Pondering Move to San Diego (Encinitas: apartments, rental, house)

[ZannieGirl49]

My husband and I currently live in Marin County and are thinking of moving to the San Diego area.

I need some advice about where to look for an apartment or small house rental that is close (walking distance) to the beach but with a decent commute to downtown San Diego (I consider a half hour each way decent). Would $1600 in rent be reasonable for a 1 or 2 bedroom in a good area? I've already done research regarding salary for myself and my husband could transfer with his current company; so I didn't just pull the rent amount out of thin air. I don't need somewhere high end, I'm more interested in any "artsy" or "earthy" areas. Basically, relaxed and close to the beach is what I'm looking for.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Anak]

I am fairly certain that you can get a 2 BR apartment in Pacific Beach (PB) in your price range and meeting your requirements.

I don't know Ocean Beach (OB) as well, but given that you are looking for "artsy" and "earthy" you may want to look around for apartments in that area. OB comes to mind for me primarily on account of the food coop.

OB People's Food Store

If that sounds like it is up your alley then take a look for places around OB. It is not an area that I know well however. There are some parts of OB where I would not want to live given the culture in that part of town. Obviously you are doing some research. Hopefully some others will chime in with better details about OB.

[moved]

PB isn't "artsy and earthy." If that's what you're looking for, you need to concentrate on OB.

[NewCalifornian]

Before you move, check the waste system in your neighborhood. If they don't divide the garbage, you should expect roaches in your apartment. But I Don't know whether they have teh problem in Pacific Beach, too.

[ZannieGirl49]

Anak-
Thanks for the link. I checked it out and it's definitely my kind of thing.

Moved-
Thanks for the clarification. It looks like Ocean Beach would definitely be good for us, I'll definitely check it out.

NewCalifornian-
Big thanks for that tip! That's something I never would have known without a local telling me.

[cruitr]

The Bird Rock area of La Jolla may be worth a look. Here's the local website:
Bird Rock

Here's a rental example:
2ba, 2 Parking, 2 Blocks Ocean, Great Value!!!

Bird Rock is just north of PB and a bit more upscale than OB or PB. It's in a great location:
407 Bird rock Ave, 92037 - Google Maps

[Charles]

Originally Posted by ZannieGirl49

Would $1600 in rent be reasonable for a 1 or 2 bedroom in a good area?

HousingMaps

[ZannieGirl49]

Thanks cruitr. The Bird Rock area does look really nice. I haven't really started looking in earnest but this gives me a good idea of where I should look if I do end up getting a job down there.

[moved]

Originally Posted by NewCalifornian

Before you move, check the waste system in your neighborhood. If they don't divide the garbage, you should expect roaches in your apartment. But I Don't know whether they have teh problem in Pacific Beach, too.

I've never heard of garbage being divided. Where I live, we have a big dumpster for everyone to use, everything goes into it, and no one has roaches.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by moved

I've never heard of garbage being divided. Where I live, we have a big dumpster for everyone to use, everything goes into it, and no one has roaches.

We separate trash, recycling, and yard waste in Encinitas. They do the same thing all over the county. You've honestly never heard of it?