Obsessed with San Diego - housing options driving me insane (Sacramento: apartments, rental)

[beachy_person2]

I am super excited about my move to SD in six months. I love the beaches and the weather. However, I am in a unique situation. I will be moving to San Diego for a year from Midwest and then coming back. I am planning on leaving my current furniture and bed at a storage facility here. I am overwhelmed with the renting options in San Diego. My budget is $1200-$1300 for a studio or one bedroom. I know a few things that are important:
1. Fairly close to beach - a short drive if not walkable
2. Quiet neighborhood - I am a light sleeper
3. Good amenities - dish washer, pool, laundry etc.


I am also torn between pacific beach and hillcrest/down town. The apartments in hillcrest have good amenities but far from the beach. Also, for me the whole point of moving to SD is to be close to the beach. Pacific beach is wonderful but I can't find apartments with good amenities in my price range. Also PB apartments generally have bad reviews - neighbors smoking weed, sketchy and noisy neighbors etc. Is this specific to PB?


One more thing that's complex is how to furnish my place. I looked at furnished apartments in SD but there aren't many in my price range or the apartments closer to beach are unfurnished. Can I rent furniture for a year instead of locking at furnished places? Am I missing something? I am using forrent.com and apartment guide for searching. Any other websites I should be looking at?


I know I have to compromise on a few things. Any help appreciated.

[bloom]

Hillcrest is close enough to beach with better life quality than PB.
Buy ikea furniture, maybe reputable consignment store, trustworthy Craig's list neighborhood.
Enjoy climate and ez trips to beach and elsewhere.

[skeke]

Cort furniture rents in San Diego. They were huge in Sacramento since there were so many elected officials that needed an apartment in Sacto while their main residence was in the area they represented. You might check Cort for furniture rental.

Quick Delivery, National Service. Go to CORT Furniture Rental Now!
8288 Miramar Road, San Diego, CA (858) 549-0800

[mippity]

Don't expect to live walking distance to the beach without some very undesirable sides.
If I were you, I would rent a room. That way you can have some good common area things taken care of and furnish just a room.

[Julianpieohmy]

A Midwesterner temporarily living in San Diego...

Isn't that like 30% of San Diegans?

Welcome!

[beachy_person2]

Originally Posted by bloom

Hillcrest is close enough to beach with better life quality than PB.
Buy ikea furniture, maybe reputable consignment store, trustworthy Craig's list neighborhood.
Enjoy climate and ez trips to beach and elsewhere.

Ok. I didn't know that. I like that hillcrest has some fun bars and restaurants. I thought PB did too. Except PB is probably more noisier?

[bloom]

Originally Posted by beachy_person2

Ok. I didn't know that. I like that hillcrest has some fun bars and restaurants. I thought PB did too. Except PB is probably more noisier?

Generally, PB is noisier and less classy, though right on the beach.

[someguy10]

Originally Posted by beachy_person2

I am also torn between pacific beach and hillcrest/down town. The apartments in hillcrest have good amenities but far from the beach. Also, for me the whole point of moving to SD is to be close to the beach. Pacific beach is wonderful but I can't find apartments with good amenities in my price range. Also PB apartments generally have bad reviews - neighbors smoking weed, sketchy and noisy neighbors etc. Is this specific to PB?

PB is typically a younger, rowdier crowd that does a fair amount of drinking. The Grand/Garnet avenue corridor are pretty much the epicenter of the nightlife/drinking/noise and somewhat along Mission as well (largely centered on its intersection with Grand/Garnet). The northern part near Bird Rock and La Jolla tends to be quieter, but it is also more expensive. I can't give you specific info as I follow townhouse and SFH at a different price point.

I love the wide beach and walking or running on the beach boardwalk in PB. Hillcrest isn't THAT far from the beach, but it's a whole different animal than living in PB, especially the western half of PB. I would try to find a room for rent close to the water. You didn't mention car or job but PB might be totally doable without a car IMO.

[John7777]

To the original poster:

The first thing you need to understand is that you're moving to California. It isn't Peoria, so to speak. People smoke weed. Get used to that. Do a YouTube search for a Two and a Half Men episode about Russell, the pharmacist. He sells Charlie some weed, and in California, it's about that easy.

As for PB or Hillcrest? I've lived in both places as well as in South Mission Beach and Del Mar. There's nothing wrong with PB or Mission Beach, and you might even find something in your price range. As for "amenities"? Get used to this, also: you're not going to find those, or if you do, you can't afford it. There's a good chance you'll have to take your clothes to the laundromat, and forget about finding a pool. Don't forget, the entire Pacific Ocean would be a few blocks away.

[John7777]

I forgot. To furnish your place you need a cheap futon to throw on the floor, a card table and some folding chairs, and a brick and board bookcase for your TV/stereo. Done. When you leave put it all in the dumpster.