Moving from NY to SD, need suggestions on areas? (San Diego: apartments, rentals)

[NY2SD]

Hi,

Another East Coaster trying to make a move to the West Coast. Here is a bit about me: 26 years old Female, working in Finance field, love outdoors ( avid cyclist ). I am looking for something that would be commutable to Downtown SD since it seems that Finance jobs are all there. Right now my commute is about an hour and half each way and I need something not more than 40 minutes. I would be renting for at least first 6 months and would need a nice studio or a small one bedroom. I would like to live somewhere safe for a single female, with some grocery stores, coffee/tea shops, few restaurants and around people my age. Cycling is my passion so having a bike club or just bunch of cyclists in the area would be huge for me but I wouldn't mind driving out for biking as well. Although I am not looking for something like East/west village in NYC but I would like something where I wouldn't feel alone in suburbs. The reason I am moving is because outdoor activities are a huge part of my life and it seems like with NYC job and living in NY suburbs kills that idea.
Your responses are greatly appreciated,

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by NY2SD

Although I am not looking for something like East/west village in NYC but I would like something where I wouldn't feel alone in suburbs. The reason I am moving is because outdoor activities are a huge part of my life and it seems like with NYC job and living in NY suburbs kills that idea.

I would look at the following, in this order:
- La Jolla Village
- Bird Rock
- Little Italy
- Hillcrest / University Heights

[kettlepot]

Sassberto's recommendations are very good.

I would offer a slightly different list. Personally, I like to suggest people live close to work if they can. So in the vein of getting you close to work in a neighborhood with restaurants and coffee shops I suggest the following:

- Little Italy
- Hillcrest/Park West
- University Heights
- So. Mission Hills aka Midtown/Middletown
- South Park
- North Park (southern end - directly north or east of Balboa Park)

The common denominator of all of the above is that they surround Balboa Park. The area extends further away from the park on the westerly side than it does from the north or eastern sides.

Not only would you be close to work, but you could easily bicycle to it from these locations.

The La Jolla Village/Bird Rock location has what you are looking for, and is within the 40 minute commute range, but those areas tend to be more expensive. You didn't mention whether that was an issue or not, but you could actually save $$$ AND live closer to work with the ones I've suggested. Plus the traffic getting out of the La Jolla area is kind of a pain. However, besides Downtown, there are some financial firms in the Golden Triangle area, so it is possible you could end up working there which would make the La Jolla locations very convenient. And if you end up working in the Golden Triangle, or possibly Sorrento Mesa as a finance person in a non-financial business, you might then expand your search into Del Mar. Technically it's a suburb, but it had it's start as a small independent town, so there is a main street with activity of a restaurant, coffee house, bar type.

One final suggestion is Downtown itself. Lots of new construction Downtown. Many of the apartments in the areas Sassberto and I have suggested are older and may not have full amenities on site. The new construction apartments Downtown will have full amenities. On the biking front, it would be fairly easy for you to bicycle to the ferry, go over to Coronado and bicycle down the strand if you wanted a long trek. Or you could put your bike onto your car rack and head out to East County just as you would from any other location. The newer Downtown apartments will have underground parking for you. On the minus side, Downtown, with its larger apartment buildings doesn't have quite the neighborhood feel of the areas previously suggested. There are, I believe, two big chain grocery stores Downtown, and plenty of restaurants in the Gaslamp and some other areas. If you want to expand your choices further, keep your mind open to living in Downtown itself.

[Pug Life]

Originally Posted by NY2SD

Hi,

Another East Coaster trying to make a move to the West Coast. Here is a bit about me: 26 years old Female, working in Finance field, love outdoors ( avid cyclist ). I am looking for something that would be commutable to Downtown SD since it seems that Finance jobs are all there. Right now my commute is about an hour and half each way and I need something not more than 40 minutes. I would be renting for at least first 6 months and would need a nice studio or a small one bedroom. I would like to live somewhere safe for a single female, with some grocery stores, coffee/tea shops, few restaurants and around people my age. Cycling is my passion so having a bike club or just bunch of cyclists in the area would be huge for me but I wouldn't mind driving out for biking as well. Although I am not looking for something like East/west village in NYC but I would like something where I wouldn't feel alone in suburbs. The reason I am moving is because outdoor activities are a huge part of my life and it seems like with NYC job and living in NY suburbs kills that idea.
Your responses are greatly appreciated,

Little Italy, Hillcrest and Mission Hills would be best for you. I'd also suggest Golden Hill or North Park, but they are not as safe for a single woman (though anywhere in SD is safe, this is a very safe city...nothing compared to NYC) as the previous places mentioned.

I work in Finance in San Diego, and the downtown companies that have HQs in San Diego are Commonwealth and Advanced Equities/First Allied. There's also a massive LPL Financial office in La Jolla/UTC, which would be another area I would suggest.

[RD5050]

San Diego is one of the best bike cities in the entire country. There are bike lanes all over the entire city. Plus the weather stays comfortable all year round.

One of my favorite places to ride is Mission Bay. It's located just east of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. There is a paved bike path which surrounds most of the bay. You can also bike along the boardwalk in MB and PB. Most of the terrain around the bay is flat with very little hills.

Here is a map:

San Diego - Mission Bay

If you want a more challenging ride with a few very steep hills, take Highway US101. It is a beautiful, incredibly scenic highway, right near the ocean, and you can begin in the city of San Diego, and ride north through lots of great beach towns, like La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. Lots of experienced riders with $5K bikes and full gear often ride along this route. Plenty of bike clubs to be found in SD.

Some additional locations to consider living are Mission Valley, Clairemont and Bay Park.

Mission Valley is an upscale shopping area located a few miles north of downtown. Plenty of very nice, new apartments to be found. It's also not too far from Mission Bay. It has Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, lots of smaller stores, plenty of restaurants.

Clairemont is a slightly older suburb-type residential area (built in the 1960's), and very family friendly. It's just north of Mission Valley, and it's close to Mission Bay as well. Apt rentals here will be a little cheaper than in Mission Valley.

Bay Park is located right next to Mission Bay, west of Clairemont. You can easily bike to the bay.

[NY2SD]

Thank you all so much for your replies! Hopefully something will turn up very soon and I will make the move There is a possibility that I will first move to Costa Mesa for 6 months and then move to SD, depending where I will find a job first. However, SD is my final destination and I can't wait!

Marina