Orlando to San Diego, possibly... (Orange, Jackson: 2009, apartment, to rent)

[thepinksquid]

Hello!

My fiancé and I are in the beginning stages of considering a move from Orlando to San Diego. We wouldn’t leave until 2009 at the earliest, but at this time we’re trying to work out the details to see if it actually may be a possibility.

I will have a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at that time, as well as possibly a MBA or master’s degree in Management Information Systems. My fiancé will have finished his bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. Anyhow, I am interested in work in the IT sector of the leisure market (which is what I work in now), and he is a freelance web programmer. Any ideas for companies in the area to look at?

Honestly, Florida isn’t too thrilling and we both love SD. We have been there at least four times in the past six years, and haven’t really seen anywhere else we’d consider moving to if we didn’t just stay in Florida.

We both hate the humidity here, and the lack of natural beauty that really exists. Overall, the “culture” of Orlando kind of stinks as well.

Right now we pay about $1,400 for a 2/2 apartment, and we’d probably be looking to rent in SD before purchasing a home later on.

When we visit we usually have isolated ourselves to Harbor Island (where we stay), Point Loma, Old Town and La Jolla, so we haven’t “ventured” out much to look at neighborhoods that are more residential based. We’re looking at somewhere with rent around $1-1,500 for a 2/2 apartment or home, as close to the coast as possible, with convenient access to major highways.

We’re just curious is anyone has done a Florida -> Southern California move before, and has any advice.

Thanks so much!

[Jax]

I did a Southern California move to Florida recently, does that count?? I can totally understand how you'd want to go to SD. I love it there, too. We're in Jacksonville now, but there are days that I really miss SD. You'll probably need to rent first in SD. I rented from a rich friend's house for about a total of $600, including electric, so I have an unrealistic view of what rent costs there...probably more than you're used to paying in Orlando, though. Go for it, though. It's a great place to be young and without kids...once kids come into the picture, it can be pretty tough to make it there financially unless you're independently wealthy or have family to provide free full-time childcare. Go while you can!

[Jonah1979]

Originally Posted by redandfuzzy

Hello!

My fiancé and I are in the beginning stages of considering a move from Orlando to San Diego. We wouldn’t leave until 2009 at the earliest, but at this time we’re trying to work out the details to see if it actually may be a possibility.

I will have a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at that time, as well as possibly a MBA or master’s degree in Management Information Systems. My fiancé will have finished his bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. Anyhow, I am interested in work in the IT sector of the leisure market (which is what I work in now), and he is a freelance web programmer. Any ideas for companies in the area to look at?

Honestly, Florida isn’t too thrilling and we both love SD. We have been there at least four times in the past six years, and haven’t really seen anywhere else we’d consider moving to if we didn’t just stay in Florida.

We both hate the humidity here, and the lack of natural beauty that really exists. Overall, the “culture” of Orlando kind of stinks as well.

Right now we pay about $1,400 for a 2/2 apartment, and we’d probably be looking to rent in SD before purchasing a home later on.

When we visit we usually have isolated ourselves to Harbor Island (where we stay), Point Loma, Old Town and La Jolla, so we haven’t “ventured” out much to look at neighborhoods that are more residential based. We’re looking at somewhere with rent around $1-1,500 for a 2/2 apartment or home, as close to the coast as possible, with convenient access to major highways.

We’re just curious is anyone has done a Florida -> Southern California move before, and has any advice.

Thanks so much!

I moved from the Orlando area to L.A. about three years ago. There's more things to do in Orlando than SD...it's pretty down there and the beaches are nice. SD cost alot more than Orlando, housing is over priced throughout California and from what i've seen on this board the IT sector is weak in SD. Also, you really won't earn too much more in SD that you can in Orlando.

[rockx]

We have done the move twice, once from Orlando -> LA 11 years ago.
Then Orlando to NYC(1 year) to Orange County, CA. We move a lot, and I am getting tired of it haha.

I can say that "outdoors" wise, there is much more to do in San Diego than Orlando and the natural beauty and culture is definitely a huge plus in San Diego vs Orlando.

Here are my findings:

1) Expect to pay overall 10-20% more for almost everything in California: Groceries, Gas, Car Insurance, Dining out...etc. The good thing is your utilities will be a lot less because of the climate here in SoCal you don't need AC as much as you do in FL.

2) Rent or housing in San Diego will be higher and definitely depend on what area and crime you are willing to deal with. Orlando is much more middle of the road, with only downtown and Winter Park really being the expensive areas. San Diego will fluctuate more from area to area. Be careful where you live for 1500.00 a month in SD.

3) Check out ABF (upack.com) for your cross country moving needs, they are a freight company but they are awesome.

4) Culture in SD is different, yes in Orlando there is a Spanish culture, but that includes Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Columbia and some Mexicans. In SD the culture is mainly Mexican. Nothing wrong with that, because the city is pretty laid back and everyones seems to get along better than here in the OC, but just be ready for a lot of Mexican Culture.

5) People in SD. Definitely different than Orlando. But I think it is for better. Drivers are for the most part courteous and things are clean (not clean to OC snobs though..).

6) Jobs - I think San Diego and Orlando are right on par with each other in Tech Jobs. In San Diego you will find a lot more Defense Contractors here because of all the Navy and Marine bases. Also Yahoo, Ebay and Intuiit are here...

I think it is a good move, financially you will need to make more money here than in Orlando, you will probably live in a smaller place. But the terrain, culture and people are an exciting change.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by Jonah1979

I moved from the Orlando area to L.A. about three years ago. There's more things to do in Orlando than SD...it's pretty down there and the beaches are nice. SD cost alot more than Orlando, housing is over priced throughout California and from what i've seen on this board the IT sector is weak in SD. Also, you really won't earn too much more in SD that you can in Orlando.

Even though we're in our twenties, honestly we're not into the nightlife/bar scene at all, so we're not worried if there's "less to do." Thanks for the response! I'm suprised to hear that we wouldn't make comparatively more in San Diego though....

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by rockx

2) Rent or housing in San Diego will be higher and definitely depend on what area and crime you are willing to deal with. Orlando is much more middle of the road, with only downtown and Winter Park really being the expensive areas. San Diego will fluctuate more from area to area. Be careful where you live for 1500.00 a month in SD.

Thanks so much!!

Honestly what would you say a 2/2 apartment would cost in a decent area per month? We'd proabably rent before we purchase a home/get settled.

Right now we live in the Millenia part of Orlando and we pay about $1,400. My fiance works from his home so he needs the second bedroom as an office.

[rockx]

Depends on the sq ft. But for around 1000-1100 sq ft 2/2 in a nice area, you are probably at spending 1700-2200. Would obviously be more the closer you get to the beach.