You have some great areas to choose from with easy accessibility to public transportation.

Learn the ins and out of those neighborhoods:- what blocks are good/which are bad-what school districts do I need to be in/is school district even important for the neighborhood -how's the homes access to jobs, transportation, amenities, etc-do you have any anchors-like a university, major company, hospital, etc--- WHO IS YOUR RENTAL POOLMy overall point is to just begin thinking much more local... particularly since you're just beginning. 

Combined they allow the state to completely override the city of San Diego's ability to set density limits or height limits within 1/4 mile of public transport.

I am wondering if anyone has bought property in the area or knows anything about the town as far as schools, transportation, crime, taxes, etc.

There isn't good public transport outside the loop.

@Cameron Tope  I agree with you on ethics... but unfortunately this is not reality in the un licensed and un regulated world of wheeling and dealing with real estate.

If you have no money saved up, you should ride the bus.If you have no money saved up, and you can't bring yourself to utilize public transportation, you should buy (not lease) the cheapest used car you can find. 

A recent look at investments in the transportation industry suggests a possible opportunity in truck/trailer parking lots.  

STR might also see an uptick for "staycation" type travel in the coming months or years with people wanting a time away in a space other than their home, yet also wanting to avoid the use of public transportation including airplanes.What do you think?  

Pricing depends on many factors and some properties just aren't a good fit for many reasons - the main ones usually being location, access to public transportation, and size.