Quote:
Originally Posted by Shag
Carlsbad is a possibility, also like Encinitas. I figured even at $2500, I wouldn't be super close to the beach. Initially, I'm thinking either downtown, the areas around balboa, or going north county as near the beach as possible. Trying to avoid being too far in the middle of nowhere, as I'll be going there solo.
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San Diego is divided into 4 sections.....and all 4 are very different lifestyles. North, South, Central and East County.
Carlsbad/Encinitas/Oceanside etc are all considered North County. Everything north of Del Mar essentially is North County. I grew up in Oceanside/Carlsbad and have been living in the main city (Central) for the last 10-15 years.
Very, very different lifestyles. So if you have a way of life in mind, make sure you pick the right location because each town in the county has its own unique vibe.
If you're after that beach-bum, relaxation type of life where you wake up and smell the ocean, then you need a spot in North County. Central San Diego (Downtown, Balboa Park etc) is very much like living in the big city. It doesn't smell like ocean, it's packed full of people and mostly business oriented. The people are different. I can't explain it, but they're just different.
So let me help, since i've lived all over this county all my life.
Oceanside: Pure beach city. Wake up and smell the ocean. Tons of nightlife in its downtown area. Heavy, heavy military city since it neighbors Camp Pendelton. Its more of a younger, party type scene considering so many young marines go there to get off base. Probably the best beach/party scene in the entire county.
Carlsbad: Neighbors just south of Oceanside. More upscale than Oceanside. Like Oceanside, its beach is glorious. But unlike Oceanside, it draws a more mature crowd. Its nightlife is alive but it's not so much the party scene that Oceanside is. Very nice beach town and not too expensive.
Encinitas: Very nice beach front similar to Carlsbad, more affluent area than Carlsbad. Similar to Carlsbad but generally viewed as a little more upscale.
Cardiff: Meh. It's always kinda just melted into Encinitas in my mind. More of the same.
Then you get into Del Mar, La Jolla etc. Affluent areas. Gorgeous views and great beaches, San Diego's upscale living at its finest.
Pacific Beach: People love Pacific beach. Not me though, lol. It's party scene for sure. Most believe it is THE party scene in San Diego. Sure, it's on the beach. But to me it doesn't feel like the beach. It feels like the city.....but with a beach, while Oceanside actually feels like a beach town.
Mission Bay: I havent spent much time there, tbh. Feels like Pacific Beach Lite...
Then you get into Central San Diego. At this point, you're living in the city. Feels like it too. Lacks that beach town charm. It's nice, new, modern and the Gaslamp quarter is pretty much Pussy heaven on week end nights.
Coronado: A very nice Island. Affluent. More of a retirement community than anything.
As you continue to move south you'll hit National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, San Ysidro. I generally dislike these towns. It's not like Central San Diego living, but its more crowded than North County and the beach front is non-existent or small and shitty.
There's a lot of towns that i didn't mention, including East County stuff and a lot of the SE and NE stuff as well. I doubt you'd be interested in those areas.
Avoid: San Ysidro, National City, Vista, Escondido, El Cajon & parts of Chula Vista, San Marcos, SE Central San Diego.... If you find a home and are curious about the neighborhood it's in, holla at me and I'll fill you in. I know this county like the back of my hand.