The city of Murrieta, CA is considered a safe place for families with very good schools and top-notch law enforcement. It is regarded as a commuter’s city for those who drive to Corona, Riverside or a one-hour drive down to North San Diego. The benefits are affordable home prices, nice parks, and quality of life are what attract people to this Southwest Riverside County city. Without further delay here are the best neighborhoods in Murrieta, CA.
Copper Canyon is a master-planned community situated at Clinton Keith and Calle De Oso Oro. There are two entrances into the community, one via Clinton Keith, and the other from Washington Street.
1.) The community of Copper Canyon has a large 8 ½ acre park which includes athletic fields, bike paths, walking, sitting areas, and a concession stand.
Copper Canyon homes surround Cole Canyon Elementary School which is is probably the top-performing elementary school in the district. Low taxes and few homes in HOAs (there are some, but they are mostly low).
Residents with school age children can attend one of the best-rated schools in Thompson Middle School and Murrieta Valley High School which are ranked 9 on a scale of 10.
Homes range in price from $450,000 to more than $2.4 million for a 7,000 square foot plus estate-sized home. Monthly payments with a 10-20-percent down payment range from $2,080 to $10,730.
Honorable Mention: Countryside/Creekside homes are located west of Washington and south of Vineyard. Residents with school-aged children attend Murrieta Elementary (our kids did), and the education is very solid. There’s no HOA fees, low taxes, but price levels vary throughout over 500 homes.
2.) La Cresta – This exclusive community is located in the Murrieta Foothills. The neighborhood features custom built homes, avocado ranches and vineyards. Homes range in size from approximately 2,500 square feet to more than 10,000 sq. feet.
Home prices usually start at $500,000 and reach $3.5 million. The big range is due to the size of the home and lot size with some boasting 5 acres or more. With lots this large, you’ll find many equestrian estates ideal for the area with dedicated horse trails.
Some of street names include Avenida La Cresta, Calle Bandido, Calle Juanito, Via Caballos, Avenida Bosque, Avenida Escala, Vista De Montanas, Via Vista Grande.
HOA: La Cresta Property Owners Association
(951) 699-2918
3.) Murrieta Ranchos – Located West and East of Washington at Santa Fe, is the Murrieta Ranchos homes development. These homes sit on oversized lots, are larger single story “ranch-style” homes mostly with detached garages and views of the Santa Rosa Plateau. These single-story homes range from 3 to 6 bedrooms and 2 to 3 bathrooms. The community is usually in high demand due to its close proximity to Murrieta Valley High School and Thompson Middle School.
The median sales price is $905,000 as of Feb. 2023 according to Neighborhood.com. In 2019 the median was $635,000 so residents have obtained great appreciation.
HOA: $0. This community has no HOA fees.
Approximate monthly payments with 10-percent down range from $2, 817 to $2,504 for a 20-percent down payment. See assumptions below.
4.) Greer Ranch — this is a guard gated community north of Clinton Keith Rd, between the 215 and 15 freeways nestled in the Murrieta hills. Many of the 693 homes have amazing views, and are designed with a Mediterranean and Spanish influence. The neighborhood enjoys excellent top rated schools, parks, bike trails, and recreational facilities along with the amenities of an HOA with a community pool, clubhouse, etc.
A historical fun fact is in the 1960’s Everett Greer discovered this section of land in Murrieta.
The community HOA is $225 per month. The median home sales price is $805,000 as of January 2023 according to data from Sotheby’s Realty.
Approximate
monthly payments with 10-percent down range from $1, 971 to $1,743 for a
20-perent down payment with a 4.25% interest rate and excellent income and
credit.
5.) Golden Triangle — a location with multiple neighborhoods between and around California Oaks Sports Park are a bit older home with solid values, solid Murrieta schools, lower price point than Copper Canyon or Greer Ranch.
6.) Olive Hill Ranch – is a community located in the western foothills. Homes in this lovely private gated community are situated snugly in the hillside. Naturally, marvelous views of the Murrieta Valley and upscale living are what homeowners in this community enjoy. Semi-custom Olive Hill Ranch homes offer spacious living on approximately one acre lots.
Olive Hill Ranch features 44 single-family homes with a large portion of them having a contemporary style. Homes were built between 2000 and 2001, contain an average of 3,200 square feet with four bedrooms and three baths.
Because of the low number of homes, there haven’t been many recent sales. Typically, the homes will sell from $600,000 and up.
Neighborhood street names include Joshua Tree Ct.,
Truman Pl, Tyler Place, Jersey Pine Court.
Olive Hill Ranch Homeowners
Association
41870 Kalmia St
Murrieta, CA 92562
7.) Vineyard Knolls homes are a lovely housing development located in the northwest part of Murrieta. It is directly across the street from the exclusive Bear Creek Golf Community, just 2 miles from I-15.
The homes in this development were completed in 1989. There are four floor plans that range in size from 1553 square feet up to 2218 square feet. Recreational facilities for this development include a park, pool, and spa area. Murrieta has excellent schools, and the elementary school for this neighborhood –
Cole Canyon Elementary – is among the few pubic elementary schools in California to receive a distinguished GREAT SCHOOLS with a 9 rating. Other great schools for children of this tract is Thompson Middle School and Murrieta Valley High School
8.) Bear Creek
This prestigious gated community includes both single-family homes and attached homes that feature either a Contemporary or Mediterranean style. Homes were built from 1984 through 2016. These homes offer 2- to- 6 bedrooms and up to 7 bathrooms. The living space of the homes ranges from 1350 up to 11,668 square feet. The community amenities include a Jack Nicklaus golf course, har-tru clay tennis courts, clubhouse, pool and kid’s area.
Home prices in Bear Creek currently range from $340,000 for an attached townhome to $2.5 million for a luxury home. The average sales price is $1,090,000 as of Feb. 2023.
There is an HOA and the amount depends on the size of your home. The range is from $168 to $445/month
With wide ranges in homes prices, potential mortgage payments will also vary:
As low as $1,661/month for a home sold at $340,000 to as much as $11,663/month for a $2.5 million home with 10-percent down.
Streets within are Lynx Ct, Serenade Ct, Eagles Nest Court, Bear Creek Drive, Bear Canyon, Streamside Court, Quail Ridge Drive, Arbordale Ct, Via Vista Grande,
9.) Spencer’s Crossing – This 600-acre community offers homeowners a wonderful blend of rural charm with contemporary neighborhoods. Builders have created beautiful home designs perfect for you and your family. With resort-style amenities, living in this community offers miles of walking trails, top schools and only a 10-minute drive to Temecula.
Community offer one- and -two-story floor plans by Brookfield and Richmond American feature home sizes ranging from 2112 to 4021 sq. ft. with 3 to 7 bedrooms.
Homes range in price from $445,000 and up.
Mortgage payments with 10-20-percent down range from $1,973 to $2,076 per month based on 720 credit scores and an interest rate of 4.375%
10.) Alta Murrieta – Located along Alta Murrieta Road and Murrieta Hot Springs, Alta Murrieta is community close to schools, shopping, dining, and easy access to both the I-215 and I-15 freeways.
Home prices range from $360,000 and up
Loan assumptions – borrower has a 720 or higher credit score and interest rate of 4.75%. Your actual interest rate may be lower or higher depending on your overall credit, qualifying income, and loan program.