Best Places to Live in San Diego

Creating a list of the best places to live in San Diego is a difficult task. With so many amazing cities to choose from, narrowing the list to five communities seems unfair to “America’s Finest City”. We here at Class Realty Group are up to the challenge, with your ideal city regardless of interests or lifestyles.

Looking For: Exciting Nightlife

Best Place to Live: Gaslamp Quarter

Best Places to Live in San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Hard Rock Hotel SD

One of the premier entertaining districts in the country, the Gaslamp Quarter leads the way among the best places to live in San Diego for young, energetic residents of America’s Finest City. Spanning twenty square blocks south of Broadway, the Gaslamp Quarter is ideally located among some of the city’s best attractions. With Petco Park to the east, Seaport Village to the west, and the San Diego Convention Center to the south, finding something to do around the downtown neighborhood is never an issue. Affordable and luxurious apartment buildings alike are located within walking distance of everything residents need to thrive in the area. This includes a mall, a gym, a park, multiple restaurants, Vegas style nightclubs, and more just a few blocks away. Big city living is a rite of passage for many recent college grads, and perhaps nowhere is this lifestyle more exciting than the Gaslamp Quarter.

Looking For: Premier Beach Access

Best Place to Live: Encinitas

Best Places to Live in San Diego Encinitas

Home Away

Sitting along a six-mile stretch of the unbeatable Pacific coastline, Encinitas is one of the world’s great beach cities. Surfing, swimming, and relaxing under the San Diego sunshine make up the identity of this beautiful coastal span from Cardiff-by-the-Sea to La Costa, and this mentality is evident in the more than 60,000 citizens of the rapidly growing city in the heart of North County. It is important to note, however, that going to the beach isn’t the only thing to do in town. The city is also home to botanical gardens, golf courses, and dozens of unbelievable restaurants, allowing residents to enjoy some of the best coastal San Diego cuisine in the county. Whether you are looking to start a family or simply spend your post-college years away from the hectic lifestyle of Pacific Beach or downtown, Encinitas is the ultimate spot for beach lovers of all ages.

Looking For: Family Friendly

Best Place to Live: Carmel Valley

Best Places to Live in San Diego Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley Ranch Club

There are so many great cities in San Diego when it comes to starting a family. The one that has led the way in home demand for the past few years is beautiful Carmel Valley. Although more expensive than a number of cities in North County, Carmel Valley’s ideal location and excellent amenities provides access to the many of the best jobs and best schools in San Diego. Just minutes away from world-famous Del Mar and Torrey Pines, residents of Carmel Valley have dozens of options when it comes to beaches, parks, golf courses, schools, and much more in and around the city. In addition, great youth sports leagues and the One Paseo project cement Carmel Valley as an ideal, family-friendly community.

Looking For: Affordability

Best Place to Live: Carlsbad

Best Places to Live in San Diego Carlsbad

Carlsbad Village

San Diego has recently been rated as highly as the 9th most expensive housing market in the United States. This is a huge problem for many people who want to live in this unbelievable place but simply cannot afford it on top of everything else that goes into owning a house, supporting a family, or paying student loans. When browsing the best places to live in San Diego while still considering affordability, Carlsbad sticks out as an outstanding option for a wide-range of people. The city is home to beautiful beaches, fishing and water sports at the numerous lagoons, highly-ranked schools, and much more. Although increasing along with home prices throughout San Diego, renting and owning a home in this city remains much more reasonable relative to any city offering competitive amenities.

Looking For: Luxurious Living

Best Place to Live: La Jolla

Travel Digg

When it comes to the best places to live in San Diego, La Jolla finds itself alone at the top. This jewel of a city sits 12 miles north of downtown San Diego, occupying 7 miles of coastline home to beautiful beaches, the La Jolla Cove, and amazing ocean view houses. The La Jolla Village features luxury shops and beach side restaurants, while Torrey Pines sits just a short drive away. If you’re planning on living in this unbeatable neighborhood you better start saving right away due to the fact that La Jolla was ranked as the most expensive city in the United States in 2008-2009.