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I've been searching everywhere trying to find a bunch of information that is current and relevant.
First, I'll give you the lowdown on my situation so that we can judge accordingly.
At the end of April we will be moving to San Diego from Marysville, WA (just north of Seattle). There are three of us, myself, my wife, and our best friend Cameron. We have 2 dogs, a cat, a bird, and a horse between the three of us.
All 3 of us are responsible. My wife is a Starbucks Store Manager, and my friend Cameron is a Regal Theaters General Manager. I'm a server, so I make pretty good money - and I also run my own business on the side.
All in all, we bring in a pretty decent 'household' income.
We are looking for a 3{or}2 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms. We would like the price to be between $1000-$1600 per month, preferably with utilities included.
After the economy going toilet-side, is this a reasonable price range in San Diego? Or is this unrealistic. I don't need to be flamed with (You can't do that! You're a retard!) type of comments, I'm looking for legitimate answers, as we are definetely moving - we just need to know financially what we're in for.
We don't need to live in a super ritzy neighborhood, as we're all used to middle to lower-middle class living. The nicer the better obviously, but we're not too picky.
My main concerns are crime, and neighborhood safety. My secondary concerns are commute times and 'things to do' nearby (within 30 mins drive)
So.. My main questions:
1. Is $1000-$1600/month for a 2/3 bedroom 2 bath house realistic?
2. Where / what resources can I use to find rental houses in the San Diego area?
3. What areas are 'no-fly zones' according to the specs above (low crime, safe neighborhoods) and which are the ones we SHOULD be looking into?
My secondary questions that are a little more specific to people that know:
1. Which Starbucks locations are the busiest/best?
2. Anybody know of any great quality / fairly priced horse boarding in the area that isn't too far away?
That's all I can think of for right now. I'm hoping there are some local experts out there that can help. I'm not completely opposed to working with a realtor to find a place to rent.
Thanks a lot, look forward to talking with some people about this.
Most people come to San Diego to live close to the beaches. However, most horse stables are many miles inland. Do you want to live closer to the beach or closer to your horse?
Also, all three of you have hospitality-oriented jobs which makes you better suited for coastal (ie non-horse) locations. If you decide to live closer to your boarded horse, you all could find yourself with long commutes to the busy hospitality jobs on the coast.
One last thing... in 2005 your hospitality skills were in big demand here. In 2010 the supply of hospitality talent is much larger than the demand. You all could be looking for a long time before you find decent jobs here right now.
Jamul is 20 miles due east of downtown San Diego. Its rural and renting a horse property is possible.
You may have to go into the 2000-2500 dollar range however. Or you might think about boarding in Jamul and living half way to downdown. Jamul offers lots of nice riding trails and low crime.
Will your wife be transferring with Starbucks, your friend transferring with Regal? 'server" jobs are very hard to come by, lots of competition from young kids. Even though SD is still a tourist destination, hospitality industry is down. Maybe in an upscale downtown restaurant you could find better wages, but again the competition for those jobs is considerable.
In a good neighborhood, $1000-1600 would be difficult, and I've never heard of any landlord that pays for utilities here. Most one bedroom apts here go for that price range. With no jobs and alot of pets, you might have to do an extensive search to find a place to live. Everyone here always suggests Craigslist which seems to work for alot of folks in finding housing. Maybe check out Bonita.
I've been searching everywhere trying to find a bunch of information that is current and relevant.
First, I'll give you the lowdown on my situation so that we can judge accordingly.
At the end of April we will be moving to San Diego from Marysville, WA (just north of Seattle). There are three of us, myself, my wife, and our best friend Cameron. We have 2 dogs, a cat, a bird, and a horse between the three of us.
All 3 of us are responsible. My wife is a Starbucks Store Manager, and my friend Cameron is a Regal Theaters General Manager. I'm a server, so I make pretty good money - and I also run my own business on the side.
All in all, we bring in a pretty decent 'household' income.
We are looking for a 3{or}2 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms. We would like the price to be between $1000-$1600 per month, preferably with utilities included.
So you are planning to bring all the animals?
You might be able to squeeze into this price in a few places, maybe Mira Mesa (I would try to avoid the SE side, NW is the better side).
Mira Mesa Edwards is the only San Diego Imax (Regal theater) in San Diego, so it's pretty busy. There is a busy Starbucks across the street and a few others in Mira Mesa. Rancho Penasquitos is just northeast of there and has some horse property, and people ride in the Penasquitos Canyon there.
As far as utilities, you may be able to pay ~$100 less than you do now, depending on what you are able to live with, since heating and cooling is a bit less demanding.
$1,000-$1,600 is very realistic-and can probably include very nice places-......assuming you're talking about it being $1000 per person. $1,000 total for a 3-bedroom place to be split three ways is totally unrealistic.
awesome... thanks for the input so far guys. i appreciate it.
let's just say, no matter how low the demand, i've never had trouble getting a job as a server. I have over 10 years experience, and a very good attitude. I know how to interview, and usually have my choice. so i'm not terribly worried about that.
my wife has her choice of stores to transfer to, as for my friend - he's contemplating leaving Regal, but may still transfer. He's not entirely sure.
We don't need to live close to the horse, that's kind of unimprortant. We're more looking for something in that price range that is in a safe neighborhood. To me, closer to the beach is way more awesome - but I also realize La Jolla and those types of communities are out of reach for us financially. =)
Please keep the advice coming. I truly appreciate it.
let's just say, no matter how low the demand, i've never had trouble getting a job as a server. I have over 10 years experience, and a very good attitude. I know how to interview, and usually have my choice. so i'm not terribly worried about that.
Del Mar/La Jolla and other beach cities in those areas are where the restaurants are with people that have money. Rancho Santa Fe is somewhat Inland of Del Mar and those are where the "vacation" mansions are located. Those would be some of the areas to look at.
I've been searching everywhere trying to find a bunch of information that is current and relevant.
First, I'll give you the lowdown on my situation so that we can judge accordingly.
At the end of April we will be moving to San Diego from Marysville, WA (just north of Seattle). There are three of us, myself, my wife, and our best friend Cameron. We have 2 dogs, a cat, a bird, and a horse between the three of us.
All 3 of us are responsible. My wife is a Starbucks Store Manager, and my friend Cameron is a Regal Theaters General Manager. I'm a server, so I make pretty good money - and I also run my own business on the side.
All in all, we bring in a pretty decent 'household' income.
We are looking for a 3{or}2 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms. We would like the price to be between $1000-$1600 per month, preferably with utilities included.
After the economy going toilet-side, is this a reasonable price range in San Diego? Or is this unrealistic. I don't need to be flamed with (You can't do that! You're a retard!) type of comments, I'm looking for legitimate answers, as we are definetely moving - we just need to know financially what we're in for.
We don't need to live in a super ritzy neighborhood, as we're all used to middle to lower-middle class living. The nicer the better obviously, but we're not too picky.
My main concerns are crime, and neighborhood safety. My secondary concerns are commute times and 'things to do' nearby (within 30 mins drive)
So.. My main questions:
1. Is $1000-$1600/month for a 2/3 bedroom 2 bath house realistic?
2. Where / what resources can I use to find rental houses in the San Diego area?
3. What areas are 'no-fly zones' according to the specs above (low crime, safe neighborhoods) and which are the ones we SHOULD be looking into?
My secondary questions that are a little more specific to people that know:
1. Which Starbucks locations are the busiest/best?
2. Anybody know of any great quality / fairly priced horse boarding in the area that isn't too far away?
That's all I can think of for right now. I'm hoping there are some local experts out there that can help. I'm not completely opposed to working with a realtor to find a place to rent.
Thanks a lot, look forward to talking with some people about this.
That price range is honestly not realistic for a safe area with 3/2. You *might* find something that is a 3/2 in either Clairemont or Escondido [parts of Esc. are awful,and parts are amazing-you will have to do your homework,and search these threads. Clairemont-try to find 'mountain streets',ie,the streets are called 'Mt. Almagosa' for example. 'Mt.' prefix-those are near 'bay park' and are pretty nice homes overall-centrally located,near the 5 and 805 freeways,5 min from the bay 10-15 minutes from beaches [driving time w/traffic,etc but not very far as the crow flies]. Escondido is north county inland,and off the 15 freeway (look up a map of SD to see where the areas are).Again,you may find something for 1500-1600 in that price range in those areas,but that would *not* include utilities,except perhaps water and garbage,depends on the landlord. If you open yourself up to condos and apartments [ie,with 'resort style living and amenities'-hot tub,pool,tennis courts,w/d in unit,etc]you will open yourself up to more areas,though you will not find as big of a place for the money,in most neighborhoods. [ie,carmel valley,poway,penasquitos,carlsbad,etc you can find a 2/2 condo or apt. ,for that price range,but it may only be 900 sq. ft.
2)Areas to avoid include: city heights,parts of escondido,most of oceanside,all of national city and imperial beach,north park,barrio logan and frankly anything south and east of the 8 freeway. I'd also avoid Ocean Beach and Pt. Loma,too.
For beach communities,that rent will be difficult-parts of Encinitas may work. And Carlsbad,but like I said,that would be for an apt. not a house. But they are both on the coast,as a perk. Solana Beach is a former small surf town gone yuppie and tourism,but it's still got alot going for it-now it has more restaurants and galleries,etc. and is right on the ocean,with alot of biking,etc.
3)There is no need to be 'near downtown',in case you are wondering. SD's 'downtown' has gentrified int he last ten years,but SD is very spread out,and is a series of suburbs or areas,and downtown is not hte place where the majority of people work,as is often the case in other cities. Instead,jobs are scattered throughout the county,and of course especially with starbucks and regal theaters.
Speaking of: check out carmel valley/del mar;it's upscale,but again,if you will consider proximity to beaches,freeways [a couple of miles for both,if that]and the 'niceness' of the neighborhoods,and if you consider a condo or apt. instead of a house,you might like this area.And there is a regal theater and multiple starbucks.
4)Agree with others re: Craig's List for rentals-though do not recommend renting site unseen,unless it's in a complex type place,with a website and photos,and you can double check to see what the reviews are. Otherwise,stay in an extended stay hotel and look for something in person.
5)Re: horses,Ramona,poway,[carmel valley actually used to be all horses,along with rancho santa fe]and parts of escondido are excellent for this,along with jamul. Ramona is further up the hill,east of Escondido,and Poway is just south of Escondido,closer to SD propery. Check Escondido for a house in your price range,and be closer to 'horse country'.
6)Recommend doing a search for chamber of commerce and neighborhood webistes for the above mentioned-will help 'flesh out' the areas for you so you can narrow them down.
7)If you mean 1000-1600 per person,then the sky is virtually the limit on housing,but i thought you meant 1000-1600 total.
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