Help Needed! Moving from Vegas (La Mesa, Mesa: apartments, lease, condo)

[bldblu]

Hello Everyone,

Long story short,dont want to bore anyone.I am originally from MN,and 2 years ago I lost my A/C job.

A company in las vegas hired me for a 2 yr stint,and I have completed that project.I need to get out of this city immediately,lol or atleast within the next couple months.

Im not the normal candidate on this site asking for advice,as i have not found a job yet,but have 17 yrs in the HVAC industry,and have enough money to survive about 1 year,barring absolutely nothing coming my way,including a pt job which i would seek anyways

I have visited san diego,and its surrounding areas 11 times in the last 2 years,and enjoy driving my harley in your city,and the coast

I only have a couple requests,and would really appreciate any input

1) Although I am considered blue-collar,I choose to not live in any "suspect areas " and would appreciate only clean,and safer environments.I rent a 1 bedroom condo w/ garage now for 1200.00,and this suits me just fine,as I am very quiet,but do enjoy my weekends.

2) Access to shopping,strip malls,quieter settings yet still somewhat developed,I have always liked the scenery anyways of the vista/escondido/oceanside,but have read alot of posts on here,saying to not live in those places

I am not wealthy,and will never be wealthy,but i do like to seek out a cleaner,and safer communities,and have been pretty succesful,but i dont know san diego well,as with las vegas i had a friend here,and visited with him before moving,and accepting my last job

In a nutshell,I guess im a little contradictory with my wants,but I am described as blue collar with fine wine tastes,if that makes any sense at all.I just would like to find a community with lower rents,but yet also safer than others.I own a nice truck,motorcycle,and really dont want to live anywhere that i have to worry about them each night

eventually working mon-fri,my weekends have always been reserved for driving around with the bike,and the ride from oceanside to san diego has always been really pleasant,and sundays are just for getting groceries,maybe seeing a movie,or relaxing with my dog at a park is all i need

Sorry for rambling,but my lease is up May 1,2010,and I am reserving the U Haul regardless,and heading south on I15

As alot of californians know las vegas has only really a few pockets of very quiet areas,and the rent can be found if you know where to look.I live in summerlin now,and pay 1200.00.Yes its small,but i can leave my garage door open,and my stuff will be there in the morning

Safe vs Size or amenities is my desire

Thanks everyone

[sandiegosavvy]

Check out La Mesa. I moved here about 6 months ago and I love it so far. The rent in La Mesa is a bit cheaper than neighborhoods closer to downtown but the houses and apartments all seem pretty nice. I'm from a small town but I definitely feel safe walking around here and the La Mesa downtown reminds me of home. My apartment is fairly close to a decent shopping center and there are lots of good restaurants nearby, I have easy access to the trolley and public transportation, and getting downtown or to the beach is only about a 15-20 minute drive.

[bldblu]

sandiegosavvy,

thanks for the recommendation,and i think im waking up early tomorrow and make a day trip to check out rancho bernardo,la mesa,and carlsbad areas

kind of a triangular route,but found a listing in carlsbad,and someone told me if i didnt need the ocean every day,to check out rancho,,and ive never been that close or east of san diego like la mesa is located,so thanks again

I can kinda get a feel for a place with a little driving/observing,but my buddy here in las vegas thought he lived in a nice quaint area also,,until about 2 months later,and he was robbed(laptop,cd's) and yes i am well aware that this happens everywhere,just getting the locals advice

Thanks again

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bldblu

sandiegosavvy,

thanks for the recommendation,and i think im waking up early tomorrow and make a day trip to check out rancho bernardo,la mesa,and carlsbad areas

kind of a triangular route,but found a listing in carlsbad,and someone told me if i didnt need the ocean every day,to check out rancho,,and ive never been that close or east of san diego like la mesa is located,so thanks again

I can kinda get a feel for a place with a little driving/observing,but my buddy here in las vegas thought he lived in a nice quaint area also,,until about 2 months later,and he was robbed(laptop,cd's) and yes i am well aware that this happens everywhere,just getting the locals advice

Thanks again

Carsbad is awesome but might be a little expensive for you. La Mesa would be my pick considering everything.

Nita