Another "moving to SD" thread - questions (San Diego: real estate, for rent) - City-Data Forum

seeber · 10-08-2010, 12:43 PM

Hello, my fiance and I would like to move to San Diego (from Phoenix Metro area). No kids, lesbian couple. We are looking at inexpensive, safe areas to live in. I've read through a ton of threads about potential locations that are "safe and cheap", but I have a few specific questions that might affect where we would live.

How bad is the job market right now for a graphic designer (it's sucked in AZ since I've been in the field b/c the only thing that people care about over here is real estate)?

How bad will traffic be during rush hour? It can take anywhere from 30 min. to an hour in AZ if you're 15-20 mi. away from your job location.

Is this still accurate: "As far as best places to live and what areas to avoid, I've heard the general consensus from people is to stay to the north and to the west and avoid the south and the east. So basically stay west of 805 and north of 94 and for the most part you should be ok with the exception of some dodgy parts of certain neighborhoods here and there. <- Is this for the most part true or am I way off? ... I've heard City Heights and El Cajon is really bad." - Relocating to SD - That seems to be the general thing that's repeated in threads, but most of the posts about this are 2+ years old.

We're on a $1200/mo max budget for rent if that makes a difference. Thank you!

skeke · 10-09-2010, 10:09 AM

There are plenty of nice neighborhoods east of 805. You would be missing a lot of San Diego if you felt you had to stay east of 805. I have 8 miles to go to my office in the morning, 3 by city streets, 5 by freeway and it takes me between 20-30 minutes. 30 on a trafficky day, 20 when it's not. I am traveling 8 west which is not a bad freeway. I live south of SDSU. Can't tell you about rents. I've only rented once in San Diego County and that was a 6 week house share we did when we were in escrow with both our house we sold in Sacto and the house we bought in San Diego. I also know nothing about the graphic arts field, just the usual that people say it is a tough job market all over right now. I came here with job in hand so have not done any San Diego job hunting.

westcoastbabe · 10-09-2010, 05:28 PM

Don't mean to hijack the thread...but aside from the job market regarding your field..How was your experience living in Phoenix? I hear its quite nice.

skeke · 10-10-2010, 01:53 PM

I lived in Phoenix area from age 11 - 22 then back again from 23-28. I find the climate god awful. You have to be okay with extreme heat from May through early October. I am not a heat kind of gal and would never live there again. I was so glad to leave.

seeber · 10-10-2010, 11:55 PM

Thanks for the info, skeke.

TBH, westcoast, I'd ask in the Phoenix forum for a non-bias opinion. I hate it here. I've lived here almost my whole life (since I was 6), and, as skeke mentions, the weather sucks - also the people suck, the pollution sucks, the politics suck, there is no culture here (it's the Walmart state), did i mention the cr@p weather? If you like 100-122 degree heat 9 months out of the year and living with retired a-holes those 9 months (think John McCain), then snowbirds the other 3 (with want-to-be Hollywood skanky Scottsdale bimbos throughout the year), by all means move here. However, if you like carrying a concealed gun w/o a license, like Joe Arpaio and trashing minority rights, like the heat and are over 120 y/o, you may actually like hell...er, Arizona. Definitely ask in the Phoenix forum...

applejack726 · 10-13-2010, 08:32 PM

Hi Seeber, you might try South Park, North Park or Hillcrest. These neighborhoods are centrally located, so you hopefully can minimize your commute. You can definitely find a one bedroom in these neighborhoods on your budget. These are also the more walkable communities in San Diego, and if you find a job in these areas you may avoid a car commute entirely.

Mugsy · 10-14-2010, 12:14 AM

What type of housing do you seek? An apt or a condo house etc??
1 br 2 br etc??
Do you have pets?

Have you browsed sD Craigslist for housing?

On 1200.00/mo, housing could be found but depends on the type and # of bedrooms...

seeber · 10-17-2010, 04:17 PM

Would rather rent a condo/house, but could start off in an apt. 2 bedroom minimum (if possible to start, but definitely would want a 2 br minimum later as we decide what area we like). 1 cat, but we want to get a dog once we're settled. We haven't looked at Craigslist because most of the CL ads are scams in AZ; not sure about CA.

3DSumoWrestler · 10-19-2010, 03:31 AM

I rented out my downtown place via craigslist successfully if that gives you any confidence.

I was about to write about how outdated those threads are you must have read until I realized all the neighborhoods I'm recommending are West of the 805 and North of the 94! I'm a downtown/hillcrest/bankers hill/north park/south park kind of person, and I'd recommend any other young, or just plain urbanite person to look in those areas as well.

Many of the central neighborhoods of SD are quite alright now, and quickly "coming up" (read: safe). Although, you might be looking a while to find a decent 2 bedroom for $1200 anywhere central. My friend is paying 1200 for a 1 bedroom duplex in University Heights/Hillcrest area and it's right on the edge of the "nice" area off of el cajon blvd.

As for traffic, it really depends on where you get your job. San Diego is quite spread out so you may end up working downtown, in Mira Mar, Sorrento, or Del Mar. I personally don't think SD traffic is that bad at all, but that's all relative. I'm comparing it to LA traffic and even Seattle traffic is far, far worse at rush hour. But for you, from AZ, it might be much worse out here in SD. It really depends on where you land your gig.

For graphic design, my sister is a graphic designer for dr jay's and is based out of Mira Mar. I think graphic design is just a competitive field but I'd wager it's better out here than Phoenix.

JMpropertyatriverchase · 10-20-2010, 04:58 PM

We are moving from west valley (Phoenix) AZ area, been here 3 years and cannot stand it. The education system here is the worst (maybe 2nd to worst) politicians are for nothing more than getting re-elected, the weather really really sucks. I don't want to be TOO negative but have to get out of here.