Where to live in San Diego

Question

Hello, hope this is the right forum to ask this question. My wife and I have a goal to relocate to San Diego within 2 years. We are exploring areas and neighborhoods that would be a good fit for us. We have ruled out anything near the beach. But we have found the Gas Lamp district and surrounding areas near Petco field attractive. Especially these luxury condos. But we also have concerns about this area for several reasons. Here are our main questions about that area:

-Is it safe to live in that area?

-Would it be conducive to having a dog?

We are open to other areas in or near the downtown area. We were also looking at little Italy... but a friend of our said that there could be a fair amount of noise from the airport. We are looking for advice on nice areas to live in San Diego. Our budget is about $800K. Main requirements are a safe area, relatively quiet, and conducive to dog ownership.

Thanks,

-Jim

Daniel Frye · Answer

My two cents would be check out North Park. You can find great single family homes in that area. Better for pets as you can more easily walk the streets. It is also safer in terms of being further away from the homeless population. The main homeless areas start just a couple blocks east of Petco Park.

Dan H. · Answer

I think you would like Bankers Hill.   It may push the budget a bit.   The lots are less exposed  and probably a bit larger than North Park.

If you purchase in either North Park or Bankers Hill, get a foundation inspection.  Beach sand was used for some houses in both locations.  The beach sand over time is corrosive to the concrete.   Many homes have already paid to address this issue.  You do not want to purchase and then determine there is still a foundation issue related to the use of beach sand.  good luck

Mark Huang · Answer

I also agree the North Park, South Park, University Heights, etc. is a great place to live.  I live here now and love it.  My favorite thing is it's one of the few areas that's walkable in san diego.  A ton of places to go within walking distance.  Centrally located in the city but still residential (quiet), easy access to freeways, and a lot of places to eat and drink.  For 800K you could get a small 2 bedroom home that would be better for your dog than a condo.  I feel very safe and would just stay away from the commercial areas for noise and a few homeless people.

Jared Aquino · Answer

@James M Bambrough I used to live off of University and Arizona st and it was a great spot. Easy access to restaurants, bars, etc. The only "unsafe" experience I had was related to a homeless person blocking my garage (this was back in 2016). Be sure to scope out the area though because some pockets are safer than others.

Check out the area around 30th street too. Like University Ave, it's one of the main thoroughfares through NP with a lot of places to eat and drink.

Candice Cruz · Answer

I have to agree with Daniel. Living in North Park you get a nice neighborhood vibe, you are close to Balboa park (great for dogs), and you are a short driving/biking distance from all the fun of downtown.

Kenneth Donaghy · Answer

Hi @James M Bambrough, welcome to the forums, and congrats on setting your goal to move to beautiful San Diego!

As for luxury downtown condos, Little Italy and the Marina are relatively safe, there are placing to walk your dog, from small parks to Seaport Village. There's a smaller amount of homeless in those areas of downtown compared to the East Village.

There is some airplane noise in Little Italy, about 95-98% of the time the planes lands from that direction, so they follow the same path every time, therefore you can strategically find a home with less noise in that area. As well the planes are relatively more quiet when they land than when they take off.

If you are looking for a more neighborhood feel, I agree with North Park and surrounding areas. Normal Heights, is one to add, people have yet stated. If you like a historic old school neighborhood vibe, I suggest Burlingame. It's one of the first plan neighborhoods in SD, and really has a front yard feel, where all the neighbors know each other, talk to each other as they walk their dogs on their pink sidewalks.

As far has your budget, you may have some limitations, and it's hard to know where the market will be in 2 years. You will have possibilities for sure.

James M Bambrough · Answer

Thanks for all the recommendations everybody! It sounds like North Park would be a good option to look at, and I will also definitely look into the foundation inspection if we go that route, good advice @Dan Heuschele

Within North Park, what would be the better areas to live? I would love to be able to walk to some nice restaurants or microbreweries yet still have a decent place to live in. Just looking on the map it appears that University Ave has a lot of amenities. Is that a good/safe area?

Where to live in San Diego

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