Young Engineer Looking to move to San Diego (Escondido, Poway: student loans, debt)

[RecordBreakingTemperature]

In May I graduate with my bachelors. I'm looking to move to San Diego from Arizona.

I'll be 22 and making about $55,000 as an entry level engineer. I like to party, go to clubs, and bars, about 4x/week. I also love the beach. So those two things factor in big time for me.

I've read a bunch of posts on this subforum. I was thinking either downtown SD or Pacific Beach as far as locations.... am I totally off here or what? I'd like a 1 BR apartment, how does my potential salary look for that? Also, I have about 100k in the bank to help with getting me moved and set up, but it's not something I want to rely on, I want to rely on my salary. But I would like to get a boat.

Any tips on where to live?

[Suzer]

Are you considering renting or buying? Do you have other debt you have to pay on?

[sav858]

Pacific Beach offers the best combination of beach, party atmosphere and bars. Mission Beach and Ocean Beach are not bad alternatives too, not as much nightlife but still they each have a good bar scene.

With what you're making and what you're coming with you'll be totally fine, especially if you already have a job lines up.

[mewzikguy]

PB or downtown , lots of people your age to hang with. Enjoy

[FinkieMcGee]

23 year old software engineer that's doing alright without a 100k cushion

You'll be fine, the only problem with living near the beach could be the commute (unless you're working downtown). I've noticed a lot of the engineering jobs are in Rancho Bernardo, Poway, or Escondido. I guess it depends on where you're working and how much of a commute you're willing to handle. I got lucky and the 2 places I've worked while out here have been downtown and PB.

You could do a 1br in PB on that salary (probably, though if you were only relying on salary and had to pay for student loans it could be a little bit tight). I wouldn't get a 1br in Downtown, since you'll get jacked for rent.

[TristramShandy]

I had an apartment in PB (one br, one bath) that cost $1085 per month as of this past March. You'll be fine.

[Sassberto]

Most of the jobs are in Sorrento Valley and Rancho Bernardo, some Carmel Valley, a smattering in Poway, Mission Valley, Downtown. For the most part you can plan on working in and around Sorrento Valley as that is the center of the tech economy. As a renter that whole area is pretty affordable as there are large megaplexes catering to the tech workers. I would try to secure a job and then find housing nearby, it will greatly improve your quality of life. As a youngster I would specifically avoid living in Rancho Bernardo and Poway and most of the communities around 15 freeway, and stick to the 5 corridor and beaches if you can swing the higher rents. A good option would be somewhere like UTC.