Possible Relocation to the San Diego area (Chula Vista, Vista: apartment, for rent)

[awan916]

Hi. I'm currently in the middle of an application process for a job with CBP. I will be relocating from New York. I was looking at places in Chula Vista and possibly Otay. I thought living in southern SD county would make my commute to work (San Ysidro) a bit easier.

Of course rent is a concern. I'll be working for the government so I can't exactly pay $2000 a month for rent. I was looking at southern SD county mainly to reduce commute time. My main concern is crime. Everybody would like to avoid high crime areas.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

[moved]

It could be a while before you know if you've been accepted or not. Has your background check been done yet?

[awan916]

I just met with the BI on Tuesday. He said hes sending it out this week when hes finished with it. I'm pretty much done with the tedious stuff. I'm expecting a long wait and not anticipating an immediate call. But it doesn't hurt to scout the area ahead of time =)

[moved]

You could get stationed at another border city besides San Diego, so it might help to scope out the other cities, too. I have a friend that went through the entire process, but they told her that she had to learn to speak Spanish, and that she would be assigned somewhere other than San Diego after her training. She doesn't want to leave here, so she declined the CBP job.

[awan916]

Ouch. That sucks. Well I changed it to the southwest border in CA. So chances are I'm getting San Ysidro.

[moved]

There's also AZ, TX & NM. Did you get a guaranteed written offer for San Diego? If you didn't, don't get your hopes up until you're out of training, and get your first assignment. It's like the military, and it doesn't matter what you request. You're their property, they own you, they can send you wherever they want, and you have no choice in the matter.

[awan916]

Well for my tentative offer they basically said California -Southwest. So chances are I'm not being sent anywhere else.

[esmith143]

Most of southern SD county is relatively safe, not a gangland, but there is a heavy representation of the very people you're supposed to be catching when you're on the job (and of their numerous relatives). Very broadly speaking, don't go north of 54, avoid San Ysidro and central Imperial Beach. Western Chula Vista (west of 805) is a bit poorer, but you can find an apartment for $900/month. Areas east of 805 are very nice, but more expensive (I'd stay, starting at 1300/month).

[moved]

Originally Posted by awan916

Well for my tentative offer they basically said California -Southwest. So chances are I'm not being sent anywhere else.

Tentative isn't a guaranteed offer to be stationed here. Wait until you get through your training, and see what they tell you on paper. There are no guarantees until then.

[awan916]

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, chances are I will be there. Not guaranteed. I wouldn't be surprised if they really did put me elsewhere. Just scoping out the area.