Moving to San Diego, Where do I start? (Vista: apartment complex, for rent)

[nakeisha_1705]

I am a 25 year old single mother thinking about moving to San Diego. It will be me my 27 year old cousin, and my 3 year old son. We both are graduated massage therapists, so we would need to find a great area to look for job openings. I also would like to live in a good school district for my son, any nice Elementary School options would be wonderful. I want to move into a nice location, so what locations would you recommend. My budget is $1200-1500 a month for a 3 bedroom. I would also like to travel to the beach and the city, so what area do you think. Any information would help.

[cnkad]

It will be a challenge to find a nice three bedroom in that price range. (to be honest, I cant remember seeing a three bedroom going for much less than 1700 in what most people would consider a good school district.) You will most likely need to find an apartment complex that offers three bedrooms. There are not too many, but there are some you just have to look. I remember some three bedrooms in mira mesa I think it was....or at least around that area for around 14 or 15. You could try looking in poway, it has a really good school district, and I have never looked for apt, there, so you might find something. Although it is not really close to the city or the beach, but otherwise nice. North county such as Vista or san marcos may be another option for you as rents are generally cheaper...Vista is really pretty and some of the elem. are decent. You are close to the beach in those areas not really to san diego though. Well good luck im sure some other people will have better advice....

[RD5050]

My recommedation. Don't worry about the school district yet, since your son is only 3. Just find an acceptable area to live which meets your other needs, and budget.

Since you are planning to rent, you can always start out by living in one area, and then relocating when your son is old enough to attend elementary school.

This way, you can explore all of San Diego in person while you are living in your first apartment, and then determine for yourself which area would be best to raise your son.

San Diego Craigslist is a fantastic resource for apartments and houses for rent:

san diego craigslist > apts/housing for rent: search

It is also good for finding jobs:

san diego craigslist > > jobs: search for "massage"

[LookingtoLeave]

Because a 3 bedroom may be out of your price range, or because the more affordable ones may be in bad neighborhoods, why don't you just get a 2 bedroom for a year or so? Your son is really young, so I think now would be the time to do it-imo only of course. That way you can get a lay of the land and save some money in the meantime. I'm in a similar situation and my son's 8 and think he's too old now. I wish he were 3. I'd be there in a heartbeat.

[nakeisha_1705]

Thanx for the feedback you guys i really appreciate it, I think I might try the 2 bedroom for right now and get a feel of San Diego first, that sounds very reasonable. If anyone one else has any helpful information, anything at all, that would be great. I'm really anticipating this move.

[LookingtoLeave]

Well best of luck to you. Start a thread after you move to let us know how SD is treating you.

[MovingSomewhere5]

Get a 2 bedroom for sure. I live on a loud busy street 2 blocks from the freeway in a neighborhood that is not nice (it is safe, but the school district sucks too) and we pay $2100 for a 3 bedroom plus about $300 in utilities. Our house looks nice but it has mold, the heater was broken, the electricity in my room goes out every few weeks, etc. I'm leaving SD for grad school soon and while I will miss it dearly, I am looking forward to living in a nice place for less money!