Where to Live Near San Diego, Besides the City
Sometimes big cities can be hectic. City life often brings with it more traffic, expensive housing costs, or lack of a close-knit social network. It’s possible that big-city living may not be for you, and that’s okay. San Diego may not be as big as other cities like Chicago or Los Angeles, but it can still be overwhelming for some. Just outside the city, you can find in a more reasonably priced area that’s only a short drive away from all the excitement.
So, for those who’d like to live near San Diego, check out these neighborhoods right outside the city.
Chula Vista
The 14th largest city in California, Chula Vista is just seven-and-a-half miles from the city, as well as from the Mexican border. It has about 180 distinct neighborhoods and hosts a population of over 260,000. That may seem like a lot, but it’s less than a quarter of San Diego. Even better? A good portion of the properties listed are under $500K, perfect for fitting into a budget. Some of the neighborhoods with median home prices under $500K are Otay Mesa, Eastlake Vistas, Eastlake Shores, and Countryside.
Escondido
About 30 miles northeast of Downtown San Diego lies Escondido, one of the oldest cities in the county. With a population of 147,294 residents in 2015 and roughly 250 neighborhoods, Escondido offers homebuyers plenty of housing options. Some of the more interesting neighborhoods include the Lawrence Welk Resort Village, which offers competitively priced, mid-size homes, and Champagne Village, which has received new developments over the years, and Old Escondido, which is a historic neighborhood dating back to 1918. Also, the downtown area of Escondido is having its own renaissance, and it’s the only historic district in North San Diego County.
Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach is the southernmost city in the state and consists of 25 neighborhoods with a population of 26,324. Located 14 miles from downtown, Imperial Beach provides residents with a laid-back beach lifestyle. It has four miles of sandy beaches, and it’s home to one of the county’s best surf spots, Boca Rio beach break. Some neighborhoods of note are South San Diego Park, dating back to 1930. Holly Park offers a variety of home styles from a range of time periods. Dolphin Bay Subdivision offers a good mix of classic and modern style homes.
La Mesa
East of Downtown San Diego, La Mesa has a population of 57,065. Though not overly large, it has the access to the San Diego Trolley’s Orange and Green Line, as well as California State Route 94, California State Route 125, and Interstate 8, allowing residents to easily travel throughout the area. Some popular neighborhoods in this city include Lake Murray Village, the historic Grossmont Park, and Windsor Hills.
Lemon Grove
With a population of 25,320 spread over 26 neighborhoods, Lemon Grove is probably one of the smaller cities in the county at only 3.9 square miles. Lemon Grove is only 10 miles from the city, and has access to the Orange Line, Route 94 and Route 125. Some neighborhoods of note are Village Walk, San Altos Terrace, and the historic Monterey Heights.
Oceanside
The third-largest city in the county with a population of 167,086 spread across 229 neighborhoods, Oceanside forms a tri-city area along with Vista and Carlsbad. A military-friendly town right next to Camp Pendleton, it’s about 40 minutes from the city with the Oceanside Transit Center providing service to Amtrak, Coaster, Metrolink, and the Sprinter. Oceanside has a broad range of neighborhoods, from seven figures to under $300K. Some neighborhoods of note are Seabreeze, Bay Shores, Mira Costa Mesa, and Ocean Hills.
Poway
Powayhas a population of 47,811 and 103 neighborhoods. Fun fact: It was an unincorporated community until the end of 1980. With a slogan of “The City in the Country,” Poway is definitely a good bet for those who want to be just outside San Diego. Poway is one of the more high end cities, with many home values well over $1 million. Some notable neighborhoods include Millards, where most homes have five bedrooms and five bathrooms on 14.5 acre lots, The Heritage, which was completed in 2013, or Old Winery Estates.
Santee
Santeeis bisected by the San Diego River and offers scenic views of its natural barrier of hills and the Cowles Mountain–the highest point in San Diego. Santee hosts 53,413 residents in 85 neighborhoods. Located only 20 miles from the city, Santee offers ease of transport with the Green Line Trolley, MTS bus service to Old Town and downtown, as well as Route 52, Route 125, and Route 67. There are a broad range of neighborhoods in Santee, such as the high end Sky Ranch and Weston as well as the moderately priced Carlton Oaks.