How's life treating you in Lake Elsinore?

[Ed G]

My parent's just moved into a home located on silverwood dr. The home's are called Madison homes and they have a park in their community called serenity park. Their cross street is Palomar and Corydon..The home's are built in 2006. The home's there ar around 2500 to 2800 sq ft..is this a good par of Elsinor? I keep hearing Aberhill, tuscan, canyon hill's or canyon lake but I havent heard this area mentioned as one of the good areas..can you please comment..

LE Lex wrote:

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Whoa, are you sure you're not talking about Compton? Allow me to clear up all the BS this poster just unleashed.
First, most of Grand Avenue does not fall within Lake Elsinore's city boundaries. The city has no influence on county territory. Lake Elsinore has made multiple efforts to annex this area but the residents prefer to live in squalor than to be governed or taxed by the City.
Next, Lake Elsinore's gang problems are nothing compared to the cities of Corona, Riverside, or Perris. There have been as many violent deaths reported in Temecula as there have in Lake Elsinore. I've lived here for decades and have never met anyone who died a gang related death. Sometimes that is more about the company you keep than the city you live in.
The city has one of the most comprehensive graffiti response teams that exists. LE has a graffiti hotline and if you report an incident the city removes the graffiti within a week. They recently spent money on state of the art, high resolution night cameras with facial recognition software to begin matching perps with tagging styles with prison photos. Taggers beware!
The kid that died NoMore4Me refers to was a boy who contracted a rare ameoba that exists in warm natural fresh water lakes. The ameoba is not caused by pollution or poor water quality. The ameoba has caused about 10 deaths in 10 years in the entire US. This is the first instance that this has ever happened in Lake Elsinore's history. The last occurrance happened in Lake Havasu, another warm, fresh water lake.
The city and Lake Elsinore Municipal Water District have worked over the past 18 years to stabilize Lake Elsinore's lake. It's been a long time since the lake has had any negative attributes (we used to call it Lake Smell-some-more as kids). Now the lake has become a destination for high speed boat races, big time TV fishing shows, and plans are in the works to create a pier so that visitors can enjoy the excellent water quality.
Cost of living has dropped dramatically as home values have plummetted. You could own a 2500 suqare foot home with a pool in Tuscany Hills, a premier neighborhood, for about $250K nowadays. That's a $1900 house payment for a very cozy home. These homes were going for $600K in 2007. I could direct you to a knowledgeable Realtor in the area.
My opinion, Lake Elsinore is a city with potential and is perfect for raising a family.

[LE Lex]

Sorry for the slow reply. The Madison Homes Tract is a beautiful community that has well built homes at great prices. I think that if your parents keep to themselves that they'll enjoy the home as the neighborhood is in the early stages of its "lifecycle," so to speak. You have great parks, a nice older tract that has been well kept since the 90's, and your parents will even be able to count the Mayor, Bob Magee, as a fairly close neighbor. I would say that the neighborhood is quiet and very nice.

The drawback for this community is that it sits in a transition between unincorporated Lakeland Village, recently incorporated Wildomar, and commercial/industrial zoned areas. Also the schools range from average (William Collier ES & Elsinore HS) to subpar (Lakeland Village MS has problems). Finally, if you want shopping nearby or easy access to the freeway this is the wrong place for you. It will likely never sit in a well designed community due to competing border interests, but who knows?

The important thing to note is that there aren't roving packs of gangs reminiscent from a scene from the movie "Warrior" like some bloggers make it out to seem. We're pretty average small town. If you want an unbiased crime snapshot go to localcrimenews.com .

All in all, I would tell your parents they can enjoy a BBQ while watching the skydivers in the backyard of their new home in peace & tranquility.

[Helena]

I grew up in OC and lived in San Diego for 7 years, bought a foreclosed home in L.E. about 2 months ago....there are pros and cons like any other cities BUT this place is just not for me or maybe its just the surrounding areas where my house is and mind you, my house is only 4 years old. A lot of trashy people and i'm just not used to that. People who live in Tuscany Hills or those other little neighboorhoods are paying what $150-$200 for HOA? This city is 120 years old?? you would think it wouldve improved but it hasnt and i dont think it ever will, sad to say. I can't wait to go back to San Diego.

[LE4Life]

Charter School Mom wrote:

Just a quick note on suggesting a charter school...Did you know that River Springs Charter School has leased the Lake Elsinore Boys and Girls Club from 9a-2p for their 6,7,8th graders? So, 3 cheers for River Springs Da Vinci Academy-Lake Elsinore ( a best kept secret no more!)
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I have nothing but the UTMOST disgust for River Springs LE Site. My Daughter has attended the School for two years, and while last year was great for her, this year she has developed problems with the new staff. If your children go to this school, and don't OPENLY Support the PTA through direct action, contributions (Monetary and Donation) or time spent, your child is treated like a second class citizen, while the children of people who do so. If I wanted to send my children to a school where I had to BUY their acceptance and fair treatment, I would put them in a private school.
River Springs touts itself as a school that helps children realize their true potential, but now I see it for what it is: A haven for children who couldn't make it in a public school environment. 90% of the children have behavioral and social problems, but because mommy and daddy donate the school, they can be treated like kings and queens.
The ONLY thing your children will learn at this school is to have everyone else fight your battles for you.
If your child is even REMOTELY smart, or gifted, AVOID THIS SCHOOL AT ALL COSTS!!

[LEMOM]

LEMOM - Is there a way to get a hold of you. My son also attends the River Springs LE site and I am curious about some of the things you state and would like to learn more. I have heard stories about what goes on their so it would be nice to validate this with another parent.

[Walt]

Can someone tell me who the wealthy special interest groups are in Lake Elsinore?