After nearly 30 years in health care, Peter Yi realized the most meaningful part of his work was never paperwork or policy. It was the people sitting across from him.
“For nearly 28 years in health care, the most gratifying part of my job was working directly with patients and caregivers,” Yi said. “Opening Mobility City gave me the opportunity to take that experience and continue serving people here in our local community.”
Yi, a military veteran, now owns Mobility City of San Diego, a locally operated showroom and service center providing mobility equipment sales, rentals and repairs throughout San Diego County. The store offers wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs, lift chairs and hospital beds, along with in-home service and customization.
While many people associate mobility equipment with aging, Yi says that assumption tells only part of the story.
“Whether it’s veterans, seniors, someone going through chemotherapy, a broken leg or preparing for hip replacement surgery, the goal is always the same,” Yi said. “How can we help them live a fulfilling life and continue doing the things they want to do?”
Most customers walk through the door after a sudden life shift. A fall. A surgery. A new diagnosis. They are not looking to give something up. They are trying to hold on to independence. Buying mobility equipment isn’t always something that is planned for.
Yi encourages families to rethink the stigma.
“The biggest regret I hear is that they didn’t come in sooner,” he said. “There’s often a stigma around using mobility equipment, but once people experience the freedom it gives them, they wish they hadn’t waited.”
That perspective is reflected in the story of Gabriela Gardner, a single working mother from La Mesa who has worked with Mobility City for more than two years. Wheelchair bound and managing a complex power chair, she initially turned to Yi when her equipment broke down and insurance delays left her without reliable mobility.
“My power wheelchair broke down and my insurance was going to take months to fix it,” Gardner said. “I was trying to find something quicker and I called Mobility City. Within 24 hours I had a rental and a new chair on the way. I really valued how quick he responded.”
Gardner said Yi arranged for an evaluation the next day and provided a rental while parts were ordered.
“They are reliable, very responsive and empathetic,” she said. “The combination of those three makes me give them a 10 out of 10.”
Yi said cases like Gardner’s illustrate the importance of ongoing support.
“I’ve been helping her for the last two years,” Yi said. “Providing power wheelchairs, repairing her equipment when it wasn’t working, and making sure she has what she needs to function day to day.”
For Yi, those long-term relationships matter more than a one-time transaction.
“The more powerful stories are the ongoing relationships,” he said. “It’s not just a one-time sale. We stay involved.”
Encinitas resident Penny Thompson said that level of follow-through is exactly what she experienced after first renting equipment before purchasing several mobility products from the store.
“They were incredibly responsive from the beginning,” Thompson said. “I was able to rent equipment first to make sure it worked for me, and whenever I’ve needed help or service they’ve been right there.”
Thompson, who lives alone, said having dependable mobility equipment has made a significant difference in maintaining her independence.
“When you rely on this equipment every day, knowing someone will come out and help if something isn’t working gives you real peace of mind,” she said.
Mobility City provides wheelchair rentals, mobility scooter rentals and hospital bed rentals for short-term recovery, as well as full sales and customization for long-term needs. The store also offers in-home mobility equipment repair across San Diego County.
“We have a mobile service team that can come to your home if you’re unable to bring the equipment to us,” Yi said.
That local service, he says, is a significant difference from buying equipment online.
“I regularly get calls from people who purchased something online and can’t reach the manufacturer when it breaks,” Yi said. “There’s no secret contact I have to fix that. If you can’t reach them, I can’t either.”
At Mobility City, equipment arrives fully assembled and ready to use. Customers can test products inside the showroom on the store’s branded “Test Track,” navigating a marked path to experience maneuverability firsthand before making a decision. If needed, staff will bring multiple options to a customer’s home to ensure the equipment fits through doorways and works comfortably in the space.
“We’ll go to a customer’s home with no obligation so they can see how it fits and how it works,” Yi said. “That level of personalization makes a difference.”
Yi’s background working with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients continues to shape how he serves families. He pays particular attention to caregivers, who often carry the hidden burden of mobility challenges.
“So much of what we do is focused on the caregiver,” Yi said. “When I recommend equipment, I’m always asking how this will make life easier for the person helping every day. It has to work for both.”
As a veteran, Yi offers discounts to veterans, active duty military and their families. He views the business as a continuation of service, just in a different uniform.
Mobility City carries what Yi describes as the largest selection of mobility equipment in San Diego, backed by manufacturer support and local accountability.
But for him, inventory is only part of the story.
“Please come into the store or contact us so we can talk through your situation and provide a personalized assessment,” Yi said. “The most impactful moment is when someone tries the equipment for themselves and realizes what’s possible.”
For families navigating mobility challenges, the decision often feels emotional. Yi understands that. He has spent his career listening to those moments.
Mobility City of San Diego is located at 4921 Clairemont Drive, Suite B. For information about mobility equipment sales, wheelchair rentals, mobility scooter repair or in-home service in San Diego, call 858-371-7157 or visit mobilitycity.com/san-diego-ca.
