My first six months in SD (NoCo) (San Diego, Oceanside: apartments, rentals)

[texaslamar]

My husband and I talked about making the move to SD for a few years before we finally did. I even went so far as to obtain my teaching credential in 2008 - two years before we actually moved (which did me no good as it would turn out). Anyway, I wanted to give an update on my observations and experiences in SD and its surrounding cities.

First, we looked at different parts of SD like Point Loma, UTC, and Carmel Valley. Since we have children, schools were paramount in our decision and night life, well, it wasn't a big deal for us since we prefer all that the outdoor activities SD has to offer. So, we settled in Encinitas and in my heart I know, for me and my family, we could not have made a better choice. We live within walking distance from the elementary school and the people of this city couldn't be any nicer. We live a few miles from the beach, so we don't get the fog from the beach but we do get the wonderful breezes. I love to walk around Encinitas' "downtown," going to any of the numerous beautiful beaches, taking the children to see what the "Cardiff Kook" is dressed up as on any given day, the sweet little Encinitas Christmas parade and anyone can be a part of, the Encinitas library with its breathtaking views, Trader Joe's within walking distance, the greenbelt in my neighborhood, etc., etc. Encinitas is just really a great little city within a city. And, we are only 20 minutes from one of our favorite places on Earth: La Jolla Cove.

Now, we are lucky in one way because we own a home based business and can work anywhere. However, I have not been able to get even so much as a teaching interview (do not have BCLAD) and so I have decided to change careers and have gone back to nursing school.

Yes, California is more expensive, but we have made concessions to offset some of the costs. For example, we don't go out to eat nearly as much as we did when we lived in Texas (and that can really add up if you look at it from a montly cost). And secondly, we only have one car payment as the other car is a beater truck that we only take to the beach. However, I have found that groceries are about the same cost as in Texas and insurance (health and car) is much lower. Yes, there is a state income tax, but California property taxes are much lower. In Texas, property taxes and property insurance are ridiculously high and continue to rise. I don't know when we'll be able to buy a house/condo, but I find that worrying about that all day does nothing but bring me down!

It has been an adjustment for me as I am a native Texan and leaving the coolest city in Texas (Austin) was hard as I miss all that city has to offer and miss my friends, as well. (My husband and kids absolutely love it here.) Am I happy here? Yes. I look around everyday and think, "Wow. It is so beautiful here. I live in paradise!"

[xambanga]

Thanks for your post! It's nice to hear of someone going against the flow of Californians moving to Texas. And thanks for putting the costs into perspective.

I relocated from Austin to LA 14 years ago. The steep housing cost was tough to swallow. But it faded into the background after the first time I rode my bike out my driveway and down to the beach. And when I realized how much I was saving by not having AC, and hardly using heat. And--shock: my LA commute was faster than my Austin commute. And in California I can actually exercise outdoors, whereas in Austin it was either too hot or was allergy season.

California's beach towns are really fantastic. I'm glad you're loving it!

[sidrah]

Cool! Glad you love San Diego.

[cruitr]

Good to hear things worked out for you. You worked really hard to find the perfect San Diego home for your family.

If you want to see some of the backyards of your Encinitas neighbors, this garden festival is for you: index
My wife and I go every year.

[Encinitan]

Welcome to the neighborhood! Glad you're having fun and enjoying Encinitas. Sounds like from your post that you've fit right into the groove around town. Just wait until summer, it only gets better!

[DCStudent]

Thanks so much for your post! My family and I are moving to San Diego from Tennessee in May/June and have been looking in the Encinitas areas (for the exact reasons you like it so much.) I will be working in La Jolla 2-3 days a week and Oceanside 1-2 days a week, so Encinitas looks like a great in between spot.

May I ask what do you have per month in rent and utilities? And, what apartments in Encinitas did you look at/ could recommend?

[earlyretirement]

Texas,

You mentioned that "health insurance was much lower than in Texas". That was surprising to hear as I've looked online a bit and it seems like good quality medical healthcare coverage if you are self-employed or have a home based business was fairly expensive. Can you let me know which company you use and how much the premiums are? I'd really appreciate it as I'm moving there this fall and looking to buy healthcare coverage there locally but most things like expensive.

Places like Blue Cross Blue Shield looks like it has risen as much as 59% from last year in parts of California. Thanks for sharing!

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by texaslamar

My husband and I talked about making the move to SD for a few years before we finally did. I even went so far as to obtain my teaching credential in 2008 - two years before we actually moved (which did me no good as it would turn out). Anyway, I wanted to give an update on my observations and experiences in SD and its surrounding cities.

First, we looked at different parts of SD like Point Loma, UTC, and Carmel Valley. Since we have children, schools were paramount in our decision and night life, well, it wasn't a big deal for us since we prefer all that the outdoor activities SD has to offer. So, we settled in Encinitas and in my heart I know, for me and my family, we could not have made a better choice. We live within walking distance from the elementary school and the people of this city couldn't be any nicer. We live a few miles from the beach, so we don't get the fog from the beach but we do get the wonderful breezes. I love to walk around Encinitas' "downtown," going to any of the numerous beautiful beaches, taking the children to see what the "Cardiff Kook" is dressed up as on any given day, the sweet little Encinitas Christmas parade and anyone can be a part of, the Encinitas library with its breathtaking views, Trader Joe's within walking distance, the greenbelt in my neighborhood, etc., etc. Encinitas is just really a great little city within a city. And, we are only 20 minutes from one of our favorite places on Earth: La Jolla Cove.

Now, we are lucky in one way because we own a home based business and can work anywhere. However, I have not been able to get even so much as a teaching interview (do not have BCLAD) and so I have decided to change careers and have gone back to nursing school.

Yes, California is more expensive, but we have made concessions to offset some of the costs. For example, we don't go out to eat nearly as much as we did when we lived in Texas (and that can really add up if you look at it from a montly cost). And secondly, we only have one car payment as the other car is a beater truck that we only take to the beach. However, I have found that groceries are about the same cost as in Texas and insurance (health and car) is much lower. Yes, there is a state income tax, but California property taxes are much lower. In Texas, property taxes and property insurance are ridiculously high and continue to rise. I don't know when we'll be able to buy a house/condo, but I find that worrying about that all day does nothing but bring me down!

It has been an adjustment for me as I am a native Texan and leaving the coolest city in Texas (Austin) was hard as I miss all that city has to offer and miss my friends, as well. (My husband and kids absolutely love it here.) Am I happy here? Yes. I look around everyday and think, "Wow. It is so beautiful here. I live in paradise!"

Congratulations. Encinitas is beautiful. San Diego really shines this time of the year....especially watching the rest of country freeeeeeze

[jimcav]

Originally Posted by texaslamar

We live within walking distance from the elementary school and the people of this city couldn't be any nicer. We live a few miles from the beach, so we don't get the fog from the beach but we do get the wonderful breezes.

I am going to transfer to Camp Pendleton this year and we also want a nice family area with good schools. I was going to look in Carlsbad to minimize my commute, but your post makes encinitas sound attractive as we also liek to be abel to walk to parks, beach, trader joes or henry's type of markets, etc

thanks
jim

[texaslamar]

DCStudent, we live in a 3/2 1/2 condo with a 2-car detached garage - it's about 1,500 square feet and we pay 1950 a month. Utilities are higher than I expected, but remember we own a home biz and my husband runs a lot of computers. Encinitas is a good half-way point between LJ and O'Side. The only problem with my neighborhood (Village Park) is that rentals go extremely fast, as in the day they go into MLS. I don't know about houses for rent around here, but I don't see a lot of "for rent" signs. There are some very nice apartments on Garden View near the Target.

EarlyRetirement, we get health insurance through Anthem BCBS Smart Sense 2500. Very high detuctible, btw.

JimCav, Carlsbad is very nice too and will take several minutes off your commute. Sometimes, it's hard to tell when you're in Encinitas vs Carlsbad. And the Carlsbad "village" on the 101 is quaint and fun to visit. If schools are important, I hear that Carlsbad elementaries are good, but middle/high are not so great (of course, this is only what I hear).

One more thing I want to add is that Sea World, Disney, etc, excursions can be quite expensive ($500 for a one-day trip to Disney for a family of 4??) and the SD Zoo is also expensive. We will go to outings like this once a year because, in my opinion, my children won't remember those excursions as much as the memories of searching for baby crabs in the tide pools of La Jolla, or boogie boarding at the beaches, or learning to surf with their father. I guess my point is that I was a little surprised about how much the big excursions cost. The Fort Worth Zoo is the #2 zoo in the U.S. (and just as beautiful) and is a fraction of the cost for admittance when compared to the SD Zoo.