[quote=spdrun]But some of the close-in areas (read: downtown) seem to also have annoyingly high charges on condos. 400-500/mo carrying charges alone on a smallish one-bedroom may fly in NYC (where heat, hot water, and possibly electricity are included), but not so much in SD.[/quote]

I agree, spdrun. I wasn’t advocating that young parents should move their children into these (mostly high-rise) condos. I was speaking of SFR’s in the various close-in urban “communities” of SD and close-in suburbs of east and south county. Many of these properties have much bigger lots than those in exurbia and the very established ones in metro SD (south of I-8) and south county are NOT freeway dependent to the urban core. Even the “north city” communities of SD (from MM down to I-8) are close to many industrial and office parks without having to use a freeway.