Central San Diego

Downtown

San Diego has a lively downtown replete with world-class dining, community events, trendy gastropubs, and tasting rooms showcasing the region’s many wineries. Also referred to as Center City, downtown is walkable and the vintage trolley can get you to destinations just out of walking distance. The historic Gaslamp District is a cultural gem with theaters, galleries, symphony halls, concert venues, and museums. The nightlife here is sophisticated with rooftop bars and posh nightclubs. Singles and couples without children typically flock to downtown or one of its many offshoot neighborhoods to be in the center of it all.

Home Size in Downtown

Living downtown is like living in most other urban cities. You’re most definitely sacrificing space to be in the middle of all the action. Condos, lofts, apartments and penthouses contained in modern highrises are the norm. The sizes of the units range from around 800 to 1,800 square feet, and they are very pricey.

Home Prices in Downtown

The median home value for properties in Downtown San Diego is $568,000 according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Keep in mind, the average cost per square foot is around $554 and the average home size is around 800 square feet. Home Values are forecasted to increase by 1.3% in the coming year. According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate for homes in San Diego Metro is $2,547.

Don’t forget to research HOA fees, Mello-Roos tax (if applicable), and utility costs when determining your budget for renting or buying. These items add up quickly and can tack on hundreds of dollars per month to your base rent or mortgage.

Schools in Downtown

Public schools in Downtown San Diego are in San Diego Unified School District. One of the best schools is Correia Middle School, which is rated 9 according to Greatschools.org. Overall, San Diego Unified School District’s rating is 4.

San Diego Unified is the second largest district in California. The student population is richly diverse, representing 15-plus ethnic groups and more than 60 languages and dialects. SDU offers a Transitional Kindergarten program. The district is implementing a multi-year plan to transition all district schools to a single traditional academic calendar replacing the current system that includes 39 year-round schools. Lessening the disruption felt by military families when moving was one of the reasons stated for the change.

San Diego Unified offers students the option to attend specialized magnet schools. Some of the unique programs include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), Music Conservatory, Communications & Multimedia, International Baccalaureate, Language Immersion, Visual & Performing Arts, Athletics and Micro Society.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest is another Uptown San Diego gem located close to Naval Base San Diego (32nd Street) that draws young singles by the droves. It’s renowned as being San Diego’s vibrant LGBT central hub, with blocks and blocks of entertainment, shopping, restaurants, bars, and coffee houses. Hillcrest is walkable and you’ll find patio dining at every locally owned cafe you pass. Farmer’s markets, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s are your grocers, and the shopping is eclectic and colorful. This is a lively neighborhood with parades, concerts, and festivals that keep the party going. Hillcrest is a little more urban, with fewer parks and green space than other neighborhoods.

Home Size in Hillcrest

Hillcrest has a mix of apartments and bungalows near the business district. Townhomes are also popular. The average home size in North Park is 800 to 1,600 square feet.

Home Prices in Hillcrest

The median home value for single family homes in Hillcrest is $678,000 according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Home Values are forecasted to increase by 1.3% in the coming year. According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate for homes in Hillcrest is $2,475. The ZRI for Hillcrest is for all rentals, including smaller apartments and very large homes. There isn’t enough data available to narrow down the median rate for single-family homes.

Don’t forget to research HOA fees, Mello-Roos tax (if applicable), and utility costs when determining your budget for renting or buying. These items add up quickly and can tack on hundreds of dollars per month to your base rent or mortgage. 

Schools in Hillcrest

Public schools in Hillcrest are part of San Diego Unified School District. One of the best schools is Florence Elementary School, which is rated 6 according to Greatschools.org. Overall, San Diego Unified School District’s rating is 4.

San Diego Unified is the second largest district in California. The student population is richly diverse, representing 15-plus ethnic groups and more than 60 languages and dialects. SDU offers a Transitional Kindergarten program. The district is implementing a multi-year plan to transition all district schools to a single traditional academic calendar replacing the current system that includes 39 year-round schools. Lessening the disruption felt by military families when moving was one of the reasons stated for the change.

San Diego Unified offers students the option to attend specialized magnet schools. Some of the unique programs include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), Music Conservatory, Communications & Multimedia, International Baccalaureate, Language Immersion, Visual & Performing Arts, Athletics and Micro Society. North Park schools are a part of High School Cluster #2.

La Jolla

La Jolla is considered one of the most popular beach towns in America. Pronounced “la hoya,” this jewel of California boasts a dramatic coastline, a quaint village lifestyle, gentle surf, and stunning beaches. The shopping is trendy and affluent—think gluten-free gourmet cupcakeries and locally-owned, designer boutiques. This picturesque oceanside town is surrounded by water on three sides and has some of the most expensive homes in the area. The vibe is upscale casual—we didn’t even know that was a thing! Museums, a play house, and the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course and Lodge are veritable playgrounds for the rich and famous. Though pricey, it is a phenomenal place to consider for retirement!

Home Size in La Jolla

Homes in La Jolla are large and mansions are common. The average square footage is around 3,000. Your best bet for something “affordable” by military BAH standards would be to look for a guest house rental.

Home Prices in La Jolla

The median home value single family homes in La Jolla is $2.03 million according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Home Values are forecasted to increase by 2.1% in the coming year. According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate in La Jolla. is $6,331. The ZRI for La Jolla is for all rentals, including smaller apartments and very large homes. There isn’t enough data available to narrow down the median rate for single-family homes.

Don’t forget to research HOA fees, Mello-Roos tax (if applicable), and utility costs when determining your budget for renting or buying. These items add up quickly and can tack on hundreds of dollars per month to your base rent or mortgage.

Schools in La Jolla

The public schools in La Jolla are part of San Diego Unified School District. One of the highest rated schools is Bird Rock Elementary School, with a rating of 10, according to GreatSchools.org. Overall, San Diego Unified School District’s rating is 4.

San Diego Unified is the second largest district in California. The student population is richly diverse, representing 15-plus ethnic groups and more than 60 languages and dialects. SDU offers a Transitional Kindergarten program. The district is implementing a multi-year plan to transition all district schools to a single traditional academic calendar replacing the current system that includes 39 year-round schools. Lessening the disruption felt by military families when moving was one of the reasons stated for the change.

San Diego Unified offers students the option to attend specialized magnet schools. Some of the unique programs include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), Music Conservatory, Communications & Multimedia, International Baccalaureate, Language Immersion, Visual & Performing Arts, Athletics and Micro Society. La Jolla schools are a part of High School Cluster #1.

North Park

If you want to be close to downtown and enjoy the trendiest of shops and restaurants, then North Park should be on your short list. It is a vibrant, young, and walkable community with craft breweries on every corner, art galleries, live theater, and farm-to-table restaurants. Balboa Park is a short bike ride away and so are the numerous events and festivals hosted in this urban refuge. Young singles flock to the area, and the married couples that reside here are typically living on two incomes. The Uptown neighborhoods of North Park and Hillcrest are ideal if you’ll be commuting to Naval Base San Diego (32nd Street). It is centrally located in San Diego and traveling to downtown, or the beaches, is easy. It’s also very convenient to hop on Interstate 805 (“the 805” north/south) or Interstate 8 (“the 8” east/west).

Home Size in North Park

A lot of the housing inventory in North Park consists of smaller condos and apartments (800 to 1,800 square feet). As with most urban downtown areas, parking is going to be tricky and you should figure a parking space or garage pass in with the rest of your housing expenses.

Home Prices in North Park

The median home value for single family homes in North Park is $657,000 according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Home Values are forecasted to increase by 1.3% in the coming year. According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate for homes in North Park is $2,473. The ZRI for North Park is for all rentals, including smaller apartments and very large homes. There isn’t enough data available to narrow down the median rate for single-family homes.

Don’t forget to research HOA fees, Mello-Roos tax (if applicable), and utility costs when determining your budget for renting or buying. These items add up quickly and can tack on hundreds of dollars per month to your base rent or mortgage.

Schools in North Park

The public schools in North Park are in San Diego Unified School District. One of the best schools is McKinley Elementary School, which is rated 8 according to Greatschools.org. Overall, San Diego Unified School District’s rating is 4.

San Diego Unified is the second largest district in California. The student population is richly diverse, representing 15-plus ethnic groups and more than 60 languages and dialects. SDU offers a Transitional Kindergarten program. The district is implementing a multi-year plan to transition all district schools to a single traditional academic calendar replacing the current system that includes 39 year-round schools. Lessening the disruption felt by military families when moving was one of the reasons stated for the change.

San Diego Unified offers students the option to attend specialized magnet schools. Some of the unique programs include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), Music Conservatory, Communications & Multimedia, International Baccalaureate, Language Immersion, Visual & Performing Arts, Athletics and Micro Society.

Point Loma

The Point Loma peninsula wraps around Coronado and guards the entrance to the San Diego Bay. Rocky beaches meet the Pacific Ocean swells on the west, while the “Bay Side” provides a refuge for yachts, sportfishing boats, and marine life. Military families love Point Loma for its history, trendy shopping, and family-friendly neighborhoods. There is also a privatized base housing community located here, so you’ll be right at home amongst your military kin. Developers converted an old naval base into Liberty Station, a quirky “urban village” with hotels, shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, and a waterfront park. Tide-pooling, whale watching, and sport fishing are all popular pastimes in Point Loma. They’re also huge tourist draws, so consider yourself warned!

Home Size in Point Loma

As with most of the coastal communities, anything over 2,000 square feet will run you into the millions. There are plenty of small beach cottages to choose from, as well as two-story Spanish style homes.

Home Prices in Point Loma

The median home value for single family homes in Point Loma is $833,000 according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Home Values are forecasted to increase by 1.6% in the coming year. According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate for homes in Point Loma. is $2,605. The ZRI for Point Loma is for all rentals, including smaller apartments and very large homes. There isn’t enough data available to narrow down the median rate for single-family homes.

Don’t forget to research HOA fees, Mello-Roos tax (if applicable), and utility costs when determining your budget for renting or buying. These items add up quickly and can tack on hundreds of dollars per month to your base rent or mortgage.

Schools in Point Loma

Public schools in Point Loma Heights are part of San Diego Unified School District. One of the best schools is Silver Gate Elementary School, which is rated 10, according to GreatSchools.org. Overall, San Diego Unified School District’s rating is 4.

San Diego Unified is the second largest district in California. The student population is richly diverse, representing 15-plus ethnic groups and more than 60 languages and dialects. SDU offers a Transitional Kindergarten program. The district is implementing a multi-year plan to transition all district schools to a single traditional academic calendar, replacing the current system that includes 39 year-round schools. Lessening the disruption felt by military families when moving was one of the reasons stated for the change.

San Diego Unified offers students the option to attend specialized magnet schools. Point Loma schools are a part of High School Cluster #2.