Best Neighborhood in San Diego to live in near the University that's less expensive?

Question

I'd like to be accessible to the U and all of the opportunities around there but I know that La Jolla is expensive and don't need to live there. Which suburbs would still be commutable to areas around the U (and zip 92121 because there seem to be a lot of biotech companies there) but much more affordable and still a nice place to live?

Not looking for a 'college' area per se, just access to the resources that the area has to offer. I don't care about the bars and all that, just want a nice, inexpensive (relatively) place to live. Somewhere more inland maybe? Doesn't need to be right on the beach.

Both U's actually. I'm not going to school but am moving for a job. Which is why I'd like somewhere near the U's and zip code 92121 where a lot of biotech companies seem to be. That's why I don't need to live in a college sort of town and would actually prefer somewhere that is more family friendly. I'm not a college student.

Answer 1

Clairemont Mesa would be the most affordable area naer La Jolla and all the biotech companies in the area. It's pretty family oriented and a decent area. University City are also closer but a little pricier. The UTC part (northern UC) is all apartments and priciest. Southern UC is mostly single family homes. Mira Mesa is also an inexpensive place to live that is very close to all the biotech's in La Jolla and Sorrento Valley/Mesa. Anything north and along the coast is going to be expensive. Anything south like PB is pricier and college oriented, Mission Valley is probably too pricey too. So I would try to take a look at Clairemont Mesa and Mira Mesa.

Answer 2

Pretty much all the areas around UCSD are going to be expensive. It's in the middle of an upper class community and very close to the beach so you know how it is. Were you planning on getting a roommate? That would help the costs a lot. If not, you will have to commute if you want something inexpensive. Try Bay Park and Pacific Beach. Those would be the closest and most affordable.
Some peolpe say Mira Mesa, but seriously their rent is not that cheap at all and the community is like a business park. You can find some good rents at sdreader.com and on craigs list

Answer 3

Have to ask you a question first. I am assuming you are talking about UCSD, The University of California at San Diego and not USD, the University of San Diego. These two schools are about 10 miles apart.

If UCSD is your school then Pacific Beach would be a good choice for you like the other person suggested. If it's USD then Bay Park or Pacific Beach or Mission Valley would all work. Stay out of Linda Vista, it's crappy there.

Try to get some type of personal transportation if you can. Getting to UCSD involves a lot of hills and only a Lance Armstrong type would ride a bike. The mass transit system in San Diego is out of whack because busses seem to run to places where most people don't want to go.

Answer 4

I would say get to more of an inland area-drive north along the 15 from mission valley to Tierrasanta, Scripps Ranch, etc.... those areas are definitely less college minded & more family friendly w/o being too far away from any of the 3 major universities. Another choice would be going east out the 8 towards Del Cerro (right outside of Mission Valley), La Mesa, Grossmont, El Cajon, etc.!

Answer 5

Check out Mira Mesa, PQ, Poway area....all are close to the 15 freeway with affordable "older" homes, condos and apartments. All 3 areas are convenient locations with pretty much everything you need within close proximity. A big plus is if you do find work on the 92121area...you're looking at the Sorrento Valley area. GenProbe is huge...but don't discount other companies like Qualcomm and Motorola that have their large campuses in Sorrento Valley.

Answer 6

I would suggest that you look into Pacific Beach area. This a real college area, it has a TON of bars(More San Diego State, then UCSD..no offense). I'm sure you can find a place to live there for cheap. If you are not into living in a crappy place search for "room mates wanted" and you can have a nice room in a big house for $500-600 bucks. The best part is that PB is right down the hill from UCSD so it is close (although i don't know the public transit situation from PB to UCSD). Try looking at craigslist.com

Answer 7

counting on how plenty you want to spend you may in all risk like places which includes Del Mar, Carlsbad, Encinitas. those have residences that are exact alongside the sea to 3 miles inland. All with relativley low crime and somewhat solid colleges. besides the undeniable fact that, single family contributors residences will uncomplicated at approximately 500,000 yet pass plenty larger the closer to the water you're. The housing marketplace is softening so they may well be comming down interior here couple of months. those towns are seen crucial/north San Diego. slightly inland you have places like Scripps Ranch and Carmel Mountain Ranch. they're inland and approximately half-hour from the sea. in case you're extreme approximately shifting right here you ought to in all risk plan for each week or which you will rather scope out the climate you would be interested in.

Answer 8

What about zip 92122, University City? Very convenient to the U, and to La Jolla (though still need to drive, of course).