San Diego is a collection of very different places that share one county line. Choosing among them is easier if you start with your daily routine instead of the map.
Start with the commute you will actually make
Distance on the map says less than the time on the road. Interstates 5, 8, 15 and 805 and State Route 163 carry most commutes, and rush hour changes everything. Before you fall for a neighborhood, drive it at the hours you would travel, or check whether the MTS Trolley or the Coaster train fits your route.
If one of you works downtown and the other works from home, a trolley-connected neighborhood or a central spot like Mission Valley can be a very livable trade.
Then decide how much home and yard you want
Condominiums and townhomes cluster downtown, in Mission Valley and near the beaches. Single-family houses are more common in inland communities such as Rancho Bernardo, Escondido and eastern Chula Vista. If acreage is the goal, the search moves to the inland and backcountry parts of the county. See the acreage page for the checklist.
Match the setting to how you spend a weekend
- Beach and boardwalk: Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores and Del Mar.
- Village streets and the coast highway: Encinitas and Carlsbad.
- Bay, ferry and historic streets: Coronado and Point Loma.
- Walkable city blocks, ballpark and waterfront: downtown San Diego.
- Lakes, trails and open space: Rancho Bernardo and Escondido.
Tour two neighborhoods on the same day
The best test is a morning in one and an afternoon in another. Tell John which two you are torn between and he will plan the day, including a drive at rush hour so the commute is not a surprise.