If you end up renting (or buying) – I would look in the University City area – north of 52 along Govenor drive. There are areas there that the prices are very high but others you could certainly rent affordably if you can afford a 550K home. The schools are good and the commute to both downtown and La Jolla would be good relatively speaking. La Jolla would be 10 minutes and downtown would be pretty short as well.
I think there are a couple of areas just south of 52 that are okay, but I do not think the schools (lower grades) are as good.