Fresh opinions / info about San Diego neighborhoods please (Encinitas, Santee: apartments, to rent)

[TheGoogler]

Hello,

I am looking into moving to San Diego from Chicago, sight unseen, in the next 2-3 months. I can't stand the extremes of weather here one more season.

I'm hoping there are, contrary to what some say, affordable, nice areas in San Diego.

I'd like to rent a nice, small house in a good, safe, walkable neighborhood, with tree lined streets.
I can pay about 12-1500 a month plus utilities. I have a small dog. I know that makes it more of a challenge, but I know it can be done if I find the right landlord.

I've read through many threads here, but I'm hoping for some new, well thought out info.

I am a self employed single woman, a young 60, and I want to get involved in a community, meet new people and enjoy the lovely weather.

I have lived in the suburbs of Chicago for many years and like many aspects of suburban living, but I now want to be in the city, but in a quiet, lovely neighborhood.

Please tell me I can find what I'm looking for.....

Thanks in advance.

[oddstray]

San Diego is a semi-arid climate. We have some trees, but I don't think anywhere qualifies as "tree-lined streets". Nothing like what you see in the midwest or east coast.

12-1500 a month sounds quite low for a house until you get out past the suburbs. You might be able to find a townhouse with a yard for that sort of budget closer in to town.

[TheGoogler]

Thanks. Can you make some neighborhood suggestions?

[TheGoogler]

Can anyone else shed some light on this for me? Neighborhoods, rents, descriptions?

[moved]

Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, Golden Hill, East Village, Gaslamp.

You can check out the rents on Craigslist, and I think someone made a thread with neighborhood descriptions in it. When you check Craigslist, post the addresses of the apartments that you find on here for comments.

[TheGoogler]

I should add that I have also been considering the Monterey area in Northern California, but I thought I night have more areas to choose from in San Diego. Given the lack of responses, perhaps I'm wrong.

I just know I have to find an area where the weather is mild....

[TheGoogler]

Originally Posted by moved

Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, Golden Hill, East Village, Gaslamp.

You can check out the rents on Craigslist, and I think someone made a thread with neighborhood descriptions in it. When you check Craigslist, post the addresses of the apartments that you find on here for comments.

Thanks very much...now I have something concrete!

[moved]

You can get a small house/cottage, but don't count on a yard. Cottages are mostly in complexes, and it depends on what you call a small house.

[TheGoogler]

What do you mean, cottages are in complexes...like where? Can you give me an example please keep in mind that I have no idea about the neighborhoods there...that's why I'm here asking questions. And what about approximate prices?
Thanks.

[Pedro2000]

I don't know what you expect to get for 1200-1500 per month. You're not going to get a small house with a yard in places like Hillcrest or North Park or Encinitas or OB or Mission Hills. One bedroom apartments can go for more than $1500. If you expand your horizons out to places like Lakeside and Santee, you'll probably find more options. But they aren't going to be "walkable" in a sense. And they sure aren't going to be what people think of when they think San Diego.

What do you expect to get for under $1500 per month? There are certain neighborhoods where small Houses go for $3-6K per month. But if you want nice areas close to many things, that's what you'll pay. Otherwise you'll rent in places not as nice and maybe a little away from the action. Or you wind up having roommates or living in Quadplexes or 4 small little cottages on a yard that once housed one family.