Need out of La Mesa (San Diego, Chula Vista: apartments, for rent, unemployed)

[joyfulgirl1]

My Husband and I moved here about 6 months ago and settled in La Mesa. Nothing wrong with the area, in fact it is very pleasant, but a bit boring (we are at the end of the 94 before Rancho San Diego). We would very much like to move a little closer to the action. My husband is a military man and would prefer to stay away from Gaslamp, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach. My husband works in Chula Vista, but works nights so travel time and traffic are not major concerns. But, we do not want to go to far north.
We would like a safe but lively area. I am currently unemployed and we are sharing a car, so somewhere where I could walk (looking for part-time work) to work or somewhere with good public transportation. And with bars and restaurants within walking distance. We are currently paying 1400 for rent and would love to pay that or less.
Some areas that interest me are Point Loma (but not sure about airport noise), North Park, Normal Heights and South Park but I am open to other recommendations. Thanks in advance for your help

[mini_cute]

How about Little Italy?

[kettlepot]

Similar to NP/SP/NH would be University Heights (North of Washington Street/El Cajon Boulevard between the 163 on the west and Texas Street on the east). There is a mini business district along Park Boulevard with several restaurants and other businesses for when you want a quick night out, and Hillcrest is within walking distance as well via the Vermont Street bridge. The foot bridge will give you very quick access to the shops in the Uptown development including the Ralphs grocery store, and farther afield you could reach most of the nightlife of Hillcrest.

You would also have access to the 11 and 15 bus routes, so not only could you job search in the UH/Hillcrest area, but you could look downtown too as the bus ride down the hill would be an easy commute. However, the bus is crowded by the time it reaches UH so you would be standing for those 10-15 minutes.

Rents of course are variable, but I saw a California Cottage for rent for $1100/month on Park Boulevard itself last year. You would also need to decide on what level of amenities are necessary for you. Apartments in UH tend to be older, not all have parking for every unit, in unit laundry is rare, and on site laundry is hit or miss, plus there won't be anything like a pool for the tenants or probably A/C. But then this applies equally to North Park, South Park and Normal Heights. And yes, those are other good choices for what you seem to be looking for.