There are lots of apt rentals near that area. There are rentals on Balboa and Charger (Clairmont). There are many rentals in Clairmont, you might want to shop around for pricing and amenities. There are rentals in Serra Mesa on Ruffin Rd and nearby streets. There are rentals in Linda Vista on Mesa College Drive.
I agree with some of the other post about the schools. Scripps Ranch and Tierra Santa do have better schools and are still within 30 minutes commute. I have a friend in Tierra Santa with school age kids (3) and he really likes the schools there. I also have a relative living in Scripps Ranch and they state the schools are also very good there. My sister lives in Rancho Penasquitas and the schools are very good there. Rancho Penasquitas is barely within the 30 minute commute on most days. The areas that I stated earlier are just Geographically closer to your job and are not really that bad, except maybe Linda Vista.
I personally plan to buy within the next 3-7 years and would like to buy in Scripps Ranch or Rancho Bernardo. Tierra Santa is real nice, but it is an older neighborhood and the newer homes were built in the 90’s unless you are buying the homes re-built after the fire of 10-2003. Rancho Penasquitas is a nice area also with mixed old and newer housing. I was also thinking of buying a home in other parts of the county with larger lots, but the schools are not that great and I would probably have to send my kid to a private school.
