Why Live in Old Town
Old Town in San Diego, established in 1769, is the city's oldest neighborhood and the first European settlement in California. Known for its white stucco walls and red-tile roofs, this historic area is part of Mission Hills and features a vibrant, walkable environment with numerous restaurants, shops, cultural events, and historic attractions. Residential options include condos, townhouses, and single-family homes, with larger Mission-style homes offering scenic views of San Diego Bay. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park serves as the cultural hub, showcasing California's earliest Mission architecture, including the Casa de Estudillo and the Serra Museum. The neighborhood is rich in Mexican cuisine, with popular spots like Flor's, Que Sazon Deli, and Old Town Mexican Café. Annual events such as Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo bring colorful parades, music, markets, and food vendors. The Old Town Transit Center provides access to various public transportation options, including the San Diego Trolley, Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, and the Coaster commuter train. San Diego International Airport is less than 4 miles away, contributing some noise to the area. Children in the neighborhood attend highly rated schools like Old Town Elementary School and Mission Hills High School.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Town a good place to live?
Old Town is a good place to live. Old Town is considered fairly walkable and very bikeable with great transit options. Old Town is a suburban neighborhood. Old Town has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly sparse in population with 4.1 people per acre and a median age of 44. The average household income is $128,461 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 53.2% of residents. A majority of residents in Old Town are renters, with 61.9% of residents renting and 38.1% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Old Town can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Old Town neighborhood guide.
Is Old Town, CA a safe neighborhood?
Old Town, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 5 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Old Town?
The median home price in Old Town is $899,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $179,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.09%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $4,350 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $186K a year to afford the median home price in Old Town. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Old Town is $128K.
What are the best public schools in Old Town?
The best public schools that serve Old Town are:
What are the best private schools in Old Town?
The best private schools that serve Old Town are:
- Saint Charles Borromeo Academy has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and an average review score of 5.0.
- The Rock Academy has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 14:1 and an average review score of 4.1.
- St. Vincent De Paul has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and an average review score of 3.5.
What are the most popular zip codes in Old Town, San Diego, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Old Town, San Diego, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Old Town?
Yes, home prices in Old Town are down 30% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Old Town, CA
On average, homes in Old Town, San Diego sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town, San Diego over the last 12 months is $817,000, down 57% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$817,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,637,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$697,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$903
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$899,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-57%