You sound like a single professional. I assume you have no wife or family. You’re renting in La Jolla/UTC so I assume that you work around that area as well.
Don’t buy in SEH because:
1. The commute will be a nightmare.
2. SEH will become foreclosure central and prices have a ways to drop.
3. HOA/Mellos Roos are high.
4. SEH is really a “low-brow” neighborhood desguised as “high-brow.” Not worth the money in my view.
Rent a nice house for $2500 so you can get used to the payments (interest that would be out-the-window anyway if you bought) and enjoy it. Get familiar with different neighborhoods for the next 4-5 years. At that time you’ll find a better environment to buy.
I recommend you buy an older house near your place of work. Choose a place without HOA or Mello Roos and use the savings to fix-up the house nicely before you move in.
