Looking to move to San Diego? Have you heard of City Heights? City Heights is south of Mission Valley, centrally located in San Diego. In 2015, San Diego Magazine listed City Heights as one of “The Best Places to Live” in San Diego. This large neighborhood has not only residential areas with single and multi-family homes, but also commercial developments along major drags, such as University Avenue, Euclid Avenue, Fairmount Avenue, and El Cajon Boulevard. With a population just over 69,000 and a median home price of $345,500, City Heights offers an eclectic vibe that appeals to homebuyers looking for reasonably priced homes within close proximity to Downtown San Diego entertainment and attractions.

Here are five reasons why you should live in City Heights.

Homes in City Heights

History

While the neighborhood has been around since 1912, it didn’t become City Heights until 1980, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The area was known as East San Diego and consisted of several subdivisions such as Teralta, Fairmount, Wadsworth’s Olive Grove, and Swann’s Addition. Today, City Heights is comprised of 16 distinct smaller neighborhoods such as Azalea Park, Chollas Creek, Colina Park, Ridgeview, and Fairmount Village. Each pocket neighborhood has its own identity and is managed by its own neighborhood associations that control local affairs. Some of the historical landmarks include art deco buildings from the 1930s.

Food Scene

This densely populated area is also known for its diverse community and influences that come from places like Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. The vibrant food scene in City Heights represents this diversity where you’ll find a variety of authentic cuisines. Craving Vietnamese? Want to try Ethiopian? Want to enjoy classic Mexican street tacos? City Heights has it all, and more. Minh Ky offers authentic Vietnamese fare, including roasted duck. Canada Steak Burger has been a staple in the community for over 30 years. It’s been hailed as the best burger in town, but they also serve other tasty dishes like gyros, kabobs, and Philly cheesesteaks. For exotic Ethiopian entrees, try Muzita Abyssinian Bistro. Authentic Chinese can be found at 777 Noodle House, and Bleu Boheme takes you to old-world France with traditional French bistro cuisine.

Nightlife

There are many options for nighttime activities in City Heights, such as Nate’s Garden Grill offering live music, craft beer, and a dog-friendly patio in the heart of the city. Soda Bar is a great spot for dancing as well as checking out a showcase of indie music artists. Black Cat Bar is a local a watering hole that has a classic jukebox and pool tables for a low-key vibe. Then, there’s the historic Tower Bar. Open since 1932, this bar offers a great lineup of live music performances and stays open seven days a week until 2:00 a.m.

Outdoor Recreation

If you love to skate, check out the City Heights Skatepark, which just opened last December. Located in Park De La Cruz and open from dusk to dawn, it offers 19,000 square-feet of basins, bumps, and bowls.

City Heights is also home to a loop of trails that provide an urban nature experience. The City Heights Canyons Loop Trail System is a new 5-mile loop of trails that connect with four canyons: Swan, Manzanita, Hollywood, and 47th Street/Olivia Canyon. These trails feature several bridges, pocket parks, murals, wildlife, and native plant gardens found throughout the neighborhood. This trail system also puts an urban and artistic stamp on the outdoor urban experience with art and nature.

Clean & Green

The City Heights community has a few projects that focus on the upkeep of neighborhoods, such as the City Heights Clean & Safe Coalition. Also, FaceLift, which has been in practice for over 20 years, offers one-day events for cleanup, paint renovation, landscaping, and overall beautification of a chosen neighborhood. Thus far, they have helped over 550 single-family homes and have removed 1,500 tons of trash. The Avenue Mural Project is another great community organization that creates public art, giving birth to a renaissance within the neighborhood.