2023 Best Places to Live in the San Diego Area

• Suburb of San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.42 out of 5  36 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in San Diego for nearly my entire life, and I've always found my heart resting in my home region of Solana Beach. The sheer energy of this region highly sets it above all others. My neighbors, family, and friends who inhabit this wonderful little town of the beach never seem to have any issues revolving around their home, and have always been exceedingly kindhearted. I take immense pride in being able to be fortunate enough to live in this beautiful region of San Diego, and I would have never wanted to grow up anywhere else.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 13,025

• 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

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 4,798

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  122 reviews

Current Resident: La Jolla is a great part of San Diego. It is beautiful, has great weather, great beaches, and many different "food and entertainment" options. I love spending time in the area. It is quite and expensive part of the city, however, and the streets can be a little confusing at times if you're not used to the area. It isn't too bad but just make sure you're being a little extra careful if you're new there. Once you get it, though, you'll be able to get around a beautiful city! Most of San Diego's nightlife is going to be in the downtown area, but if you want to watch a gorgeous sunset La Jolla is definitely the place to do it. Overall it's a great place with a lot to offer.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 25,742

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 4,884

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 2,101

• Suburb of San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.35 out of 5  17 reviews

Former Resident: It's really beautiful and safe. It is rather expensive though. I went to a public school and the education there was fantastic.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 4,008

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Middle to upper middle class. Families with children going to public and private schools. Homes priced just below $2 mil to $4+ mil. Low home sales inventory, this neighborhood is highly sought after. Drives up prices. Lots of Teslas on driveways and streets. Neighbors are kind, respectful, like their privacy...yet, some can come off snobby, entitled, plastic or anti-social. Good diversity, good restaurant choices nearby. Freeway access is easy but can get crowded during rush hours. Good access points in all four directions. High wildfire zone area, we've had to evacuate twice in 2003 and 2007. Difficult finding home insurance coverage because of the wildfires.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 5,906

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  107 reviews

Current Resident: There are many accommodations for anyone who is interested in visiting the area. Everything is in very close proximity of each other, so this makes it easy to find the things you are looking ofr.... Read 107 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 37,460

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: I've been living in San Diego for over 10 years now, and I absolutely love Carmel Valley! It's a very clean, safe suburb, perfect for families, and very dog friendly! And the best part? The beaches and Torrey Pines are just a quick 5 to 15 minute drive away, depending on where you're at in Carmel Valley. The recent expansion of Del Mar Highland Town Center and the opening of One Paseo a couple of years ago have only made us love this place even more! Another amazing thing about Carmel Valley is its west, centralized location. You're not too far from North County or downtown SD, plus the freeways are very accessible for anyone who commutes. Now the cons about living here... Housing can be very expensive due to top-rated schools/location and we're missing the large discount retailers like Target, Walmart, Costco, etc. which is a bummer!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 10,496

• 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

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 5,291

• Suburb of San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.41 out of 5  160 reviews

Current Resident: Encinitas is a cute city of opportunity and community. Being born here, I became very familiar with the beach town and actively work downtown at Herb and Sea, in the heart of downtown Encinitas. The locals are very welcoming and the tourists are respectful. A beautiful beach town to find yourself in!... Read 160 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 62,140

• Suburb of San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  78 reviews

Niche User: This is a very special place. Super safe and flanked by the Navy Seal base on one end and North Island Naval Base on the other. Excellent school system Excellent restaurants Walkable amenities Parks Bike paths A great public golf course Amazing community center Numerous resorts And 70 degree weather year round No major Crime issues A very engaged police force Family friendly community where your kids can run about and feel safe! No doubt it doesn’t come cheap because it’s probably the most desirable coastal town in the US! But if you can afford it I highly recommend it!... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 20,627

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  95 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 95 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 37,296

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4 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

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 30,110

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.47 out of 5  19 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 19 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 11,363

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  75 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 75 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 36,037

• 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

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 1,881

• 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

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 2,748

• 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

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 7,608

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  58 reviews

Current Resident: Positives: Central location, lots of trees, tight knit community, many restaurants and shopping options, great wifi speed access, and multiple parks/preserves to enjoy the outdoors. Scripps is split into "old Scripps" and "new Scripps". Each have a very different feel so you get to enjoy two neighborhoods in one. Old Scripps has tons of eucalyptus trees (it smells awesome) and has both a lake and a preserve teeming with wildlife. The shopping centers are old wood, lovingly maintained, but definitely have a small town feel. New Scripps is a developed suburb with multiple housing developments, massive shopping centers that have anything you could possibly desire, with lush common area landscaping that is well kept. Drawbacks: The only issue I have is proximity to MCAS Miramar as helicopter and jet noise can be excessive.... Read 58 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 17,505

• Suburb of San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: Rancho Santa Fe is small and tight-knit town. There are plenty of community events throughout the year, such as concerts, farmer's markets, and holiday celebrations. Another great thing about Rancho Santa Fe is its location. The town is situated just a few miles from the coast, which means residents can enjoy all the benefits of beach living without the crowds and congestion of larger cities. Additionally, the town is surrounded by rolling hills and open space, which provides ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. In terms of education, Rancho Santa Fe has some of the best public and private schools in the area. Overall, Rancho Santa Fe is a wonderful place to live. It offers a high quality of life, a strong sense of community, and plenty of opportunities for recreation and education. If you are looking for a safe, welcoming, and beautiful place to call home, Rancho Santa Fe is definitely worth considering.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 2,914

• City in California

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  Rating 4.41 out of 5  376 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here my whole life, so I may be a bit biased in my review. I love it here, and I think it's an amazing community filled with amazing people, cute restaurants, shops, etc. My reasoning for removing a star is because of the inability to live here if you aren't rich. My parents bought our house almost 20 years ago, so the market was much better. Over the past couple years, many neighborhoods have been gentrified, as well as the small cute village. Low-income families are being bought out of their houses, where developers are building as many condos as they can fit onto a small space of land. No yards, no cuteness, just plain cramped housing. The city gets most of it's revenue from tourism, so I understand why they've been making these developments, but its just heartbreaking to watch my hometown get turned into an urbanized tourist town.... Read 376 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 114,858

• Neighborhood in San Diego, CA

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  110 reviews

Current Resident: Very safe, and the people are friendly. The majority of members are older considering that the neighborhood is surrounded by fifty-five and up communities. However, there has been continuous road work for the past three years throughout the neighborhood, which has caused traffic, smells of sulfur, and loud noises.... Read 110 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 17,308

• Suburb of San Diego, CA

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 2,960

• 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

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 30,543