RENT 3/5 COMMUTE 4/5 FOOD 3/5 ENTERTAINMENT 1/5
If you want excitement, Clairemont is not exactly the place to be. The quiet neighborhood east of Pacific Beach is comprised mostly of young families and retired veterans, with a spattering of college students living in their midst. With front-yard McCain-Palin signs outnumbering Obama-Biden ones from November’s election, the atmosphere could hardly be described as liberal or college friendly. Beyond walking distance to any bars and generally a few miles from most UCSD house parties, going without a car would put an end to your social life in this neighborhood.
But, assuming you have reliable transportation, Clairemont is only five minutes away from P.B. and just a 10-minute drive from downtown and Ocean Beach ‘mdash; close to all the action, but just far enough to avoid the noise and traffic. Driving to school never takes more than 15 minutes when using local streets, and the 41 bus takes you right to campus, helping you avoid UCSD parking and its inordinate fees. With Ralphs, Vons, Henry’s and dozens of restaurants a short walk from most of the neighborhood’s housing, food is easily accessible. And if all else fails, Cotixan is always good for large servings of 24-hour Mexican food. Decently sized bedrooms in single-family homes can easily be found from $450 to $650.
Not the flashiest neighborhood that San Diego has to offer, Clairemont still has its quirks. It’s home to a handful of thrift shops, vegan restaurants and more comic-book stores than anyone would need to visit in their lifetime. Conveniently located and reasonably priced, the neighborhood is a nice option ‘mdash; if you don’t mind driving to the party.