Safety of Cypress at Florida in North Park (San Diego, San Francisco: cul-de-sac, apartments)

[salissav]

I feel like kind of a wimp for asking, but my husband and I are thinking of renting a house at the bottom of a canyon on Cypress right by Florida Street in North Park. From most of what I have read, this area is safe. This is my only concern - the house is literally at the bottom of a dead-end. It is alongside an alley and on the other side of the alley is this sketchy apartment building (that is actually at the end of the dead-end). The house has an amazing backyard but the sketchy apartment has a totally unobstructed view into the backyard. If it were just the two of us, I wouldn't mind. I currently live in a high density area in PB and lived in San Francisco close to Polk Street for 5 years. My only concern is this - we are expecting a baby in May and I will be home every day, all day, alone with just an infant for at least 5 or 6 months. I don't like knowing that some random people across the alley are privy to my daily comings and goings. Does anyone know about this apartment building that I am talking about? Also, is this area safe to push a stroller during the daytime?

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by salissav

My only concern is this - we are expecting a baby in May and I will be home every day, all day, alone with just an infant for at least 5 or 6 months. I don't like knowing that some random people across the alley are privy to my daily comings and goings. Does anyone know about this apartment building that I am talking about? Also, is this area safe to push a stroller during the daytime?

I know the area well... it is not unsafe but has a lot of apartments. In general, I try to avoid living near apartments in San Diego city. I personally would look on the other side of Florida more into the neighborhoods just to north of Morley Field. Much more private and quiet, with an older, more established homeowner demographic.

[Boose]

I know exactly which house and apt complex you're talking about (I live three blocks away).

Cons: It's not entirely a dead-end; there's a staircase up to Alabama at the end, which allows foot traffic through there. Crossing Florida can be kinda hazardous, and you'll be pushing the stroller up a big hill if you want to go to Hillcrest (although you can walk to Trader Joe's, etc. in a reasonable amount of time). The canyon is COLD in the morning; don't know if temperature is a deal-killer for you. When we go through there on our morning walks, we always hustle upstairs to the sunshine on Alabama.

Pros: Someone at the apt complex decorates for every holiday (and takes the decorations down when the holiday is over!), which says to me that they have pride in where they live. There are families with kids on Alabama, and the kids ride their bikes around the cul-de-sac and play in their backyards that face Cypress.
If you're not committed to getting a single-family house, there are some nice apartments for rent on Indiana (two blocks closer to Hillcrest). You'll be at the top of the hill, so no pushing the stoller uphill. ;-) Good luck!