La Mesa? (San Diego, Oceanside, El Cajon: cul-de-sac, homes, neighborhoods)

[Tobin]

Possibly moving to the San Diego area with my wife and three kids. What are the positives and negatives of living in La mesa?

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by Tobin

Possibly moving to the San Diego area with my wife and three kids. What are the positives and negatives of living in La mesa?

I live about 3 blocks from the western end of La Mesa. I like the area a lot. La Mesa's western and southern end is older and slightly rougher around the edges than the northern and eastern side. The nicest homes and neighborhoods are closest to downtown La Mesa. the Village and Mount Helix is considered the most prime.

The western portion of the city from downtown La Mesa to 70th is mostly smaller 40's and 50's homes on good-sized lots, while the area around Grossmont Center is mostly mid-late 60's tract homes in cul-de-sac style developments. Prices are typcially in the 400 - mid-500k range.

The only drawback to La Mesa is the hellacious traffic on the 8 fwy from Waring road to El Cajon. I actually get off at Fairmount and take surface streets home to avoid it all. The further into La Mesa you live (especially the north side of the 8), the worse traffic gets. Also, some of the neighborhoods (esp on the west side, but the north side is not immune) can be pretty dumpy, although I wouldn't call it unsafe. Find a well-kept block and you should be fine.

Schools are overall pretty good but not necessarily the best, it varies quite a bit. Grossmont and Helix are decent schools overall.

Personally I think the western area between La Mesa Village and 70th street is probably the best value for detached homes under 500k in San Diego. For the money you will get a lot more of a walkable, friendly neighborhood feel than someplace like Oceanside.