Minneapolis or Sandeigo? (San Diego: crime rate, neighborhood, school)

[karunanidhis]

Thanks for your input folks. I didn't notice there were so many replies. I was just waiting for the notification email from city-data.com and I just got one. (some hiccup with their notification logic??)

So, after reading all the posts, I definitely think I may not like SD, because of my personalty and taste. One person made a very good point. MN has 4-5 months of Winter and SD as around 2 months of Summer. So, if weather is my main reason, I may not really benefit much by moving to Sandiego.

I think I'm starting to think about Atlanta or Charlotte. And may explore Seattle and Portland as well.

Thanks much again.
- Karun

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by karunanidhis

MN has 4-5 months of Winter and SD as around 2 months of Summer. So, if weather is my main reason, I may not really benefit much by moving to Sandiego.

Someone said that SD has only 2 months of Summer? Ask them what we get for the other 10 months.

[HockeyFan]

I'd say San Diego has 9 months of spring (60s-70s, largely sunny) and 3 months of summer (80s, sunny and warm) -- those being July through September. The climate's great -- if you dislike weather extremes, you'll be fine. If you live within 5 miles of the coast -- which covers quite a bit of San Diego -- you could go a couple of years without even seeing 90 degrees once, based on my experience here.

Atlanta and Charlotte will be far more humid and muggy, and the summer heat will also last quite a bit longer. Seattle and Portland have summers that are not unlike San Diego, but the winters tend to be cloudier with more rain.

Good luck!

[esmith143]

If you live within 5 miles of the coast -- which covers quite a bit of San Diego -- you could go a couple of years without even seeing 90 degrees once, based on my experience here.

Or you could live 8 miles from the coast and see three massive heat waves with daily temps in 100's in three months (my recent experience here). And it's not even July yet.

But yes, it's dry heat and Atlanta and Charlotte would probably be even worse.

[HockeyFan]

Originally Posted by esmith143

If you live within 5 miles of the coast -- which covers quite a bit of San Diego -- you could go a couple of years without even seeing 90 degrees once, based on my experience here.

Or you could live 8 miles from the coast and see three massive heat waves with daily temps in 100's in three months (my recent experience here).

Good point -- this has actually been the hottest spring since I moved out here!

By 8 miles from the coast, there is somewhat less effect from the water. We've actually had fog here most nights lately from the difference between water/land temps. It's been hot by our standards -- mid to upper 80s. But it is good to see this heat wave is ending!

[BlackOut]

Originally Posted by What!

This is not a Minneapolis versus San Diego debate. The O.P. asked if there were any city Minneapolis as far as personality goes (he can't stand the winters); and he hopes San Diego fits the description. That's what he's asking.

Minneapolis is a place where there is little crime and in some areas kids walk around the several lakes w/o their parents. Teens often drive from the suburbs to visit Minneapolis. But it's also good for singles, married couples, and cosmopolitan adults. There are a lot of chain-stores but many cool local stores, since they about even out in number it gives it a weird vibe. Minneapolis is overrun by hippies, there are very few panhandlers, the skyscrapers are few, although it can be dead during the week---the nightlife can get hot during the weekends, particularly in the summer. There are some nice, walkable areas that are very quiet.

So, is San Diego like that. I've never been around it enough to know.

Originally Posted by What!

Minneapolis is overrun by hippies

Are you serious?

Originally Posted by What!

the skyscrapers are few

There are definitely more "skyscrapers" and high-rise buildings in Minneapolis than in San Diego.

Have you been to either city? Just curious.

[MovinOn36]

I lived in Mnpls St. Paul for 7 years. I've lived in San Diego for 5 months now. I frickin' love the weather here. I would never move back to the Midwest. For me, it is all about the weather and feeling good about life every day. In Minneapolis, you have days and days of cloudy and cold weather in the winter, and even the most positive person you know will seem a little bit down. It affects everyone to varying degrees. I love the Spring and Fall in MN, and Summer nights are wonderful, but those 5.5 months of winter suck the life out of me.

Also, I'm from MN and I found the people there kinda clickish. It's pretty hard to break into a new social circle unless you are quite outgoing. It can be done depending on your temperament, though.

If you love outdoors and solitude, there is a lot to be found in MN. Of course you don't have the Pacific Ocean.

MN people are quite educated and polite, and this is nice. Sure there are a-holes like anywhere, but there seem to be more selfish "all about me" types here in San Diego. I can deal with that though. People drive faster on the freeway here, and there are less slow people bogging down the fast lane, which I like.

In MN taxes are high, and in Cali they are higher, and all traffic fines are higher as well. I got an $89 first-time parking ticket. What a joy.

I love the Ocean and the sunsets here in SD. There are outdoor things to do, but you will have more people doing them alongside you here. Again, in MN you can find more solitude.

Peace

[X-RAIDED1913]

[Opt_10]

Originally Posted by esmith143

One area where Minneapolis is FAR ahead of SD is outdoors. In San Diego, there are two kinds of outdoors:

- Rocky hills covered with short brown grass and occasional bushes
- Desert (sand, occasional joshua trees and cacti)

You can pretty much forget hunting, camping, fresh water fishing. There are no real rivers or lakes. The most likely kind of animal you can encounter is a rattlesnake. Areas that aren't irrigated turn green for 2 weeks a year in April, then turn brown again. There's a half-decent ski resort within a 3 hour drive that's open December through March (if you consider 50 F and artificial snow acceptable for skiing), but you won't find any "real" winter snow anywhere closer than Utah.

Yes, and don't forget about wildfires.

In SoCal, people tend to live as close to the coast as possible, and for a very good reason.

In Minneapolis, you have to suffer 4 months a year and then you can enjoy nature for the remaining 8.

If you just want to move someplace without a winter but you want an experience that's close to Minnesota, may I suggest Portland or Seattle?

Having lived in both cities, I have to disagree. Minneapolis winters are way longer than 4 months. It starts in mid October and ends in April.

San Diego has way more options for outdoors compared to Minneapolis. For instance, this past weekend I went hiking at blacks beach and it was just beautiful. From what I recall, Minneapolis is good during summers and early fall. the rest of the year, the weather is just so awful. So what outdoor activity is pleasant when it's 30 below zero and freezing? I don't understand. Unless you are into skiing or ice fishing, there is nothing much to do outdoors. I once remember snow in April. Huh! No thanks.

Also, San Diego outdoors is not as restricted as you make it sound. you completely ignored all the activities you can do at the beach including surfing. Hunting and fishing isn't everyone's jam. You can still fish in SD.

I haven't encountered snakes in SD or wild fires but I have seen sea lions that are cute. Not sure what animals you can find in Minneapolis other than cats and dogs. I am thinking you are misinformed. I would actually pick Minneapolis over Portland or Seattle. But San Diego over Minneapolis.

[moved]

The poster that you replied to hasn't been back on here since 07-03-2008 at 07:34 PM.