Moving to SD first time - where to live (San Diego: apartments, rental market)

[chickdinna]

Hello,
I'm a female in her mid-twenties moving to San Diego for the first time. I am looking for safe communities to live in. I will be working in the Chula Vista area. I'm looking for a studio apartment around $1000. The areas that I have considered so far are Pacific Beach and Mission Valley. I have driven by North Park and University Heights and it didn't really appeal to me. Safety seemed to vary by block.

My main priority when looking for a place is safety over nightlife/restaurants etc. My only concern with PB is the traffic and commute to Chula Vista (I will be working off the 805). I checked out UTC but there aren't many studios available.

Does anyone else have any suggestions as to what areas are safe and have studios available?

Thanks!
I appreciate the comments

[jksouthbay88]

Maybe the cities of La Mesa and CV?Lots of nice little areas in those two cities;both developments and more established areas.Where exactly off the 805 in CV?

[madegood]

Chula Vista has some nice areas, not sure how the rental market is in them though...

PB is OK, lived there for years, not my first choice for "safety" over University Heights or North Park but it's somewhat quieter away from Grand and Garnet.

You should be able to swing a studio in PB or parts of Mission Hills for $1,000/mo. Little Italy, U. Heights, Hillcrest, Banker's Hill, North Park in that price range would be 2nd.

Check the ARJIS crime maps for areas you're interested in and drive through them first if possible. Factor in some unreported crime in rough/busy/tourist areas.

[lrmsd]

I would second La Mesa; I would not recommend Mission Valley.
I agree that univ heights and normal heights vary by block. [lived there for 3 years], but i would still choose them over mission valley or PB [also lived in clairemont next to PB for 3 years]...
Otherwise, somewhere in CV would be reasonable-perhaps by southwestern college area?
Good luck to you.
I had many neighbors in normal heights who were single females, btw.
I think the charming 50's style small complexes with gated access are best. They are small enough to know your neighbors.

[Clevelandgal]

Banker's Hill and the Cortez Hill section north of Downtown should be considered. They are safe and there is easy 5 south access to Chula Vista. Some of Bankers Hill can be loud when planes pass over. I know both areas have Studios in your price range. They tend to be smaller complexes and post on craigslist, or simply put a sign in the window.

[cassology88]

I would strongly recommend City Heights. Cheap living and is welcoming of newcomers from as far China, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

Cheers

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by cassology88

I would strongly recommend City Heights. Cheap living and is welcoming of newcomers from as far China, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Cheers

What in the world does City Heights have that would fit the OP's situation? She's not in need of cheap living, but wants safety. This is the second post where I have seen you recommend City Heights for folks that wanted the opposite of what City Heights has to offer. Frankly, I don't understand your point of vue ...

[chickdinna]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I'll definitely give University Heights another look and look for the old style 1950s studios. I don't really care for amenities too much. I'll look at Mission Hills too. CV doesn't have much of a rental market east of the 805. I'll be working at Sharp Hospital in CV.

Thanks

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by chickdinna

Thanks for all the replies so far. I'll definitely give University Heights another look and look for the old style 1950s studios. I don't really care for amenities too much. I'll look at Mission Hills too. CV doesn't have much of a rental market east of the 805. I'll be working at Sharp Hospital in CV.

Thanks

You are very welcome.And yeah.East of the 805 has a lot of housing developments which means a handful of apartments.

[Oerdin]

$1000 per month for your own apartment will be hard to find. At that price range you may want to consider renting a room off of Craigslist. You can get a room for rent for $500 or more and you likely can even find a group of mid-20's females to share it with. One thing is certain though and that is it is very hard to find your own place in San Diego for just $1000 per month not even counting utilities.