Is it Possible to Live in a Safe Area of SD on $1000 a Month? (San Diego: apartment)

[rpc1]

I live in Sacramento now, but I'm missing the beach. I'm also missing the more vibrant feeling of L.A., where I lived for 2 and 1/2 years. I've delayed college until my mid-30's, but I'm headed to school this month, with a goal to obtain a marketable job skill in healthcare. I quit my job and am living off of $1,000 per month, for at least the next six months or so. I'm comfortable simply renting a room, versus renting my own apartment or house. I have no car. I'll eat responsibly.

That said, is there a safe, clean, modern area of San Diego where an individual in his 30's could live for 1,000 a month, while attending school? I figure that I'll spend $500 a month on rent, $250 on food, $80 on my cell phone and $170 on miscellaneous expenses. Ideally, I'd go to a school with a decent transfer rate to a UC or CSU school.

Recommendations are appreciated.

[moved]

You'll barely be making it, and will probably need to find a part-time job. The only way that you could pay $500 per month, is to have at least one roommate, if not more. In addition to rent, you'll have to pay part of the utilities, which may or may not include water.

The areas of North Park, Normal Heights, University Heights, Golden Hill and South Park all have a direct bus to City College which is in the East Village (downtown). If you took classes at Mesa College, you would have to transfer to another bus.

San Diego is much more expensive than Sacramento, I lived in Midtown (20th & F) for nine years, so I know the difference.

[rpc1]

Thanks, moved. Just gave you some "quick rep."

I chatted with a buddy who lives in San Diego, and he mentioned City College. I asked another buddy of mine if the downtown area was like most cities, where it's okay during the day, but sketchy at night. He said that downtown SD is actually really nice. And when I looked up City College's transfer rate to UCSD, they were good. So it sounds like I should be perusing Craigslist ad's for roommate situations in North Park, Normal Heights, University Heights, Golden Hill and South Park. I'll start focusing my search on those regions, with hopees that they're fairly nice but still affordable.

Thanks!

[moved]

Yes, now is the time to research your move, not 18 days in advance. Downtown is nice, but there are a lot of homeless people in the East Village, and the Gaslamp District is party central. The areas that I mentioned are uptown, and better if you're going to school.