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Renting an Apartment in City Heights
What You Should Know
City Heights is a large community in the eastern part of San Diego known for
its ethnic diversity. Along the main streets (which include University Avenue,
El Cajon Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue) one can find Hispanic, East African,
African American, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian businesses.
Geographically, City Heights is large and diffuse, with many sub neighborhoods.
The city officially recognizes two neighborhoods which are collectively known as
"City Heights;" City Heights East and City Heights West. The street layout is
mainly grid pattern, which has some interesting consequences near some of the
fault lines and canyons in the neighborhood. City Heights West is bounded
roughly by 805 freeway to the west and 43rd Street to the east. City Heights
East is bounded by 40th Street to the west and 54th Street to the east. Both are
bounded by El Cajon Boulevard to the north, and roughly by Home Avenue to the
south. "Downtown" City Heights is generally regarded around Fairmount Avenue and
43rd Street.
The following are the sub neighborhoods collectively known as City Heights:
Corridor, Teralta West, Teralta East, Colina Park, Cherokee Point, Castle,
Fairmount Village, Fox Canyon, Chollas Creek, Islenair, Swan Canyon, Azalea
Park, Hollywood Park, Ridgeview, Fairmont Park and Baybridge.
Socially and economically, City Heights has a high concentration of lower income
businesses and households, resulting from the newly arrived immigrant
communities. Businesses tend to be smaller and wider spread than to the north
and east. Pedestrianism is high relative to the rest of San Diego. Crime rates
were quite high until the recent renaissance, which ushered in one of the
highest concentrations of police presence in the city.
Students from City Heights generally attend Hoover High School in Talmadge or
Crawford High School in El Cerrito as well as Clark Middle School.
Renaissance
As with other older neighborhoods found just north of Downtown San Diego and
Balboa Park, City Heights is currently enjoying a renaissance.
In an effort to reverse the high crime rate and the depressed economy, the
community has undergone some redevelopments. The local projects are a major
focus of the Smart Growth strategy by the City of San Diego, which is funded in
part by private organizations and philanthropic individuals, notably Sol Price
(founder of Fedmart and Price Club).
These projects concentrate primarily on education, crime and gang-related
activity reduction, economic improvements, smart urban growth, renewal of
community pride and improvement of overall quality of life, while at the same
time enhance the "melting-pot" identity for which City Heights is known.
Recent projects that have been completed include the very first alternative fuel
station in the city, a new retail complex with some mixed-use developments,
several newly expanded and improved basic education schools, a new "urban
village" with a new library, a new police headquarter and a gymnasium, as well
as a number of innovative uses of open spaces as parks.
As a result of the improvements, population in the neighborhood has been on the
increase, reversing the trend of urban flight for those who could afford to move
just a few years prior. Indeed, the redevelopment is now starting to focus on
controlling growth. A few trendy bars and clubs have started to move into the
neighborhood, a sign some would argue, that gentrification, along with
redevelopment, is also happening.
Arts, Culture and Cuisine
Due to the large immigrant population of City Heights, a vast array of
ethnic restaurants can be found in the community. Most are located along the
main arteries of University Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue.
There is also a sizeable gay community in Azalea Park. The annual International
Village Celebration is held around late spring or early summer and is aimed at
highlighting the community's diversity.