My Experience after "Leap of Faith" move to SD (Long Post) (San Diego: houses, neighborhoods)
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Wow! As someone who has lived in SD my whole life, I can see they passed out the rose colored glasses on this one. Some things to consider before moving here: SD has a lot of crime and very high crime index,mostly rapes and burglaries and growing number of kidnappings. Because of the proximity to one of the most populus border towns in Mexico, most crimes go unpunished and unsolved here, the SDSO and SDPD are extremely under staffed and the criminals know it, check here for recent info ARJIS Public Web Site > ARJIS Home . Also there are no jobs out here at all. Unless you are in bio-tech , medical or a gov't contractor. Everything else are low wage go no where jobs working for indifferent business owners who would drop you in an instant if you ask for more than $10/hr, they would just go to the pool of 4 million people who are begging to get that $10/hr job. The cost of living and the endless fees and costs have driven away most of the middle-class here. You'll find it's all rich and upper-middle class and their minimum wage gardners and care-takers. Consistantly the highest gas prices in the nation, the roads and water pipes are falling apart. Though these last few years here have been the mildest on record (60',70's summer w/ lots of overcast days) we usually have heat in the 90's and 100's a lot. The beaches are over rated (thanks to a great chamber of commerce) always overcast. The food banks out here feed more people every month than the whole population of Wyoming. I wouldn't move here, just a warning.
It must have been a slow BS day for trolls.
With the exceptions of aggravated assault and car theft, crime in San Diego is less than the national average. Even factoring in these categories, both violent and property crimes in San Diego still rank lowerthan the national average:
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
This day was exceptionally beautiful. It was between 75 and 80 degrees through out the county. I post this not to rub it in, but to encourage those of you perched on that fence. 79 degrees in January is a nice motivator, IMHO.
Ultimately, I decided that in life it's mostly the things we don't do that we end up regretting most. Accordingly, I decided to move. AJ
Very true, and trust I am one who knows. I've been contemplating this decision with earnest for years. I have lived in the Northeast for nearly all my life - save a few all too brief escapes that didn't pan out. I am ready to jump again and "Leap of Faith" describes it perfectly.
I have dreamt of a life there since I was a kid, plotted so many times only to get sidetracked with one emergency or another. My time to do this is now or never. After a year saying goodbye to my Mom who died in August of pancreatic cancer, I think I need this now more than ever.
I'm 50. I have maybe what, 15 or 20 years left, I don't wan't them spent wondering if this would have been the move that completed my life. Thanks for your post, I needed the nudge.
Excellent post. My gf and I are moving out there next year after she finishes clinicals. Not exactly an abrupt move, more of a planned one, but one that I'm sure will still come with excitement and risk. Thanks for the post.
Thank you for this post!! I am planning a move out to SD, but not until September of this year at the earliest. I graduate from college in May (and I contemplating an internship or a small job over the summer) as I search for a career in SD. So, this is good to know! I am taking my first trip out of SD in a few weeks so it's good to know things like this!!
Very true, and trust I am one who knows. I've been contemplating this decision with earnest for years. I have lived in the Northeast for nearly all my life - save a few all too brief escapes that didn't pan out. I am ready to jump again and "Leap of Faith" describes it perfectly.
I have dreamt of a life there since I was a kid, plotted so many times only to get sidetracked with one emergency or another. My time to do this is now or never. After a year saying goodbye to my Mom who died in August of pancreatic cancer, I think I need this now more than ever.
I'm 50. I have maybe what, 15 or 20 years left, I don't wan't them spent wondering if this would have been the move that completed my life. Thanks for your post, I needed the nudge.
Thanks for the comment Locco and my condolences for what I imagine was probably the toughest year of your life.
Your comment about your age made me laugh out loud for real. My friend Jonny L and I just returned from paddle surfing at Mission Bay. The reason for bringing this up and saying I laughed is because Jonny is 55--more than 20 years my senior, but it's impossible for me to keep up with him when we're out sweeping.
Jonny moved here from Virginia about 10 years ago after taking part in the Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride. He moved here with his family shortly thereafter. He shared that moving here at age 45 was frightening, but his life had become mired in dismal routine and found himself ambling through life without a clear sense of purpose. He originally struggled with guilt for leaving his friends and extended family for what appeared to be selfish reasons but now says they all admire him for having the fortitude to do it. He's a pretty inspiring guy, not just for his athletic ability but for his "action--oriented" attitude and complete disregard for his age or what's commonly considered "age appropriate" activities or lifestyle.
In any event, I hope you realize your personal ambition and make it out here. It will be well worth it. On a side note that could be its own thread, the RE50 is an incredible event open to all. Visitors to San Diego organize entire vacations around the RE50--check it out: Rosarito Ensenada
Thanks for the comment Locco and my condolences for what I imagine was probably the toughest year of your life.
Your comment about your age made me laugh out loud for real. My friend Jonny L and I just returned from paddle surfing at Mission Bay. The reason for bringing this up and saying I laughed is because Jonny is 55--more than 20 years my senior, but it's impossible for me to keep up with him when we're out sweeping.
Jonny moved here from Virginia about 10 years ago after taking part in the Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride. He moved here with his family shortly thereafter. He shared that moving here at age 45 was frightening, but his life had become mired in dismal routine and found himself ambling through life without a clear sense of purpose. He originally struggled with guilt for leaving his friends and extended family for what appeared to be selfish reasons but now says they all admire him for having the fortitude to do it. He's a pretty inspiring guy, not just for his athletic ability but for his "action--oriented" attitude and complete disregard for his age or what's commonly considered "age appropriate" activities or lifestyle.
In any event, I hope you realize your personal ambition and make it out here. It will be well worth it.
On a side note that could be its own thread, the RE50 is an incredible event open to all. Visitors to San Diego organize entire vacations around the RE50--check it out: Rosarito Ensenada
Another great post! Inspiring friend you have!! I hope to continue an active life once I arrive. Retirement now allows me to participate in a lot of my favorite activities at will - Woo Hoo!
Very true, and trust I am one who knows. I've been contemplating this decision with earnest for years. I have lived in the Northeast for nearly all my life - save a few all too brief escapes that didn't pan out. I am ready to jump again and "Leap of Faith" describes it perfectly.
I have dreamt of a life there since I was a kid, plotted so many times only to get sidetracked with one emergency or another. My time to do this is now or never. After a year saying goodbye to my Mom who died in August of pancreatic cancer, I think I need this now more than ever. I'm 50. I have maybe what, 15 or 20 years left, I don't wan't them spent wondering if this would have been the move that completed my life. Thanks for your post, I needed the nudge.
No, Locco, you have way more than "15 to 20 years left"!!! More like 30+!!!
In fact, today was a perfect example. The attached pic is from my car's instrument panel. This day was exceptionally beautiful. It was between 75 and 80 degrees through out the county. I post this not to rub it in, but to encourage those of you perched on that fence. 79 degrees in January is a nice motivator, IMHO.
AJ
Yeah, that can happen every now and then in SD this time of the year. When I was out there it happened a few times; mainly when the warm Santa Ana winds were howling through the area, but overall I would say that 79 this time of the year is still very rare for SD. I remember needing a jacket or a hoodie the majority of the time each January.
One thing that SD weather did for me was that it made me realize how much I hate cold weather. When I left SD, I wanted to be within a days drive of my family in SW Missouri, but at the same time, I didn't want to live in a place where the winters are wet, cold and downright miserable, so I ended up in Dallas.
So far, I can say that winter here this year has been pretty mild. Maybe not quite as nice as SD (we did have a little bit of snow last week and some lows in the 20's), but with the exception of a few days this month, and last month, the weather has been very pleasant (50's and 60's the majority of the time) here as well. We even had some 85 degree days late last month (which is most definitely above average as well).
So to anyone out there that has spent a lot of time in SD like I have, and can't stay there (for whatever reason), and hates the cold, I would recommend moving south of the Red River and avoiding all areas North of it, b/c them winters up North won't be so kind to you, unlike SD and Dallas winters! That brutal North wind up there in the winter can cut through ya like a knife, no matter how many layers you are wearing. I sure don't miss that one bit!
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....lol but very informative. 
