New residents have been simply flocking to Murrieta, California. The town is part of Riverside County, the fourth largest county in the state, yet the fastest growing. In the past decade, this area of Southern California has grown by over 76% in population. The county has a rich topography, encompassing the desert, mountains, foothills and lush river valleys. Residents in Riverside County have easy access to the neighboring counties of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego. The city of Murrieta is conveniently located between the increasingly popular wine making village of Temecula and the vacation destination of Lake Elsinore.
It is perhaps this diversity of housing options that have attracted new residents to the area. For many, home ownership in San Diego, Los Angeles or Orange County is a financial impossibility, or simply does not offer the space or design options in line with the hefty price tag. Murrieta offers folks the opportunity to own their own home, while increasing their employment options with access to three major Southern California hubs. Others choose Murrieta for its close knit community feel. Fleeing the hustle and bustle, the congestion and traffic of these increasingly populous counties, residents in Murrieta enjoy the scenic beauty of the area and the relaxed feel of its communities.
Murrieta is also a great place for families. The public schools in the area consistently win awards for placing at the top of California's ratings. With its increased population, the town recently opened a new high school to accommodate students. There are dozens of parks incorporated into neighborhoods, making most within walking or biking distance from homes. The town has plenty of shopping and dining options, and with its incredibly desirable location, residents have virtually unlimited options with the surrounding counties.
If you were to draw a circle around Murietta, you would see that an hour's drive or less in any direction presents an awe inspiring array of options for recreation and entertainment. You could choose to spend some time on the water at Lake Elsinore or a day on any number of immaculate beaches on the Pacific coast. You could see concerts and professional sporting events in San Diego or Los Angeles. You could choose to hike for the day in the mountains or high desert, especially appealing when the deserts bloom in spring. You can ski or snowboard in the winter months. Or take a day sampling local vintages at over thirty wineries in nearby Temecula. And, this being Southern California, your options for golfing or tennis are virtually unlimited, and available year round.
Murrieta also benefits from Southern California's legendary climate. The sun shines all year, and it hardly ever rains. Murrieta is simply an incredibly desirable option for the best of Southern California living, while offering an array of housing not available in other nearby communities.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $349,800
Demographics
Population in July 2007: 58,626. Murrieta covers 28.4 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 1,093 feet above sea level. Zip codes: 92562, 92563, 92564 - Area code: 909
Weather
Murrieta, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 98.30 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 37.30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 37 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Murrieta is 12.09 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is February with an average rainfall of 2.96 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
