San Diego Home Search
San Diego Home buying or renting is just want newcomers must do. In fact, a high percentage of San Diego residents were once newcomers and literally, thousands have relied on the SAN DIEGAN/SanDiegan.com to help them in their relocation. Many came to San Diego as visitors, college students or were in the military, and they quickly fell in love with San Diego and wound up living here permanently.
Thus, this San Diego home buying and renting chapter arose out of their need to find shelter and a place to establish their businesses. To meet their needs, we have handpicked these firms through research. So these are not companies we don’t know. Rather these firms like everything else in this book have been hand-picked and personally researched and reviewed, which is your assurance that you will receive the same service that our researchers received to assist you in your relocation needs.
New Home Builders
Bosa Development (from Canada), is the leading high-rise builder with towering skyscrapers in downtown San Diego. Overall, the downtown landscape has changed dramatically with dozens of high rise condominiums, have literally transformed the downtown landscape over the past 30 years into the hot place to live for empty nesters and young couples who are not ready to start a family. Here you will find hot downtown neighborhoods with names like Little Italy, the Gaslamp, East Village, Embarcadero, and overlooking the city in the Hillcrest area is the Uptown District.
Centex Homes (951-246-7687) is a leading brand for first-time and value-conscious homebuyers looking for just the right home.
McMillin Homes (760-336-2900) is a rag to riches story of how a hometown San Diego native became a major builder nationwide. Founder Corky McMillin started his company literally out of his garage and built it into a countywide and multi-state builder of quality homes. Within San Diego the highest concentration of homes build by this firm is in a beautiful area called Eastlake in the southwest region of San Diego County. Now that this community has matured it is home to several golf courses, excellent schools, and an impressively large scale shopping. Plus, there are many freeways nearby that make the commute tolerable yet idea if you find a job in this area as this firm has also built many commercial areas enabling residents to work, live and play in the same area.
Pardee Homes (858-794-2500) has been a longtime leader in new home construction in San Diego County. Their main focus continues to be in the buildout of new home construction in the Del Mar area of Carmel Valley. The great appeal for this area is that it is bordered by Hwy 56, which runs east and west, and Interstate 5 that travels north and south. Thus, it’s excellent freeway access minutes from the ocean and a short drive to commercial zones makes it an ideal place to live. Their state of the art construction makes these home and the communities they create an ideal for growing families.
Shea Homes (858-526-6500) featuring excellent floor plans and a wide variety of city and suburban locations countywide and nationally. They are an excellent San Diego County builder.
Apartment Living for Newcomers
More San Diegans write checks for rent than monthly mortgage payments. In fact, a recent national housing survey showed that on average 31 percent rented their homes nationwide. An excellent resource for a rental is a Realtor, especially if you want to rent a house. The current average cost of rentals is below:
Type of Apartment/Average Per Month
Studio……………………………….$1,910*
One Bedroom……………………$2,235*
Two Bedroom……………………$2,853*
Three Bedroom…………………$3,640*
*Averages listed are based on best available information from Apartments.com, and is subject to change, depending on the area, square footage and amenities.
Apartment Complexes – Luxurious
Exceedingly popular are the all-inclusive multi-story apartment complexes featuring Las Vegas-Style Swimming pools, balconies, underground parking, state of the art appliances and move-in ready apartments to get you up and running to discover all that San Diego has to offer. They amazingly fill up rather fast.
Jefferson Pacific Beach, 4275 East Mission Bay Dr., Pacific Beach (833-486-6314). jeffersonpacificbeach.com/apartments/available. ($2,498–from $4,450) (601 sq. ft.–$1,743). Amenities galore at this bay view new low-rise apartment complex on the eastern edge of Pacific Beach with plenty of underground parking. Enjoy a saltwater swimming pool and spa, gym, bike lockers, and racks, in-unit washer and dryer, private patio or balcony. Within a block of the world-famous original Rubio’s Taco Shop, as well as Sushi Otto and a Thai spot. Golfers will enjoy the across the street golf course sporting the only night lighted course in the city as well as a lighted golf range. The biggest plus is that it’s within walking distance to Morena Boulevard in Bay Park, which is home to great meetup bars and memorable restaurants including the High Dive, Dan Diego’s, Off Shore Tavern, Luci’s Italian Gourmet, Bay Park Fish Market. Up Clairemont Drive is a 31 flavors ice cream shop and a Sprouts Grocery Store that offers curbside grocery pickup.
Mira Bella Apartments, 3455 Kearny Villa Rd. Kearny Mesa (858-952-1339). ($2,854–$4,849). (780 Sq. ft.–1,662). Modern low-rise one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with a southern California vacation air and plenty of modern conveniences. It’s located in the San Diego Unified School District. Minutes to the Convoy District Asian food district and 15 minutes to the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay.
Build A Home in Borrego Springs
Many people relocating to San Diego come here to retire and Borrego Springs is a great retirement community in the desert. Here you can Build Your Dream Home on a 17-Acre Estate Lot 1 football field wide and 7 football fields long. It’s construction ready with the utilities near the foot of your private street. It’s ideally located in the northern end of the Borrego Springs Valley near other estate homes. Plus, it’s less than a mile from the prestigious De Anza Country Club and the famous desert sculptures.
For inquiries for this one-of-a-kind estate property call Barry Berndes at (1-619-857-9655) or e-mail him at Barry@SanDiegan.com. This property is valued at $195,000 but is being offered to an exclusive and motivated buyer for half price to someone motivated to build a castle on this property to fulfill the wishes of the owner’s wife who passed away without realizing her wish to build a desert castle on this site.
San Diego Military Relocation
Enlisted men with families have the assistance of their Housing Referral Offices. However, officers and senior enlisted men and their families must either rent or purchase a home
Commercial Brokers
Pacific Coast Commercial, 6050 Santo Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92124 (619-469-3600) [pacificcoastcommercial.com]. Pacific Coast Commercial is one of San Diego’s top providers for all of your Commercial Real Estate needs. Editors note: As a former tenant I can tell you they are the best of the best! With their years of experience in the marketplace, they have the knowledge that gives them a unique ability to advise and represent their diverse clients. This market knowledge gives them an edge on the competition whether it’s buying, selling or leasing.
Real Estate Loans
Barbara Retsky, NMLS #302979, West Coast Mortgage, 7847 Dunbrook Rd. Ste. H, San Diego, CA 92126 (858-693-8980 ext 213) [westcoastmortgage.biz/loanofficers/barbara-retsky]. Barbara is a conscientious loan officer who understands your situation and can find the right loan for you at the lowest possible cost by shopping from over a dozen different lenders. Beginning her career with West Coast Mortgage in 2002, and being a San Diego resident for over 30 years, Barbara knows San Diego. With extensive knowledge in customer relations, she understands the necessity of keeping you informed, satisfied, and happy throughout the process, so you don’t have to worry.
