What's La Mesa like?? (San Diego, Nice: transplants, apartment complex, rental)

[Angels Fan]

I am thinking of relocating in the next few years and am very attracted to La Mesa. It seems like it has a small town feel with the proximity to a larger city. But my only sources are a quick drive through town and various websites.

Any current or former residents out there who can give me the scoop?

[doctor]

I'd like to buy a home in La Mesa.
I spent part of my youth in that part of San Diego and it isn't near as developed. Nice area.

Cons: they have no First-Time Homebuyer program

Pros: Everything else.

[dangitdoug]

La Mesa is nice, but I would recommend living north of I-8. The neighborhoods are quieter and more peaceful.

[Sampaguita]

We almost bought a house in LaMesa a few years ago. We now live about 10 minutes away. Our friends who live there absolutely love the community. They live south of I-8 where I think the homes are older (from the 20s-40s) than north of I-8.

[iPodPal]

We've lived on the La Mesa/San Diego City border for 43 years and also would recommend the area North of Hwy 8. The Lake Murray area has some smaller (but still expensive) homes.

[Cookiepls]

I lived in La Mesa back in the early 90's. I lived in an apartment complex on Boardwalk. I remember walking down the street to the Boardwalk cafe, sitting outside every moring with my paper and a coffee. The people were friendly, the area clean, and many of the people I met there were actually transplants themselves. Very nice.

[socketz]

If you like La Mesa, you'll love Del Cerro. it borders La Mesa to the North and IMO is alot nicer. Also, if you have school age kids, really research the schools up front. All are not created equal in La Mesa.

[CAnative]

You are right about La Mesa. Small Town feel and you are 20 minutes or so from the beach, downtown, and other popular places. Born and raised in La Mesa, I would say try the "Village" area which is the older part of La Mesa if you like the small town feeling and older homes with a lot of charm. Home buying is still going to run pretty high, but the schools are good and there are plenty of other neighborhoods in and around La Mesa that offer larger and newer homes.

[JLC]

I have both friends and family in La Mesa... They all like living there. La Mesa did a good job quite a few years back on renovation of the town center. It's a nice little town with a character of its own, and mostly modest propreties. Lots of older smalller homes (by today builder standards). There are rental units too. Yes, the area north of I8 is better, but the houses may not be any bigger or with better lot, and prices can be higher. The exception is the Mt. Helix/Grossmont area, where homes with views can go for 1-2 million.

A couple of family members recently sold a 1500 square foot older home in La Mesa, on a busy street corner south of I8, single car garage, very small lot (typical there) for $525,000. I believe prices in Del Cerro are higher.

The weather is La Mesa is nice - does not get as hot as where I live in the inland valley, usually 10 degrees or so cooler, and you don't get as much "gray weather" as on the coast.

JLC

[Sassberto]

La Mesa is a great little city and a great option for people looking for (relatively) affordable homes in SD metro. Compared to places like inland North County, La Mesa is less expensive and has a better quality of life (less traffic).

As others have noticed there the 8 freeway bisects La Mesa. Personally I actually prefer the area south of the 8, since the homes are older and have more character.

If you go to the Lake Murray area, this is very nice but very expensive. For young families looking at starters in the <500k range, I belive the area of La Mesa south of the 8 is the best value in the city. Also being south of the city allows for better 8 access since you have local road access to the freeways and eastbound 8 traffic can be very heavy.

My advice is to look from the Rolando area (college Ave) east to downtown La Mesa, south of the 8. You should be able to find a 2 or 3BR, 1940's bungalow for under 450k but it will most likely be unrenovated.