need lots of help... college grad moving to san diego (Kensington: neighborhoods, school)

[CAbnd00]

i am about to become a college grad looking for any possible help i can get about areas to move in san diego. here is just a little quick background about myself to help the advice from the respondants...

-25/male/single moving from big midwest school
-computer / tech major, so will likely work in the city (i guess?) i'm used to the traffic, etc. from big cities because i have lived in nothing but big cities my whole life
-i dont have a whole heck of a lot of money right now, but i am very realistic with the costs (as i have heard 1000 times.. i know it is expensive), so in generally looking to spend roughly 800-950 for a one bedroom place. (those are just ballpark figures for now because i am not working yet and i will likely have to go into a bit of debt anyways...)
-preferably close to a beach
-i am very laid-back, and social (i can get along with just about anyone) so i need/wouldn't mind having lots of things to do really close
-i am trying to transition out of the 18-21 party 24/7 atmosphere to a more young professional atmosphere... I really need to avoid the 35+ quiet, family-oriented crowd if u know what i mean (no offense), i don't really mind the parties, being that i have done it for 7 years now, but i would prefer to live with those perhaps closer in age to myself (post-college 24-29ish) in a place thats pretty easy to meet people


any help at ALL would be greatly appreciated because as i said i am moving and starting from complete scratch, and i don't know a single person in soCal... thanks guys

[sav858]

Many young professionals that don't want the youngish party scene but still want action tend to look at Little Italy, Downtown neighborhoods, North Park, Hillcrest, and Mission Valley. Pacific Beach has the youngish crowd but it also has older people too, I'm 25 and still live in PB but am over the college party scene. I tend to go to bars in PB off of Garnett Ave where all the main party bars and clubs are. I live in North PB and it's quieter but still close to all the action and what not. The beach scene here is great overall which is the biggest reason I choose to stay here instead of gravitating towards downtown SD. Very easy to meet people here, especially if you're in a bigger apt complex or even a small to med sized one with people around your age.

Ocean Beach is also another option, not quite the college scene as PB and a lot more funky and hippy overall but can be somewhat grimey at times too.

So I'd check out areas in and around downtown SD, part of Pacific Beach, and Ocean Beach.

[vaughnb33]

rents are higher and still climbing due to no one can afford a home. Good Luck!

[theglovesd]

North Park, Kensington, Hillcrest (if you are ok with being in a part of town known mostly for its gay population), Mission Hills areas are perfect from you if you don't mind being a little further from the beach. Almost everyone is around that age. Also, if you don't mind the noise from jets, Banker's Hill is right near downtown...Ocean Beach is around the mid-twenties age range and close to the beach but is not really too "young professional" unless by professional you mean working in the local bong shop. North PB is pretty good for that, too.