Families or older couples looking at houses for sale in San Diego should definitely give Serra Mesa a close look. This vibrant community, located in east San Diego near Interstate 95, is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, its excellent healthcare facilities and the scenic Ruffin Canyon.
Serra Mesa is named for Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan monk who established the first Franciscan mission in California. Missions had several functions, one of which was to tend to the sick. Serra Mesa continues that tradition today with three different hospitals – including the only women’s hospital in the city of San Diego as well as the only hospital dedicated to pediatric care. Some of the community’s other public fixtures include a public library, two elementary schools, William Howard Taft Middle School and Kearney High School.
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Serra Mesa. In addition to several public parks, playing fields and rec centers, the community is home to the Ruffin Canyon Open Space preserve – 84 acres of pristine natural habitat at the edge of town. The canyon is a great place to hike and is home to some of the best primitive trails and coastal sage scrub plants in the state.
Sports fans are also in for a treat, because Qualcomm Stadium is less than five minutes away. During the fall you can catch a San Diego State football game on Saturday and come back again Sunday to watch the Chargers play.
Serra Mesa is home to 24,000 people, and most of them live in single-family houses. Eight thousand of these residents are young couples, and 6,000 are children under the age of 18. It makes sense that young families would flock to Serra Mesa when you consider that some homes sell for as low as $150,000 – an absolute steal for San Diego real estate.
If you want a small-town feel in the big city, you can’t go wrong with Serra Mesa. The easy access to nature and the low housing costs make the community perfect for budding families or for retirees who are looking to spend their golden years somewhere quiet.
