a public school and a magnet school.

Escondido Charter High School received an A+ and ranked as the 13th best charter high school in all of California. There are currently around 1,200 students enrolled at this renowned school.

Private School Statistics and Acceptance

Overall, there are 12 private schools located in Escondido serving 1,897 students.

The rate of acceptance is 92%. This is higher than the overall acceptance rate of California private schools, which is only 84%.

Three-quarters of the private schools in Escondido have a religious affiliation. These schools are typically Christian or Roman Catholic.

Athletics

There are a variety of sports programs offered to students throughout the Escondido area. These include baseball, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball.

Schools like Del Lago Academy offer sports such as lacrosse programs. And many schools, including San Pasqual, offer water polo programs. This gives Escondido a well-rounded athletic selection.

Are You Ready to Purchase One of The Escondido Homes? 

Now you know why so many people are buying Escondido homes. The city has a great real estate market, wonderful schools, plenty of nature, and beautiful downtown. All of these benefits make it an excellent choice!

Please contact us if you still have questions about moving to this wonderful city.