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With its Old West charm, natural attractions and wildlife parks, the city of Escondido has become a popular suburb for people moving to San Diego every year. Of course, it helps that the city also has a pleasant climate and a bustling arts and culture scene to keep its residents delighted throughout the year. Moving to Escondido surely opens your horizons up to a world of new experiences.

Whether you are moving to San Diego with kids, friends, family, or by yourself, you can certainly use a little help along the way. With this guide, you can browse through some of the most helpful tips for moving to San Diego and in particular, the town of Escondido. Find out all you need to know about Escondido’s history, climate, neighborhoods, and local attractions, as well as information about moving companies in San Diego that can help you make your big move as seamless as possible.

As a new resident to the city, one of the most exciting things to know before moving to San Diego, and specifically Escondido, is its fascinating history. It is believed that some of the earliest residents of the region that is now known as Escondido were the Luiseño Indians. When they settled in this area about four thousand years ago, they gave it the name “Mehel-om-pom-pavo”. They were soon followed by the Kumeyaay people who migrated here from their campsites near the Colorado River and settled down in the western and southwestern parts of the area now under Escondido.

In the late 18th century, Spanish explorers began arriving in this region and by the end of the century had established a number of missions. By the early 19th century, almost all of this region had fallen under the Spanish empire and the various missions set up in California had converted the remnant native population.

Things took a turn for Escondido, however, in the mid-1800s when Mexico succeeded in gaining its independence from Spain. In 1843, what is now known as Escondido was known as the Rancho Rincon del Diablo, or “Devil’s Corner”, and became a part of a Mexican land grant given to Juan Bautista Alvarado. Alvarado was a prominent “Regidor” or council member at the time and went on to preside over both Los Angeles and San Diego during his lifetime.As the Mexican-American War broke out in 1846, a prominent military encounter known as the Battle of San Pasqual came to be fought in parts of Escondido. Interestingly, the end of the battle found both sides declaring victory, and to this day, the victor of the battle remains a topic of heated debate.

The first census in the city took place in 1850 when California first became a state in the United States of America. It was found that the city was home to a mostly Spanish-speaking population. However, over the next several years, hundreds of non-Hispanic settlers started moving to Escondido and settling down. By the 1880s, the “Southern California Land Boom” was in full swing and saw a number of new residences and businesses crop up across the town. At the time, the town was still called Rincon del Diablo and was eventually changed to Escondido in 1884.

Before moving to Escondido, it might also be worth knowing the interesting story behind the name of the city, although there are various versions of this story. The word “Escondido” is Spanish for “hidden”, and it is widely believed that the name was given to it by the early Spanish settlers due to its location in a secluded valley site. Some fascinating stories claim that the name refers to the Spanish term of agua escondida or “hidden water” while yet others claim that it refers to a myth of “hidden treasure”.

In the year 1886, the Escondido Land & Town Company was established. The company went on to subdivide the Escondido valley into small farms, laid out the first foundations of the townsite, and also set up new residences. Over time, as people began moving to Escondido in hordes, the first pipe and wells system was set up in the city. In 1888 the city of Escondido was officially incorporated. By the end of the 19th century,  railroads such as the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific had been laid out in the city and brought considerable traffic, tourism, and business to Escondido. With only a population of 1,200 recorded in 1900, the city has since flourished and become a comfortable community and an attractive suburb for people moving to San Diego.

It might be interesting to know more about the geographical significance of Escondido before you consider moving to San Diego and settling down in Escondido. After all, it is believed that “Escondido” was named precisely because of its peculiar geographical location, hidden amidst the foothills.

Escondido is located in the County of San Diego in California, and according to the Census of 2010, was recorded to have a population of about 143,911. The city covers an area of about 37 square miles, out of which 36.8 square miles is covered by land while 0.20 square miles (or 0.48%) is covered by water bodies. The only truly significant water body in the city is the Escondido Creek which bisects the city and empties into San Elijo Lagoon. Also, Escondido is situated at an elevation of 646feet and only contains modest variations of elevation in its topography.

An interesting thing about Escondido is that on almost all sides, it is surrounded by many sparsely populated communities, most of which are unincorporated. Some of these are the  Hidden Meadows, the Felicita Park, and the remnant of Rincón Del Diablo.

If you are moving to San Diego for work and thinking about settling down in Escondido due to its proximity to the city, it might be helpful to have an idea of the distance between the two locations. Escondido is located at a distance of just about 30 miles, or 48kilometers from San Diego, California. Several people consider moving to Escondido to commute between the two locations by car, which takes only about 30-32 minutes along the I-15S and CA-163S route. You can also travel to San Diego via bus, train, tram, and taxi. Also, if you consider moving to Escondido and need help along the way, you can reach out to moving companies in San Diego that offer several efficient storage solutions to meet your needs.

Much like most regions in the San Diego area, Escondido experiences a semi-arid Mediterranean climate which means its climate is mainly divided into warm, dry summers and mild, cool winters. However, for the most part, moving to Escondido means moving to a location that experiences climate conditions more pleasant than in most areas of the country. So if the question of “Is moving to San Diego worth it?” has been popping in your head, let the pleasantness of its climate help answer the question.

Keep in mind that due to its inland location, the city of Escondido experiences temperatures that can get hotter and colder than the nearby suburbs of Carlsbad and Oceanside. However, throughout the year, the temperatures in Escondido remain fairly moderate, from an 86°F  high in July to around 43°F low in January. Escondido hardly experiences freezing temperatures and has rarely ever recorded any snowfall in its history, though it does experience occasional hail.

According to the reports by Best Places, the Comfort Index for Escondido is 9 out of a possible 10. June, May, and October are considered the most comfortable months while February and December are considered the least comfortable. It is important to note that the city can also experience certain seasonal variations, prompting the need for its residents to be prepared for unexpected weather conditions. As someone considering moving to Escondido, you might want to safely stow away certain seasonal items. For that purpose, consider contacting one of the many moving companies in San Diego to rent self-storage in San Diego.

Anyone moving to San Diego can agree that welcoming more sunshine into their lives is one of the major perks of moving here. Moving to Escondido in particular means that you can enjoy more than 266 sunny days in a year, far more than the national average of 205 days. Summers in Escondido are relatively short and last for about 3 months from June to September. The hottest it gets in the city is around August when temperatures can be at an average high of about 84°F. If you are moving to San Diego with kids and are looking to spend more family, these short summers can be best enjoyed with kiddie pools and backyard barbecues. On the other hand, winters in Escondido can be long, cool, cloudy, and can last for more than 4 months, from November to April. The coldest temperatures are recorded during January, with a daily average low of around 45°F. While these temperatures are low for Escondido and surrounding areas, they are still warmer than most places in California.

According to the US Census of 2010, Escondido had an overall population of about 143,911. Factoring in new residents moving to Escondido, the city has witnessed a population growth of about 6% and by most estimates, the current population stands at about 152,245. The population density of the city is about 4,080 per square mile.

If you are one of the many families moving to San Diego with kids and are in search of similar communities, Escondido might be an ideal place for you. As per the US Census of 2010, as much as 98.5% of Escondido’s population lives in households. Overall, Escondido has over 45,000 households out of 41.7% have children below the age of 18 living with them. Also, 28% of the town’s total population is composed of children below the age of 18. The average family size in the town is about 3.57 and the average household size is 3.15, which is higher than the national average of 2.6.

Escondido is home to a largely Hispanic population but also houses a number of racially and linguistically diverse communities. According to the US Census, the racial composition of the population in Escondido is  52% Hispanic, 36% white, 7% Asian, 2.5% Black or African American, and 7% of two or more races. As for languages spoken in Escondido, English is the most common native language with 54%. Meanwhile, 40% of the population speaks Spanish, 2% speaks Tagalog and 1% speaks Vietnamese.

With its pleasant climate and growing opportunities, Escondido is sure to see new residents moving to Escondido and adding to its racial and linguistic diversity in the years to come. So many of these new residents, many of which are families, seek the services of the various moving companies in San Diego to help them with finding efficient storage solutions as they move into their new homes.

The median income for a household in Escondido is about $62,319, higher than the national average of $57,652.  According to the rankings by Best Places, Escondido has a cost of living index of 142.8 which is lower than the Californian average of 150. In categories such as groceries and utilities, the cost of living index of Escondido is higher than the Californian. However, Escondido has a lower cost of living index than the Californian average when it comes to health services, housing, and transportation. For expenses related to moving cities, you can reach out to one of the many moving companies in San Diego that offer convenient storage solutions at lucrative prices and as per your requirements.

To make moving to Escondido easier, it might also help to have a good idea of how the neighborhoods in the city are divided and how its government functions.  The Escondido municipality is made up of almost 30 neighborhoods. The most prominent among these are the Downtown Escondido, which is a prime location for shopping and dining in the city and the Old Escondido which still contains various landmarks of historical architecture from the 19th century and is mostly occupied by family residences.

The government of Escondido is run by a  council-manager system, whereby the city council consists of a mayor and four City Council members elected at four-year terms. The city is also a member of the San Diego Association of Governments or SANDAG.

Like the hundreds of families moving to San Diego with kids every year, you might want to know more about the city’s education system. The city of Escondido spends as much as $8,103 per student, with 24 pupils per teacher and 1,761 children per counselor. The city is served by its own Escondido Union School District and houses as many as 57 preschools, 45 elementary schools, 34 middle schools, and 26 high schools. The most notable among these are the L. R. Green Elementary School, Bear Valley Middle School, and Escondido High School. The city also has 74 private schools including the Ascension Lutheran School, Kings Academy, and Quantum Academy.

Moving to San Diego and the city of Escondido can mean opening your world up to a variety of exciting attractions, experiences, and adventures. The city of Escondido is blessed with natural beauty and is ideal for nature and wildlife sightseeing. But it also has a popular motto that goes, “Come for the wildlife, stay for the culture”, hinting at the bustling arts and culture scene that the city takes pride in. With that in mind, here are all the attractions and hotspots you can enjoy after moving to Escondido.

The primary attraction you will find when moving to Escondido is the much loved, 1,800 acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Apart from being one of the places of pride for Escondido, the park is also one of the largest tourist attractions in the entire county of San Diego. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to more than 2,600 animals from over 300 species as well as 3,500 plant species from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. If you are moving to San Diego with kids, this is an excellent spot to offer them an educational experience as well as allowing them to enjoy the many exciting events and adventures offered by the park. These include zip lining, sleepover safari events, and safari rides where they can observe wildlife such as cheetahs, gorillas, giraffes, lions, tigers, rhinos, and zebras.

One of the first things to know before moving to San Diego is that the entire region, along with suburbs like Escondido, experience some of the most pleasant weather conditions in the country. Escondido is home to a variety of natural vegetation such as the chaparral brushland, oak woodland, riparian woodland, and grassland. A number of natural, outdoor attractions are incredibly popular in the city, including Daley Ranch, the Deer Park Monastery, and the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. The most loved of these spots for the residents, however, is Dixon Lake, where you can enjoy a quiet, fun trip with friends and family and go hiking, fishing, and biking. So if you love to participate in nature-related activities and are worried about finding sufficient storage in Escondido for all your gear, make sure to reach out to one of the many moving companies in San Diego. These moving companies can help you find storage solutions including storage units and portable storage containers for rent.

Apart from these nature and wildlife-related attractions, Escondido has a lot to offer in terms of its arts and culture scene. After moving to Escondido, you can simply take a stroll down Old Escondido to take in the city’s Old West charm, which is reflected in the historic downtown architecture that remains in this area. However, the cultural pride of the town is the prestigious California Center for the Arts which is a visual and performing arts complex established in 1991. Often referred to as the “art and soul of the community”, the Center is where the town’s best concerts, performances, exhibits, programs, and events take place.

Whether you are moving to San Diego from within California or from another state, moving to a new city can always seem daunting. However, with the pleasant climate, the amicable community, and cultural experiences that Escondido offers, moving to this new city might be a little easier than you imagined. As you consider moving to Escondido, make sure to contact some of the leading moving companies in San Diego and find out more about the storage solutions you might need for and after your big move.