Hi there, After years of vacationing in SD, and dreaming of living there (I'm from Michigan), spending hours online doing apartment and job searches, I'm taking a week, flying in, renting a car, and am prepared to sign up at legal employment agencies (I'm a paralegal) and check out areas to rent a 1-bedroom apartment. I plan to make this a sorta "working vacation" because I plan of waking early, hitting the employment agencies, drive around neighborhoods, then spend the remainder of the days doing what I love most about San Diego; hit the beaches, hiking, shopping, and just walking around the local areas. Yes, it will be busy, but exciting. I'm hoping to move by March, 2008. Weather wise, in order to not only check out the relocation details, what do you think the best month, weather wise, would be for me to still be able to enjoy some great, sunny and warm weather? I've only vacationed in SD in the summer months, when it's been perfect. Would there be a big difference if I went in say, October vs. January? Also, any advice on neighborhoods to check out to rent a 1-bdrm., or any other local advice anyone wants to offer would be greatly appreciated.

By way of background, I'm a "young 44" single woman, active and into a healthy lifestyle, who still loves to hang out. I've been in the legal field for 20+ yrs and expect to earn approx. $55K annual. I am giving up a lower cost of living, square footage etc., but am willing to do that in order to live where I really want to be.

Thanks!

October can be very hot. January can be anything, but it's generally cold but since you're from Michigan you may consider it T-Shirt weather.

Come in Oct, that way you may get to see the downside of our weather.

I've lived in San Diego for thiry years and September and October are my favorite months. Yes, we can get very hot, dry Santa Ana winds from the desert at that time of year, but they only last for a few days. The rest of the time is warm-hot during the day and very pleasantly cool at night.

Do yu have any idea which area you prefer to work in? Most law firms are downtown, an increasing number have offices in the Carmel Valley area. There are a couple in the University Town Center area. Do you specialise in any particular area of law-eg intellectual property?

A couple I know recently rented a one bedroom apartment in Rancho Bernardo for just over $1,000 per month. Utilities are not included. Rents are high here, but you may have found that our already.

September through December can be warm and lovely here but weather can change and they predict this winter, a very wet year..
With 20+ years of paralegal experience you shouldn't have to much problem getting a job..
Renting an 1 bedroom apartment can range from the lows of $800-$2K a month..depending on location..
Being a native SD, I can tell you that it is expensive to live here but so well worth it!
I wish you all the best and keep us posted!

sdparalegals.org

I'm a local since '58. Anytime of the year is great in San Diego! The beach areas can be very expensive to rent. Our daughter rented a room in a house for $800./month in the Pacific Beach area, which is about the standard. I rent out a small 1 bed/1 ba condo to a student near La Jolla, close to the Univ. of Calif./San Diego for $1450/mo. Our daughter now rents a two bed/1 ba semi detached house inland (near Poway) for $1400.mo. Hope this give you some idea.
Also, Craig's List Online is a good source for renters.
Tahiti and Barbara also mentioned Downtown is were most of the law offices are (because the courts are also located there).
Good Luck - Keep us Posted!

craigslist.com is also a great resource for job postings.

Uhhh, Nanabee, I think you've been a local since '55! Don't ask me how I know...

fridays- October is a great month in San Diego...Your might choose January instead to see how bad the weather gets.

And consider Coronado for your apt search. For being such an expensive place to OWN, rents are very reasonable there, especially on one or two bedroom apts. The commute is super easy to downtown and the town is safe, but still has a lot going on. You could even get by without a car...use a bike for getting around the town, and then take the foot ferry (or even the bus) to a workplace downtown. Not many places in San Diego where you can do that!

You'll need to go over there to get the ads though; most owners and realtors post signs or list them only in the Coronado Eagle's Rental Hotsheet. It is a free paper that comes out on Wednesdays. Get a copy in a bin or at their office on 10th & C.

I'm a San Diego Native of 59 years, so I have more experence than the other posters. We never have good weather here. It's usually too hot or cold or raining or dry. There is too much traffic. People here don't know how to drive in the rain, so it gets very dangerous during the rainy season, which usually lasts a couple of days. The rest of the year we're waiting for rain. Last year we got three inches. There are 150 to 200 traffic accidents on a rainey day. It can take hours to get to work. This makes lots of work for lawyers and paralegals. We don't like lawyers.

Rents and property are way too expensive. The city is much too crowded and you will only make it worse. We don't have room for anyone else.

That being said, if you can get ten people to move from San Diego to Michigan, then you can come and stay here. Outwise move to Las Vegas, it never rains there.

dgassa, LOL!

Three inches last year?? OMG! I'll bet that the local umbrella and galoshes sellers are all retired in Aruba now! and did all the insurance companies cancel your policies?
;-)

Hey, thanks for all the uplifting and informative posts; well all except for that one! Vegas is great for a weekend, but what I love so much about San Diego is that every time I've been there, I've met lots of friendly and laid back people who have encouraged me to move out there. I don't expect to rent anything real close to the beach, but I can't wait to come home from work, pack a picnic and head to the beach and walk along, and enjoy the scenery, or go hiking on the weekends, and I can't wait to take my dog to "Dog Beach" (I cracked up the 1st time I went there). I love Coronado and will definitely check that area out for places to live because I would like to work downtown. Also, thanks for the sdparalegals.org website. Any other neighborhoods within a 30 minute drive if working downtown you could suggest?
And, does any one take the Coaster if working downtown? I have a cousin in Oceanside, but they work to the North and aren't too familiar with it. And, re: t-shirt weather in January, ... (ugh) in Michigan, we only have a few months a year where I actually enjoy being outside and unless you're fortunate to have a house on a lake, we don't have many public beaches (sad since it's called the Great Lake State).Thanks for your advice and posts.

opps! thanks lcuy for the accurate information. i was thinking of the big move to Coronado! what was i thinking?