Linda Vista (San Diego, Imperial, Mesa: best neighborhood, real estate, apartment complex)

[thepinksquid]

Is the area directly near the Fashion Valley mall considered a "nice" neighborhood? From what I've found it's referred to as Linda Vista. I've found some less expensive real estate there comparatively to other areas. Thanks! =)

[Imperial1904]

No good. There's a reason why there's inexpensive real estate there. One big problem in the area is gangs.

[Jax]

Imperial1904 is right...avoid living in Linda Vista. I taught at Linda Vista Elementary...not the best neighborhood in SD. Plus, unless you are Hispanic, Hmong, or some other Asian variety, you will be sorely out of place living in Linda Vista anyway.

[Sassberto]

It's rough. Mostly asian area but there is a lot of low-income multi-family property in the neighborhood. There are some good blocks on the valley rim just behind Fashion Valley, but I'd go east to Serra Mesa or North to Clairemont instead. We looked at those areas when we were looking at property and those are much better areas.

[thepinksquid]

Thanks so much everyone!

[dynomite1]

Linda Vista is sometimes called Little Vietnam. Some poverty issues there. I would not buy. Renting should be okay but be aware of your surroundings. Some gangs there too.

[eastsandiegobornandraised]

Linda Vista is a mix. Some parts are nice, but there's also some real real dirty looking spots around there though, mostly where all the old project housing(yes, they were considered projects back in the day) is.

[tonysdca]

I technically live in the Linda Vista zip code but live on the border with Clairemont. Its central areas are not good, mostly poorer Asian and latino - some gang activity - but not really dangerous - mostly the working poor here. There are areas on the edges of Linda Vista that are nicer. The location can't be beat for proximity to everything, but it is mostly working poor Latinos and Asians, often multigenerational large families living in close quarters - usually rentals.

[dlou2004]

My husband and I are very close to buying a great house on a street just west of Linda Vista Rd. We chose the location for the affordable homes (big house, on big lot too, built in 1950 and in very good shape), central location/close freeway access, close to Tecolote Canyon Nature preserve, University of San Diego (my husband works there and will be able to walk/bike to work, and my drive to work will be about 10 minutes-- we HATE driving). We will be close to both lower-income, high density housing as well as affluent detached homes. We like this diversity and don't want to live in a rich white bubble. We'll be a few minutes away from Fashion Valley mall, American restaurants, as well as Asian markets and eateries.

The house is on a dead end super quiet street with nice breezes coming up from the canyon...we met some nice neighbors (young couple with child and one child on the way) and they said it is a street where people know each other and talk, share things, etc. They said it's a mix of newer, younger families and elderly, original owners. When those old-timers pass on, new families will move in and renovate-- a nice trend overall.

We walked around last night around 9pm and explored a little park close by, set against a huge apartment complex that was very clean and well maintained, and the park was clean too and felt quiet and safe, plus terrific views.

We ran the crime stats and compared them to where we live now in Hillcrest, and LV crime rates are lower. We've never felt unsafe in Hillcrest, even though it has higher crime stats (lots of auto-related stuff, some assault, but mainly property crimes). It's important to put this stuff in perspective.

Give Linda Vista a chance.

[Gentoo]

Linda Vista isn't the best area of SD. Looks wise it can be deceiving at times though. There are gangs in the area: Linda Vista Crips, Linda Vista13 and some Asian gangs.