Best Neighborhoods for Young People in San Diego (El Cajon: fit in, apartments)

[redsoxfan0825]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a job interview in San Diego next week and am starting to look at areas of the city I might be interested in living. I'm from the Boston area, so it'd be a big move for me and I'd like to live in an area where I could meet people my age. I'm a 22 year old, single guy. Not quite sure of a rent price range yet, but probably would be looking for something reasonable around $800.

I've seen a bunch of other threads on this, but wanted to post my own to see what advice I get. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[moved]

What area of San Diego is the job in? For a decent place, you might want to raise your rental budget, though.

[redsoxfan0825]

It's in the Gaslamp Quarter. Yea I'm just not sure of the salary for the job, but I might be able to go a little higher.

[moved]

Wait until you find out the salary, then start looking for a place, and make sure that it includes parking. If an ad says street parking, forget about it. If you want to walk to work, you can try the Gaslamp District, East Village, Bankers Hill, Cortez Hill, and Hillcrest. Uptown on the bus route is Golden Hill, South Park, North Park, Normal Heights, and University Heights. Stay out of City Heights. Closer to the job will be pricier, though.

[sdurbanite]

Since you are working downtown, you may as well try living there first. Although, I'm not sure you will find anything in the $800 range. I think decent studios start at $1200. You can find cheaper places (but older with less amenites) in adjacent Bankers Hill. Good Luck!

Downtown San Diego Apartments For Rent - Find Apartments for Rent in Downtown San Diego, CA - ForRent.com

[rgb123]

there are actually some very small apartments in gaslamp often advertised for around $800, if I were 22 I'd live there. Size of a dorm room they look, but cool. I see them on CL all the time.

[moved]

The apartments that you see in the Gaslamp that are advertised for around $800 are either rooms in an SRO or an income restricted building.

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by rgb123

there are actually some very small apartments in gaslamp often advertised for around $800, if I were 22 I'd live there. Size of a dorm room they look, but cool. I see them on CL all the time.

How does that old saying go? If it's too good to be true, then it probably is. I'm with moved in that those places are cheap for a reason.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

How does that old saying go? If it's too good to be true, then it probably is. I'm with moved in that those places are cheap for a reason.

So true! Ha,ha.

I've found that many people have such a dream of living in San Diego they will talk themselves into believing something is true or easy or tons of cheap housing, or tons of great jobs, etc.

That just is NOT the case here.

[kettlepot]

Given your Gaslamp work location, an apartment which has good mass transit access may be your best option. There is no free parking downtown.

The San Diego mass transit website is:

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System

Monthly passes are $72. Your choice to drive or to transit may be determined by when you get off work and whether your employer offers employee parking. For a combination of lower cost, speed of mass transit, and good for younger people, I would look at Golden Hill and University Heights, as well as North Park and Normal Heights near El Cajon Boulevard. That would provide quick access to the #15 bus soon to become the Mid-City Rapid Bus which is an express-like bus to downtown. There is also the option of North and South Park (east of Balboa Park) along the #2 bus route. A slow bus, but you are closer to work so it may not matter. However, it may not meet your revised budget. ($800/month isn't going to work.)

The Trolley is a much more pleasant way to travel downtown however that would only provide you with Mission Valley as a location to live. For a younger person that just isn't the place for you nor is it likely to fit in your budget.