Fowarding this for a friend of mine, I think this is the board for some help
"Since it is necessary for me to do a "down and dirty" move to San Diego within the next 2 weeks, I'm asking for information from anyone who has actually lived in San Diego before. Normally if I'm just moving a couple of miles, I spend months getting ready, but that is not an option this time. I have a list of "neighborhoods" that are within the right range and price limit, but have no idea how good or bad these areas are. I will have 1-2 days to look at some available places, but then I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and snag one.
If anyone has any advice on the following areas, it would be greatly appreciated:
Balboa Park
Bankers Hill
Chula Vista
Carlsbad
Downtown
El Cajon
Escondido
Golden Hills
Hillcrest
Kensington
Mission Hills
Normal Heights
North Park
Old Town
South Park
Spring Valley
University Heights"