Moving to San Diego? 7 Decisions to Make Before Choosing a Neighborhood

Moving to San Diego can feel deceptively simple when you first look at a map. The Pacific is on one side, Downtown is easy to identify, and dozens of neighborhoods appear to be relatively close together.

Then you start looking at homes.

Suddenly, a Downtown condominium, a North Park bungalow, a Mission Hills Spanish-style home and a coastal property may all be within a relatively small geographic area—but they offer entirely different lifestyles.

I have worked in San Diego real estate since 1995, and one of the most useful things I can tell relocating buyers is this: don't begin by asking which San Diego neighborhood is “best.” Start by determining what matters most to you.

1. How Important Is Walkability?

Some buyers want to walk out the front door and have restaurants, coffee shops, groceries and neighborhood services nearby.

That can make areas such as Downtown, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park and portions of University Heights particularly interesting.

But greater walkability may also mean accepting more density, smaller lots, less private outdoor space or more challenging parking.

Other buyers would gladly drive to dinner in exchange for a larger house, garage and quieter residential surroundings.

Neither choice is inherently better.

2. How Much Space Do You Really Need?

Think beyond bedroom count.

Do you need a home office? A yard? Guest room? Garage? Space for pets? Outdoor entertaining? Would a condominium balcony and common amenities work, or do you want your own land?

In San Diego, increasing the amount of space you require can substantially change both your budget and the geographic areas worth considering.

3. How Important Is the Coast?

Many people moving here understandably begin with: “I'd like to live near the beach.”

The more useful question is: how often do you realistically expect to use it?

If surfing, walking the coast or seeing the ocean is part of your everyday life, paying a premium for proximity may make perfect sense.

If you expect to visit the coast a few weekends each month, living farther inland may give you substantially different housing choices.

4. Historic Character or Newer Construction?

Central San Diego contains an exceptional collection of Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Revival homes, cottages and other older properties.

They can be wonderful—but an older home should be evaluated for more than beautiful floors and arched doorways.

Electrical systems, plumbing, sewer lines, foundations, drainage, roofing, additions and previous renovations all deserve attention.

Buyers who prefer newer systems and fewer age-related maintenance concerns may want to broaden the search geographically or consider newer condominiums and townhomes.

5. What Does Your Actual Commute Look Like?

Do not judge a San Diego commute solely by mileage.

Test the route at the time you would actually travel.

Consider work, family, the airport, recreation and the places you expect to visit frequently. A neighborhood that looks perfect on a map may be less practical once your weekly travel pattern is considered.

6. How Important Are Parking and a Garage?

This seems minor—until it isn't.

Parking can vary dramatically between neighborhoods and properties. If you own multiple vehicles, need storage, regularly host visitors or simply dislike searching for street parking, make this a priority early.

7. What Are You Willing to Compromise On?

Nearly every home purchase involves tradeoffs.

• More house or better location?
• Walkability or a larger yard?
• Historic character or newer construction?
• Ocean proximity or more square footage?

The objective isn't to avoid compromise. It is to make the right compromises intentionally.

Start With the Lifestyle, Then Find the House

A successful San Diego relocation becomes much easier once we narrow dozens of possible communities into a manageable group that actually fits your life.

About the author: Christopher Schell, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (CA DRE #01195712), has helped buyers and sellers in San Diego since 1995. Ask Chris a question.