Las Vegas vs. San Deigo

[CartersMommy]

Yeah we wouldn't move until we had jobs, I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. We had also planned to rent an apartment for the first 6 months or so to get a feel of the neighboorhoods that we liked and then we would most likely rent a house while we complete our school.

I just can't take Vegas anymore. How are the preschools in San Diego? I am figuring between 700-1000 dollars a month?

Yes, SDJade, we have had a car stolen, a car window broken, my in-laws house was broken into last week. They are ready to leave too. Lucky for my father-in-law, his job allows him to live in any major West Coast city.

My father is getting ready to retire too. I'm trying to get the whole family to join us! Haha.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by CartersMommy

I just can't take Vegas anymore. How are the preschools in San Diego? I am figuring between 700-1000 dollars a month?

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Hey CartersMommy,

I think the pre-schools just depend on where you go. I've never heard anything bad about them. We were going to try a place like Kindercare, which they have all over the city in several locations, but it seems more like a daycare where parents just drop off their kids rather than a formal curriculum. We toured the facility and it was very clean, and seemed like a good environment with a bit of classes but just looked more like a daycare center.

Our daughter just turned 3 and has never gone to pre-school before so we thought something like Kindercare would be nice as you can limit the number of hours.

Many preschools are all day type of things and we didn't want to do that as we felt like it would be too long. Or just morning sessions which we felt were too short. Fortunately, in the Poway School District they started a new program from 8 AM to 1 PM and that seems about perfect. The all day pre-school program in Poway is $900 per month. The 8 AM to 1 PM is $600 per month.

Kindercare was $275 per week or around $1,100 per month. Most of the all day programs seem to be around $1,000 per month. There is a small discount if you have multiple kids in some schools. Next year our son will also start pre-school which will be pricey having two kids in pre-school so we're really looking forward to when Kindergarden starts for them.

You can see some detailed information about the Poway Pre-School program here: PUSD Preschool Program

Also, the API scores came out if you want to check out scores for various school districts: http://www.signonsandiego.com/api2011/

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Triathlon capital of the world!!

[hotpa2d2]

I live in Las Vegas right now, but I am here in San Diego at the moment...vacationing with the dogs in Ocean Beach. I just LOVE it here! This place is a paradise for an animal lover like myself...dogs EVERYWHERE! I am really enjoying the area, (even though it has rained the last 2 days). People are awesome here, and everyone has been soooooo friendly. I would love to live here, but I was checking the real estate listings and know I would definately have to downsize in a major way to afford anything that is half-way decent. My home in Vegas is just about paid off, and it is a nice feeling. Not sure I want to have big monthly payments again. But at least this place is close enough for many trips in the future. But it is definately a more healthy lifestyle here, and I am so loving the dog beach here. It is amazing

[cgarcia112]

Totally second that!!
I am a LasVegan and would move to SD in a flash of it not for the price of housing. I would even consider the tax hit...consider, it's a big hit including housing and gas etc.
We have a family of 5 all young and we go there often.
There is just this " vibe " there that is unexplainable.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.173917,-115.221548

[Vegas28]

I lived in Henderson for 8 years and moved to San Diego a year ago. At first I missed the 24 hour thing and the action and casinos in Vegas, but SD definitely grows on you and there are so many hidden gems and things to do outside with beautiful hills, beaches, and flowers blooming all winter long!! Our electric bill in the summer in Vegas averaged $600. Here it's half that due to not needing to use heat or air nearly as much. I find people here to be much more pleasant than people in Vegas and the drivers are more courteous too.

[luxurysocal]

If you are into casino, stay in Las Vegas. But if you are looking for thrill and adventure, then go for San Diego.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by CartersMommy

I agree that the future of Las Vegas looks dim. And I don't want to raise my son here. The schools are awful.

I am already in tune with the fact that renting/buying a home will be more expensive. I am assuming the same house we have now, would cost us 1000-1500 more a month in San Diego.

If we made near the same as we do now, I think we would be fine until we both finish school. I'm sure we would have to trim the spending a bit due to the housing but such is life, can't have it all.

The one big disadvantage to SD is not only the high housing costs, but those high housing costs probalby mean you'll have a lot less flexibility in other areas of life, especially regarding your time. Those high housing costs probably mean that one of you staying home with your child isn't an option. It probably also means that both of you will have to work to make those mortgage payments and if one of you loses your job, you could be in big financial trouble. So SD could end up being a more stressful life as a result of needing 2 incomes to live a decent lifestyle. I'm sure Vegas has its own drawbacks, but your day to day life in SD will probably end up being more stressful because of you needing those 2 incomes to pay the mortgage.

[San Diego Rocks]

Vegas has nothing against San Diego but the cost of living in San Diego is pretty darn expensive.

[Daniel84]

I really like Las Vegas and San Diego!

You should go and have a closer look at San Diego! I don't like the traffic or the expensive life overall. But San Diego has the ocean :-).... On the other hand Las Vegas has a lot more sunny days...

We have bought our vacation home in Henderson and love it but I do understand living your entire life there you must want a change :-)....

All the best to you!!