Info on Bay Park please (San Diego, La Mesa: apartments, to rent, condos)

[hermione24]

My husband and I have been looking for homes to rent near Balboa Park for a move in July 1st. I've seen a few things here and there, but not very much. So I have started looking a bit further out. I found a listing for what looks like a nice place in Bay Park

Bay Park VIEW HOUSE 2Br 1Ba + Sun Room, GARAGE ,HUGE YARD ,UPGRADED... (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/apa/2428633962.html - broken link)

However, I know nothing about this area. Is this a good neighborhood? How easy would it be to get to Balboa from here? Thanks so much.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Somewhat easy to get to Balboa from there, but for that budget I cant imagine that you havent found anything closer. Did you look in: North Park, Mission Hills, University Heights, Hillcrest, South Park, Bankers Hill?
Area itself is ok, lots of houses, some bars and stuff along Morena, a Costco and the 5 is there. Its just a typical 1950s tract neighborhood.

[sh0t]

I live across the highway from there. Bay Park is nice, quiet. Not too far from anything. I can see my area in those pictures actually. That house is in a good location EXCEPT, I personally hate navigating suburban streets to get home. I prefer living near big streets and highways. From what I know of Frankfort st, you have to traverse some of those cul de sac roads to get to it(climbing up the hill).

You could get to balboa from there in 12 minutes, if lights and traffic are in your favor.

[hermione24]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

Somewhat easy to get to Balboa from there, but for that budget I cant imagine that you havent found anything closer. Did you look in: North Park, Mission Hills, University Heights, Hillcrest, South Park, Bankers Hill?
Area itself is ok, lots of houses, some bars and stuff along Morena, a Costco and the 5 is there. Its just a typical 1950s tract neighborhood.

Yes, I've been looking in those areas; the main problem is the my husband is being very picky about what he wants, specifically a yard and parking. I've found a few places with shared lots that looked ok, but were lacking both of those. He's also set on living in a house rather than apartments or condos. I'm sure if I could find something awesome, he might change his mind. We have a bit of time yet, and I've got him to budge a bit on location as long as the drive isn't bad. So I've started looking in Kensington as well. I just saw this one pop up today, so I thought I'd ask.

@sh0t We're moving from DC. Believe me, a few hills are nothing compared to what we had to deal with as far as traffic and awful streets.

Are there any other areas we should look? We have no kids, but we do have a dog. We'd like 2 beds minimum, but having an extra den or something would be perfect.

[sh0t]

You'd have to tell me more about what your husband is picky about.

Honestly, that house is a great location. Close to the 5, the bay and ocean, easy access to the interior areas of san diego, etc.

Why do you want to be near balboa park is the question I would really ask? what kind of neighborhood are you looking for?

[shmoov_groovzsd]

hermione,

Kensington is WAY nicer than Bay Park IMHO if you guys are looking for more of a neighborhood. Try Talmadge as well, which is right near Kensington.

I guess the more pertinent question here is, where will you guys be working? Is it in Balboa Park? If not SD County is massive with great places to live across the board.

What is a tolerable drive? I would say if he really wants all that stuff, La Mesa offers that and more. Its more old school with some larger lots, parking and a cool downtown. Its about 20 mins to Balboa Park at the most during off peak traffic hours.
Basically its the 8>163 and the 163 goes almost right down the middle of the park.

[hermione24]

My husband will be working at the naval hospital in Balboa, which is why we wanted to be closer. He would like a 15 min drive but I'm not sure that's possible with all the things he wants. Basically, he wants a house, 2+ bedrooms, with parking for 2 cars and a yard for our dog to hang out in. Most of his shifts will be a regular 8-5 M-F but he will have some shifts in the evening or over the weekend. He will also have some that wil require him to be there at like 5am.

As for the neighborhood, I prefer something with shopping/ restaurants that are close by, but above all I want the area to be safe since I am out walking the dog a lot. I know San Diego is far far safer than places I have lived in the past (DC and Milwaukee). I haven't been able to visit yet, but from looking online, I really liked the areas around Balboa, like Hillcrest and South Park. We have no kids, so schools are not an issue. A dog park close by would be nice though.

[sh0t]

I think the yards are bigger in bay park than Kensington, where the houses tend to be a bit closer together. I personally would rather live in bay Park, right off the 5, where i get downtown in 7 minutes, versus getting there from Kensington. Kens is a better "neighborhood", with normal heights and university heights right to the west down adams. Then again, ECB is close by and all that mess...

PLus the view from the bay park hill of mission bay is always pleasant. I enjoy it every day on my way home from work.

The houses in Kensington have the best XMAS lights in San Diego, though. That's a plus.

balboa park would be easier to get to from bay park, especially that close to clairmont drive and the 5. But only by a small bit.

-edit after your last post--

the hospital is on the eastern side of balboa park, so maybe check out neighborhoods like north park, south park, university heights, etc.
balboa park itself has a few dog parks.

If you live in South Park, assuming you can find in your price range, you can easily do that

[sh0t]

a girlfriend of mine works at balboa as well as a navy nurse. She lives deeper in PB than I do. She gets to work in about 15 minutes without traffic.

None of these areas suggested will have long commuting times to balboa park, except for la mesa, which I would NOT recommend, if a quick commute is desired

[shmoov_groovzsd]

If his shifts are during an regular 8-5 type commute, then definitely NOT La Mesa as the 8 going west gets pretty nasty.
15 mins to Balboa from Bay Park doesnt sound realistic. The 5 going towards to the downtown in the morning is congested. If it was during off peak traffic hours, I would say yes definitely in 15 mins.

Keep digging though in those neighborhoods listed above. Its by far way more to your advantage to live there and get the freeway less commute and have a decent backyard with some parking. Otherwise something is going to have to give.

FYI: Not sure if you have a big dog or not, but when I moved out here from the east coast, my wife and I had a St Bernard that literally no one would take because she was just too big. Lots of dog restrictions out here.