Job offer on Point Loma...some questions... (San Diego, Chula Vista: to rent, condos)

[GeorgeSpelvin]

I've been offered a job that would be on Point Loma, working in one of the research annexes at the Navy installation. The job is a great fit and I would love to live in SD (having spent a fair amount of time there). But like so many others who seem to post here from less costly areas (in my case, Atlanta), I'm hesitant to pull the trigger. It would be a matter of trade-offs, because of my budget. I'm interested in a 2BR condo or town house...I don't want a yard, and I don't need much space. But I do want to be in a generally safe area, and I really don't like long commutes.

So here's my question: If I am working about midway down Point Loma, would I be able to find a condo or town home to purchase that meets the specifications above in the $375K-$400K range (that isn't a dump or in a dangerous area)? And apart from being on Point Loma itself, are there any areas off the peninsula that would be within a 25-30 minute commute?

I'm thrilled at the idea of living out there....but I think I'm barely at the edge of being able to afford it....and may decline the offer... Wish I had an extra few hundred thousand lying around...

Any advice or suggestions welcome...

[RosieSD]

Hi, my husband has worked at the Point Loma Navy Lab for the last 20 years. He's found it a great place to work (especially having every other Friday off!).

In Point Loma, Zillow shows a few condos within your price range heading towards Ocean Beach and the sports arena area, but you'll need to be OK with planes overhead. A lot of folks from the lab live along the 94 corridor heading east -- La Mesa and/or Rancho San Diego should have condos/townhomes within your range. In San Diego proper, check out condos north of Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. Clairemont Mesa may also have a few options in your price range and it's an easy trip over to the lab from there. Chula Vista/Eastlake and Bonita in the south bay, may also have options. But, there are folks at the lab who live all over the county, so it really depends on what you're looking for and how far you're willing to drive. You should, however, have good options within your budget, although as you already know, you'll likely get less for your money than you will in Atlanta.

But, you may want to rent for a while just to get the lay of the land. Welcome to San Diego; it's a great place to live and the lab is a great place to work.

[GeorgeSpelvin]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Hi, my husband has worked at the Point Loma Navy Lab for the last 20 years. He's found it a great place to work (especially having every other Friday off!).

In Point Loma, Zillow shows a few condos within your price range heading towards Ocean Beach and the sports arena area, but you'll need to be OK with planes overhead. A lot of folks from the lab live along the 94 corridor heading east -- La Mesa and/or Rancho San Diego should have condos/townhomes within your range. In San Diego proper, check out condos north of Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. Clairemont Mesa may also have a few options in your price range and it's an easy trip over to the lab from there. Chula Vista/Eastlake and Bonita in the south bay, may also have options. But, there are folks at the lab who live all over the county, so it really depends on what you're looking for and how far you're willing to drive. You should, however, have good options within your budget, although as you already know, you'll likely get less for your money than you will in Atlanta.

But, you may want to rent for a while just to get the lay of the land. Welcome to San Diego; it's a great place to live and the lab is a great place to work.

Thanks. This is helpful information. Some of the areas listed, like La Mesa, do appear to have more availability and you certainly get more for the money (understandably, being further inland). Any idea of a realistic commute time?

For those areas that are closer in, like Normal Heights...are these neighborhoods safe?

I do think that if I go, I'm going to rent for some period of time.

[RosieSD]

I'd describe Normal Heights as a transitional area. North of Adams Avenue is really nice. South of Adams gets sketchy in parts.

You could also check out possibilities in Mission Valley.

From La Mesa, if you're able to drop onto the 94, it will be about 30-35 minutes to the lab. If you're on the north and need to take 8, a bit longer. All depending on traffic, of course, but since the lab hours get started earlier than the "real world" and east county has less traffic than north county, it's usually not too bad.

We live east about 15 minutes east of La Mesa on the 94 corridor. My husband gets into the lab in about 40-45 minutes most days. Going home can take a little longer, depending on when he leaves the office.

But, I think your budget for a condo/townhouse is reasonable for the San Diego area. Again, it depends on what type of area you're looking for -- urban, suburban, boonies.

Feel free to send me a private message.

[L-Costa]

Everybody should be on the same page when they refer to "bad neighborhoods". GeorgeSpelvin mentioned Atlanta, and in my experience "bad neighborhoods" in San Diego are not in the same league as "bad neighborhoods" in Atlanta. GeorgeSpelvin budget is very workable in many good San Diego areas with close commute proximity to work.