Military housing or rent? (San Diego, Chula Vista: lease, house, neighborhoods)

[Agbagbm]

My husband, 8 month old son and I will be pcsing to San Diego July 1. We are trying to figure out if military housing or renting is best. He is an O3 so we would get at least a 3 bed/2bath at either admiral Hartman or murphys canyon. Otherwise, we can get bah and have $2700 to rent. I would love to hear from military but also just generally- would we come close to that for $2700/month if we try finding a rental? Thanks for advise... I am soooo looking forward to San Diego!

[1AngryTaxPayer]

All of the military housing around here is pretty nice.

[JanND]

I am not a military wife, but my daughter was for 20 yrs, and lived on base most of that time. There were lots of benefits that I observed over the years when visiting.

I think as a new family, in a new area that living on a base would be helpful because of the other supportive wives and families if your husband deploys.

Thank you for your service. Good luck on your move.

[RosieSD]

I would go with military housing. Most of the complexes here are not on base, so they feel like you are living in the community. Both Admiral Hartman and Murphey Canyon are in great locations.

Admiral Hartman is in Pacific Beach (PB). It would be tricky to find a three bedroom house in PB for $2700, and Admiral Hartman will be probably quieter if you are living in PB. Pacific Beach itself is a high density area that attracts a lot of tourists and college students. The big draw, of course, is that you will be five minutes from beautiful beaches.

Murphy Canyon is a bit inland in an area known as Kearney Mesa. It's a nice complex in a good location with tons of shopping close by in Mission Valley. It may take a little longer to get to 32nd street or Coronado from there.

If you decide to go "on the market" for housing, you will find that options in your price range will be mainly be in the South Bay or Inland. There are nice areas in both parts of the county, but also some so-so areas, so you will need to research the neighborhoods.

Here are the areas you might want to focus on if you decide to live in non-military housing -- you should find homes in your price range in these areas and they are generally safe. Depending on where your husband is stationed, his commute from some of these areas may be longer than Murphy Canyon or Hartman.

South Bay
- Imperial Beach (lots of Navy failies and former military families live there; especially convenient if your husband will be stationed on Coronado)
- Chula Vista (convenient for 32nd street; the area east of the 805 freeway is newer and nicer; many military families live in CV)
- Bonita (very convenient for 32nd street)

Inland San Diego
- Kearny Mesa (this is the same area as Murphy Canyon)
- Tierrasanta (just north of where Murphy Canyon is locted)
- La Mesa (focus on the area north of the 8 freeway, which is to the east of Murphy Canyon)
- Claremont Mesa (to the east of Pacific Beach, so a little less inland than Murphy Canyon. The closer you are to the 5 freeway, the easier getting to 32nd street or Coronado will be)
- Rancho San Diego (farthest commute from the main bases, but a nice family oriented area)

Note: for the inland locations, air conditioning can sometimes be needed so keep that in mind when house shopping. Running your a/c will, of course, add to your monthly expenses.

But, with two good options like Murphy Canyon and Admiral Hart, I'd probably opt for military housing. There won't be much difference in the quality of the home you can rent on the market for your budget, and when it comes time to move on, you won't have to worry about breaking the lease. You can always try military housing for a year, and then move elsewhere if it looks li,ke you will be here long term.

[RosieSD]

I wanted to add that the San Diego area is pretty spread out. When I moved here as a Navy we many years ago, we opted not to live in military housing but did decide to live fairly close to where other Navy couples we knew lived so that I would have a support system close by when my husband was deployed.

So, if your husband and you have friends who will also be stationed here, you might ask where they will be living and do the same. Of course, with the military housing complexes, being surrounded by other military families is already a given.

Welcome to San Diego, and good luck with your move!

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

I would go with military housing. Most of the complexes here are not on base, so they feel like you are living in the community. Both Admiral Hartman and Murphey Canyon are in great locations.

Admiral Hartman is in Pacific Beach (PB). It would be tricky to find a three bedroom house in PB for $2700, and Admiral Hartman will be probably quieter if you are living in PB. Pacific Beach itself is a high density area that attracts a lot of tourists and college students. The big draw, of course, is that you will be five minutes from beautiful beaches.

Murphy Canyon is a bit inland in an area known as Kearney Mesa. It's a nice complex in a good location with tons of shopping close by in Mission Valley. It may take a little longer to get to 32nd street or Coronado from there.

If you decide to go "on the market" for housing, you will find that options in your price range will be mainly be in the South Bay or Inland. There are nice areas in both parts of the county, but also some so-so areas, so you will need to research the neighborhoods.

Here are the areas you might want to focus on if you decide to live in non-military housing -- you should find homes in your price range in these areas and they are generally safe. Depending on where your husband is stationed, his commute from some of these areas may be longer than Murphy Canyon or Hartman.

South Bay
- Imperial Beach (lots of Navy failies and former military families live there; especially convenient if your husband will be stationed on Coronado)
- Chula Vista (convenient for 32nd street; the area east of the 805 freeway is newer and nicer; many military families live in CV)
- Bonita (very convenient for 32nd street)

Inland San Diego
- Kearny Mesa (this is the same area as Murphy Canyon)
- Tierrasanta (just north of where Murphy Canyon is locted)
- La Mesa (focus on the area north of the 8 freeway, which is to the east of Murphy Canyon)
- Claremont Mesa (to the east of Pacific Beach, so a little less inland than Murphy Canyon. The closer you are to the 5 freeway, the easier getting to 32nd street or Coronado will be)
- Rancho San Diego (farthest commute from the main bases, but a nice family oriented area)

Note: for the inland locations, air conditioning can sometimes be needed so keep that in mind when house shopping. Running your a/c will, of course, add to your monthly expenses.

But, with two good options like Murphy Canyon and Admiral Hart, I'd probably opt for military housing. There won't be much difference in the quality of the home you can rent on the market for your budget, and when it comes time to move on, you won't have to worry about breaking the lease. You can always try military housing for a year, and then move elsewhere if it looks li,ke you will be here long term.

Isn't off Linda Vista also?

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Isn't off Linda Vista also?

Nope, the Murphy Canyon military housing complex isn't off of Linda Vista Road.

It's east of the 15, just north of Qualcom and south of Tierrasanta. You can either take Aero Drive or Balboa east of the 15 to get to it. I guess you could say it is either in Kearny Mesa or Tierrasanta. Definitely not Linda Vista. Perhaps there is another military housing complex off of Linda Vista that you're thinking of?

[Sunny DeSurf]

The Admiral Hartman community....the best hands down!! You will love Pacific Beach and the schools.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Nope, the Murphy Canyon military housing complex isn't off of Linda Vista Road.

It's east of the 15, just north of Qualcom and south of Tierrasanta. You can either take Aero Drive or Balboa east of the 15 to get to it. I guess you could say it is either in Kearny Mesa or Tierrasanta. Definitely not Linda Vista. Perhaps there is another military housing complex off of Linda Vista that you're thinking of?

LOL I know where murphy canyon is, I think the one on LV road is too. Nicely remodeled too. Sorry if worded it wrong.

[msgsing]

My grand daughter goes to elementary school on Fogg St in PB and there's a portion of military housing in that area. Very well maintained one story 2-3 bedroom homes with attached garages. Front yards with mature trees. There's a high school nearby and within walking distance.