Del Mar (San Diego, Vista, Carlsbad: fit in, apartment complex, to rent)

[kyredhead12]

I am seriously thinking about moving to Del Mar Cal. and working in San Deigo as my career is a Registered Nurse. Can anyone tell me about the way of life in Del Mar and San Deigo? I am planning on coming out to Del Mar this year to have a look around and get some ideals. Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks cathy from Ky.

[elston]

I moved to San Diego county when I retired (Vista); I didnt like it and after 5 years I moved back to New England. Del Mar is a beautiful location and the weather is phenomenal.....you will probably love it.

I hated the traffic and Del Mar was the absolute bottle neck on the thru way.....traffic jams every work day at commuter times and commuter times are about 3 hrs every morning and every afternoon.

Like I say many many people love it......I didnt. The congestion, the small house lots, the traffic and what I perceived to be artificiality turned me off. I longed for seasons and weather and small towns and green and space and breathing room. It is a paradise but I made my escape.

[Sassberto]

Del Mar may be the wealthiest part of San Diego metro. West of the freeway it is mostly multi-million dollar homes around a cute small village atmosphere. To the east is a newer, denser condo and tract home area called Carmel Valley. If you are looking to live in this area you should expect to pay big bucks for the privilege.

[kyredhead12]

looking at Condos in the Del Mar area. They do have some nice ones. This is my first move and it is just me, no kids or hubby. Thanks for the replies. I choose Del Mar because of the small population and beautiful scenery. Dont know much else about it. U mention multi-million dollar homes. Really don't won't to live around a bunch of celebs. in there multi-million dollar homes. I would not fit in probably i don't know if any celebs live there. lol this will be my first move so i do have alot of questions. But on the other hand i don't want to live in a big city. I know San Deigo is about 20-30 mins from Del Mar, i think. Any info will be great. Thanks so much for the replies. It really is a big help.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by kyredhead12

looking at Condos in the Del Mar area. They do have some nice ones. Thanks for the replies. I choose Del Mar because of the small population and beautiful scenery. Dont know much else about it. Really don't won't to live around a bunch of celebs. in there multi-million dollar homes. I would not fit in probably. But on the other hand i don't want to live in a big city. I know San Deigo is about 20-30 mins from Del Mar, i think. Any info will be great. Thanks

Del Mar is not really as small as it seems. It is contiguous with Carmel Valley and La Jolla so it is part of a greater metro region. It is a gorgeous area. Not many celebs in San Diego but a lot of very wealthy entrepreneurs and retirees.

A better way to determine where you will live is where you will work. I think Encinitas, Solana Beach and Carlsbad are better areas for regular people.

[kyredhead12]

Is Carmel Vally, La Jolla close to Del Mar? Do they have hospitals? I don't think that Del Mar has a hospital, that is why i said i would be working in SD. Thanks Again

[5FLgirls]

We moved to Del Mar over the summer for exactly the reasons you mentioned. It has a nice small town feel to it--but it's only a 20 minute drive to downtown! Downtown Del Mar is very quaint and small. You should look at Del Mar Village Association - Restaurants, Shopping, Vacations, Local Events. The town hosts a few events over the year and they are very nicely done. The beaches are comfortable and not too crazy (except during race season!). For a single family home, you are apt to find the low end around $1M (you have to remember, people are paying for proximity to the ocean!). There are condos to be found all throughout southern Del Mar (close to Carmel Valley rd and west of camino del mar) and northern Del Mar (close to Via De La Valle). There aren't any famous people around here, that I know of, although there are a few retired NFL players in Del Mar! You could be eating outside at Roberto's next to a multi-millionaire and you would never know it! Everyone is low-key and friendly. Traffic on the freeway is always a pain here .. it's just the way it is. I've found that it can be bottlenecked from Carlsbad to Del Mar Heights Rd (I drive south during rush hour to Del Mar from OC). Traffic north during this time looks pretty terrible. As someone else mentioned, Carmel Valley is east of the freeway and it is very tract home-ish but there are plenty of condo and apartment opportunities in that area for less money and you are only a short drive to Del Mar (you definitely pay up in Del Mar due to location). La Jolla is directly south of Del Mar but it is a good 15 minute drive, either using the freeway or the back roads. If you work at any of the local hospitals south of Del Mar, I can't see your commute being bad at all. Driving to UCSD is very easy and I know many folks living in Del Mar that are in the medical field.

[kyredhead12]

Thank u so very much. Like i said i will be out that way this year in hopes to check it out and get some ideals. Let me clear up, I dont' mind celebs. never met one. I am just down to earth person, very laid back. The only person i have heard of in Del Mar that i would call celebrity status is Steve Perry retired frontman for group Journey. Where would be the closest hospital to Del Mar? So any info is greatly appreicated.

[esmith143]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Del Mar may be the wealthiest part of San Diego metro. West of the freeway it is mostly multi-million dollar homes around a cute small village atmosphere. To the east is a newer, denser condo and tract home area called Carmel Valley. If you are looking to live in this area you should expect to pay big bucks for the privilege.

A few years ago I was looking for a new place to live and one option was an apartment complex called Park Place, on Mango Dr. in Del Mar. West of 5. They had 1-bedrooms starting at 1200/month. You could walk to the beach from there.

"Expensive to own" and "expensive to rent" are not always the same. I'm merely a software engineer and I could never afford a single-family house in Del Mar, but I could comfortably rent a 1-bedroom there.

Where would be the closest hospital to Del Mar? So any info is greatly appreicated.

The closest hospital to Del Mar is Scripps La Jolla, it's a 10-minute drive. Within a half hour commute you have Rady Childrens and Pomerado.

[kyredhead12]

I am planning on renting in Del Mar. Being a registered nurse the income here in Ky is not that great but with some experience under your belt the pay is doubled in California. I would love a condo 1 bedroom is enough, cause it is just me. Thanks