San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

I have visited a friend's house near Lake Murray. I think that is still La Mesa, though I'm not sure. It seemed pretty nice - like something between Clairemont and University City. South of the 8, La Mesa doesn't seem very nice, though.

La Mesa has great car shows on Thursday nites:
http://www.lmvma.com/lmv_car_show.html

AFX,

"hip" seems like a stretch to me, but comfortable and fairly interesting it is. Great location if you choose the address somewhat carefully. I think it is plenty walkable... but also generally think walking around late at night in most of the megalopolis is a bad idea.

From your post above and your participation on this blog compared to what I know about La Mesa and the people I know who live there, I think it would be great for you and your wife if you wanted a step down in intensity from the other three areas you mentioned.(Hillcrest, North Park and University heights). The larger lot, larger house for the money and somewhat slower pace seem like big pluses. I think the amenities/environment are pretty family friendly... if that matters. Lots less shock value opportunities. I sold a house on Mt. Helix recently to some friends. They are very happy with the reception to the neighborhood.I am sure you would be as well.

I have no strong opinion as to whether it will hold value or sprint up relative to other areas in the future. I think some properties in Clairemont might be better for that.That said, worst case scenario is probably relatively neutral.

There are nice spots in La Mesa. Like you said, it's got walkability - at least parts of it do.

A friend who's got a pretty successful business owns there - it was the best bang/buck for raising his family.

I visit there often, it is a very livable area. Homes are older a la Brady Bunch and beyond, but it's hard to find new in most of SD.

I have some friends that also live around Lake Murray. It's seems like a pretty good place. Kinda tranquil. I wouldn't say "hip". It reminds me of a good ole american neighborhood like you see on tv... without the pretentious attitudes.

Here is the "hip" to which I am referring:

http://www.rivierasupperclub.com/photos.php

I'm wondering if locations like La Mesa will see more of these types of places moving a bit further from downtown/uptown because businesses too can get more bang for their buck elsewhere.

Just a short comment. La Mesa is nice! I would never move a business there though. The city seems to enjoy putting up medians with no u turn signs that impede access to businesses. The police like to harass(probably because they have nothing better to do ,as there is little crime in La Mesa). As a place to live however I would put it 1 notch above Lemon Grove(which I would put 1 notch above Spring Valley).

True as long as Art Madrid stays sober and/or off the streets. LOL.

(Actually, I know nothing about Mayor Madrid except the press about him when he did or did not get special treatment from the police when he was found passed out drunk on a sidewalk.)

I like La Mesa, but I grew up there. It has some of the places that many of us like to visit near the downtown which is quite walkable: including a Cost Co and a regional shopping center. It has a huge hospital complex- Grossmont Sharp if that matters to you. I cannot speak to the schools because the one I attended is now a charter. It was a great place to grow up, but that was a long time ago. Mt. Helix has some very nice properties and there are a lot of post moderns mixed in with some 1920's style craftsmans all around the older downtown section of La Mesa. The trolley runs through the center of town.

On the negative side I agree with the comments about the Police Dept. being on the CS side and the City voted in a tax increase to balance its budget. Will it become hip? Who knows? It has quite a few antique shops and it started the local Octoberfest many years ago. It does not get as hot in the summer as El Cajon, but it is hotter than North Park. Maybe you should rent there and see if you like it.

Hi. I've been gone awhile, because this blog seemed to be too North County oriented...at least as far as posters go. I've been lurking, however, and always read Rich's articles. I signed up for a new account because...well, I want a fresh start here. Got flamed some in the past because we bought past the peak but when it was still bubbly here in 91941. Couldn't resist posting in this La Mesa thread, tho.

I grew up in the Del Cerro/Lake Murray area of San Diego and have lived in three different neighborhoods of official La Mesa for twenty-two years. I'm not posting to raise property values in my hood, because we are middle-aged and ain't leaving till we die. My thoughts:

Whoever said that they would advise against La Mesa south of the 8...actually, you DO want to avoid the area right around Helix Charter. Ghetto. But if you go up in the hills above this area, where we are -- just west of La Mesa Springs shopping center (Vons)...this neighborhood is COOL. Views all the way to the ocean (but on Santa Ana days, with binocs!) and we've got a lot of SDSU profs plus media types (us). There are no tracts up here...everything was custom and some houses are funky...kind of like Sausalito, without the bay. Check the San Diego Reader blogs about La Mesa.

Walkable? Not for me, not where I am. Hilly as hell for someone who has hip problems. Nevertheless, it's rush hour on my street on the weekends and in the early morning of weekdays. People jogging, walking dogs, bicycling, headed for the "secret stairs." In a few years, I'm gonna get a golf cart.

Schools: Elem and Middle...okay. Just be sure your kid is in GATE. Helix Charter: Our kid was out before the sex scandals, but we were extremely happy with Helix. REALLY good teachers if your kid is in the AP classes. Our kid and friends are just about to be seniors in college, and they all went to topnotch private colleges in CA or UCSD and UCB.

Con: Always SAY NO to having the SD trolley in your community. In the commercial areas we get losers from other areas coming in, robbing, and hopping back on. La Mesa police seem more interested in busting us for speeding on the shortcuts from the 8.

Hope this helps. Questions welcome. Prices have gone down up here, but not by much. Still not underwater. I'll try to be impartial. Have also lived in Benicia (Bay Area), Dana Point (OC), Pacific Beach, San Fernando Valley. Best wishes.

To me La Mesa is split into 2; north of I8 and south of I8. I've lived in North La Mesa for nearly 10 years, on Lake Murray Blvd. and really liked it. It's not hip or walkable but it's safe, convenient and comfortable. All the life's necessities are within 5 minutes drive. Lake Murray Blvd., Baltimore Dr. and Jackson Dr. are a bit busy but their side/inner streets are really nice residential areas. All the homes are quite old but many well maintained.

I don't venture to South La Mesa very often, but I definitely don't like El Cajon Blvd. and University Ave. To me these 2 streets are dangerous and crime-ridden. Downtown La Mesa near the post office and trolley station is walkable but not sure about the crime rate. Homes there are also pretty old but generally not as well maintained.

I don't have anywhere near the first-hand experience in La Mesa that some other posters have. However, I did work directly with the City of La Mesa on their Walkability Master Plan (2006) and pavement management programs. Some time has passed since I've worked there, but I have to say that the City expressed a very proactive attitude towards improving things.

In terms of walkability, one sticking point seemed to be the older hillside communities that have narrow roads and never had sidewalks installed. The City was looking to assess a fee to individual homeowners in those areas for right-of-way improvements such as curb/gutter and sidewalks and I am sure there was some pushback from longtime local residents.

Anyways, you can access more info here: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/index.aspx?N.... I did a cursory search and couldn't find the actual Walkability Master Plan, but rather a "sidewalk master plan" map.

We lived in La Mesa about 10 years and moved to North County about 3 years back. La Mesa is good place to live. Less traffic, malls are not crowded and very very less anti social and criminal activities. We moved from La Mesa because of the following reasons. Most of the homes are very old (40 years plus) and small. Schools are not good as per API scores. Old people are too many. You do not see lot of kids. Any how these observations were valid 3 or 4 years back. Now I heared lot of young families are moving there.

I mostly like La Mesa north of the 8 because of the hills. We are looking at Mt Helix as a possible area to buy when the right thing comes up but not dead set on it. You get a reasonable amount of land with most of those homes, schools are actually decent when you look at the recent scores. The main drawback for us is the traffic on the 8 freeway going east at rush hour.

I also agree that the area is getting more hip. downtown La Mesa is still funky but getting better slowly. Also more young families are moving to the area, drawn by schools from what I've heard from people.

I'd also agree with the guy writing about walk ability - it looks treacherous out there but when I drive around looking at houses there are always people out and neighbors seem friendly.

My wife and I (early 30's - two young kids) have set our sights on the Mt. Helix area in recent months for the same reasons you've been looking; bigger lots, more house, CHARACTER!!!!

We rent in a master planned community now (Escala in Mission Valley) and I can't wait to get into a real 'neighborhood', which I feel La Mesa/Mt. Helix really is. The new communities are nice, but I want some charm and a parcel bigger than a postage stamp. I've found some nice fixers on Mt. Helix, but the prices have been pretty sticky as you noted. I'm waiting as I feel prices will continue to fall for at least another 6-9 mos.