The last place we rented was a billy-box near the school for $2500. They were asking $2900, but gave it to us less expensively because we were friends of friends (that is how Coronado works). It was very well cared for, and the landlord was excellent. At 3500-4000, I suspect none of these mold issues or rat issues will affect you. You certainly will find a decent house with the proper maintenance plans in place, etc.
If you are not a military family living in one of the slum-lord rentals because that is all you can afford (you can see what I am talking about by going to realtor.com and looking at the 1.5Mil dumps for sale) then Coronado is a nice place to be. The stinky water is a recent development that I am hope will be remedied.
I think the persona non grata stigma attached to renters is changing in Coronado as the market changes. Pretty soon everyone will know someone who is in trouble with their mortgage in that town. I know several, and I dont even live on that coast anymore… Even last year, anyone who didnt buy was considered just stupid or poor. Now they’ll be looking like geniuses (the ones who stuck to their guns and insisted the market couldnt sustain itself at that pace).
At those prices though, I’d still pick Del Mar over Coronado anyday!!! Same atmosphere of small town, everyone out exercising, kids on bikes, MUCH better views, kinder and more diverse (artsy) population, cleaner ocean water, better restaurants, and without a doubt… better schools…
