Downtown Neighborhoods/Del Mar/North County

I will be careful here because I know this is a travel fourm not a relocation form.

I know the area ok but not great, I grew up in Orange County and still have all of my family there.

Im relocating, I mean visiting San Diego for work.

Where are some areas that you would recommend we looka at?

My wife and I are mid 30%26#39;s no kids. We like to go to nice restaurants and bars on Friday and Sat nights, big sports fans, etc.

DT has a big appeal, but also some drawbacks. Ive looked at East Village and a little at Little Italy, but not really any of the other areas, Im wondering which DT neighborhood you would recommend?

Im also curious about some of the other areas like La Jolla, Del Mar, North County?. Without kids I dont need a family type suburb with all chain restaurants, looking for a bustling type of 30/40 something professional type feel?

Thanks in advance!!

Downtown Neighborhoods/Del Mar/North County

We just bought a condo in Little Italy - so obviously that is our first choice. My DH and I are both San Diego natives and LOVE the vibe in Little Italy.

Close enough to the heart of downtown, East Village and the Gaslamp to be interesting - but it still feels like a community.

We also looked at the Marina area (near Seaport Village) and the Colombia area (just south of Little Italy) but, in our opinions, it didn%26#39;t come close to what we were looking for.

Downtown Neighborhoods/Del Mar/North County

It might depend on where you will be working too.

You can come down,stay in a hotel in an area you are considering and then try the commute.

Del Mar has an upscale feel.

The area of La Jolla south of UCSD and east to University City, is full of young professionals.

There ARE chain restaurants BUT also independents ANd there%26#39;s Whole Foods,Trader Joe,parks,tennis,pools etc.

downtown is 20min away.

Tell us when you are coming and where you%26#39;d like to stay while visiting.

Thanks for the replies.

I have a territory I manage so commute is no issue as Im all over the place from DT up to Carlsbad.

Ill be arriving in a week or two, and splitimg time while my house sells between staying with my paents in OC and hotels probably in DT SD. I will have plenty of time to seek out the right spot, and now I have a starting place on where to look.

If you%26#39;re looking for more of a Newport Beach scene (though not nearly as pretentious---thank goodness), clearly Del Mar would be the area of choice. Funny, all of my old friends from Newport ALL bring up Del Mar when they ask me what part of SD I live in.

If you%26#39;re looking for a more sedate but still elegant beach community, then I would recommend La Jolla. The fact that La Jolla is and has always been the %26#39;established%26#39;, no need to prove itself well to do community has a far more casual, laid back feel and vibe than Del Mar--which is trying to be La Jolla and has more nouveau riche johhny come latelys.

Downtown is different than the beach communities. Big advantage is convenience and diversity. You did not mention the Marina District--close enough to yet far enough away from the noise of the Gaslamp, Horton Plaza, ballpark, etc. Drawback is the freight trains. I also find as a 40 something professional there is a social gap--downtown (including Gaslamp) tends to attract a lot of 20 somethings (especially younger 20 somethings) yet I live in the more expensive Marina district which attracts a crowd older than me.

Frankly, given your stated preference of 30/40 YO professional crowd, I would recommend Del Mar or Solana Beach--but near the beach, if you can afford it. Though the downtown area of Del Mar is small, there are enough good restaurants (Del Mar Plaza is great, Jimmy O%26#39;s is a great sports bar, and you have Jakes and Poseidon restaurants right on the ocean), you won%26#39;t get the suburb/chain restaurant feel and you will find the age group you are looking for. If you go a few miles inland, you will find the suburban cookie cutter neighborhoods which you are trying to avoid.

Do you have a preference for a home or condo?

I think you would like some of the urban neighborhoods that are near, but not necessarily in downtown. South Park and North Park are 2 neighborhoods within 10 minutes of downtown that are experiencing a huge influx of restaurants, boutiques, bars, etc. but still have the neighborhood feel. University Heights and Hillcrest are 2 other areas I would definitely recommend- lots of restaurants and bars to walk to, close to both the Q (football) and Petco Park (baseball). All 4 of those areas would appeal to someone in your demographic IMO.

ills what about Kensington? Anyone know the demographics. I always loved the look of that area, Mission Hills, Hillcrest and the area around Balboa Park because the homes had character and they seeed centrally located, but i don%26#39;t know the area well. I work N County inland and my husband heads S so those areas would never work with our employment unless we wanted to be in traffic even more than we are now! However I%26#39;d make the sacrifice if a beachfront in Del Mar came my way!

I think Kensington would be a great area as well, a bit quieter and more of a settled, ';family'; feel though than I think the OP is looking for. It doesn%26#39;t have as many restaurants/bars as the other areas I mentioned in my previous post, but it%26#39;s just a quick drive to downtown or North/South Park. Mission Hills would be a great area too.