Best place in SoCal (south of OC) to SFH house hack?

[Ali Rafie]

What are some of the best neighborhoods to look at for a SFH house hack? Looking to spend $700-$900k w/ a conventional loan. Mainly interested in the area between San Diego (including San Diego) to just south of Irvine. I've looked at properties in Escondido, San Marcos, and San Diego.

My criteria: 

- 5+ bed, 2.5+ bath

- C+ neighborhood

- Decent amount of young people (I'm in my mid 20's)

Anything else I should consider?

[Dan H.]

I have two recommendations for long term hold south of OC and they are both based on potential appreciation:

- Imperial Beach is the cheapest beach property in the US for at least a few hundred miles.  There are multiple reasons for this.  One of the big ones is it has historically had runoff problems that closed the beach way too often.  For years Imperial Beach has been trying to work this international issue.  It has never been closer to having a long term solution than it is right now.  There is a very limited supply of property near the ocean.  This is the last reasonable priced properties near the ocean in Southern CA.  Hopefully in 5 years the runoff problem is history and the beaches are able to be open year round.
-West Chula Vista: Can you think of anywhere in So Cal where the Eastern part of the city is cheaper than near ocean/bay?   Chula Vista is that one area.  To make this even more likely to appreciate better than other areas, west Chula Vista already has financial approvals and have already started to complete a coastal redevelopment project.  In general, large redevelopment areas out perform other areas.  My guess is west Chula Vista is going to look a lot different a decade from now.

Good luck