Thoughts on La Mesa

[UCGal]

[quote=threadkiller]The police like to harass(probably because they have nothing better to do ,as there is little crime in La Mesa).[/quote]

True as long as Art Madrid stays sober and/or off the streets. LOL.

(Actually, I know nothing about Mayor Madrid except the press about him when he did or did not get special treatment from the police when he was found passed out drunk on a sidewalk.)

[Aecetia]

I like La Mesa, but I grew up there. It has some of the places that many of us like to visit near the downtown which is quite walkable: including a Cost Co and a regional shopping center. It has a huge hospital complex- Grossmont Sharp if that matters to you. I cannot speak to the schools because the one I attended is now a charter. It was a great place to grow up, but that was a long time ago. Mt. Helix has some very nice properties and there are a lot of post moderns mixed in with some 1920’s style craftsmans all around the older downtown section of La Mesa. The trolley runs through the center of town.

On the negative side I agree with the comments about the Police Dept. being on the CS side and the City voted in a tax increase to balance its budget. Will it become hip? Who knows? It has quite a few antique shops and it started the local Octoberfest many years ago. It does not get as hot in the summer as El Cajon, but it is hotter than North Park. Maybe you should rent there and see if you like it.

[Aecetia]

I like La Mesa, but I grew up there. It has some of the places that many of us like to visit near the downtown which is quite walkable: including a Cost Co and a regional shopping center. It has a huge hospital complex- Grossmont Sharp if that matters to you. I cannot speak to the schools because the one I attended is now a charter. It was a great place to grow up, but that was a long time ago. Mt. Helix has some very nice properties and there are a lot of post moderns mixed in with some 1920’s style craftsmans all around the older downtown section of La Mesa. The trolley runs through the center of town.

On the negative side I agree with the comments about the Police Dept. being on the CS side and the City voted in a tax increase to balance its budget. Will it become hip? Who knows? It has quite a few antique shops and it started the local Octoberfest many years ago. It does not get as hot in the summer as El Cajon, but it is hotter than North Park. Maybe you should rent there and see if you like it.

[Aecetia]

I like La Mesa, but I grew up there. It has some of the places that many of us like to visit near the downtown which is quite walkable: including a Cost Co and a regional shopping center. It has a huge hospital complex- Grossmont Sharp if that matters to you. I cannot speak to the schools because the one I attended is now a charter. It was a great place to grow up, but that was a long time ago. Mt. Helix has some very nice properties and there are a lot of post moderns mixed in with some 1920’s style craftsmans all around the older downtown section of La Mesa. The trolley runs through the center of town.

On the negative side I agree with the comments about the Police Dept. being on the CS side and the City voted in a tax increase to balance its budget. Will it become hip? Who knows? It has quite a few antique shops and it started the local Octoberfest many years ago. It does not get as hot in the summer as El Cajon, but it is hotter than North Park. Maybe you should rent there and see if you like it.

[Aecetia]

I like La Mesa, but I grew up there. It has some of the places that many of us like to visit near the downtown which is quite walkable: including a Cost Co and a regional shopping center. It has a huge hospital complex- Grossmont Sharp if that matters to you. I cannot speak to the schools because the one I attended is now a charter. It was a great place to grow up, but that was a long time ago. Mt. Helix has some very nice properties and there are a lot of post moderns mixed in with some 1920’s style craftsmans all around the older downtown section of La Mesa. The trolley runs through the center of town.

On the negative side I agree with the comments about the Police Dept. being on the CS side and the City voted in a tax increase to balance its budget. Will it become hip? Who knows? It has quite a few antique shops and it started the local Octoberfest many years ago. It does not get as hot in the summer as El Cajon, but it is hotter than North Park. Maybe you should rent there and see if you like it.

[Aecetia]

I like La Mesa, but I grew up there. It has some of the places that many of us like to visit near the downtown which is quite walkable: including a Cost Co and a regional shopping center. It has a huge hospital complex- Grossmont Sharp if that matters to you. I cannot speak to the schools because the one I attended is now a charter. It was a great place to grow up, but that was a long time ago. Mt. Helix has some very nice properties and there are a lot of post moderns mixed in with some 1920’s style craftsmans all around the older downtown section of La Mesa. The trolley runs through the center of town.

On the negative side I agree with the comments about the Police Dept. being on the CS side and the City voted in a tax increase to balance its budget. Will it become hip? Who knows? It has quite a few antique shops and it started the local Octoberfest many years ago. It does not get as hot in the summer as El Cajon, but it is hotter than North Park. Maybe you should rent there and see if you like it.

[Anonymous]

Hi. I’ve been gone awhile, because this blog seemed to be too North County oriented…at least as far as posters go. I’ve been lurking, however, and always read Rich’s articles. I signed up for a new account because…well, I want a fresh start here. Got flamed some in the past because we bought past the peak but when it was still bubbly here in 91941. Couldn’t resist posting in this La Mesa thread, tho.

I grew up in the Del Cerro/Lake Murray area of San Diego and have lived in three different neighborhoods of official La Mesa for twenty-two years. I’m not posting to raise property values in my hood, because we are middle-aged and ain’t leaving till we die. My thoughts:

Whoever said that they would advise against La Mesa south of the 8…actually, you DO want to avoid the area right around Helix Charter. Ghetto. But if you go up in the hills above this area, where we are — just west of La Mesa Springs shopping center (Vons)…this neighborhood is COOL. Views all the way to the ocean (but on Santa Ana days, with binocs!) and we’ve got a lot of SDSU profs plus media types (us). There are no tracts up here…everything was custom and some houses are funky…kind of like Sausalito, without the bay. Check the San Diego Reader blogs about La Mesa.

Walkable? Not for me, not where I am. Hilly as hell for someone who has hip problems. Nevertheless, it’s rush hour on my street on the weekends and in the early morning of weekdays. People jogging, walking dogs, bicycling, headed for the “secret stairs.” In a few years, I’m gonna get a golf cart.

Schools: Elem and Middle…okay. Just be sure your kid is in GATE. Helix Charter: Our kid was out before the sex scandals, but we were extremely happy with Helix. REALLY good teachers if your kid is in the AP classes. Our kid and friends are just about to be seniors in college, and they all went to topnotch private colleges in CA or UCSD and UCB.

Con: Always SAY NO to having the SD trolley in your community. In the commercial areas we get losers from other areas coming in, robbing, and hopping back on. La Mesa police seem more interested in busting us for speeding on the shortcuts from the 8.

Hope this helps. Questions welcome. Prices have gone down up here, but not by much. Still not underwater. I’ll try to be impartial. Have also lived in Benicia (Bay Area), Dana Point (OC), Pacific Beach, San Fernando Valley. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Hi. I’ve been gone awhile, because this blog seemed to be too North County oriented…at least as far as posters go. I’ve been lurking, however, and always read Rich’s articles. I signed up for a new account because…well, I want a fresh start here. Got flamed some in the past because we bought past the peak but when it was still bubbly here in 91941. Couldn’t resist posting in this La Mesa thread, tho.

I grew up in the Del Cerro/Lake Murray area of San Diego and have lived in three different neighborhoods of official La Mesa for twenty-two years. I’m not posting to raise property values in my hood, because we are middle-aged and ain’t leaving till we die. My thoughts:

Whoever said that they would advise against La Mesa south of the 8…actually, you DO want to avoid the area right around Helix Charter. Ghetto. But if you go up in the hills above this area, where we are — just west of La Mesa Springs shopping center (Vons)…this neighborhood is COOL. Views all the way to the ocean (but on Santa Ana days, with binocs!) and we’ve got a lot of SDSU profs plus media types (us). There are no tracts up here…everything was custom and some houses are funky…kind of like Sausalito, without the bay. Check the San Diego Reader blogs about La Mesa.

Walkable? Not for me, not where I am. Hilly as hell for someone who has hip problems. Nevertheless, it’s rush hour on my street on the weekends and in the early morning of weekdays. People jogging, walking dogs, bicycling, headed for the “secret stairs.” In a few years, I’m gonna get a golf cart.

Schools: Elem and Middle…okay. Just be sure your kid is in GATE. Helix Charter: Our kid was out before the sex scandals, but we were extremely happy with Helix. REALLY good teachers if your kid is in the AP classes. Our kid and friends are just about to be seniors in college, and they all went to topnotch private colleges in CA or UCSD and UCB.

Con: Always SAY NO to having the SD trolley in your community. In the commercial areas we get losers from other areas coming in, robbing, and hopping back on. La Mesa police seem more interested in busting us for speeding on the shortcuts from the 8.

Hope this helps. Questions welcome. Prices have gone down up here, but not by much. Still not underwater. I’ll try to be impartial. Have also lived in Benicia (Bay Area), Dana Point (OC), Pacific Beach, San Fernando Valley. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Hi. I’ve been gone awhile, because this blog seemed to be too North County oriented…at least as far as posters go. I’ve been lurking, however, and always read Rich’s articles. I signed up for a new account because…well, I want a fresh start here. Got flamed some in the past because we bought past the peak but when it was still bubbly here in 91941. Couldn’t resist posting in this La Mesa thread, tho.

I grew up in the Del Cerro/Lake Murray area of San Diego and have lived in three different neighborhoods of official La Mesa for twenty-two years. I’m not posting to raise property values in my hood, because we are middle-aged and ain’t leaving till we die. My thoughts:

Whoever said that they would advise against La Mesa south of the 8…actually, you DO want to avoid the area right around Helix Charter. Ghetto. But if you go up in the hills above this area, where we are — just west of La Mesa Springs shopping center (Vons)…this neighborhood is COOL. Views all the way to the ocean (but on Santa Ana days, with binocs!) and we’ve got a lot of SDSU profs plus media types (us). There are no tracts up here…everything was custom and some houses are funky…kind of like Sausalito, without the bay. Check the San Diego Reader blogs about La Mesa.

Walkable? Not for me, not where I am. Hilly as hell for someone who has hip problems. Nevertheless, it’s rush hour on my street on the weekends and in the early morning of weekdays. People jogging, walking dogs, bicycling, headed for the “secret stairs.” In a few years, I’m gonna get a golf cart.

Schools: Elem and Middle…okay. Just be sure your kid is in GATE. Helix Charter: Our kid was out before the sex scandals, but we were extremely happy with Helix. REALLY good teachers if your kid is in the AP classes. Our kid and friends are just about to be seniors in college, and they all went to topnotch private colleges in CA or UCSD and UCB.

Con: Always SAY NO to having the SD trolley in your community. In the commercial areas we get losers from other areas coming in, robbing, and hopping back on. La Mesa police seem more interested in busting us for speeding on the shortcuts from the 8.

Hope this helps. Questions welcome. Prices have gone down up here, but not by much. Still not underwater. I’ll try to be impartial. Have also lived in Benicia (Bay Area), Dana Point (OC), Pacific Beach, San Fernando Valley. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Hi. I’ve been gone awhile, because this blog seemed to be too North County oriented…at least as far as posters go. I’ve been lurking, however, and always read Rich’s articles. I signed up for a new account because…well, I want a fresh start here. Got flamed some in the past because we bought past the peak but when it was still bubbly here in 91941. Couldn’t resist posting in this La Mesa thread, tho.

I grew up in the Del Cerro/Lake Murray area of San Diego and have lived in three different neighborhoods of official La Mesa for twenty-two years. I’m not posting to raise property values in my hood, because we are middle-aged and ain’t leaving till we die. My thoughts:

Whoever said that they would advise against La Mesa south of the 8…actually, you DO want to avoid the area right around Helix Charter. Ghetto. But if you go up in the hills above this area, where we are — just west of La Mesa Springs shopping center (Vons)…this neighborhood is COOL. Views all the way to the ocean (but on Santa Ana days, with binocs!) and we’ve got a lot of SDSU profs plus media types (us). There are no tracts up here…everything was custom and some houses are funky…kind of like Sausalito, without the bay. Check the San Diego Reader blogs about La Mesa.

Walkable? Not for me, not where I am. Hilly as hell for someone who has hip problems. Nevertheless, it’s rush hour on my street on the weekends and in the early morning of weekdays. People jogging, walking dogs, bicycling, headed for the “secret stairs.” In a few years, I’m gonna get a golf cart.

Schools: Elem and Middle…okay. Just be sure your kid is in GATE. Helix Charter: Our kid was out before the sex scandals, but we were extremely happy with Helix. REALLY good teachers if your kid is in the AP classes. Our kid and friends are just about to be seniors in college, and they all went to topnotch private colleges in CA or UCSD and UCB.

Con: Always SAY NO to having the SD trolley in your community. In the commercial areas we get losers from other areas coming in, robbing, and hopping back on. La Mesa police seem more interested in busting us for speeding on the shortcuts from the 8.

Hope this helps. Questions welcome. Prices have gone down up here, but not by much. Still not underwater. I’ll try to be impartial. Have also lived in Benicia (Bay Area), Dana Point (OC), Pacific Beach, San Fernando Valley. Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

Hi. I’ve been gone awhile, because this blog seemed to be too North County oriented…at least as far as posters go. I’ve been lurking, however, and always read Rich’s articles. I signed up for a new account because…well, I want a fresh start here. Got flamed some in the past because we bought past the peak but when it was still bubbly here in 91941. Couldn’t resist posting in this La Mesa thread, tho.

I grew up in the Del Cerro/Lake Murray area of San Diego and have lived in three different neighborhoods of official La Mesa for twenty-two years. I’m not posting to raise property values in my hood, because we are middle-aged and ain’t leaving till we die. My thoughts:

Whoever said that they would advise against La Mesa south of the 8…actually, you DO want to avoid the area right around Helix Charter. Ghetto. But if you go up in the hills above this area, where we are — just west of La Mesa Springs shopping center (Vons)…this neighborhood is COOL. Views all the way to the ocean (but on Santa Ana days, with binocs!) and we’ve got a lot of SDSU profs plus media types (us). There are no tracts up here…everything was custom and some houses are funky…kind of like Sausalito, without the bay. Check the San Diego Reader blogs about La Mesa.

Walkable? Not for me, not where I am. Hilly as hell for someone who has hip problems. Nevertheless, it’s rush hour on my street on the weekends and in the early morning of weekdays. People jogging, walking dogs, bicycling, headed for the “secret stairs.” In a few years, I’m gonna get a golf cart.

Schools: Elem and Middle…okay. Just be sure your kid is in GATE. Helix Charter: Our kid was out before the sex scandals, but we were extremely happy with Helix. REALLY good teachers if your kid is in the AP classes. Our kid and friends are just about to be seniors in college, and they all went to topnotch private colleges in CA or UCSD and UCB.

Con: Always SAY NO to having the SD trolley in your community. In the commercial areas we get losers from other areas coming in, robbing, and hopping back on. La Mesa police seem more interested in busting us for speeding on the shortcuts from the 8.

Hope this helps. Questions welcome. Prices have gone down up here, but not by much. Still not underwater. I’ll try to be impartial. Have also lived in Benicia (Bay Area), Dana Point (OC), Pacific Beach, San Fernando Valley. Best wishes.

[PKMAN]

To me La Mesa is split into 2; north of I8 and south of I8. I’ve lived in North La Mesa for nearly 10 years, on Lake Murray Blvd. and really liked it. It’s not hip or walkable but it’s safe, convenient and comfortable. All the life’s necessities are within 5 minutes drive. Lake Murray Blvd., Baltimore Dr. and Jackson Dr. are a bit busy but their side/inner streets are really nice residential areas. All the homes are quite old but many well maintained.

I don’t venture to South La Mesa very often, but I definitely don’t like El Cajon Blvd. and University Ave. To me these 2 streets are dangerous and crime-ridden. Downtown La Mesa near the post office and trolley station is walkable but not sure about the crime rate. Homes there are also pretty old but generally not as well maintained.

[PKMAN]

To me La Mesa is split into 2; north of I8 and south of I8. I’ve lived in North La Mesa for nearly 10 years, on Lake Murray Blvd. and really liked it. It’s not hip or walkable but it’s safe, convenient and comfortable. All the life’s necessities are within 5 minutes drive. Lake Murray Blvd., Baltimore Dr. and Jackson Dr. are a bit busy but their side/inner streets are really nice residential areas. All the homes are quite old but many well maintained.

I don’t venture to South La Mesa very often, but I definitely don’t like El Cajon Blvd. and University Ave. To me these 2 streets are dangerous and crime-ridden. Downtown La Mesa near the post office and trolley station is walkable but not sure about the crime rate. Homes there are also pretty old but generally not as well maintained.

[PKMAN]

To me La Mesa is split into 2; north of I8 and south of I8. I’ve lived in North La Mesa for nearly 10 years, on Lake Murray Blvd. and really liked it. It’s not hip or walkable but it’s safe, convenient and comfortable. All the life’s necessities are within 5 minutes drive. Lake Murray Blvd., Baltimore Dr. and Jackson Dr. are a bit busy but their side/inner streets are really nice residential areas. All the homes are quite old but many well maintained.

I don’t venture to South La Mesa very often, but I definitely don’t like El Cajon Blvd. and University Ave. To me these 2 streets are dangerous and crime-ridden. Downtown La Mesa near the post office and trolley station is walkable but not sure about the crime rate. Homes there are also pretty old but generally not as well maintained.

[PKMAN]

To me La Mesa is split into 2; north of I8 and south of I8. I’ve lived in North La Mesa for nearly 10 years, on Lake Murray Blvd. and really liked it. It’s not hip or walkable but it’s safe, convenient and comfortable. All the life’s necessities are within 5 minutes drive. Lake Murray Blvd., Baltimore Dr. and Jackson Dr. are a bit busy but their side/inner streets are really nice residential areas. All the homes are quite old but many well maintained.

I don’t venture to South La Mesa very often, but I definitely don’t like El Cajon Blvd. and University Ave. To me these 2 streets are dangerous and crime-ridden. Downtown La Mesa near the post office and trolley station is walkable but not sure about the crime rate. Homes there are also pretty old but generally not as well maintained.

[Author]

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