San Diego Real Estate: Houses, Condos and Coastal Neighbourhoods

San Diego sprawls from the border to La Jolla.

• Downtown and East Village are condo-focused, with the Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park and trolley links.
• La Jolla is the premium coastal community with high prices, cliffs and a village centre.
• Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach are casual surf-and-nightlife districts with a mix of apartments and cottages.
• North Park and South Park have craftsman bungalows, breweries and restaurants.
• Carmel Valley, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo are suburban areas with good schools.

Public transit includes the trolley and the Coaster commuter rail, but most people drive. San Diego International Airport is close to downtown, and Tijuana is a short drive south.

California property tax is based on purchase price at about 1% plus local assessments, and Proposition 13 caps annual increases for as long as you own. This means taxes on a recently purchased home are higher than on a long-held neighbour's. Closing costs include escrow, title insurance and a county transfer tax. Foreign buyers can buy without restriction, but non-resident sellers face federal FIRPTA withholding and California withholding rules. Insurance costs have risen across California, so get quotes during due diligence, particularly for homes in canyon or wildfire zones.

For next steps, read our US buying guide, US financing guide and US market analysis.

San Diego's rental market is supported by the military, biotechnology, tourism and universities such as UC San Diego and San Diego State. Rents are high, but so are prices, so gross yields for buyers at the median are modest. California's rent control rules limit annual increases on many older units, and the city has tenant protections that affect how you can end a tenancy, so landlords need to understand the rules. Short-term rental permits are restricted in the city of San Diego, with caps in many coastal areas. Build in property tax, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance and vacancy before assuming a return.

Many overseas owners treat San Diego as a family base for children studying in California or as a part-time home. The climate is mild year-round, with a cool marine layer along the coast in late spring and early summer.

Surfers and beach lovers lean toward Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and Encinitas just north, while families chasing school ratings look at Carmel Valley, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Peñasquitos. Remote workers who want walkable streets often settle in North Park or Little Italy. Military families favour areas near Naval Base San Diego and Camp Pendleton, so proximity to bases is another price driver. Commuting along the I-5, I-805 and SR-52 can be slow at rush hour, so test routes before committing.

Other markets include New York, Las Vegas, Brooklyn, Henderson, Naples and Jacksonville. Try the mortgage calculator for payment estimates or visit the United States hub.