The Southwest California
cities of Temecula
and Murrieta
were recognized for reaching a significant milestone in their shared
histories this past week when the California
Department of Finance acknowledged that both had exceeded
100,000 population for the first time in
their long and colorful histories. 
For those of you who
don't know, Temecula
and Murrieta
are cities in Southern California about 30 miles inland from the ocean
just across the coastal ridge and north of the San Diego County line.
The cities sit right next door to each other, sharing a long city
limit. In reality the area probably should have become a single city
but neither area wanted to give up their historic boundary or claim to
empire. 
Our history extends back
for hundreds of years with Native
American residents carving an existence out of the rolling
hills that are now home to nearly two dozen wineries. More recent
history goes back to the mid-1800's as first Spanish explorers &
Missionaries, then gold
prospectors followed by cattle ranchers
journeyed through this part of the country by horse, on the
Butterfield Stage Route, then by railroad and finally by freeway. 
Our
current land rush didn't start until the late 1980's with modern day
'explorers' fleeing the congestion and high cost housing of coastal
areas for the wide open spaces, clear skies and low crime rate of our
Valley. Temecula,
formerly known as Rancho California, became a city in 1989 with Murrieta following
in 1991. At that time, both cities had populations of just around
20,000. We have grown
fivefold in less than 20 years with Murrieta alone
doubling in population since the 2000 census. 
The
growth has brought opportunities
as well as problems
to the region. It has been difficult to grow the infrastructure apace
with the population. Job growth has also lagged meaning as many as 60%
of our residents hit the road to San Diego, Orange County or Los
Angeles every morning. With current growth rates dropping to the 3
& 4% range and our housing approaching build-out, both cities
now have an opportunity to play catch-up with the needs of citizens.
Transportation, education and job growth are areas that demand
attention. 
As
a footnote, our Realtor population has
exploded from about 450 Realtors
when I joined this Association in 1994 to over 3,000 Realtors
today with another 2,000 MLS only (non-Realtor) members. While the
number of Realtor
members of our state Association has dropped by nearly 35% this year,
locally we continue to add new members in spite of a 60% drop in sales
and 40% drop in prices. Last year there were fewer total home sales in
our region than Realtors,
translating to roughly .77 of a paycheck per Realtor
FOR THE YEAR. 
 |
|
|
Helping Buyers & Sellers Connect since the last Century. Specializing in the Temecula Valley, Murrieta, Southern California's Premier Wine Country, La Cresta & De Luz.
Senator Feinstein responds to Oil Crisis
Temecula, Murrieta 1st Half Sales Figures are in - Good News?
The Hardrock 100 - Timberline Endurance Challenge
World's First AC Power - The Gold King Mine
A Small Town America 4th of July - Telluride Colorado
Southwest California Homes Sales - 5/08. Gettin' Better All The Time
You're Either At The Table - Or On The Menu.
Making California Proud - One Political Hack at a Time.
La Cresta - A Compilation of Estate Homes
Prop 8 - Reducing Your Property Tax Burden in Riverside County
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
I don't think there is much argument about California being the prettiest state and probably the best year round climate.
I'm from Colorado originally, so I'm a bit prejudiced, but there is a lot of beautiful country in California. From desert wasteland to snowcapped mountains, the giant redwoods, Sequoia National Park - and of course the ocean. No wonder people keep moving here in droves in spite of the politics, high prices, congestion and housing costs.