moving to san diego... (Chula Vista, Vista: apartments, rental, condo)

[mkts2008]

hi

we are moving to san diego from the bay area in a month and would like some advice on what neighborhood to consider staying in. my spouse will need to communte to sorrento valley for work and a commute for upto 30 min seems ok. Any suggestions what neighborhood to think of if we are looking to rent a 1br/2br apartment for a year for around 1500/month. looking for good quality accomodation in a safe neighborhood where one can walk to or easily access grocery,shopping,parks, library .

[boyd]

There are a lot of great neighborhoods in San Diego and the rental housing is much less than the bay area. For $1500 a month you can get a very nice place or a small house with outdoor space like a yard or patio. If you want to be in the city, probably University Heights, Hillcrest or North Park or South Park would be your best choice as you can walk to shops restaurants and Balboa Park. Downtown is also good but probably a little more expensive and no outdoor space except for maybe a balconey. These are all central and there is easy access to the freeways. Sorrento Valley would be about a 20 minute commute with traffic. You also have Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach but freeway access takes longer and you get a lot partying types in these neighborhoods. I live in Normal Heights which is like Hillcrest but less expensive and a little more edgy (but safe) and Quieter than than other neighborhoods mentioned.

[mewzikguy]

You might check out Scripps Ranch/ Mira Mesa areas Around Miramar Ranch, Hickman, Sandburg, Ericcson, Hage elementary schools are nice, and good schools too. Husband could go West on Mira Mesa Blvd to get to work, no freeway

[jksouthbay88]

Mission Valley,Tierrasanta,Chula Vista
All are great places mentioned above as well.

[sakhi]

You can try Mira mesa. It's close to sorrento valley , no freeways.
In $1500 you will get 2 bed 2 bath apartment to lease.
If you need more information on apartment communities or any other inforamtion, you can contact me.
sakhi

[mkts2008]

i have been looking for apartments online. mira mesa/scripps ranch does seem like a convenient option. how is the neighborhood like? and to sakhi :could you let me know of a few apartment home names i can chk on?
also mission valley as a location seems interesting. am looking for good and well managed apartment communities.

thanks for all your help

[boyd]

Mkts-
Most of the neighborhoods North of the 8 freeway are not walking neighborhoods. There are some exceptions but for the most part you'll be in your car most of the time. It depends what you are coming from and what you are looking for.. I would not recommend Mira Mesa as it is congested, Chula vista as it is too far and the traffic is bad. Scripps Ranch is good but too far east from Sorrento Valley. Carmel Valley is probably the best (and most expensive but cheap compared to the bay area) if you want suburbs.

[mkts2008]

would you recommend the UTC area?

[sdurbanite]

I work in Sorrento Valley, as well. You should really look into nearby Carmel Valley/Torrey Hills/Torrey Highlands. Nice, upscale area with good schools. Del Mar and UTC/La Jolla nearby. You won't even need to get on the freeway to get to work. I'm sure there are parks in the area, but you will probably have to drive to the grocery store, library, etc.

[sdnative]

UTC, Carmel Valley -- both very easy (back roads even) commutes to Sorrento and are nice areas. UTC is more dense apt/condo style and Carmel Valley (which includes Torrey Hills/Torrey Highlands mentioned above) is more residential and has more homes and parks.