These are best places to live in San Diego, at least in my opinion. I came up with 5 of my favorite neighborhoods actually. So keep in mind, as I put this list together. I looked at it from a best places to live perspective. If you add certain antidotes such as the best neighborhoods to live for families or the best places to live that are walkable, then this list if going to look a little different. Very different in certain cases.
Lets hop right in:
Little Italy
Little Italy is probably San Diego’s hottest neighborhood at the moment. It sits right on tip top end of Downtown San Diego between the airport, the San Diego bay, and freeway. Technically you are in Downtown but it doesn’t feel like it. You get amazing ocean breezes, fantastic views. The streets are lined with amazing restaurants, cafes, bars, wine tasting, shops, boutiques, and residences. The neighborhood is relatively clean compared to other parts pf the city and doesn’t have the homeless population found in other parts as well. It safe and highly walkable. There are many options to purchase a residence or rent an apartment here.
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North Park
North Park is one of the best walkable places to live in San Diego. There are we are talking about is right here north and above the world famous Balboa Park. It’s a good sized. It was actually named as one of the best hipster neighborhoods in America by Forbes magazine, There are a lot of bars offering hand crafted cocktails, restaurants even the most picky of foodies will enjoy, coffee shops, music venues, and parks. Many of the world famous craft beer brands have roots and or tasting rooms in this area. Awesome place to spend time and live.
East Village
This is another highly walkable neighborhood in Downtown San Diego. Its most well known for being home to the Petco Park and the San Diego padres. In fact, East Village is the biggest downtown San Diego neighborhood as it extends all the way up north to basically where the five freeway bends and where you start with Balboa Park. It also runs west to Sixth Avenue where the Gaslamp Quarter starts. East Village is one of San Diego’s most walkable neighborhoods. Everything is right outside your front door including shops, bars, markets, restaurants, Petco park and the San Diego padres and easy access to the freeways if a commute is needed. Its filled with young professionals, some young families, and little bit of everything else. People tend to be friendly and social here. I lived here for about 6 years, it’s a great lifestyle.
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Pacific Beach
I did an entire video dedicated to PB so click here if you want to check that out. It’s a good option for a young professional but you will have a part of the population in the pre young professional stage. I lived in Pacific Beach for 15 years and Loved every minute of it. It has beaches, restaurants, shops, coffee shops, bars galore, a surfing scene, and pretty much anything else beach related you can think of. If you move here, buy a pair of flip flops and a beach cruiser.
Mission Valley
Mission Valley on paper and a map has it all. Check this out. Its right here north of the 8 freeway. Its home to the former home of the NFL chargers, many business, restaurants, shops, several shopping malls, car dealerships, hotels, and motels. You will have very quick and easy freeway access for commutes to the city or UTC area. Its actually not as walkable as you might think as things are very spread out and many of the residents tend to head to other neighborhoods for entertainment. Its actually one of the few neighborhoods outside of the city that makes public transportation a realistic option. You can pick up the trolley in many parts of Mission Valley and that can take you to east San Diego or it can take you to Downtown San Diego and as far south as the international border with Mexico. They are also expanding the northern route which will take you right up thru the UCSD AREA. Very convenient for someone commuting that way but wanting to avoid the parking lot lie conditions of the 80/5 freeway commuter mash up.
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Also, if you also need any help navigating San Diego as far as living, eating, sleeping, working, or playing, I will be happy to help. Don’t be shy about reaching out to me. Call, text, or email me anytime!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post,
Wesley