Do you recommend relocating to San Diego?
 

My husband and I have both visited San Diego a few times and both love the feel of the city - nice people; very diverse; great weather; beautiful beaches. We are seriously considering relocating there and I'm wondering what any downsides might be? Appreciate your thoughts!

Do you speak Spanish?

The big downside is the cost of housing. If you can find jobs here - there is very low unemployment, and afford the cost of buying or renting, then everything else is great.

Since some people seem to be up in arms about relocation questions I have created an ezboard Online Community for relocation issues. It's called Relocation Central.<BR><BR>Here is a link to the ezboard:<BR><BR>http://pub5.ezboard.com/brelocationcentral<BR><BR>It is ad free for the moment.<BR>

No. SD is horrible horrible place. filthy, dirty, high crime rate, lousy weather, crappy food, ugly people, uh, no nightlife, uh, nothing to do on the weekends, uh, oh and terrible for anyone at all ever. stay away for your own good. SD sucks.

Low wages and high houging cost. Our mayor recently announced that there is consideration for an emergency state due to the housing costs. I think we've now hit an average of over $300K for a condo in San Diego and a professional isn't likely to make much more than $40-50K.

Where are you coming from? Do you have kids?

No kids yet. Married - I am 24, my husband is 28. Currently live in Detroit area, Michigan. Plan to have kids in the next 3-5 years.

Where are you going to house those kids in 3 years if you can't afford a home? AT 24, it's all fun and games, but reality will hit you in a few years when you realize that your lousy paying jobs just don't pay the bills in the land of sunshine.

This is a serious post - I'm really looking for input from people who live there now, or anywhere in southern California. <BR>We are both professionals (engineering and marketing) and have heard the job market in SD is tough - but it's tough everwhere, these days. We loved all the outdoor things to do there and the diversity, above all.

ttt

I live in the neighboring county - Orange County and often head down to San Diego to visit friends. Two of my friends have got laid off in the past year and have yet to find jobs. Coincidently, one was a marketing manager while the other is an engineer. One of them was forced to move back in with his sister, while the other is contemplating a move elsewhere where she can get a job and cheaper housing. Fortunately the rest of my friends have kept their jobs, but one think's her company is on rocky ground and another is babrely getting by financially despite having an MBA.<BR><BR>Yes, the weather's great, lots to do and a ton of outdoor activities, but everythings so costly. Even milk and gasoline run higher down there.

Annabelle:<BR>Well... SD is a great place to live as a DINK (dual income, no kids) and may be a great place to be if you have kids although there are a few trade offs. I agree that salaries are artificially low as employers don't have to pay you top dollar as they know that you'll work for less just to live there. I lived in SD for 11 years and had a great experience but I am raising my children in the midwest. There are less distrations in hte midwest and the work ethic is affected by all those beautiful beaches, beautiful people, and emphasis on "laid back living". If I was in my 20s, I'd do it again. Comparable housing is nearly double where I presently live.

Annabelle, I don't live in SD but have family who do, and can report as a frequent visitor out there. Yes, the weather can't be beat and you're so close to the ocean, but I think there are some real drawbacks. Primary one being that it's very, very close to maximum development. Aside from Camp Pendleton in Oceanside there is precious little open land anywhere in SD, it's nothing but housing nd business developments everywhere you look, all the hills are dotted with homes now. It bothered me that the only way to get around was by the multi-lane highway. As an east coaster I am accustomed to living in a place that has real roads that connect communities, and being able to use "side streets" when the highways are jammed. You can't do that in SD, the highway is the only way to get anywhere. Maybe this is a small point but it bothers me whenver I'm there.

Annabelle, house prices are not quite as bad as sdlocal claims. The average cost of a single family home - not a condo - is about $300K. I know many professionals who earn very good money. It all depends what work you do.<BR><BR>Also, while a lot, but not all, of our hills and open space are being built on - and as I've lived here for over 20yrs I can see the difference! - there is a great demand for homes. Unfortunately, most of the new homes being built are very expensive, mostly over $500K. San Diego county is huge, stretching all the way to the Laguna Mountains, and a lot of it will never be developed, thank goodness.<BR><BR>We do have plenty of roads that are not freeways and, if you know how, it's perfectly possible to get around only using freeways occasionally. It's just quicker on the freeway usually, and those of us who live in here don't want commuter traffic rushing through our neighborhoods.<BR><BR>Overall, the economy in San Diego is one of the strongest in the country. There are always be companies going out of business, it's not just here.

I think some of the posters are painting too pretty of a picture. I'd head out and have a realtor take you around and show you homes. You'll find that it will take $300,000 to find a decent townhouse to live in. Houses are more like $500,000 or above and it's not like you'll be getting much more than a tract home 30 miles outside of downtown San Diego or an older fixer upper in the better centralized areas.<BR><BR>As a recruiter, let me warn you that the jobs aren't all that available here in San Diego. I've had several candidates turn down the low paying positions and have chosen to move to less expensive areas.

How much rent do you pay now in Detroit? What's your income back there? What's the size of your current apt? Maybe we can help you with what an apt. would run you out here for a comparable unit.

Let's see...Detroit vs San Diego....Answer: San Diego<BR><BR>Look for a job first as prices will be high for housing etc. But, quality of life may be your top consideration. If so, move.

Don't do it! It is so crowded there now. Rush hour starts at 2:00 in the afternoon. My husband and I lived there for a year and couldn't wait to leave. Spending Saturday afternoon in traffic on the is no quality of life. Now they are planning on building a 23 lane freeway. . .and it still won't help the congested freeways. There are many better places in CA than what I like to now call "Baja LA"

Jen, where are you and the hubby headed to next? Find a better place yet? What's stopping you from getting out of there?

We live on the Central Coast of California now. Where the weather is better than San Diego, no traffic, better air quality, clean beaches and a much less pretentious crowd. We left SD last year . . . and not a moment too soon.

Note to Annabelle: you live in Detroit.<BR>Anywhere in the US will be a step up (OK, maybe Gary and E St Louis would be lateral moves).<BR>San Diego is crazy expensive and crowded.<BR>Have you considered anyplace else which is more liveable?

Jen it sounds like you made a great choice if you moved up to the San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay area. I just hope you were able to buy before the real estate prices really sk-rocketed!

I'm a San Diego native but have lived all over the world and in the US since after high school. I'm 40 and have always wanted to come back and finally did 5 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.<BR>Pros<BR>weather, outdoor activities, low crime rate compared to other large cities, good selection of ethnic foods and restaurants<BR>Cons<BR>traffic - housing costs and rent depending where you decide to live. Doesn't have the quality live performances as NY, Chicago, Philadelphia, LA, SF but better than most. State taxes are probably higher than Michigan - you may want to check this.<BR><BR>Your life is what you make it here. You can have fun here an enjoy yourself for as many years as you choose (you can slways go back) or you can complain about everything in the cons section and wish you didn't come. You'd be surprised how much the weather and the amount of activities can affect your pysche. You are both young - just do it.

I am the opposite. I am a native to San Diego. Several years after high school I moved to the Philadelphia suburbs. I didn't like it at first, now I like the East Coast, I love the change of Seasons. I think we can be happy wherever we choose to live. It is such a personal choice dependant on many different factors. I suppose I would just do what my heart told me to do.

Having grown up in SD in the late 70's and early 80's, I love the place. But, now that I'm married with 2 kids, I'll never move back (live in suburban Dallas now). I love to visit, but the place has become the classic example of urban sprawl, clogged freeways, expensive housing, lousy school system (teacher's strikes, etc.). Private schools are the ONLY way I'd move there with kids, so add another $10-20K a year per kid for that. The illegal immigration problem is very real, being on the border, and that has contributed to SD having one fo the fastest growing crime rates in the country.<BR><BR>On the plus side - great weather (except if you're even just 15 miles inland, it climbs to the high 90's every summer day), lot's of fun in the sun, water, etc. On the down side - ridculously high housing, ever-growing population, crowded freeways, urban sprawl taking over everywhere, poor schools, air and water quality is deteriorating, so-so economy. Also, being in the very SW corner of the US, EVERYWHERE else is far away. Like the saying goes - it's a great place to visit (and I do) but I wouldn't want to live there - not these days.

My husband and I moved to SD from Cincinnati 5 years ago, and I hope we never have to leave. The truth about housing is this, we bought our house in Rancho Penasquitos, a very nice inland suburb, about 30 minutes from everything (airport, downtown, SeaWorld, zoo, beach) It does not get into the high 90's all summer at my house. Our house is 3BR, 2BA with a decent sized yard (disappointing compared to midwest standards, but nice for out here) it cost us $229,000 then, now it is worth about $350,000 in 4 years. We lived in an apartment for a year first, which was 1.5 times what we paid in Cincy. Also, we live in the Poway School District, one of the top in the state. We have a 2 yo, who isn't quite ready for school, but it was a plus for us when we chose the house. The traffic can be a problem, you just deal with it and get used to it. I can get to shopping and restaurants without getting on the freeway, but the freeway is often easier. Other than rush hours, I travel easily on the freeways. The weather is spectacular. If you want winter, go to Big Bear and ski, only 2 1/2 hrs away. You want more summer in the winter, go to Palm Springs, 2 1/2 hrs away.<BR>Do find jobs first. There isn't much cost of living increase out here. I had a job as an A/R accountant, only making $24K, same as midwest. <BR>It is a fantastic place to live.

Annabelle,<BR>I've lived in San Diego for 15 years and I hope never to live anywhere else. I live in Cardiff, (North County Coastal) where the schools are very good. I agree the traffic can be a nightmare, but since I'm from L.A. originally, this growth still doesn't compare. I love the proximity to other areas, Your a couple of hours from the desert or the mountains. We have cultural arts, nightlife, wonderful parks and beaches. <BR>The cost of living is a bit ridiculous, but I'm just used to it. Obviously San Diego isn't for everyone, (thank goodness)but I think if you've visited and loved it, you would have a great time here.

Hi everyone:<BR>I really appreciate all the feedback! To answer some of your additional questions about us and what we're looking for:<BR>We are "DINK's" for now but that will change at some point. We hope to start a family in 3-5 years or so. We currently rent an apartment - 1100 sq. ft., 2 BD, 2 Bath in Ann Arbor for $895 a month (even for here, this is somewhat of a steal, so I know we'll be in for sticker shock when looking at comparable places in SD!) We're hesitant to buy a house out here even though it's better than throwing away money on rent every month, because we are committed to moving out of state within the next 2 years. We've both lived in the Midwest our entire lives - my husband in various parts of Michigan, myself in Chicago then Detroit and Ann Arbor. Granted, as many of you have said, moving virtually anywhere would be a step up from Detroit! We have considered other warm locales with more reasonable costs of living (Florida; Texas) but SD is still at the top of our list for a few reasons:<BR>-Perfect weather (not as humid as FL and TX) which I think would make the Quality of Life issues outweigh the Cost of Living ones.....<BR>-We encountered just the NICEST people when we were there and were extremely comfortable with the diversity. We are an inter-ethnic couple and place a lot of value on living in a diverse community. <BR>-Far away from east coast and Europe, yes, but closer to HI and Asia, which is where we'd like to focus our future travels (we're trying to get the Caribbean and Europe-trotting thing out of our systems in these years of being DINKs...)<BR><BR>Truth be told, we do have some concerns. We'd be moving far away from our immediate families here in the midwest - though the ones we're closest to have indicated that they would be open to relocating as well if things go well for us out there! We've heard some things about California culture being ultra-liberal - we're both liberal for Midwesterners but sometimes wonder if any of that would bother us... And that's about it. I'm relatively confident that we could find employment, and we certainly wouldn't make the move until we did (or at least one of us did anyway.) <BR>Any further comments and insights are welcome!

You're likely going to be looking at 1-1/2 to 2 times that rent for a nice place that would be comparable. A mortgage payment would be significantly higher.<BR><BR>You also have to realize that jobs are limited, so you might be both facing some grueling commute time if you can't find employment close to each other.<BR><BR>"Quality of Life issues outweigh the Cost of Living" - but if you don't have any discretionary income at the end of the month, your quality of life will be pretty dismal. <BR><BR>Your relatives might be saying that they're willing to relocate, but is that realistic? Are they willing or able to sell their homes and move out only to find that they're going to have to take on a mortgage twice the size? How about the higher taxes that they may be facing?<BR><BR>I don't mean to sound so negative, but I've been there myself. I'm currently looking at moving so that I can afford a home. I'm college educated with an MBA and have a job that pays $70,000. But with high rent and a higher cost of goods down here, I really can't save a lot for a home. I have a downpayment of $50,000 saved, but that's just not enough with condo prices over $300,000. Time for me to grow up and move on where I can afford a grown up life. <BR><BR>Good luck in your quest for a place to settle.

Being DINKs gives you an economic advantage that single people don't have. Being young also helps because you have career potential and there is a lot here. I am also part of a mixed raced marriage and the west coast especially SD, LA and SF is one of the few places (other than NYC) that we don't stick out at all and receive no stares.

I lived in SD county most of my life. Owned a home in Carlsbad that was 5 bedrooms and in a great neighborhood. We ended up moving and sold our house for less then we bought it for in 96. Then the real estate market wasn't as hot as it is now. At that point we had 2 kids and made about 82,000 a year and were living paycheck to paycheck with me staying home and no daycare to pay. The cost of just utilities is SUPER high. I lived about a mile and a half from the beach and almost never went. Pollution and cold water being the reasons. I did end up moving to the north in Riverside and bought a home twice as nice for half of what it would cost to buy my old home back. My husband also found a job that pays twice as much as what he was making for the exact same postition in SD. The traffic on the freeways is still awful but not around town. It was taking me 20 minutes to get 4 miles to the grocery store in Carlsbad. <BR>So I guess I would tell you no not to move there. IF you moved there or bought a house more the 5 years ago sure your in a great postition. But there is nothing worse then being house poor IMO. Working just to pay the house payment is no way to live.