Perfect if you really want/need a "cheap" house...
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6/20/2015
When you can't afford to live anywhere else in the main San Diego metro area...you live in National City or El Cajon. El Cajon has the higher poverty rate, but National City has the lower income. But do yourself a favor and try to see if you can at least afford La Mesa, or if not then look at Imperial Beach or Lemon Grove...
Poor property values translate into woefully underfunded schools but some of the lowest housing bargains in the area. If you can't buy, the rent is much lower in El Cajon.
Very large majority Hispanic population, especially west of I-805. I grew up in the San Diego area and moving to National City was still a bit of a culture shock for this non-Hispanic individual. It's more predominantly Filipino east of I-805.
Neighborhood quality is block by block.
The 91950 zip code has the highest incidence of pedestrian hit-and-run fatalities in the country. It's no wonder; people drive like they do in Mexico.
One of the surprising things I have come to really dislike is that there are no nicer chain grocery stores in National City. You get to pick from Food4Less, WalMart, and a smattering of Hispanic-themed grocers like Foodland Mercado and Vallarta.
Fortunately, that and more can be had in neighboring Chula Vista, which is a short jump down the I-5 or I-805. You'll find yourself wishing you lived in Chula Vista. Neighboring southeast San Diego really offers little more extra than a Costco. If you live in the northwest corner of National City, Coronado and Downtown actually become very viable destinations for shopping and dining, minus the parking hassles.
Other than relatively "cheap" housing, four good things stick out about National City. First is Pepper Park. Second is an excellent income-based home rehab program the city offers. Third is being centrally located, even if your immediate environment offers little. Fourth is Bonita Mall, which doesn't even feel like it "belongs" in National City.
David | National City, CA