Coronado

[Rosemarie]

Looks like my LO will be based in Coronado and needs to start looking for a place to live. Does anyone have any info on where to look for affordable, nice rentals in San Diego? Real Estate or rental agents?? Neighborhoods or communities to definitely look at, or to avoid??? Help!!

[Anti M]

Coronado is a resort island which happens to have a Navy base at the end of it.  Extremely expensive.  Look along the Silver Strand, but that may be pricey too.  Imperial Beach tends to attract party rentals, and Ocean Beach has the hippies (beach areas get tourist traffic like mad) .  Honestly, almost everyone commutes from further inland.   Avoid National City, and most of downtown.  Some folks like Chula Vista, I did not.  I was up above MIssion Valley when hubby was at North Island, we were in Birdland between Linda Vista and Serra Mesa.  Quiet area.  MIssion Valley is not too bad if you want a central location.  Most of his coworkers lived all the way out in El Cajon or further north.  My friend lived in La Jolla, but I didn't care for the gated apartment complexes there, and houses were crazy.  

I take it you aren't eligible for housing?  Some of those neighborhoods are quite nice.  Even if you are renting out of pocket, have your sailor take the lease into housing, make sure the military clause is included (may not be if you are not a spouse), and that the landlord is not blacklisted.   The housing office can be quite helpful even if you are not interested in their housing options.

[Reg]

I just helped our Lt (aviator based at NAS North Island) find a new apartment in San Diego.  We used Craigslist to search for prospects and did find one he likes.  Just be careful for scams - but they are few - and need to vet them by going to see them as with any apt.  Most owners or real estate companies are familiar with the military clauses - no problems with that.  

 We are southern California natives and very familiar with the San Diego region.  Mostly agree with the post Anti M about neighborhoods, but would add the North Park and South Park neighborhoods as desirable depending on the block or street.  Our son has lived in 3 places in these areas - essentially the surrounds of Balboa Park.  It is up and coming and depending on the exact location can be close to not only Balboa Park but also restaurants, farmers markets, supermarkets, and all sorts of amenities so no need to drive on the weekends.  Lots of young people in these areas - singles and families.  

Coronado itself is rather expensive even for southern California and there are few choices in supermarkets, restaurants etc. and they too tend to be more expensive.  Also traffic over the bridge can be jammed at times.  

Good luck!