Best areas to buy a home for under $500,000 in San Diego County (school district, places to live)

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

One last update: Our favorite listing from last month (below) is still available.


SDLookup.com | 185*Euclid*Ave - MLS# 170034053

Although, I must admit, there are a couple of others on the market now that may give that one a run for its money.

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And a personal update: I'm happy to report that my daughter and her husband moved into their lovely new home in the under $500,000 price range over the weekend! They are beyond ecstatic!

Best wishes to them.

[Kendra85]

Originally Posted by hitman619

I would love to here from the lady that thought she could get a SFH for under 400K in San Diego.

This lady closed on a house this week ;-) and as Rosie indicated, there ARE houses in SD under $400k, they are just in rougher areas.

[sacite]

What is La Mesa Springs like? Looked like a very nice community in the times I’ve visited. I coupd not get a handle on its culture though. Is this an older community, just a typical suberb? Etc

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Kendra85

This lady closed on a house this week ;-) and as Rosie indicated, there ARE houses in SD under $400k, they are just in rougher areas.

Congratulations, Kendra! Where did you end up buying?

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by sacite

What is La Mesa Springs like? Looked like a very nice community in the times I’ve visited. I coupd not get a handle on its culture though. Is this an older community, just a typical suberb? Etc

Do you mean La Mesa?

Overall, La Mesa is a nice city. As you say, it's an older city. It's fairly spread out, so the "culture" will depend on the part of the city. North of the 8, it's a typical suburb, and very family oriented. South of the 8, you'll find the "village" area that has historic homes and a shopping area that was developed in the 1930s. That area is seeing a bit of a renaissance with new restaurants and shops, and is *starting* to feel a little "hip."

East of the Village is Mount Helix, which is an area with million dollar plus homes on big lots, including some historic homes that used to be owned by Hollywood actors and actresses in the 1930s. West of the Village, as you get closer to the San Diego City border, are neighborhoods of smaller post-WWII homes that are more blue collar in feel (although not necessarily "cheap").

One thing I personally like about La Mesa is that since it's more settled, it seems to have more large trees than many newer areas of San Diego County.

Overall, the city of La Mesa seems well run to me, but I only visit a couple of times a week to eat out and shop; I don't live there.

[Mike930]

We’re planning on moving out of the area. We’re looking at the Temecula area and out of state. After seeing this thread I thought I’d call a couple of realtors and see if we could get a decent house for $500,000.

The realtors were really excited and said yes, it’s soooo doable. Here’s what they presented:

Mira Mesa home, 2 bed/2 bath 1,045 sf for $520,000. Everything has been remodeled except it needs a new heating system and the estimate for that is $6,000.

$485,000 2/2 about 1300 sf that has broken kitchen floor tiles and no doors on the bedrooms. That’s right, no doors.

$465,000 for a 2/2 1400 sf that’s just behind a women’s prison.

I found a decent one myself (so I thought) for $500,000 in Chula Vista. 3/2 1800 sf. However, Mello roos and HOA adds $500 a month to it.

Goodbye San Diego.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Mike930

We’re planning on moving out of the area. We’re looking at the Temecula area and out of state. After seeing this thread I thought I’d call a couple of realtors and see if we could get a decent house for $500,000.

The realtors were really excited and said yes, it’s soooo doable. Here’s what they presented:

Mira Mesa home, 2 bed/2 bath 1,045 sf for $520,000. Everything has been remodeled except it needs a new heating system and the estimate for that is $6,000.

$485,000 2/2 about 1300 sf that has broken kitchen floor tiles and no doors on the bedrooms. That’s right, no doors.

$465,000 for a 2/2 1400 sf that’s just behind a women’s prison.

I found a decent one myself (so I thought) for $500,000 in Chula Vista. 3/2 1800 sf. However, Mello roos and HOA adds $500 a month to it.

Goodbye San Diego.

Just my opinion, but you may be looking in the wrong areas if you want a decent home in that price range.

Maybe you also need a better realtor if that's all they presented. Some realtors only focus on selected areas, not the entire County, and in that price range, you need a realtor who is familiar with more than their immediate area. If you'd like the name of the realtor who just helped my daughter and son in law buy a great four bedroom for under $500,000, send me a DM.

[Kendra85]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Congratulations, Kendra! Where did you end up buying?

City Heights!! And thank you!

[Mike930]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Just my opinion, but you may be looking in the wrong areas if you want a decent home in that price range.

Maybe you also need a better realtor if that's all they presented. Some realtors only focus on selected areas, not the entire County, and in that price range, you need a realtor who is familiar with more than their immediate area. If you'd like the name of the realtor who just helped my daughter and son in law buy a great four bedroom for under $500,000, send me a DM.

Thanks. I sent you a DM.

I mostly work from home so I’m open to almost anywhere as long as there’s stable internet.

I’ve looked at places out of state and once you do that, you have to be careful. I’m comparing and while it may not be exactly the same, everywhere has issues. Ice storms or wildfires. Earthquakes or hurricanes. It’s tough to be objective when you see what look like great homes for $300k, no Melli Roos and HOA of $50-80 a month.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Mike930

Thanks. I sent you a DM.

I mostly work from home so I’m open to almost anywhere as long as there’s stable internet.

I’ve looked at places out of state and once you do that, you have to be careful. I’m comparing and while it may not be exactly the same, everywhere has issues. Ice storms or wildfires. Earthquakes or hurricanes. It’s tough to be objective when you see what look like great homes for $300k, no Melli Roos and HOA of $50-80 a month.

Yes, there is no perfect place in the world. But, luckily, the world also has plenty of beautiful places to live, and plenty of places where you can be happy. If you can live anywhere because you work from home, you are luckier than most as well. Go where you will be happiest.

Good luck!