Moving to San Diego Soon... Need expert advice! (August: appointed, apartment)

[ltnuke]

First off, I would REALLY appreciate any advice you can give! I know this post may seem long but I'm kind of desperate for some good information.

Currently, I live in Arlington, VA. The reasons I love living here:

My job is good (pay, benefits, interesting)
Public Transportation (I NEVER have to use my car, i live near the metro)
Lots of Young People (as am I, i'm 25)
Lots of Single People (as am I)
Close to a big city

Reasons I don't like living here:

I can't ride my motorcycle year round
The weather sucks in the winter
I'm kind of burnt out on the east coast (grew up in pittsburgh)
Kind of burnt out on DC
Sick of DC traffic
Very materialistic area (That's DC for ya - or maybe its just like that in any big city?)

I want to try something new. I don't have any real attachments to the DC area except my job. I've been thinking San Diego or Austin Texas for a June move.

Here's my deal. I'm a computer engineer (Penn State), got my masters degree, I have a TS clearance so I think san diego would be an ideal place being that there is a lot of gov't work and I hear there is a lot of computer work there.

My questions to all of you...

Where can I live that is a young oriented area - kind of like arlington, VA - that is near everything - and just plain cool for a 25 yr old single guy to live? I'm not too worried about rent. I'd like to live by myself, but I could compromise if i have to. Currently I have a roommate in a townhouse paying ~$1200 each per month, including utilities. I would like somewhere cheaper, but could handle it if it was the same amount of $. An apartment or studio would be just fine with me.

Secondly, what is the job market in san diego like for computer engineers/computer science/software? TS clearance holders? (I don't necessarily have to do gov't work - actually would prefer not to, but more than open to the idea)

What is the singles scene like in San Diego? I would describe DC as actually not being that great. There are tons of singles -- but that's just it! Everyone is so "Power Career" mode that not many people actually get in relationships.

Any problems with a June time frame for moves?

Would I be making a mistake moving to San Diego and leaving my east coast life behind?

I'm not necessarily wanting to live wherever I move for the rest of my life. I'm looking for somewhere I can live for a year or two before I go back to some more grad school.



Thanks in advance for any help/comments/suggestions.

[GratefulDeb]

I am moving in August from NJ. I grew up in Queens, NY. The weather sucks big time on the East Coast but not just during Winter. IT IS EITHER TOO HOT, TOO HUMID, TOO COLD, RAINING, SNOWING, ICY, ETC. WE HAVE MAYBE 10 "SAN dIEGO DAYS" A YEAR. THEY HAVE 300.

Also, people on the East Coast are always in a bad mood. Always rushing, blah, blah, blah.

I think you would really like Pacific Beach (PB to the locals). It is a beachy feeling community with tons of young people and lots of night life.

I have done extensive research on moving from coast to coast. Iif you need any specific advice on shipping cars, etc. you can e-mail me at dwatts@sfr1.com.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by ltnuke

Secondly, what is the job market in san diego like for computer engineers/computer science/software? TS clearance holders? (I don't necessarily have to do gov't work - actually would prefer not to, but more than open to the idea)

SD is a big military subcontracting town. All the big names are here, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Scymitar, etc. Lots of DOD work ranging from the apps / business systems side of the military all the way to command and control, wireless R&D, weapons systems etc. With current TS clearance you will not only have a lot of choices, you can break the sunshine tax salary ceiling as well. Best of luck!

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by ltnuke

I can't ride my motorcycle year round
Very materialistic area (That's DC for ya - or maybe its just like that in any big city?)

Parts of SD can be like this---it depends where you are, and who you interact with...

Originally Posted by ltnuke

Here's my deal. I'm a computer engineer (Penn State), got my masters degree, I have a TS clearance so I think san diego would be an ideal place being that there is a lot of gov't work and I hear there is a lot of computer work there.

You'll do fine... consider a Phd program at many of the "local" places -- UCSD, for one.

Originally Posted by ltnuke

Where can I live that is a young oriented area - kind of like arlington, VA - that is near everything - and just plain cool for a 25 yr old single guy to live? I'm not too worried about rent. I'd like to live by myself, but I could compromise if i have to. Currently I have a roommate in a townhouse paying ~$1200 each per month, including utilities. I would like somewhere cheaper, but could handle it if it was the same amount of $. An apartment or studio would be just fine with me.

Yes, San Diego is the place...

I actually sent my oldest son (now 18--he was a La Jollaian from age 5-14) and now I've sent him back out there to my alma mater...but I am worried..this is seriuosly the place to "live life" (luckily the kid is a "straight and narrow" kinda guy!--he didn't do Annapolis because I begged him), find beaut-ti-ful women and become entrenched in hedonism... (wish I was 20 years younger and male!!!!)

So if I was 25, male, wanted to live life in the singles scene... (and I'm a serious rabble rouser, even at a 40-something woman...) I'd take SD ANY day!

Originally Posted by ltnuke

What is the singles scene like in San Diego? I would describe DC as actually not being that great. There are tons of singles -- but that's just it! Everyone is so "Power Career" mode that not many people actually get in relationships..

Steer clear of "the golden triangle", but YES hit the beaches and clubs..especially downtown in the gaslamp & PB...

Originally Posted by ltnuke

Any problems with a June time frame for moves?..

there will be waht the locals call "June gloom" on the coast--it's overcast, only in June...don't worry about it....if it bothers you, go inland on your "clubbing forays"...

Originally Posted by ltnuke

Would I be making a mistake moving to San Diego and leaving my east coast life behind??..

Only if you prefer up-tight weirdos and bad weather to really beautiful women and 7-24-365 motor-cycle weather.

Originally Posted by ltnuke

I'm not necessarily wanting to live wherever I move for the rest of my life. I'm looking for somewhere I can live for a year or two before I go back to some more grad school.

If you arrive, you'll be hooked...

Good luck...

~Ham Sandwich

[happykid]

SD sounds like just what you are looking for--lots to do like the DC area, but smaller, much more laid back, and the weather is great! At your age, have fun and try the west coast for a while--see what you think. D.C. has a great singles scene for young professionals, but SD young singles are likely much better looking and less uptight. Rental market is similar to Arlington's.

[ltnuke]

Thank You so much for the replies so far. It is really appreciated - you don't know how hard it is to find opinions on these things - it is quite valuable.

Right now, one of the things I really love about where I live in Arlington is the fact that I don't have to drive anywhere. Now, I realize that SD doesn't have a Metro system like DC... what do most people do when they hit the bars? Taxis?

Some suggestions on where to live would be nice. I'm only going to have my motorcycle probably - which means I don't want the commutes to be such that I am sitting in traffic to for too too long. Location is very important to me and I'm willing to pay $$$ for it. The beach would be great, but which one? I want something that is hip and is where young people generally go.

[eric7778]

I understand what you mean about the weather and east coast. San Diego has DC beat on those levels. But don't think you're going to rid yourself of the traffic or materialistic people in San Diego. The traffic is just as bad, and quite unfortunately, the people are MUCH more materialistic in San Diego. Worse yet, San Diego is vastly conservative. People here are very holier-than-thou. Another batch of people are rich and narcissistic. There are only a few select areas in San Diego where you can find 'normal' people (i.e. North Park, Hillcrest, areas around there, and maybe parts of North County).

[ltnuke]

Originally Posted by eric7778

I understand what you mean about the weather and east coast. San Diego has DC beat on those levels. But don't think you're going to rid yourself of the traffic or materialistic people in San Diego. The traffic is just as bad, and quite unfortunately, the people are MUCH more materialistic in San Diego. Worse yet, San Diego is vastly conservative. People here are very holier-than-thou. Another batch of people are rich and narcissistic. There are only a few select areas in San Diego where you can find 'normal' people (i.e. North Park, Hillcrest, areas around there, and maybe parts of North County).

You are saying the traffic is just as bad in San Diego as DC? I thought Boston, Atlanta and LA were only worse than DC. The beltway is one scary thing during rush hour. I know lots of people who live here who commute more than one hour each way to work and back everyday.

[eric7778]

Regarding the singles scene, I agree there are beautiful women in San Diego. But what good does that do when they are not receptive? I found the women in places like DC and Chicago to be much more pleasant to talk to. I also do not appreciate plastic surgery, and you have a lot of that in San Diego.

The only way to make it in the San Diego social scene is to inherit a large group of friends. People just don't go out to the bars to meet other people in San Diego, like they do on the east coast. People more often meet through friends and private parties. There is a stigma with meeting people at bars in San Diego. The nightlife in San Diego is not nearly what it is on the east coast, or in Chicago, for example. One-on-one dating doesn't happen as much out here. Men and women tend to go out in groups together, rather than have one on one dates. It is very strange, actually. No other city I've lived in was quite like it.

[eric7778]

The traffic in San Diego is pretty bad. Yes, it is probably worse in Boston and DC. It is still bad here. If you are on a motorcycle you are allowed to drive in-between lanes in California, so you should have no problems.

Honestly, though, if I were you I would consider other cities too, like Seattle, or Phoenix. You may be disappointed at how VERY, VERY expensive it is out here, how high the taxes are (9.3% state income tax), and how conservative the politics are.