<p>Golden Hill is spotty, it is true, but it has its neighborhoods. It can be charming- see the article on the Fern Street Circus which started in Grape Street Park. If you like OB, you will like Golden Hill (it is a “hidden gem”). Over by the golf course looking over towards the zoo has some appeal. OB is not very straitlaced, nor is PB, and North PB (Tourmaline area) is pretty much south La Jolla. I vote there!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-13201-fern-street-circus-is-coming-back.html”>http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-13201-fern-street-circus-is-coming-back.html</a></p>
<p>Escondido has it’s own center of gravity (coffee shops, major-ish performing arts venue, museums), as an alternative to San Diego, and CSU-SM is nearby for a college campus feel. Lower cost, easier access out of town (skiing and desert), but greater temperature extremes.</p>
<p>You will have a great time exploring. I see you do not need my input- your realtor sounds great- it’s just fun to give it. I don’t think you are hard to please- everything you say is spot-on.</p>
<p>The other two areas I would explore (honestly have no idea about) is the reclaimed-repurposed land where the naval training center used to be (around where High Tech High School is sited) and Chula Vista, which was starting a renaissance just as the whole economy was going the other way. It is either a value, or a mini-Detroit. I don’t know which way it went.</p>