Tired of the East Coast winters, really considering moving out to SD (San Diego: rental, condo)

[mauialoha]

I moved here 16 years ago from PA. I didn't have a seasonal disorder, but I work outdoors in construction. When I got here it was Dec and I remember going to work and just feeling this lightness, like my stress level went way down not having the constant concern about the cold. And it's stayed with me - I feel grateful to be here.

[nmguy]

I'm 73 and moved here from northern New Mexico four years ago. One morning in 2014, while shoveling snow off my driveway, I had an epiphany. I said to myself, "You could be barbecuing in San Diego, instead of risking a heart attack". That afternoon, I started packing. Ended up in Eastlake and am still applauding the move.

[Tulemutt]

And to think I could be ice fishing in the dark at -20 below in Minnesota had I only returned home after the military ... the angst is crushing as I sail San Diego bay in mid-winter sun.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by nmguy

I'm 73 and moved here from northern New Mexico four years ago. One morning in 2014, while shoveling snow off my driveway, I had an epiphany. I said to myself, "You could be barbecuing in San Diego, instead of risking a heart attack". That afternoon, I started packing. Ended up in Eastlake and am still applauding the move.

No joke: my parents, who were in their early 70s, had plans to move from NY to San Diego. They came out in October, looked at houses, and decided to wait until the following spring when they thought they'd get a better price house in NY.

Three days before Christmas, my father called me to tell me that it was snowing to beat the band. He hung up from our phone call, went out to shovel the front sidewalk, had a heart attack, and died within half an hour after our conversation.

My mother did eventually move out, but by the time she did, she was suffering from a terminal illness so she never was able to enjoy life here.

Live is short. If you can afford it, don't put off moving somewhere you think you'll be happier.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

No joke: my parents, who were in their early 70s, had plans to move from NY to San Diego. They came out in October, looked at houses, and decided to wait until the following spring when they thought they'd get a better price house in NY.

Three days before Christmas, my father called me to tell me that it was snowing to beat the band. He hung up from our phone call, went out to shovel the front sidewalk, had a heart attack, and died within half an hour after our conversation.

My mother did eventually move out, but by the time she did, she was suffering from a terminal illness so she never was able to enjoy life here.

Live is short. If you can afford it, don't put off moving somewhere you think you'll be happier.

Make sure first.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Make sure first.

Absolutely!

It should also go without saying that "making sure" includes being certain that the move will work for you financially, because it's hard to be happy anywhere - even in paradise - if you and your family are struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table. You can't east sunshine.

But once you are sure, don't waste too much time dilly-dallying.

[someguy10]

Originally Posted by SolarPowered_kalel

Hello all, I don't mean to revive a dead thread. But has anyone who has actually moved from East coast to Southern Cali experienced remission or reduction in their seasonal affective disorder?

Others have posted that it did help them and I have *zero* doubt in their assertion. That said, larger scale research suggests that moving to a warmer/sunnier place typically does not offer a lasting bump in happiness. Practically speaking, I believe some folks really can benefit from a SoCal climate (and lifestyle) but others are simply caught in the old "the grass is greener" situation. Make sure you're running to something specific and not away from something.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

And to think I could be ice fishing in the dark at -20 below in Minnesota had I only returned home after the military ... the angst is crushing as I sail San Diego bay in mid-winter sun.

Don't run me over in my kayak Don't forget the sun block.

[USDefault]

Make good money in a low-cost-of-living state, most preferably a no-income-tax state. Cut expenses to the bone, save like mad, achieve financial independence. Then you can retire early, work part time, choose any career that gives you time and location flexibility. Also, don't breed: planet is grossly overpopulated, children are an enormous waste of money, they will seriously hinder your goal of true freedom, financial independence, and being pure liquid a la Gordon Gekko.

After you've banked a lot, are no longer a 9 to 5 wage slave (easily achievable in a low COL state with no spawn), own your place, and investments are paying you hand-over-fist, you're done. You can jet anywhere you want, whenever you want, especially during winter, on your own schedule. That's what we do. Love traveling in January when all the breeders are stuck in their soul-sucking back-to-school January routines. Perfect time for financially independent people to travel: very low airfares, markedly reduced rental rates, you get the very best for much less.

Currently in San Diego at the moment, nice little oceanfront condo, days filled with ocean walks and restaurants. Will head back when it warms up a bit in WA (spring usually arrives mid-February, it's beautiful). Next winter, already discussing six weeks in Hawaii just as soon as the breeders are forced back to their cubicles.

Only suckers work a mind-numbing career until they're 65 in a high-cost-of-living state, paying enormous taxes to rapacious tax-and-spend welfare states. If you're not earning mid-six to seven figures in your high cost of living city or state, you're doing it wrong. Very wrong.

[Tulemutt]

Doesn't get anymore self-absorbed than that right there ... ^^^