2022 Best Neighborhoods to Live in the San Diego Area

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.19 out of 5  16 reviews

Niche User: It's gorgeous, laid-back, and everyone's friendly.... Read 16 reviews

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• Population 8,198

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Best for families with young children. Good public and private school nearby. Weather stays on the cooler side if you like that. I found it to be a little gloomy most of the time. Freeways are close and most of the neighborhoods are not gated. I grew up in San Diego and although Torreyhills is central, I find it is becoming a melting pot.... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 4,798

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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• Population 4,884

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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• Population 295

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  60 reviews

Current Resident: Carmel Valley is clean, safe, family and dog friendly. I have a short 15 minute commute to work in La Jolla or the beach at Torrey Pines. There are plenty of child care options in the area and plenty of recreational activities for young children and families. There are trails nearby and beautiful sunsets with hot air balloons in the sky nearly every night. The schools are excellent with teachers who care and the Del Mar School District puts children's wellbeing first. They provide an extensive list of extracurricular activities for all young personalities and communicate well with parents. Police are present in the area so we feel safe walking through the neighborhood at night. The neighborhood is diverse and people are friendly and welcoming. The only negatives are that there are high convenient costs to gas and groceries in the area, and the home values are high, but otherwise, overall it is probably the best neighborhood we've ever lived in.... Read 60 reviews

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• Population 32,302

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  113 reviews

Current Resident: The biggest gripe I have living here is that rent is absurdly high for a student like me, but the food options everywhere are pretty diverse. I haven't really explored the nightlife if there is any, as I spend most of my nights studying and just exploring the city during the daytime where buses are present. Definitely recommend driving but there will be places where it is difficult to find parking just because of how close it is to certain locations (malls, universities, etc.).... Read 113 reviews

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• Population 29,407

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  22 reviews

Parent: Scripps Ranch community provides easy access to shopping and a safe environment where you will find many residents taking walks and enjoying the wonderful weather and location.... Read 22 reviews

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• Population 11,932

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  106 reviews

Current Resident: University City is a "quiet" town. It is small in relativity to all the other neighborhoods in San Diego, which is nice. You get to bump into people you haven't seen in forever at the store or just driving or walking around. Although the neighborhood is right next to the freeway and airbase, so we do get some noise from there, it is still fairly quiet. Everybody here is nice and friendly, making it a great environment to live in!... Read 106 reviews

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• Population 58,078

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.44 out of 5  18 reviews

Current Resident: Carmel Mountain is the perfect place for families, and it has so many things nearby. There is multiple parks, good schools, and shopping centers all within 10 minutes. Highly recommend to look into these safe and friendly neighborhoods.... Read 18 reviews

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• Population 12,241

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  93 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here for over 25 years. It is quiet, scenic, and neighbors are warm and friendly. Many families walk, run, and bike daily. People take good care of their yards and homes. The canyon is an added benefit, great for hiking and outdoor activities. Very, very safe. Just an excellent area to live in! Also accessible to entertainment, shopping, and dining.... Read 93 reviews

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• Population 45,514

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  101 reviews

Current Resident: I have only been living in Rancho Bernardo for about half a year and its very peaceful here. My siblings' elementary school is right down the street and the neighborhood is so safe and friendly that they can just bike to school and play after school. Many restaurants and stores are nearby, especially Costco, which is very convenient for our commute! Its never too busy here and everything feels closeby. I love how it's never a worry to go to places or to pick up some emergency things when its nearby.... Read 101 reviews

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• Population 42,416

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: I live in a very wonderful area and I have access to everything I need. It's a fairly wealthy and very clean area. The only aspect of this area that I do not like is how superficial some people are; there are a lot of plastic surgeons who get lots of business around here and it is a little off-putting how fake people's bodies are and sometimes their personality matches that superficiality.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 12,080

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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• Population 12,959

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.42 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Sabre Springs is within walking distance of Chicarita Creek and other trails that expose you to nature. Across the street there's an elementary school with supportive teachers--can't say the kids were as nice though. Nearby there's also a park that's fun for the kids. Sabre Springs has two groups of houses: the multimillion dollar homes (and some condos) on Sabre Hill and the townshome complexes at the bottom. I live at the bottom of the hill where rent is cheap as far as California goes, but still pricey. My area is pretty but there's no noise insulation, and we have more than our share of eccentric neighbors. There's a Lab Corp and General Atomics, for those who are interested in STEM, and also a business park and a small strip mall, which we used to visit every now and then to get gas, with a daycare center. Aside from that you'd have to drive everywhere else, including middle and high school and the grocery store.... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 10,219

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  54 reviews

Current Resident: This is a lovely, albeit expensive, neighborhood! There are many schools and parks around for little ones to play, and it's a fairly suburban environment, which means that you need a car to get around. Chain restaurants are abundant, so you might need to venture out to other San Diego foodie spots if you are craving something more unique. It is close to everything, with quick access to the freeway, so you don't feel too cut off from San Diego, but still get to appreciate a private retreat.... Read 54 reviews

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• Population 20,108

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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• Population 4,120

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.24 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: It is definitely in a very good location with quick freeway access to major highways. There is an elementary school, middle school, and high school all within walking distance. People tend to be friendly and there is a local strip mall that's on the small side. Houses are nice but the whole area is on a major road - Camino Del Sur, where many don't observe speed limits and there is a lot of traffic during school times. Other than that it's a pretty nice place to live. There are lots of hiking trails nearby within the canyons and the bike path is right off the freeway.... Read 17 reviews

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• Population 7,608

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  74 reviews

Current Resident: I love living here. There are so many things to do outdoors and lots of great food and shopping. I enjoy living within walking distance to so many different places. This is a beautiful community and a friendly neighborhood. From my location I can walk to Crown Point, Kate Sessions or the beach within 10-15 minuets. Summers are fun but there is nothing like this beach town in the fall and spring, less people (tourist) and great weather!... Read 74 reviews

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• Population 42,494

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  26 reviews

Niche User: San Diego is an amazing place to live. San Diego has the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, without the big city vibes. The general atmosphere is a laid back and beachy. Balboa Park and the Zoo are both musts. Balboa Park is a beautiful and fun place to walk around with yummy food and cool museums. Overall, San Diego has a lot to offer for all sorts of people, and I absolutely love it.... Read 26 reviews

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• Population 39,152

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  46 reviews

Current Resident: Mission Valley is in the smack middle of everything. From Qualcomm Stadium (now SDCCU Stadium) to Fashion Valley and Mission Valley Mall, everything is a quick 10-minute drive away. Very high rated public and private schools are nearby as well, mainly focused in the Allied Gardens area, a quick 5-minute drive away. The area is of course usually very safe, no major violent incidents. With the SDCCU stadium and the malls and river so close by, the rent can get pretty pricy. There are also a lot of different ethnic backgrounds here, and you can tell just driving through Mission Valley. The only downside to this beautiful area is the San Diego River. Many homeless people hang out at night, making it a dangerous area to take a stroll. During the few rainy seasons we get, the river occasionally overflows, causing damage to some apartments and many roadblocks along the usual route home.... Read 46 reviews

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• Population 22,959

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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• grade A minus

• Population 987

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  50 reviews

Niche User: I did not hear about many major crimes occurring within my immediate area. I frequently saw police roaming the streets, keeping watch on the community.... Read 50 reviews

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• Population 43,093

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  46 reviews

Current Resident: Everyone in the neighborhood is extremely nice! The weather is always pleasant, and there is so much to do. From hikes on the cliffs, to local yoga classes, to eats and treats, you will always have something to do. Grab a board and surf some of the waves at the Ocean Beach Pier!... Read 46 reviews

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• Population 13,429

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Mission Beach for over a year has been like waking up in a dream. Every day there is a spectacular sunrise over the bay, and the sunset in the evening is equally dreamy. While rent prices can be steep, it is worth every penny. There is a place to eat for everyone from families to college kids and fresh seafood and tacos for everyone. With miles of bike and running paths it is impossible to be inside on a sunny day. Belmont Park is one highlight of this area, with rollercoaster and carnival rides and the smell of salt water and cotton candy hanging in the air, it is easy to float into a nostalgic summer from childhood's past. Mission Beach is an amazing place to live or visit, but if you visit, it may be tough to leave. As a runner, I have seen the beaches from five in the morning to late at night and I always feel safe and secure, with a consistent police... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 2,095

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  172 reviews

Current Resident: Mira Mesa is a great place for food and fun! Although many of our neighboring communities view us as 'poor' we are not. The schools have a good education! However, the streets are very dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Many lack safety while driving and many choose to endanger themselves by walking on busy intersections without crosswalks.... Read 172 reviews

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• Population 82,852