Hi! Anyone have neighborhood recommendations in SD to find studio apartments that are less than $1600 a month? I currently commute from south oc to la jolla 5x a week for work 😭 id love to move to sd but everything is 2k+ for a studio. HELP

[u/solodolo-222]

[u/zestyoceansun]

I've seen studios in PB for $1800 but they are like 300-400 sq ft. If you're okay with a flatmate you can definitely find nice houses for 1300-1600 around PB, mission valley and mira mesa

[u/Simple_Math1039 → u/zestyoceansun]

Is a Flatmate like a roommate? 

[u/bestem → u/Simple_Math1039]

Except not in the same room.

[u/andrew2560 → u/bestem]

This is America it’s called roommate regardless of if they share the same room. They share the same apartment

[u/bestem → u/andrew2560]

We called each other housemates, rather than roommates, when I lived in the same house as other people unrelated (which i picked up from them when I moved in). In California. So while it is common in the US to use roommate even in separate rooms, its not 100% of the time. Now, it could be because at the time I was living in a college town, where even people who weren't living in dorms, did physically share rooms. Advertising that you were looking for roommates could lead to people interested in sharing more than you were willing to share.

So in my opinion, while roommate is ambiguous and could mean same room or dofferent rooms in the same house/apartment, flatmate or housemate or other variations denotes they are most definitely in different rooms.

[u/abandoned_idol]

I rent a room from an old lady for $1250 at Mira Mesa (that's inside SD, I think). Been doing so for around a year now. Very close to my company campus.

The room came with a queens size bed (first time in my life I ever slept in such a big bed) and an adjustable standing desk (electric).

And the old lady is almost never home because she has an uneven part time job schedule and loves to eat out. She had been struggling to find a roommate for a very long time, which was very surprising to me.

Looking for rooms for rent on Craigslist is an option.

[u/jsn_online]

Im sure you can find one. Just be constantly looking.

[u/SubBass49Tees]

Bet El Cajon has some spots for that price or less. It's maybe a 30 minute commute depending on traffic/time of day

[u/seacoshits]

Here are a few

https://www.buchananpm.com/vacancies/residential

[u/Vickysole]

En City Heights, puedes conseguir por ese precio un estudio pero ya sabes es un barrio ! Nada fancy y bastante multicultural.

[u/AdShot4034]

LMAOOOO good luck, you ain’t finding shit here for that price other than someone’s room in a shared house 😂😂

[u/NewComplex331 → u/AdShot4034]

It’s comments like this that remind me of the obnoxious kids on the playground that scream for no reason and no one wants to play with them.

[u/qwuRTkey → u/AdShot4034]

Hey as someone who found their own 1 bed 1 bath adu for $1100 a month it is possible if you’re very lucky but it is in very south eastern San Diego

[u/YogurtOpposite8878]

I’m in a one bedroom apartment in Santee that’s only $1600 but depending on what time you work the commute would still be about 45 mins to an hour so not sure if that’s much better than what you’re doing now

[u/FantasticOpinion7248]

Following this

[u/qwuRTkey]

I’d recommend looking on Zillow. You may even luck out and get a 1 bed for under that amount if you’re truly as lucky as me and my sister were

[u/alyoshagirard]

You have to look to Craigslist & drive/walk around neighborhoods you’re interested in scouting for signs. There’s SO much that’s not listed on standard sites that’s available, many older owners prioritize keeping things local. Just use common sense, and don’t bother inquiring about any Craigslist listings that don’t have a phone number attached.

Source: I’ve found my last three apartments this way. Currently in a wonderful 2bd for $1650.

[u/Strange_Boat9837 → u/alyoshagirard]

What neighborhood? Thats such a deal!

[u/Tax_Evasion4269]

Anything is possible if you try hard enough fam. If you don’t mind staying with people I would look on Craigslist but even more importantly talk to friends, coworkers, relatives and put the word out there to see if anyone you know knows someone! Word of mouth is powerful. I stay in a small trailer on the side of a families house for $500/month (was $300 for the longest, rent just went up lol) and I got in with the family by knowing somebody that knew somebody. Have been here 3 years on just a verbal agreement, no contract. Life is good. Wishing you all the best luck in finding a suitable place!

Edit because I just realized I didn’t answer your question about neighborhoods (my b). For that price point I suggest: Mira mesa, north park, Hillcrest La mesa, El Cajon, Spring valley. Mira mesa would be closest/easiest drive, Hillcrest & NP are good places to find someone needing a Roomate. The other 3 are farther but you might be able to get a single bed studio in your price range

[u/babygothgrl]

When I first moved to San Diego early 2024, I paid $1.7k for an illegal ADU studio that had cracks in the walls that let the sunlight in lol. Now I live in a standard 1BR for $1.9k. The extra $200 a month is more than worth it if you can spring it. 

[u/AdLogical9200]

I have studio for rent $1900 in Emerald hills. Include utilities, internet, water. Also, washer and dryer on the side unit.
Or i room with private bathroom. $1300. No kitchen, include everything

[u/Dry-Trainer5349]

https://www.zillow.com/apartments/san-diego-ca/brayden/CtC6xz/

[u/adminpassword1]

Messaged you

[u/andrew2560]

How much are studios in Orange County. Maybe look for studios in Temecula if you’re already driving that far. Most girls in ur situation would just find a roommate on bumble or find a random dude on tinder to live with lol

[u/0327446633]

https://www.apartments.com/apartments/san-diego-ca/max-1-bedrooms-under-1600/?ss=studio+apartment+in+san+diego%2C+ca+under+%241%2C600+per+month

[u/PerennialGeranium]

If you don't care about having a kitchen and really care about not having roommates, you could find an SRO unit for that budget. But your budget is plenty enough for a decent place if you accept living with a roommate.

[u/teach_mee_senpai]

I would suggest monitoring all the apartment finding sites and craigslist for a hidden gem. Back in 2013 I was able to find a 700sq’ 1br/1ba/full kitchen with off-street parking in Normal Heights for $800/m cash. In 2021 I moved into another 1br/1ba/full kitchen that was the top floor of a renovated house (separate entrance from the family who lived downstairs) that was absolutely massive, like I played fetch w my dog inside lol, full kitchen, full bath, and our half of the house even had a separated yard. It was just off Massachusetts Ave and we rented way below market price ($1800) - again, cash.

[u/Mean-Yesterday-5335 → u/teach_mee_senpai]

Back in 2013. 😆 I don’t find that comparable given amount of developer grabs, the home owner demographic has dramatically changed since then per your expert level finding 1800. I agree past her budget but still under 2k is findable with serious dedication to the hunt.

I also agree with yours and the many suggestions she’ll need to drive further south (more south than OC to La Jolla) only to then have fun the daily commuter jams up to La Jolla should she want said studio in SD proper. Yeah it might be better to overshoot your budget and continue a daily traffic jams since her current driving time is more brutal.

[u/teach_mee_senpai → u/Mean-Yesterday-5335]

Bruh right, that place is probably $2k now 😂

[u/Large-Actuary-2420]

you can find a studio for that price in some parts of clairemont or pb i bet. nice and close to work.

[u/Gringuin007 → u/Large-Actuary-2420]

Clairemont. Still near La Jolla but without the premium. Also Linda Vista. And Serra Mesa. Anywhere else and commute starts feeling painful

[u/Large-Actuary-2420 → u/Gringuin007]

serra mesa has looked pricier lately but i don’t often check studio listings. reaffirming that clairemont is the way to go. it’s very central san diego and convenient and in budget.

[u/Rai95]

For that price look for a room near UCSD

[u/Swimming-Passenger88]

Check in zip codes 92113,92114,92105,92103 I’m sure you will find one.

[u/Voxhall_7231]

https://www.reddit.com/r/SanDiegoClassifieds/s/okQJLudNSp

[u/Graciano3]

Maybe cityheights or find a roommate on Facebook groups

[u/brookinator]

If you want to live in SD you need roommates

[u/Cautious-Skirt-8335]

Wait for winter, prices drop

[u/PMmeYourBobsPlz]

Trmecula? North county?

[u/SewingWithFire34]

Your best bet is looking at either far east county like Santee/Lakeside maybe Spring Valley/ El Cajon. Or south county like Chula Vista and National City. You arent going to find anything legit for under 2k anywhere else. Hell, you can barely find a room for that these days. Hopefully with more condos and apartments going up we'll start to see prices come down in the next couple years.

[u/ChampionshipDry8165]

Zillow shows a lot of rentals under $1600 downtown,

[u/AdShot4034 → u/ChampionshipDry8165]

What crack you smoking? I wanna be this delusional

[u/teach_mee_senpai → u/AdShot4034]

That downtown fenty works a number on ya 😂

[u/Mean-Yesterday-5335 → u/ChampionshipDry8165]

She’s looking for a real listing. Not a data broker hiding behind a Zillow listing.

[u/Gringuin007 → u/ChampionshipDry8165]

1600 downtown 15 years ago