San Diego vs South Florida (Los Angeles, Chula Vista: crime rate, homes, job market)

[LookingtoLeave]

Originally Posted by MisterMark

It's very bad in San Diego, but you're right, Phoenix is almost always ranked among the worst city for car thefts:

The worst cities for auto theft - MSN Money

I clicked on the link and found the article, but it was from 2004, so it's pretty outdated.

For anyone looking to move from another city, or they just want to look at crime in SD relative to their city, this site is pretty good. 2007 stats haven't been gathered yet, so 2006 is as current as it gets. It covers everything from theft to rape to murder. Either way, have fun...

Moderator cut: link to a competitors site removed

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

To me San Diego is too 'nice' in a fakey/flakey way and BORING. After the first year we were here, we had done it all. But some people love the way of life here. It's slower, people are very into fitness, walking, the beach, etc. BUT it's chilly much of the year near the coast (buy a hoody) and traffic sucks there too and it's even more expensive than Miami!
It is NOT diverse (unless you're from Idaho) and people tend to be a little WASPy/bland and provincial ("We are NOT LA!")

Food-wise, Miami wins HAND DOWN. No contest, except in Mex food (which is only truly good at a few places in SD). People wouldn't know really good food in SD if it hit them in the forehead.

The problem most have with Miami is because either A - they didn't get it is a big city, B - they didn't realize how ethnic (esp Hispanic) it is (yes, xenophobic), or C - it has changed from the MY-AM-A days of 20 years ago.

Miami is like LA, the rest of SoFla closer to a cross between SD & OC, and needs to be compared to other big cities -- Not San Fransisco/New York/Chicago (more expensive, more congested, but better in many other ways ie food & arts) but Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, Dallas, etc. SD is more like Tucson or Vegas.

Most of the negative points of each are toss-ups or close to it. Hurricanes vs earthquakes & fires. Summers in SoFla vs winters in SD. Hills with some mountains in the background and pretty but cold ocean/bay vs beautiful warm, blue ocean/bay and flat. Traffic vs traffic. Really high housing costs vs. high housing costs, crime vs crime, etc..

The thing I will miss most from SD (besides our friends) is the weeknd trip potential ... you can be skiing in 2.5 hours, great skiing in 6-7, desert, Baja (dangerous though), LA, etc.

Personally, I prefer Miami, specifically many of the big city aspects that others dislike, and we're moving back there soon FROM SD.

I love ...
The ocean and bay.
The weather October-April.
Going out for dinner at 10pm and having to wait for a table (yeah, I'm weird).
Hot women in bikini's rollerbladding past Chasidic Jews on South Beach.
The best tapas in the country.
Tied for the best seafood in the country (sorry, SD isn't even close).
Rum drinks on the deck of some bayside restaurant.
Standing on the east deck of the arena during halftime of a Heat basketball game.
Being able to be ANYWHERE in 4 hours from MIA.
Walking on Lincoln Road.
Hearing French, Spanish, Portugues, in addition to English, being spoken EVERY DAY.
Roti, jerk chicken, arroz con pollo, ceviche, etc etc etc (yeah, I like food).

I dislike ...
Having to speak Spanish in 25% of Miami-Dade (not hearing it, but, for example, buying gas from people who just don't speak English)
Traffic.
Finding parking almost EVERYWHERE.
The superficiality of a lot of the people there.
The people who seem to think it's OK to complain about Miami, but not actually DO anything about what they dislike/are complaining about.
Every other aspect of MIA than where you can go.
Not having 'real' seasons.

I hate ...
The weather May-September.


In OUR experience, the neighbors we had in Miami were better. People in San Diego say hi, but NEVER get to meet you, talk, etc., too superficial? Too caught up in their own lives? Who knows.
In Miami, 2 of our neighbors are now 'part of the family', a few others were very friendly (though in a strict neighborly way) and a few others we never met. (Just our experience but seems like friends have had similar experiences in both places.)

I've lived in a few other comparable cities -- Atlanta notably. Traffic sucks EVERYWHERE! Parking sucks EVERYWHERE! Crime sucks EVERYWHERE! People are superficial EVERYWHERE! You just have to find the right balance of what is important to you -- whether vacationing or living. You don't move somewhere because of details like the airport is nicer (SD) or because you can make a left turn without a green arrow (SoFla).


Summary? SD is a nice, bigger town. It's ok. There are many nice things about it, a few really nice (the view from La Jolla is to die for).
Miami is nearly a world-class city. CITY, with all the negatives associated with it.

Miami is not everyones cup of tea, but for my money, I'll take Miami every time.

Your first line is exactly how I feel about this place.I do think it is diverse though but honestly it could be a little better.I would agree with your final answer but only because my cousin is going to Univ of Miami.He tells me much about it,he knows I'm not really a fan of San Diego,I'm just fed up and done with it(mainly because of the first line you said)and they are running "people like me out of here" with the cost of everything and the lifestyle that has submerged San Diego.

[LookingtoLeave]

Out of curiosity, why is SD boring? It seems like it has a lot to offer, although I do realize it's no LA or SF.

[kcda]

I don't get the "San Diego is boring". There are hundreds of things to do here. We always feel there is never enough time to do all that we want to. We've vacationed in Miami a few times. I have to admit watching limos and celebrities pull up at the Delano is pretty cool and it's fun to walk around the whole south beach area but honestly, once we did that we were done. The beaches are warm and pretty but there are no waves so if you're into surfing or boogie boarding, forget it. They really do have a great nightlife "vibe" sort of thing but if you don't care about nightlife.....

I guess it would be a better (fun, hip) place for singles or younger couples.

[sdurbanite]

Sorry, but I'm just not a fan of Miami. The only things like like about about it are the warm ocean temps (the beaches themselves aren't pretty) and the Cuban music on the radio.

I think much of it overrated and run down. Nightlife? Sure, Miami Beach can be fun, but that's about it. Not many other neighborhoods worth exploring in the area. Lincoln Road didn't impress me. We have Banana Republic and Pottery Barn here, too. Calle Ocho (Little Havana) was another let down, and it reminded me of City Heights here. Once you've done the beach, there isn't more more to Miami. I guess you can say that Miami bores me.

I've been there 3 times for up to a week. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone looks like a supermodel nor are the beaches beautiful. There is a reason why it costs more to live here than there Ft. Lauderdale isn't bad.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by SanAntoQT

Please do...far, far away!

Thank you SanAntoQT for making my point about SD being provincial.
When we first moved here , we were a little surpirsed that it was so different from LA, we just didn't know. Well, we were informed "We are NOT LA" & "Not like THOSE people". After 5 years here, we are still not sure who THOSE people are?
The second thing people would say, if you weren't THRILLED with the privilege of living in SD, then "well maybe you should leave." Amazing, what business is it of theirs?

Certainly not a reason to not move to SD, but annoying just the same.

tallie, SoFla (and Miami) and San Diego have very different vibes. If your big on ocean versus more overall outdoor activites, then SoFla is your choice. If you really want some of what a city can offer, but without a lot of the headaches, then SD is your choice.
Different strokes for different folks, you'll have to decide which way turns you on the most.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by LookingtoLeave

Out of curiosity, why is SD boring? It seems like it has a lot to offer, although I do realize it's no LA or SF.

Or Miami.

SD is ok... the zoo, La Jolla -- it is a really nice place to visit. But when you live here, it becomes the same old thing very quickly. Same restaurants, same beaches, same people.
Near where we lived in Miami there were 4 great little 'downtowns' perfect for strolling, grabbing a drink or ice cream, etc.; just being able to get out of the house and not make a 'night' of it.
We're not big on clubs .. too old .. but yes, just going to the Delano for a drink and sit by the pool, OR pick any hotel, each with a very different vibe, is a really fun afternoon.

Art Basel is HUGE, the boat show interesting but less huge (for me), Food Week, etc. Especially during the winter months, every month there is something big and interesting coming to town that is worth doing.

San Diego has ... a decent little museum in La Jolla. The W is ok for drinks, no ethnic neighborhoods to speak of, but Filibertos is ok. Hiking is Torrey Pines is really fun the first time.
Julian? The sculpture park in Escondido? Nice places but not really worth 2 visits.
We do go to the zoo a lot.


I'm a big city guy, if I could afford to buy a 3 bedroom apart in NYC we would move our family there in a second.
SD is just ok to me and just right for some people.

If Tallie thinks the slower vibe in SD is to their liking, they should move here.

(And NOBODY goes to Calle Ocho to 'visit,' it's a hole. You go there to eat at your favorite restaurant.)

[kcda]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

If your big on ocean versus more overall outdoor activites, then SoFla is your choice

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. We enjoy "doing" things at the beach more than just floating in warm water and sitting on the sand looking at the ocean. You can do much more in San Diego at the beach. It got boring in Miami after the novelty of the warm ocean water wore off.

[kcda]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

Sorry, but I'm just not a fan of Miami. The only things like like about about it are the warm ocean temps (the beaches themselves aren't pretty) and the Cuban music on the radio.

I think much of it overrated and run down. Nightlife? Sure, Miami Beach can be fun, but that's about it. Not many other neighborhoods worth exploring in the area. Lincoln Road didn't impress me. We have Banana Republic and Pottery Barn here, too. Calle Ocho (Little Havana) was another let down, and it reminded me of City Heights here. Once you've done the beach, there isn't more more to Miami. I guess you can say that Miami bores me.

I've been there 3 times for up to a week. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone looks like a supermodel nor are the beaches beautiful. There is a reason why it costs more to live here than there Ft. Lauderdale isn't bad.

We walked Lincoln Road and didn't think it was so special either. Thought it was cool they had a Kiehl's but then found out later we have one at Fashion Valley and in Neiman Marcus. The biggest thing I remember about Lincoln Road was the suffocating heat and humidity (being an outdoor walking mall). We kept going into shops to cool off and breathe (and this was Sept/Oct). Woke up at 5:30 am to see the sunrise and it was already over 80 degrees and humid! blah. I can't take that weather.

I also agree w/you about Ft. Lauderdale. We preferred the beach and area there to Miami (Hollywood beach is also nice). Infact last year we chose to stay there rather than Miami and had a better time. I still think the beaches are pretty because the color is so blue and the sand is white but I know there are much better beaches in Florida on the Gulf coast side and the keys. Miami probably has the least scenic beach.

Wanted to visit little Havana for the all night diner cuban food but heard the area itself was mostly junk stores and a park so we passed.

[sav858]

I think part of the problem people like planetsurf have with San Diego is that it's not big city enough for them. SD is referred to as a "big city with a small town feel", which is a fairly decent assessment. But that definitely appeals to people who want bigger city amenities but w/o so many of the problems. Not saying that SD doesn't have problems but they aren't as bad as places like Miami, LA, ect.... It's VERY laid back and it can be too laid back for some, but heaven for others and planetsurf does recognize that. Miami is more their style and to each his own. There is a lot of crazy stuff that will happen in Miami that you don't see here and maybe for some that kind of brings excitement or something to the vibe of South Florida. SD is a lot more easy, laid back living in my opinion.