Home Sweet Home: SD Apartment Complexes

Want a definition of "renter's market?" in San Diego. Sure, this town might have one of the nation's most expensive housing markets, but that doesn't exactly translate into renting. The real estate collapse has left America's Finest City with an endless sea of empty condos, second homes and foreclosures that people are desperate to fill with tenants. This competition has in turn forced apartment complexes to go the extra mile with their amenities and aesthetics. Larger complexes are often miniature cities on their own, with pools, hot tubs, laundry services, fitness centers and more included in the monthly payment. Nicer complexes have state-of-the-art appliances and tasteful décor, along with security gates and protected parking for enhanced safety.

Lease about to end? Looking for a cool(er) place to live? With many to choose from, let's single out some complexes to consider.

Discover some great apartments to live in San Diego.

Avalon Fashion Valley
For those who sometime wish, “Gee, if only I had the mall in my backyard,” look no further than Avalon Fashion Valley, directly across the street from all the shopping, restaurants and entertainment that Fashion Valley Mall has to offer. Avalon has one, two and three-bedroom floor plans up to 1,500 square feet (and $2,400/month), with communal Wi-Fi and laundry facilities in each unit. Inside the fountain-laced complex is an outdoor pool, fireplace and barbeques, a fitness center, and resident lounge. Residents have all the Mission Valley shopping at their fingertips as well as easy access to the I-8, making it easy to get in and get out. For more information, visit Avaloncommunities.com.

Park East
Park East is an upscale, hip community just blocks from Balboa Park in Hillcrest with a variety of studio, one and two-bedroom styles, affordably priced between $1,000 and $1,500. Their top-end suites have granite countertops, dark cherry wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, modern lighting fixtures and laundry in the unit. The complex has a pool, fitness center and lounge all out of street view. Park East is also just a few blocks from University, putting residents a stone's-throw from the Hillcrest scene and mere minutes from the Gaslamp. For more information, visit Kcmapts.com/Park-East,

Heritage Apartments
Perched on Cortez Hill, Heritage Apartments is close enough to the Gaslamp buzz but far enough away to be a nice, quiet place to relax. Along with traditional apartment spaces, they also offer two and three-story townhome floorplans, and many of the units have their own entrances, patios and balconies. There's a floor plan for anyone's tastes. They also have the usual trimmings: pool, two spas, a shaded courtyard, fitness center and underground parking. Heritage Apartments is a pet-friendly complex for your furry Fido to live in peace with you. For more information, visit Theheritageapartments.com

Torrey Pines Village
Situated on the edge of the Westfield shopping area in UTC, just east of UCSD, Torrey Pines Village is ideally located for students and professionals working in the La Jolla area. TPV has one and two-bedroom floor plans with optional lofts and cathedral ceilings, with rent topping off at $1,600. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, lounge, hot tub and laundry facilities on site. Nearby are easy walkways to both UCSD and the medical center, as well as the Westfield UTC mall.  For more information, visit Torreypinesapts.com

Cedar Shores Apartments
In the thick of Pacific Beach, Cedar Shores Apartments is in Crown Point and parked right on Fiesta Bay. Residents on the bay side have a breathtaking view from their window, to say the least. Head the other direction and residents are minutes from all the action on Garnett and Grand (not to mention PB itself). Despite being a smaller complex, they have loads of parking (including guest parking) along with a centrally located recreation center, pool, hot tub and laundry facilities. Floor plans are small — studios and one-bedrooms only — but very affordable, making it ideal for singles and those who prefer to spend days in the PB scene over spending them on the couch. For more information, visit Cedarshoresapts.com

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