Any bad things about San Diego other than living cost? (Santa Barbara: how much, school)

[kcda]

Sassberto: you could always live in Jamul.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by kcda

Sassberto: you could always live in Jamul.

I love it over there, but the fire danger is a dealbreaker.

[soccermomof3]

Commuter traffic on highway 15 and 5 are the only things that I can think of that are bad. Highway 15 has grown to accomodate all the traffic. Yes, the cost of living has gotten to be extremely high. We were lucky to buy in 1996 when 2800 square foot homes in Rancho Penasquitos, Sabre Springs and Carmel Mountain Ranch were being sold for under $300K.

[lostdecade]

I go down there a lot with my girlfriend (a native San Diegan) and I've got a few complaints.

- The people (some good friends there, but generally I found them very insular, conservative and kind of behind the times. The 'laid back' attitude gets to me, as people come across as unadventurous)
- The nightlife, or lack of it.
- It's drab.. strip malls and shopping centers are bland brown concrete structures that are depressingly stuck in the 70s
- Lack of any sort of cultural scenes or activities
- Not very multicultural, almost everyone I meet is white

[Nick682]

Originally Posted by lostdecade

I go down there a lot with my girlfriend (a native San Diegan) and I've got a few complaints.

- The people (some good friends there, but generally I found them very insular, conservative and kind of behind the times. The 'laid back' attitude gets to me, as people come across as unadventurous)
- The nightlife, or lack of it.
- It's drab.. strip malls and shopping centers are bland brown concrete structures that are depressingly stuck in the 70s
- Lack of any sort of cultural scenes or activities
- Not very multicultural, almost everyone I meet is white

Yep, your right.

[kcda]

It depends on where you're hanging out in San Diego. Where we live the strip malls are beautiful and not "stuck in the 70's". There are fountains, fireplaces, benches, piped in music, cobblestone paths, lots of "al fresco" dining. Also, it's very multicultural. Infact, white people are probably the minority. Our street is like the United Nations.

[kcda]

If I wanted to add something "bad" about San Diego it would be the traffic and the fact that you have to drive far to get to places. Also, maybe the fact that we don't have 4 seasons, sometimes I miss the seasons although my dh's response is always "we can visit seasons" and thinks I take the great weather for granted.

The ocean and cliffs are gorgeous but the water is so cold that's it's hard to enjoy except on the hottest days.

The drivers can be pretty rude but not near as rude or aggressive as L.A.

[Cindy Anderson]

Graduating from Penn State in May. Looking to be a Fitness Trainer. Where is the best place to live on a starting income in Southern Calif.? Ryan

[azadehbd]

One thing to add. "Laid back" is a massive understatement. I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA a few hours north, and I'm in San Diego for school. It seems like the majority of people I've met either have no ambitions, or forgot to grow up. No one has done anything, hardly anyone has travelled. The main topic of conversation consists of what they got faded on last weekend, and what they intend to drink this weekend. They seem to think that living in a nasty 2 bedroom apartment with roomates and getting high every weekend is living the life. I don't drink or smoke, and I'm not really into partying, so I've had trouble finding very many people to relate to in the 1 1/2 years I've been here. Sorry for the rant! If you like to party, try Pacific Beach, or anywhere south of UTC. If you're looking for something nicer, stick to La Jolla and up.

[detshen]

Originally Posted by azadehbd

One thing to add. "Laid back" is a massive understatement. I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA a few hours north, and I'm in San Diego for school. It seems like the majority of people I've met either have no ambitions, or forgot to grow up. No one has done anything, hardly anyone has travelled. The main topic of conversation consists of what they got faded on last weekend, and what they intend to drink this weekend. They seem to think that living in a nasty 2 bedroom apartment with roomates and getting high every weekend is living the life. I don't drink or smoke, and I'm not really into partying, so I've had trouble finding very many people to relate to in the 1 1/2 years I've been here. Sorry for the rant! If you like to party, try Pacific Beach, or anywhere south of UTC. If you're looking for something nicer, stick to La Jolla and up.

All San Diegans aren't like that, in a previous post I included links to SD Rotaract and the Jaycees. They are great groups for young professional types people who have ambition and a desire for a social life. You might meet contacts for your future career, you won't meet lazy stoners.