Working in La Jolla, where to live? What is commute from downtown like? (San Diego: to rent, condo)

[scandalfive]

Hi everyone! I will be relocating to San Diego from LA because I recently got a job in La Jolla. I would prefer NOT to live in La Jolla or UTC. I am a single 28-year-old female and would like to live in area that is safe, relatively quiet, and where I can meet other working professionals. I'd also like to be able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, bars, grocery stores, etc. I'm definitely over the crazy party scene (ie Gaslamp or PB) but would still like to have some places to go out to in close proximity. It isn't that important to me to be right next to the beach. My absolute max for places to rent is $2300 for a 2 bedroom, $1900 for a 1 bedroom.

Based on my criteria, a lot of people have suggested Little Italy, Banker's Hill, Northpark, Southpark, Normal Heights, Kensington. Some people have also recommended North County (Solana Beach or Encinitas), but I don't think I'd live up there because I wouldn't know anyone and all my friends live down in SD.

Finally, I have an exceptionally low tolerance for traffic for someone that has lived in southern CA for her entire life. My MAX commute one way is 30 min. My hours will be 8 am to 5 pm, 4-5 days a week. I've been looking at traffic on Sigalert on both the 5 and 805, and it does not look great.

Any suggestions based on my criteria and traffic? Would appreciate any responses.

[Ms_Intrepid]

I live downtown and commute to La Jolla using I-5, takes me around 45 minutes up and down during peak hour traffic.

[ltrrtl218]

I would suggest Little Italy or in the surrounding area. The commute to La Jolla could really be a pain from downtown during rush hour and vice versa. I would say with no traffic it is around a 20 min drive door to door. It also really depends on where in La Jolla we are talking about as well. That could mean the difference between an extra 5 min once you get off the freeway or an extra 20 min added to your commute.

[scandalfive]

Thanks for the replies! I would be working right next to the Westfield UTC shopping center.

[Ms_Intrepid]

You want to be near the I-5 if you want to live downtown, so bankers hill or little italy may be good. I commute to around the exact same area from little italy/bankers hill and worst times as above is 45 minutes.

[ColeUSA]

Originally Posted by scandalfive

Hi everyone! I will be relocating to San Diego from LA because I recently got a job in La Jolla. I would prefer NOT to live in La Jolla or UTC. I am a single 28-year-old female and would like to live in area that is safe, relatively quiet, and where I can meet other working professionals. I'd also like to be able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, bars, grocery stores, etc. I'm definitely over the crazy party scene (ie Gaslamp or PB) but would still like to have some places to go out to in close proximity. It isn't that important to me to be right next to the beach. My absolute max for places to rent is $2300 for a 2 bedroom, $1900 for a 1 bedroom.

Based on my criteria, a lot of people have suggested Little Italy, Banker's Hill, Northpark, Southpark, Normal Heights, Kensington. Some people have also recommended North County (Solana Beach or Encinitas), but I don't think I'd live up there because I wouldn't know anyone and all my friends live down in SD.

Finally, I have an exceptionally low tolerance for traffic for someone that has lived in southern CA for her entire life. My MAX commute one way is 30 min. My hours will be 8 am to 5 pm, 4-5 days a week. I've been looking at traffic on Sigalert on both the 5 and 805, and it does not look great.

Any suggestions based on my criteria and traffic? Would appreciate any responses.

You've already received excellent feedback! I would suggest selecting a few home options and visiting them all. A San Diego trip will give you a better feel for the area.

[LuvSouthOC]

Another option:

Try a condo in the northern portions of Bay Park off Morena Blvd, super close to La Jolla and decent. Close to the freeway, PB for shopping, Costco is down the road and safe.

[loveautumn]

having worked in UTC area (right where you will be working), the traffic on La Jolla Village Drive to either the 5 or 805 is pretty bad, bumper to bumper. There is a difference between working in La Jolla and working in UTC area, which is very heavy business center. It will take you at least 45-60 minutes. I would at least check out the areas of Del Mar (Carmel Valley), Cardiff and Encinitas, which are great beach areas and more upscale, lots of restaurants, etc. for people who are in their late 20's and early 30's. Traffic going north will be heavy too but probably not as bad as getting into downtown. I'd suggest getting to work around 7:30 am if you have flexibility and it isn't as bad.

[Pedro2000]

My ex lives in the UTC area and I hate going over there to drop off my kids. There are days where there is no traffic, but every single damn light is red and it takes forever to get from beyond the UTC mall to the freeway on Genesse or La Jolla villiage drive.

Now I have to go over to UTC to the ice arena often enough and it's a pain just driving through that area and a 10 minute drive from Del Mar might take 30+ minutes on some days. And the UTC mall and that area gets very very crowded certain times of the week.

[scandalfive]

Thanks for all the helpful replies! Is there a specific time that traffic starts to get really bad? Like if I leave from downtown at 7:00 AM would I be able to beat the traffic?