Chula Vista and South Bay/ Daily Living and Crime (Oceanside: apartment, rentals)

[CNYC]

Can someone please tell me what areas of South Bay are considered nice areas or upper middle class ?

I really like the area off i5 E Street. I know it is a sketchy area but I have a history there since 2001 when I started visiting SD. The access to food shopping and transportation is hard to beat. Are there any nice homes to rent in that area up to $2,500 per month ?


If I went to the Otay Lakes area would getting to the 5 freeway be an issue and is there a bus that would take me to the trolley ?

Imperial Beach on the border with Coronado worth checking out ?


I might need to move this Spring depending on my landlord's situation and I wanted to try the South Bay area for a year. If I don't like it I will come back Oceanside or Encinitas.

I might have no choice but to move and I go to mexico very often so being closer would be great.

Thanks

[Bakeneko]

Originally Posted by CNYC

Can someone please tell me what areas of South Bay are considered nice areas or upper middle class ?

I really like the area off i5 E Street. I know it is a sketchy area but I have a history there since 2001 when I started visiting SD. The access to food shopping and transportation is hard to beat. Are there any nice homes to rent in that area up to $2,500 per month ?


If I went to the Otay Lakes area would getting to the 5 freeway be an issue and is there a bus that would take me to the trolley ?

Imperial Beach on the border with Coronado worth checking out ?


I might need to move this Spring depending on my landlord's situation and I wanted to try the South Bay area for a year. If I don't like it I will come back Oceanside or Encinitas.

I might have no choice but to move and I go to mexico very often so being closer would be great.

Thanks

If you will be relying on public transportation - I don't think Otay Ranch/Eastlake will work very well. There is limited bus service to the trolley here.

[CNYC]

Originally Posted by Bakeneko

If you will be relying on public transportation - I don't think Otay Ranch/Eastlake will work very well. There is limited bus service to the trolley here.

Thanks. Can you recommend an area in South Bay that might fit the bill ?


Happy New Year !

[RosieSD]

The area of Imperial Beach near the pier and a few blocks east of Seacoast drive is actually pretty nice these days. It reminds me of the way Mission Beach or Ocean Beach used to be 30 years ago. If you haven't been there recently, check it out. You should be able to find an apartment within walking distance to the beach well below your max. price range. In the past few months, I've even seen some beachfront places within your price range, although those are getting rarer these days.

Other areas of IB can get sketchier, but there are some decent areas north of Palm away from the pier too. MTS has regular bus service from Palm Avenue up the Coronado strand and over the bridge into downtown. You can also pick up the trolley from Palm Avenue over by 5 -- obviously, it would be a long walk from the pier area. However, I think MTS has bus service along Palm to the Trolley station as well -- check the MTS site to see the schedules.

In Chula Vista, you might look at the Hilltop area. We have friends who have lived there for many years, and it is very decent. Schools aren't the best, but that doesn't sound like an issue for you. Your budget should get you a house in that area without a problem. You'll be closer to the Trolley stations in Hilltop than you would out in East Lake/Otay Mesa; again, check MTS schedule for bus routes along H and E.

If you have your own car, East Lake and Otay Ranch are great. Bonita is nice too. Those would be considered the "upper class" areas of the south bay. But, as moved said, I wouldn't choose them if you need to rely on public transportation, and they're as suburban-nice as Rancho Bernardo or Poway. So, maybe not a fit for someone who wants more action. Great places to live for families, though.

[CNYC]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

The area of Imperial Beach near the pier and a few blocks east of Seacoast drive is actually pretty nice these days. It reminds me of the way Mission Beach or Ocean Beach used to be 30 years ago. If you haven't been there recently, check it out. You should be able to find an apartment within walking distance to the beach well below your max. price range. In the past few months, I've even seen some beachfront places within your price range, although those are getting rarer these days.

Other areas of IB can get sketchier, but there are some decent areas north of Palm away from the pier too. MTS has regular bus service from Palm Avenue up the Coronado strand and over the bridge into downtown. You can also pick up the trolley from Palm Avenue over by 5 -- obviously, it would be a long walk from the pier area. However, I think MTS has bus service along Palm to the Trolley station as well -- check the MTS site to see the schedules.

In Chula Vista, you might look at the Hilltop area. We have friends who have lived there for many years, and it is very decent. Schools aren't the best, but that doesn't sound like an issue for you. Your budget should get you a house in that area without a problem. You'll be closer to the Trolley stations in Hilltop than you would out in East Lake/Otay Mesa; again, check MTS schedule for bus routes along H and E.

If you have your own car, East Lake and Otay Ranch are great. Bonita is nice too. Those would be considered the "upper class" areas of the south bay. But, as moved said, I wouldn't choose them if you need to rely on public transportation, and they're as suburban-nice as Rancho Bernardo or Poway. So, maybe not a fit for someone who wants more action. Great places to live for families, though.

Thanks so much Rosie. I like all your ideas and will investigate them.

Happy New Year

[Bakeneko]

Originally Posted by Bakeneko

If you will be relying on public transportation - I don't think Otay Ranch/Eastlake will work very well. There is limited bus service to the trolley here.

I can't really be much help - I live out in the Otay Ranch/Eastlake area. I've got a little one in school so I didn't investigate other areas since their schools are so dismal.

[CNYC]

Does National City close to the 5 have any decent areas to live and is the shopping decent ? I've only seen the industrial areas.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by CNYC

Does National City close to the 5 have any decent areas to live and is the shopping decent ? I've only seen the industrial areas.

No. The "nice areas of national city" are all inland from the downtown which is not very nice.

Take a look at the area around Plaza Bonita to the south. Horse properties up there, very cool area, probably very few rentals but I have a buddy up there who loves it. You will need a car, South Bay is not transit friendly unless you live along the 5/trolley corridor which is undesirable. If you frequent MX you should be looking strongly at eastlake, especially the area just south of Mt Miguel which is really nice, 1MM+ homes. You need a car.

[CNYC]

^^^ Thanks

[echo42]

Palm Avenue and 805. There is an area called Ocean View Hills just on the east side of 805 off Palm Ave and Dennery Road. Ocean views, shopping, movies and tons of Mex and some very good Chinese restaurants in nearby San Ysidro. You will be close to the trolley thus you will be close to Mexico. You are also close to the water park and Sleep Train amphitheater for concerts. The area is fairly safe and will be the next Eastlake in the following 10-15 years.