The-Shoveler: “downtown” SD is crap, I agree. If you want to live in a nice/walkable area you have your choice:
(1) North Park
(2) Uni Heights
(3) PB or OB
(4) South Park/Golden Hill
(5) Parts of coastal North County (read: Carlsbad, Encinitas, or even Oceanside).

Downtown SD is the equivalent of parts of Midtown Manhattan or areas near Wall St. Great for business but deadski after hours.