People from SAN DIEGO, I am getting relocated there for my job and need to find out where to live?

Question

I am 27, single and really want to live an a fun area where younger professionals live and by that I mean preferrably not the college crowd. Please let me know, as I am not at all familiar with the neighborhoods. I am also possibly looking to purchase a condo. My work is flexible it basically covers most of Southern Cali, so I can live pretty much anywhere.

Answer 1

If I were 27 and single/professional I'd definitely consider a downtown condo first. Very much a young urban professional scene down there. Although one poster thought it best to wait because prices were coming down there's an equal number of people who believe prices have stabilized and now is a good time to buy. I don't have a magic ball, so I don't know the answer.

One thing to keep in mind if you are looking downtown is that there can be a lot of noise at night from trains having to blow horn at intersections. There is a movement to make alterations to intersections to reduce the need to do this, but it's all very preliminary. The train noise issue is recent because there was a recent change in some federal laws that has caused train signals to be required at night when they weren't before.

Some condos downtown are impacted more than others by the noise. People I know who live down there say it can be a real problem sleeping at night in some areas. So be sure to check on this before you buy/rent. How close are you to the tracks and does your unit's windows face the track or away from the track? Ask neighbors about the noise. More information re train noise problems http://www.quietzonesd.info/

Little Italy (not far from downtown) is also a good area for young singles; uptown (adjacent to the west side of Balboa Park) is also a good area. Mission Hills would be nicer for families than singles I think. Hillcrest is also fun. Mission Valley has lots of condos and is centrally located but also known as Divorce Gulch because lots of people move there after divorces. Pacific Beach, esp northern section, is ameanible to single professionals, although there is a lot of "just turned 21" drinkers at the bars and restaurants along Garnet.

Answer 2

I highly recommend to you downtown. There is a glut of condos and if you look around Little Italy the train station is right there and there are also several trolley stations that can take you down to the Gaslamp or to the Ballpark. Plus, you'd be close to the airport...even though the trolley doesn't go there a cab ride wouldn't cost you as much. If that's too busy for you, then I'd look at one of the beach towns in the North County such as Leucadia, Solana Beach and Cardiff or alternatively you could look at Del Mar or Carmel Valley depends on your budget and taste but based on what you're describing your needs to be, I think downtown would be the best fit for a 27 year old professional who's looking for stuff to do and no college kids.

Answer 3

I think you should look around Bankers Hill or Hillcrest. Both are very charming, quiet, nice people/neighbors & you still get to live literally a few minutes from Downtown, Balboa Park, SD Bay, beaches, Airport, Historic Old Town, Shopping Centers (Fashion Valley & Mission Valley malls)

You can take a walk in the park, go dancing, go to baseball games, shop, travel, & get a tan within a mile to 5 miles!

Both cities are inexpensive and have a combination of older historic mansions & homes/apartments to new condos you can either rent or buy. Its also not an expensive area.

Answer 4

Try areas around or in downtown. Nightlife is great downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter and it's more upscale and an older crowd comapred to the nightlife in Pacific Beach. LIttle Italy is great and has many new condos. Bankers Hill is nice and really close to Balboa Park. Hillcrest is a great little neighborhood, but it's SD's gay neighborhood (not that there is anything wrong with that, lol). Also North Park is decent and gentrifying. Downtown itself is now a really great place to live, tons of new condos going up all over the place; check out East Village near the ballpark.

Answer 5

I loved living in Pacific Beach when I was in law school, you can walk to the bars and it's become more professional over the past 5 years, stay out of Mission Beach (lots of drugs)...Mission Hills and Hillcrest are so hot right now, also look at University Heights area....Have fun!

Answer 6

Oh, don't buy right now. The market is still coming down. We stopped looking to buy and are renting for the next year or so. Article in Forbes.com you should read:http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2007/05/03/market-housing-overpriced-forbeslife-cx_mw_0504overpriced.html

Kensington is a great area to rent, coffee house and The Ken Club down the street, Mission Hills is nice too. Point Loma or Old Town are great areas. The last 3 cities I mentioned are very close to down town, but keep in mind downtown San Diego, like most cities can be a bit rough to live, but great to visit for night life.

Check out our news paper for rentals: http://www.signonsandiego.com/
or Craig's list: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/

Good luck!

Answer 7

If you want to live where there are younger, more professional people, downtown is defintley where you should go. But keep in mind, it is very expensive. What you can do is go to www.craigslist.com/sandiego and look at the different prices. You can always drive, or take the trolley after work to the fun places. Try not to spend most of your paycheck on your rent, if at all possible.

Answer 8

I would say most of the younge singles ae in downtown San Degio. There are a few single bars but i could tell you where the are sorry. Good Luck.