Oceanside or Carlsbad CA - Questions about living there...?

Oceanside, and Carlsbad are neighboring cities next to Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base. Rents would probably be slightly lower than those in the Los Angeles basin. The same would hold true for more inland cities like San Marcos, Vista, and Escondido, but they can get hot in the summer time. The commute to San Diego is about 80 miles round trip, and while doable, with the price of gasoline is it something you could work into your household budget? Surely your wife would have no trouble finding work in the local area. Both are nice cities to live in, and I hear they both have good school systems (if that becomes part of equation).