Singles in LA/San Diego? (Oakland: low crime, income, live)

[zwill]

Hello there,

I'm planning a move to SoCal in about 6 months from the Northeast having lived in D.C., NY, and Boston for the past decade. I'm drawn to the area because I crave sunny days, love doing things outdoors on any given day of the week, and would like to be near the ocean. I'm at the point in my life where I'd like to settle into one area for quite a while (I'm 34yr white male), and eventually settle down.

I'm debating between LA and San Diego. I'm naturally a bit more drawn to San Diego for a more relaxed setting, more geographic beauty, and less smog compared to LA. My recreation centers on doing things outside, I do go to bars/clubs on occasion but not frequently.
I enjoy the extra cultural opportunities and ethnic diversity that LA offers, particularly with dating as I enjoy dating women from other countries, especially European women, but I worry that the smog and rat race of LA will get to me (as I've tired of the rat race in the northeast).
My remembrances of LA/SD were based from visiting a decade ago, and I want to update my impressions and solicit opinions before committing to a move.

First-I've read comments describing the San Diego single scene as just undergrads and cougars, which worries me as I prefer to date women late 20s to my age(34). Would appreciate comments by both men and women on the 25-35 yr single scene in LA and SD.

Second- On the forums I've seen SoCal women from SF to SD described as materialistic, gold-diggers, or both. I'm sure I'll find some of that wherever I go but I hope it might be less prevalent in SD compared to LA and the OC? I'm a professional with a graduate degree and a six-figure income so I worry about that. On the other hand, as I'm not in entertainment, so maybe my professional status won't influence relationships in LA as I'm not going to make anyone's career.

Third- Can anyone comment on the LA and SD male/female ratio? I assume that LA is fairly balanced? I'm wondering if the several military bases in SD skew the ratio significantly male in SD as the military bases are populated predominately by men.

One can always move, but in my profession you tend to stay in one city for a couple years after taking a job, so I hope to make the right decision initially. I'm headed out to visit both areas this upcoming week so if anyone has suggestions on good places in LA and SD to evaluate the 25-35 single scene, I would be grateful for those as well.

Cheers

[majoun]

Originally Posted by zwill

Second- On the forums I've seen SoCal women from SF to SD described as materialistic, gold-diggers, or both. I'm sure I'll find some of that wherever I go but I hope it might be less prevalent in SD compared to LA and the OC?

Only slightly less prevalent.

Third- Can anyone comment on the LA and SD male/female ratio?

For a heterosexual male, it's terrible in both places. The male/female imbalance tends to be worse in California than elsewhere in the US.

I assume that LA is fairly balanced?

ROTFLMAO! LA is one of the most UNBALANCED places in the US. There are more males than females.

I'm wondering if the several military bases in SD skew the ratio significantly male in SD as the military bases are populated predominately by men.

And that is why San Diego has the worst male/female ratio in the US - but claiming that LA is "fairly balanced" because SD is worse is like claiming that LA is a "low crime" city because it's not as bad as Detroit or Oakland.