There are houses with tiny yards in the areas Urban realtor is talking about. They won’t require much more work than a condo. I guess prices there will come down significantly in the next year or two. Depending on relative purchase price HOA fees could go towards maintenance.

I don’t really favor condos from any perspective, except maybe as a way to afford life in a really great community. Each to their own of course.

As long as you are still considering them and have asked about eastern areas, You might look at Rancho San Diego. This is less dense, suburban area east of town on the 94. Some of the condo grounds have a somewhat open feel, if one prefers that to living in a box next to another box, as is the situation in many centrally located buildings. The units should be priced lower per sq. foot the further east you go. You might consider how important a unit with a small patio might be to you, your husband and the pooch. Just in case you aren’t aware of it, it gets quite a bit hotter in the summer as you go east,especially in the valleys.

La Mesa is nice. Maybe one of the best balances of urban/suburban in the county.