Planning to move to San Diego from Canada. (Ontario, Mission Hills: apartments, lease)

[Devilish]

Hi,

I currently live in downtown Toronto, and use the public transit. I'm currently married with no children and my wife goes to school and I'm the bread-earner. I'd be earning roughly $70k with potential to make more.

My questions are about housing, travel, wife's education and social life. Firstly, although I like to live downtown, I think I want to live closer to my work but also want her to be closer to downtown (that's where her schools are). I've found out that downtown is close to Fashion Valley (office), by public transit or car. Looking for a good neighborhood.
I have a condo here, and I love it (higher floor). But San Diego might have pools, resort-like apartments and I'm not quite sure if I should give that up for condo living. I can pay upto $1,400 in rent.

Now, it also looks like I might have to buy a car. Having never had a license, I'm starting to look into it and so is my wife. I think if I have to go down that route, I might lease a Mazda RX-8. How much am I looking at with insurance, etc? Especially considering all the credit stuff, since I'm moving and never had driving experience in North America before.

Wife says she's researched a few schools and her choices are all in downtown SD. Now, it's about financing that's the problem. Here in Toronto, we have something called OSAP, which is Ontario student loan. Her program might cost her roughly $20k p/a. So, I'm not sure what to do there.. any help/guidance would be appreciated.

Regarding social life, since we're a young couple (I'm 26, she's 22), how receptive are people there and how easily can friendships be fostered?

If you also recommend me a website that showcases everything else in a more generalized form, like highways, transport, taxes, car insurance, things-to-know-before-you-move, etc, that would be very very appreciated!

Thanks for reading and all the help you're about to bestow!

[f_m]

For that amount you're talking about, $1400, that may be limiting as to where you will live. There are many condos downtown in the various tower buildings. If you don't want to pay a lot for insurance, then don't get a sporty car.

[mini_cute]

Wife says she's researched a few schools and her choices are all in downtown SD. Now, it's about financing that's the problem. Here in Toronto, we have something called OSAP, which is Ontario student loan. Her program might cost her roughly $20k p/a. So, I'm not sure what to do there.. any help/guidance would be appreciated.

- In the United States, we have something called the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA will determine your eligibility based on your income. Your wife should contact the financial aid office of the school she wants to attend. They will be able to give her all the info she needs, especially since you guys are not current U.S. residents.

Regarding social life, since we're a young couple (I'm 26, she's 22), how receptive are people there and how easily can friendships be fostered?

- It is hard to meet people if you don't get out. But once you do have chanced to meet people, you'll find they are pretty friendly. I've been asked plenty of times to hang out and I am your age. Pacific Beach has lots of people in their 20's... though PB has a reputation for being a partying and beer crowd.

If you also recommend me a website that showcases everything else in a more generalized form, like highways, transport, taxes, car insurance, things-to-know-before-you-move, etc, that would be very very appreciated!

- Car insurance depends on the kind of car you drive, your driving history, etc. If you want to see videos of San Diego, you can check out my blog: The San Diego Turtle

Thanks for reading and all the help you're about to bestow!

[runoftheworld]

I live near downtown, work in hospitality-travel-tourism, and have managed apartments downtown San Diego. I also have relatives in Ontario- Kitchener, Dryden. Let me know what I can do to help!

[Devilish]

Originally Posted by f_m

For that amount you're talking about, $1400, that may be limiting as to where you will live. There are many condos downtown in the various tower buildings. If you don't want to pay a lot for insurance, then don't get a sporty car.

How about in Mission Valley, or around the Fashion valley area for that amount?

Regarding the insurance, what do you think it would be like for a car I mentioned? Especially considering my age, no experience in NA, etc for lease/insurance?

Thanks for your help.

[Devilish]

Originally Posted by runoftheworld

I live near downtown, work in hospitality-travel-tourism, and have managed apartments downtown San Diego. I also have relatives in Ontario- Kitchener, Dryden. Let me know what I can do to help!

Great!!
What's a managed apartment?

[Devilish]

Originally Posted by mini_cute

Wife says she's researched a few schools and her choices are all in downtown SD. Now, it's about financing that's the problem. Here in Toronto, we have something called OSAP, which is Ontario student loan. Her program might cost her roughly $20k p/a. So, I'm not sure what to do there.. any help/guidance would be appreciated.

- In the United States, we have something called the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA will determine your eligibility based on your income. Your wife should contact the financial aid office of the school she wants to attend. They will be able to give her all the info she needs, especially since you guys are not current U.S. residents.

Regarding social life, since we're a young couple (I'm 26, she's 22), how receptive are people there and how easily can friendships be fostered?

- It is hard to meet people if you don't get out. But once you do have chanced to meet people, you'll find they are pretty friendly. I've been asked plenty of times to hang out and I am your age. Pacific Beach has lots of people in their 20's... though PB has a reputation for being a partying and beer crowd.

If you also recommend me a website that showcases everything else in a more generalized form, like highways, transport, taxes, car insurance, things-to-know-before-you-move, etc, that would be very very appreciated!

- Car insurance depends on the kind of car you drive, your driving history, etc. If you want to see videos of San Diego, you can check out my blog: The San Diego Turtle

Thanks for reading and all the help you're about to bestow!

FAFSA! Thanks so much for that pointer!! You rock!!
To make friends, yeah we'll get out, but what are some good places? We try to stay away from partying, etc as we're both focussed. But yes, we do go out..

Thanks a lot for your help!

[tsuyoi_racing]

Originally Posted by Devilish

Hi,
If you also recommend me a website that showcases everything else in a more generalized form, like highways, transport, taxes, car insurance, things-to-know-before-you-move, etc, that would be very very appreciated!

Thanks for reading and all the help you're about to bestow!

in San Diego...

-traffic will be like QEW/401/DVP at worst
-you can drive as fast as you want (up to 140km/h) and OPP wont bother you
-you have more to choose from in terms of car insurance
-taxes will be lower than ON
-establish your credit by getting Amex Canada, then transfer account when you get to US, then you have US CredCard
-Fashion Valley area is like Yonge/Finch/Eglinton
-from ON to CA, you need to take a written test, no driving necessary, and bring your Passport, driving record from you ON insurance co.
-there are better cars to lease than the RX-8
-your OHIP card will be useless here

[T. Damon]

Devlish, I would look more into neighborhoods surrounding the downtown core. Downtown is actually quite compact and surrounding neighborhoods each have their own feel and village while being just a mile or so from the core. These older neighborhoods I bet have more of the feel that you are used to surrounding Toronto then Mission/Fashion Valley which by Map or Google Earth might look convenient but actually are a very different-dense low rise, great attached housing stock, decent access to Public Transit (Trolley saves it) but horrible traffic, and not much of a neighborhood feel.
Banker's Hill, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, University Heights, North Park and my own South Park/Golden Hill are worth a look.
SOUTH PARK San Diego
Also an RX-8 is a sports car-you are gonna get reamed on insurance here. Many better choices that are just as fun for a young couple like yourselves.

Good Luck. You're gonna love it here I bet.

[Devilish]

Both you guys, thank you very much for your input.
A few things you must know that I forgot to mention before. I'm not originally Canadian, I came to Canada for my studies (that I dropped out of later) in 2000. I've driven in my country before and I had a driving license for a long time before I came to Canada.

Then, after coming here, I never wanted to get the license as I wanted to stick it out with public transit for as long as I can (green/eco). So, now I might have my country's license that could be expiring in the near future. But not a Canadian license. What do you recommend I do? Take the test here, transfer my original license to Canadian and not buy a car here, and move there and buy one?
Or any other situation that might be worth it? I also got my PR here recently, if that helps.

I like how you guys say RX-8 isn't going to be a good idea. I understand. I just thought if I ever wanted a car, I'd get an RX-8. I'm a classic type of a guy, so any four door like some Audi, etc would be fine too. I don't have Amex Canada, but I have a Mastercard here. And I think I just about might be close to anywhere near 700. Don't want to apply for Amex because a hard check might affect that score.


Another thing, regarding the job itself, I have my bachelor's degree from my country and a few other "transcripts" from the college I attended here. The company that wants me to come work for them says it will take care of any paperwork required. But I don't know if they need to? What needs to be done on their behalf and my behalf to make this smooth?

Thanks a ton again guys!! Really, you've been very very helpful.