San Diego Day Trader (El Cajon, Carlsbad: real estate, apartments, condominiums)

[dajohnson99]

I'm looking at moving to San Diego within a year but need some advice on where the best areas to live are for my lifestyle. I'm am a full time day trader, meaning I work from home and can live anywhere because I don't have to worry about a commute. I really like areas that are walkable and have a community feel - I don't like pretentious areas (looking at you La Jolla). I also would like an area that is releatively vegan friendly and has access to recreational activities - that can be the beach, Balboa Park, etc.

While I was in th SD area I really fell in love with a few areas but want to know what locals think of these areas. First up, I really liked the vibes from Encinitas and Carlsbad (the central area near the village) -- they seemed to be fairly walkable and the people were friendly. Second, was Bankers Hill - the west side bordering Balboa Park - it seemed to be pretty cool. These are the only areas that I really got to explore in depth while I was there. If any locals can shine a light on any other areas, that would be great.

Lastly, as far as budget I'd prefer to stay under $2,500 for a 2 bed/ 2 bath apartment, I'm willing to go slightly higher if the place is perfect. I'd preferably like to live in a mid century style building, as that's my favorite style. I would settle for Spanish as well.

Thank you in advance!

[kettlepot]

For locations in San Diego, you might like:

North side of Balboa Park. Along, and near Park Boulevard, there are a large number of apartment buildings of varying eras. Many of the apartments were built as higher quality for their era and have stayed that way. The new construction is definitely higher end. It's close to the commercial strip of University Avenue which has plenty of services along both University, and some parts of Park Boulevard.

Normal Heights isn't pretentious, and actually may be more downscale than you would like, I would call it Working Class meets Hipster, but it's friendly and Adams Avenue is full service. It even has a long time vegetarian restaurant. The neighborhood is on the upswing (maybe you could participate in some real estate deals - there's money to be made in Normal Hts). What you might have a problem is finding an apartment in a building that meets the standards of what someone who is willing to pay $2500 expects. In Normal Heights, you would pay less, and get less.

South Park has an intact commercial area along 30th Street and Juniper and is very walkable. What might be difficult to find are apartments. They are there, but are limited in number, and were built 50-70 years ago. Many but not all of the apartments were lower quality Huffmans and they show it in their amenities and lack thereof.

University Heights is very much like South Park. It is centered along Park Boulevard between El Cajon Boulevard and Adams Avenue. Just substitute in the same description as above.

While San Diego built a lot of apartments during the Mid-Century Era (late 40s through 60s), starting in the 1950s these were typically very low quality Huffman style apartments. In fact, the standout Mid-Century apartment that I know of, a Cubist-style building along 6th Avenue was converted to condominiums and is no longer apartments. However, all of the areas I have mentioned also have new and new-ish construction which will have the amenities you would want, though obviously would not have Mid-Century style.

[dajohnson99]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

For locations in San Diego, you might like:

North side of Balboa Park. Along, and near Park Boulevard, there are a large number of apartment buildings of varying eras. Many of the apartments were built as higher quality for their era and have stayed that way. The new construction is definitely higher end. It's close to the commercial strip of University Avenue which has plenty of services along both University, and some parts of Park Boulevard.

Normal Heights isn't pretentious, and actually may be more downscale than you would like, I would call it Working Class meets Hipster, but it's friendly and Adams Avenue is full service. It even has a long time vegetarian restaurant. The neighborhood is on the upswing (maybe you could participate in some real estate deals - there's money to be made in Normal Hts). What you might have a problem is finding an apartment in a building that meets the standards of what someone who is willing to pay $2500 expects. In Normal Heights, you would pay less, and get less.

South Park has an intact commercial area along 30th Street and Juniper and is very walkable. What might be difficult to find are apartments. They are there, but are limited in number, and were built 50-70 years ago. Many but not all of the apartments were lower quality Huffmans and they show it in their amenities and lack thereof.

University Heights is very much like South Park. It is centered along Park Boulevard between El Cajon Boulevard and Adams Avenue. Just substitute in the same description as above.

While San Diego built a lot of apartments during the Mid-Century Era (late 40s through 60s), starting in the 1950s these were typically very low quality Huffman style apartments. In fact, the standout Mid-Century apartment that I know of, a Cubist-style building along 6th Avenue was converted to condominiums and is no longer apartments. However, all of the areas I have mentioned also have new and new-ish construction which will have the amenities you would want, though obviously would not have Mid-Century style.

Thank you! I will be sure to look into those areas.

[cruitr]

Since you're self-employed, most property managers want to see proof of past income and probabilities of future income. Usually they call your employers but you don't have one.

[snpdragr]

Since you work from home, one thing to consider is the speed and reliability of your internet service. I believe most areas within san diego are limited to either COX or time warner but not both. You can also get crappy DSL from AT&T.

If you live downtown you probably can get web pass (owned by google fiber) which is as awesome as everybody says it is.