Would SD or LA be better for a transplant who doesn't know anyone? (San Diego: rent, crime)

[NYSD1995]

SD hasn't been laid back in over 20 years. It's just smaller and the pace of life can be slower if that's what you want. There are drawbacks to that slower pace, like flakey, incompetent people in the workplace and service industries.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by Liz_7

I think the #1 difference is that SD generally has a more laid-back pace of life than LA, which some people prefer.

The OP is 22, not 62.

OP, I would say LA, you have plenty of time later in life for a slower pace.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East

The only part of the South Bay that is truly "awesome" is the Palos Verdes peninsula, IMO. Otherwise, the coastal communities in Orange County blow places like El Segundo and Torrance completely out of the water -- cleaner, newer, more attractive-looking streets and neighborhoods, more American in feeling, less congested and, in some spots, friendlier. Oh, yeah -- much nicer beaches with cleaner water, too.

Orange County is not even a part of the OP question which includes jobs in LA or SD. If you have even visited those beaches vs. simply driving by there is not much difference. For example, the Avenues in South Redondo border PV. Those beaches are very nice, clean, etc... Cleaner than many beaches in OC or SD depending on where one goes. But again, the OP wasn't asking about most 'American' (not sure if you mean more white?), clean beaches or OC.

Derek

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Orange County is not even a part of the OP question which includes jobs in LA or SD. If you have even visited those beaches vs. simply driving by there is not much difference. For example, the Avenues in South Redondo border PV. Those beaches are very nice, clean, etc... Cleaner than many beaches in OC or SD depending on where one goes. But again, the OP wasn't asking about most 'American' (not sure if you mean more white?), clean beaches or OC.

Derek

Any discussion of LA vs. SD is sort of necessarily going to lead to an OC discussion, so really, it is not a irrelevant at all. After all, OC is understood by probably 80% of people in the U.S. to be "LA". And it is not like we can pretend there is nothing between LA and SD.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

Any discussion of LA vs. SD is sort of necessarily going to lead to an OC discussion, so really, it is not a irrelevant at all. After all, OC is understood by probably 80% of people in the U.S. to be "LA". And it is not like we can pretend there is nothing between LA and SD.

Since traffics sucks in all SoCal from LA to SD especially during rush hour, no one in their right mind would live in OC just to live there vs LA or SD if their job wasn't actually in OC. While crazy ppl do stupid things all the time, especially in SoCal, its nothing to aspire to when there are better options.

Does OC exist? sure. It is relevant to the OP or 'all that?' No, not really and not practically speaking. Its just another overcrowded sprawl area in SoCal. If anything its more similar to LA and SD but without a real city, more suburban, cookie cutter, tract homes. That is more interesting to the older crowd than a 20 something, single working far away. In typical forum fashion the 'my city is so great' fan clubs have to give their n/a 2c.

Derek

[MtnSurfer]

Based upon his budget and work locations, the OP will probably wind up in SD.

[RosieSD]

Both can be great places, but ultimately, it will boil down to what your rental budget is going to be. In other posts, the OP has indicated that his rental budget is "less than $1500."

I'd look at how "close to the beach" and work that will put him in either place, and go from there.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Both can be great places, but ultimately, it will boil down to what your rental budget is going to be. In other posts, the OP has indicated that his rental budget is "less than $1500."

I'd look at how "close to the beach" and work that will put him in either place, and go from there.

That's why I am thinking SD because its easier to find slightly cheaper rents closer to the beach without getting into sketchy neighborhoods. Though both have bad areas with higher crime, etc... So if new to LA and SD, its important to do research upfront and avoid the bad locations just to save a few bucks on rent. I would rather have a roommate in a nicer area nearer the beach than live further out just to have my 'own' apartment. As others have mentioned, that's what most recent college grads do. The trick is finding roommates who don't drive you nuts (animal house).

[rockdo]

I definitely wouldn't be against having roommates. Are there any good ways besides craigslist to find roommates? I've seen a few websites for it but it's hard to tell if they are legit.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

Any discussion of LA vs. SD is sort of necessarily going to lead to an OC discussion, so really, it is not a irrelevant at all. After all, OC is understood by probably 80% of people in the U.S. to be "LA". And it is not like we can pretend there is nothing between LA and SD.

Well nothing worthwhile but yeah unfortunately people get stuck in that tacky sprawl with all the traffic there so that makes OC difficult to ignore as much as many would like to.