I’m with sddude (that seems to be happening a lot lately) – Clairemont, UC, Tierrasanta seem to offer a good match between affordable and close in. I’d toss in Mira Mesa as well.
I lived in University Heights and Normal Heights and love the neighborhoods – but the schools are not so good. There are some really nice pockets with medium size houses (2000sf ish) on bigger lots, on the canyons… but they’re priced accordingly – too expensive.
My friend who lives in Kensington sends her daughter to a charter school to get around the less than wonderful schools.
I also agree with the downtown La Mesa suggestion. I have a couple of friends that are in that area – you can find a nice balance between lot size, neighborhood infrastructure, and price.
One pet peeve of me of mine regarding some exurbs/suburbs… Sidewalks. If a neighborhood doesn’t have sidewalks, I’m not living there. I want to be able to walk the ‘hood and not be in the lanes of traffic. But that is just a personal preference.
