Life Living in San Diego?

Shag · 08-02-2016, 08:29 PM

Earlier today, I was presented with the option to relocate my job to San Diego (currently in Minneapolis). For those who live, or who have lived, in San Diego, what can you tell me about living there? I've been there a few times, and really enjoyed myself, but living there is a whole different thing.

I make a good living, but would only be getting a token cost of living adjustment (not quite 10%). I understand that housing, in particular, is crazy expensive, and I'd have to make some sacrifices there. I generally enjoy the outdoors, sports, beer, the beach. On the surface, SD is perfect, though I wouldn't know anyone there, or have an office to meet people (would be working out of my place).

So, for those who live, or have lived, in San Diego - thoughts? What do you like/hate about living in SD? Would you recommend others live there?

ThaVirus · 08-02-2016, 08:31 PM

Anything has to be better than Minneapolis

Shag · 08-02-2016, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Anything has to be better than Minneapolis

Dude, Minneapolis is a great town. Yeah, the weather isn't ideal, but otherwise, a great place to live.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Why would you have to go to San Diego if you work out of your place?

Do you sell drugs?

I'm in IT sales, so I'd be covering a territory, based out of my house. I'd be visiting customers around SoCal and AZ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiStateNo

My company asked me to move to SD 5 years ago from KC. No big deal, I had been there many times - and my Son was stationed there, so my Wife and I sold the house and went. Let me put it this way - it's one thing to "visit" San Diego and another thing to "live" there. When I had the option of coming back to KC - We were thrilled to death. The Midwest and the West Coast are two completely different animals. I don't know. Had I lived there as a child (I lived in LA for 9 years when I was a young teen) it might have been different. As an "old" person - who has retired from the military AND a civilian occupation, it's just not for me. Great "touristy" place - but that's about the best I can give it. I'll take Kansas City any day of the week.

Why did you hate it? I was there about a month ago, rented a house in South Park, and tried to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Seemed quite nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

10% to go from midwest to SD? **** that.

Yeah, obviously not ideal, as far as a cost of living adjustment. That said, I make good money in Minneapolis, which would probably be middle/upper-middle class in SD.

Randallflagg · 08-02-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

Dude, Minneapolis is a great town. Yeah, the weather isn't ideal, but otherwise, a great place to live.

I'm in IT sales, so I'd be covering a territory, based out of my house. I'd be visiting customers around SoCal and AZ.

Why did you hate it? I was there about a month ago, rented a house in South Park, and tried to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Seemed quite nice.

Yeah, obviously not ideal, as far as a cost of living adjustment. That said, I make good money in Minneapolis, which would probably be middle/upper-middle class in SD.

Funny - my Wife is from St Paul and while It's "different", I would prefer it to Southern California. Can't say that I hated it - just didn't like it. $575K for less house than I paid $250K for in Olathe was a bummer and, quite frankly, I got sick to death of sunshine. And as a guy that grew up in Phoenix and LA - that's hard to say. I got used to the seasons in KC and learned to love them. The infrastructure of San Diego is horrendous. Went to a game at Qualcomm and it is (literally) falling down. Traffic is generally not too bad - but it can be a dog from time to time - and on the rare occasion it rains - it's katy -bar- the door with traffic. The proximity to the border wasn't my thing either. I lived in Eastlake (just South of San Diego proper) and my Son lived on Coronado Island.

Like I said - just wasn't my thing. I was glad the day it came time for me to "come home".

**Rain Man** · 08-02-2016, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiStateNo

Funny - my Wife is from St Paul and while It's "different", I would prefer it to Southern California. Can't say that I hated it - just didn't like it. $575K for less house than I paid $250K for in Olathe was a bummer and, quite frankly, I got sick to death of sunshine. And as a guy that grew up in Phoenix and LA - that's hard to say. I got used to the seasons in KC and learned to love them. The infrastructure of San Diego is horrendous. Went to a game at Qualcomm and it is (literally) falling down. Traffic is generally not too bad - but it can be a dog from time to time - and on the rare occasion it rains - it's katy -bar- the door with traffic. The proximity to the border wasn't my thing either. I lived in Eastlake (just South of San Diego proper) and my Son lived on Coronado Island.

Like I said - just wasn't my thing. I was glad the day it came time for me to "come home".

After living in south Texas for a couple of years, I too started missing seasons and cold weather. I'm not sure why, because year-round warm weather is nice, but I was glad to move to Denver and get some snow again.

On the housing side, a good friend of mine lives in San Diego. He's in a beautiful neighborhood, but his house cost roughly the same as mine in Denver and it's probably about 40 percent as large. That's kind of a downside.

But all in all, I don't think I would turn down a chance to live in San Diego. I don't know San Diego very well, but I could certainly live in Orange County for a couple of years and be happy. It doesn't mean a permanent commitment if you don't like it.

Randallflagg · 08-02-2016, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

After living in south Texas for a couple of years, I too started missing seasons and cold weather. I'm not sure why, because year-round warm weather is nice, but I was glad to move to Denver and get some snow again.

On the housing side, a good friend of mine lives in San Diego. He's in a beautiful neighborhood, but his house cost roughly the same as mine in Denver and it's probably about 40 percent as large. That's kind of a downside.

But all in all, I don't think I would turn down a chance to live in San Diego. I don't know San Diego very well, but I could certainly live in Orange County for a couple of years and be happy. It doesn't mean a permanent commitment if you don't like it.

Never lived in South Texas, but I did live in Central Texas for a couple of years (Fort Hood).

Look, the summers in KC can be (and usually are) brutal. But for me - when Fall hits, it's all good! That was my biggest gripe about San Diego. Yes, the weather is wonderful but Jesus - it gets boring after a while. And, unless you are a complete beach bum - it gets old quick. I've taken the whale watching tours, the harbor tour, the whole 9 yards and still - I prefer KC.

Shag · 08-02-2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiStateNo

Funny - my Wife is from St Paul and while It's "different", I would prefer it to Southern California. Can't say that I hated it - just didn't like it. $575K for less house than I paid $250K for in Olathe was a bummer and, quite frankly, I got sick to death of sunshine. And as a guy that grew up in Phoenix and LA - that's hard to say. I got used to the seasons in KC and learned to love them. The infrastructure of San Diego is horrendous. Went to a game at Qualcomm and it is (literally) falling down. Traffic is generally not too bad - but it can be a dog from time to time - and on the rare occasion it rains - it's katy -bar- the door with traffic. The proximity to the border wasn't my thing either. I lived in Eastlake (just South of San Diego proper) and my Son lived on Coronado Island.

Like I said - just wasn't my thing. I was glad the day it came time for me to "come home".

Fair enough. Housing costs are probably the biggest downside to SoCal, but I like being outside enough that it would hopefully not be a big issue. Would definitely be an adjustment, though. It's a balancing act, I suppose - perfect weather and high housing costs, vs long winters and lower costs.

**Rain Man** · 08-02-2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

I'm in IT sales, so I'd be covering a territory, based out of my house. I'd be visiting customers around SoCal and AZ.

Where in SoCal? I think that's key. I regularly go to Orange County and it's not bad in terms of traffic, but if I had to drive in Los Angeles regularly I think I would quickly go insane.

Shag · 08-02-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Where in SoCal? I think that's key. I regularly go to Orange County and it's not bad in terms of traffic, but if I had to drive in Los Angeles regularly I think I would quickly go insane.

Would be both the SD and LA areas, so I would likely be driving into LA somewhat regularly, though I imagine it would only be a few times a month.

Coyote · 08-03-2016, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

Would be both the SD and LA areas, so I would likely be driving into LA somewhat regularly, though I imagine it would only be a few times a month.

Didn't see if you have kids but if so schools are a major issue. Given the above, try either side of Campen and get the coast side of I-5-if you can afford it. I prefer Carlsbad and lean to San Diego vice San Clemente/Orange County. An option may be taking the train to LA-depending upon where you're going/ how often to LA-and focusing on South of Camp Pendleton. Campen is the only thing preventing San Diego/North County from becoming another LA suburb. I dealt with non-stop encroachment on MCAS Miramar (El Toro and Tustin before Miramar) and MCB Camp Pendleton as the towns/developers covet that prime real estate.The sale of MCAS El Toro funded all other Dept. of the Navy base closings/movements so land is not cheap out there.

scho63 · 08-03-2016, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

I'm in IT sales, so I'd be covering a territory, based out of my house. I'd be visiting customers around SoCal and AZ.

Now if you could live in Arizona or Nevada instead of So Cal, it might be worth it but you will get 1/4 of the house for 4x's the price in San Diego.

San Diego is gorgeous but you better do your home work on your living arrangements FIRST

**SAUTO** · 08-02-2016, 08:32 PM

Why would you have to go to San Diego if you work out of your place?

Do you sell drugs?

**SAUTO** · 08-02-2016, 08:34 PM

Are you an under pimp?

Randallflagg · 08-02-2016, 08:34 PM

My company asked me to move to SD 5 years ago from KC. No big deal, I had been there many times - and my Son was stationed there, so my Wife and I sold the house and went. Let me put it this way - it's one thing to "visit" San Diego and another thing to "live" there. When I had the option of coming back to KC - We were thrilled to death. The Midwest and the West Coast are two completely different animals. I don't know. Had I lived there as a child (I lived in LA for 9 years when I was a young teen) it might have been different. As an "old" person - who has retired from the military AND a civilian occupation, it's just not for me. Great "touristy" place - but that's about the best I can give it. I'll take Kansas City any day of the week.

raybec 4 · 08-02-2016, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiStateNo

My company asked me to move to SD 5 years ago from KC. No big deal, I had been there many times - and my Son was stationed there, so my Wife and I sold the house and went. Let me put it this way - it's one thing to "visit" San Diego and another thing to "live" there. When I had the option of coming back to KC - We were thrilled to death. The Midwest and the West Coast are two completely different animals. I don't know. Had I lived there as a child (I lived in LA for 9 years when I was a young teen) it might have been different. As an "old" person - who has retired from the military AND a civilian occupation, it's just not for me. Great "touristy" place - but that's about the best I can give it. I'll take Kansas City any day of the week.

You were a young teen for 9 years? You got that Benjamin Button disease?

08-02-2016, 08:29 PM	Topic Starter
Shag MVP Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Casino cash: $1903342	Living in San Diego? Earlier today, I was presented with the option to relocate my job to San Diego (currently in Minneapolis). For those who live, or who have lived, in San Diego, what can you tell me about living there? I've been there a few times, and really enjoyed myself, but living there is a whole different thing. I make a good living, but would only be getting a token cost of living adjustment (not quite 10%). I understand that housing, in particular, is crazy expensive, and I'd have to make some sacrifices there. I generally enjoy the outdoors, sports, beer, the beach. On the surface, SD is perfect, though I wouldn't know anyone there, or have an office to meet people (would be working out of my place). So, for those who live, or have lived, in San Diego - thoughts? What do you like/hate about living in SD? Would you recommend others live there?
Posts: 5,152

08-02-2016, 08:31 PM	#2
ThaVirus You gotta kill a few people Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $1812369	Anything has to be better than Minneapolis
Posts: 44,437

08-02-2016, 08:32 PM	#12
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	Why would you have to go to San Diego if you work out of your place? Do you sell drugs?
Posts: 55,715

08-02-2016, 08:34 PM	#13
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	Are you an under pimp?
Posts: 55,715

08-02-2016, 08:34 PM	#14
Randallflagg MVP Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $9987156	My company asked me to move to SD 5 years ago from KC. No big deal, I had been there many times - and my Son was stationed there, so my Wife and I sold the house and went. Let me put it this way - it's one thing to "visit" San Diego and another thing to "live" there. When I had the option of coming back to KC - We were thrilled to death. The Midwest and the West Coast are two completely different animals. I don't know. Had I lived there as a child (I lived in LA for 9 years when I was a young teen) it might have been different. As an "old" person - who has retired from the military AND a civilian occupation, it's just not for me. Great "touristy" place - but that's about the best I can give it. I'll take Kansas City any day of the week.
Posts: 9,578