Relocating to the San Diego Area? (lease, neighborhood, private school)

[KarmaPhx]

We are making a drive out to San Diego sometime this fall to start looking at places. We found a few places that are reasonably priced in Encinitas for around $1000/month for a 1bd, and the place we really liked was only like 6 miles from the beach.

Do you need A/C in Encinitas? I can't imagine so, but I was not sure.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

Do you need A/C in Encinitas? I can't imagine so, but I was not sure.

My son and family live in Carlsbad - they have a 4 Bedroom, 3000 sq ft home - with 2 A/C units - and I don't think those units have come on in YEARS! Could be wrong but - I can't remember the last time, during the height of summer, when they needed them!

Oh, how wonderous!

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Greatday

My son and family live in Carlsbad - they have a 4 Bedroom, 3000 sq ft home - with 2 A/C units - and I don't think those units have come on in YEARS! Could be wrong but - I can't remember the last time, during the height of summer, when they needed them!

Oh, how wonderous!

That must be nice. I saw there there is only ~3 days a year where the temps get higher than 90!

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

That must be nice. I saw there there is only ~3 days a year where the temps get higher than 90!

Yep - it sounds like a couple of fans may be the ticket

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Yep - it sounds like a couple of fans may be the ticket

I hope so, this should cut back a little on the cost of electricity I am hoping.

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

We are making a drive out to San Diego sometime this fall to start looking at places. We found a few places that are reasonably priced in Encinitas for around $1000/month for a 1bd, and the place we really liked was only like 6 miles from the beach.

Do you need A/C in Encinitas? I can't imagine so, but I was not sure.

Whether you need AC is a personal thing, of course. Some people may think they need it, others don't. But, I will say that we live about 3 miles inland from the beach and there are only a couple days maybe a week in August or September when it's uncomfortable. But it cools off at night and in the morning with the coastal breeze. I grew up here and I never had AC in my car until I got a job in San Bernardino. You pretty much just open the windows and let the breeze cool you off free of charge. So I guess it's something you'll just have to experience for yourself. Closer to the coast tends to be cooler, but not always (Santa Ana Winds). But it's only an issue, for the most part, in August and September. The rest of the year is pretty consistent weatherwise.

[Klaudia]

KarmaPhx, I hope you don't mind us butting in. I've been reading through the threads, but yours is the one that most answered many of my questions. We are also thinking of moving from Arizona.

Here's a few other questions we have:
How's the Central San Diego area?
We don't mind a little "ghetto", if we can get a little more home.
Are we wrong to think this area may be more affordable?
We don't know the area at all.

In another thread someone said the job market isn't the best currently (is it great anywhere?).
How would you say it is for an a/c tech? ha! considering you don't need a/c most of summer. He's been searching, and there are positions available

[sdurbanite]

You should know that most people within the SD Metro lives within 30 minutes from the coast.

Originally Posted by Encinitan

Encinitas is not a military town. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's far more politically liberal, pro-environmental, surf-oriented.

I gotta add that Carlsbad is not a military town, either. Oceanside is where you'll find lots of military.

Originally Posted by Klaudia

How's the Central San Diego area?
We don't mind a little "ghetto", if we can get a little more home.
Are we wrong to think this area may be more affordable?
We don't know the area at all.

Central SD is very similar to central PHX, with older neighborhoods/homes scattered throughout, with some areas better than others. You've got Willo/Garfield/Encanto and we have Mission Hills/North Park/University Heights.

IMO, the central neighborhoods of SD are more interesting, vibrant and have more character than the ones in PHX.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

I gotta add that Carlsbad is not a military town, either. Oceanside is where you'll find lots of military.

There are a LOT of military that live in Carlsbad. LOTS. Granted most are Officers or high ranking Enlisted. My Son and his wife - both career military (Navy attached to Marines and based out of Pendleton) live in Carlsbad (Calavera Hills) - we are with them a lot and socialize with Military from all over the City. Heck, within 2 blocks of where they live, there are at least 10 other Military families. Personally - I love Carlsbad -

[Encinitan]

Originally Posted by Greatday

There are a LOT of military that live in Carlsbad. LOTS. Granted most are Officers or high ranking Enlisted. My Son and his wife - both career military (Navy attached to Marines and based out of Pendleton) live in Carlsbad (Calavera Hills) - we are with them a lot and socialize with Military from all over the City. Heck, within 2 blocks of where they live, there are at least 10 other Military families. Personally - I love Carlsbad -

that may be true, but to say Carlsbad is a military town, like Oceanside? No way. You walk around downtown Carlsbad and don't see a single Marine. Try that in downtown O'side.