looking for DIRT CHEAP apartments (San Diego, Chula Vista: rent, crime, hotel)

[crossingthede]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to move to San Diego (from Maryland) sometime soon but since I live soo far away I really need some help finding a place to live. I'm only 18 and I'm moving by myself, so you can imagine how cheap of a place I'm looking for. It doesn't even have to be nice - I'd be fine with a single-room apartment in a really run-down complex, I just want to make sure I'm not moving into the ghetto.

Thanks for any advice you can throw my way!

[aacole]

On craigslist there are many studios for under 700 dollars a month. Many will be in sketchy areas, but you could do it. Depending on where in maryland you are SD's ghetto may not be that bad. Got off on the wrong exit in Baltimore for gas and got right back on the interstate and waited a few exits

I'd rather live in the worst area of SD than the bad areas of Philly, DC, Baltimore.

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by aacole

On craigslist there are many studios for under 700 dollars a month. Many will be in sketchy areas, but you could do it. Depending on where in maryland you are SD's ghetto may not be that bad. Got off on the wrong exit in Baltimore for gas and got right back on the interstate and waited a few exits

I'd rather live in the worst area of SD than the bad areas of Philly, DC, Baltimore.

Very true.Esp if this person is from Baltimore
But still San Diego's rough areas can get just as rough as a Philadel,DC,B-More.

[Alex Libman]

Unfortunately government regulations prohibit cheap apartments, but you can always rent a room from somebody who needs help making the rent / mortgage. If you want to go really cheap, ask around in some trailer parks, but never pay much in advance...

Remember, there's no shame in starting out living badly, what matters is how you end up. The cheapest I've ever paid for housing was when I was semi-homeless (cause, you know, us libertarians don't believe in unemployment benefits or welfare). I'd sleep a few nights in the office or the car, and when I'd need a good night's sleep and a shower bad enough I'd get a cheap motel room. Those where the days...

[luvSD]

I've seen studio apartments for $700 per month so that is probably as low as you're going to get for an apartment that is decent and in town. Housing gets cheaper the further away you are from the core of SD (for example, La Mesa, Chula Vista, National City), but then you suffer by having to drive to school or work everyday (waste time, gas, and just effort). Generally housing gets cheaper as you go inland away from the beach and coast. It gets very hot in these areas during the summer.

Your best bet would be to find a room in a house where 5 or so guys can split the cost of housing. Post a note up on craiglist or look at student housing notice boards (if you are going to be in school).

Good Luck

[kettlepot]

I saw a sign posted by an apartment building in the 47th & Meade area for $650. You really aren't going to get your own place for anything less than that in any neighborhood in which you would want to live. The area around 47th and Meade is dumpy, but it's not grossly unsafe. There would be some risk of auto break-in, and auto theft. But other than that, the crime isn't bad for how bad the area looks. It's just, dumpy, low class and full of crappy apartments.

There is no listing on Criagslist for this particular unit that I could find, however. Many older landlords don't use Craigslist. Search Talmadge for more apartments in that area. There were others in the low $700s. Contour Avenue isn't bad.

Your best bet, might be to search on Craigslist, and then come back and ask us exactly how bad the area around a cheap apartment might be, that is if you don't go the roommate route.

[Olivenhain]

Originally Posted by Alex Libman

Unfortunately government regulations prohibit cheap apartments,

Huh? B/S alert!
I can charge $5/month for my apartments if I want to...

[MrNiceGuy06]

If you don't mind the possibility of roaches or bed bugs, and community showers. There's a few places downtown for $450-$600 a month. Two that come to mind are the Southern Hotel and Trolley Court. Both in great locations, so I hear, but I also hear the living conditions are spotty at best. Can anyone confirm???