Marine Corps relocation (San Diego, March AFB, Mesa: employment, living, prices)

[USMCWife23]

My husband and I are preparing for our first relocation experience to MCAS Miramar. It is just us two and our 2 cats. Your thoughts on the most affordable/safest places to live around the base would be much appreciated! Ideally we'd like to find something halfway between MCAS and Downtown, to even up the commute a little bit. Are there any military communities around?

Also, any info on semi-professional employment would be great as well. I have a degree in Marketing and have worked with 2 non-profit organizations, most recently the National Naval Aviation Museum. I'd like to stay in the nonprofit sector, if possible, but still make a decent living.

And one more thing - I've heard San Diego isn't a great place to own an SUV, and we both have one What are gas prices like?

[joyfulgirl1]

I can't help a ton, but did want to say that you may want to open your eyes to something other than non-profit. I also came to San Diego with experience in non-profit, but have been unable to find much and what I have found doesn't pay. As for your SUV question, I have an SUV and have no complaints.

[zzeezzee]

The highest concentration of military is, of course, right around the base, not halfway downtown. If you prefer things more cityish, you're going to have to decide which you'd prefer. If I absolutely couldn't be far from base, I think Mira Mesa would probably be my preferable location. It's to the north, true, not the south, but it's also cheaper and cleaner than you're likely to find closer to the city. It also has lots of military.

Of course, places further away from base are also more likely to give military discounts. With that and the way the market is right now, you can find some great deals in San Diego proper. I just found a place downtown and am loving it.

Gas is always more expensive in Southern California than other areas of the country, but not by an insane amount. So are food and most other things, to be honest. Keep in mind that you can get it for slightly cheaper on base.

As far as employment goes, keep in mind the number of military wives you're competing with (not to mention the city's worth of people south of you.) The nonprofit sector is, frankly, swamped, and expecting to find something that pays decently in that area isn't very realistic.

[MM_girl]

Mira Mesa is your best bet. It's close to MCAS and is minutes (with a vehicle, of course) from the beaches and downtown San Diego. It's also minutes from areas that are usually hiring such as La Jolla, Sorrento Valley, Clairemont Mesa to list a few. I also heard MCAS was hiring civilian workers. As for an SUV, we have one and gas is not an issue with us as areas we usually go to are 25 miles or less away. Many times we don't even take the freeways to our destinations.

NOTE: The nearest Aviation Museum I know of is on March AFB. It's along the I-215 North and approximately a 2hr drive north from Mira Mesa.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by USMCWife23

My husband and I are preparing for our first relocation experience to MCAS Miramar. It is just us two and our 2 cats. Your thoughts on the most affordable/safest places to live around the base would be much appreciated! Ideally we'd like to find something halfway between MCAS and Downtown, to even up the commute a little bit. Are there any military communities around?

Also, any info on semi-professional employment would be great as well. I have a degree in Marketing and have worked with 2 non-profit organizations, most recently the National Naval Aviation Museum. I'd like to stay in the nonprofit sector, if possible, but still make a decent living.

And one more thing - I've heard San Diego isn't a great place to own an SUV, and we both have one What are gas prices like?