Advice sought on relocating to San Diego metro area from NY Metro Area as an Senior IT Manager / Professional (San Jose: renting)

[trustedNYker]

I am an asian-indian immigrant who worked and lived in NY metro area since 1996. I have a BS in Maths and MS in Computer Science. With 17+ years experience in banks and financial services, and currently working as an IT manager, I have experience as Project/Change/Delivery/Release Management areas with hands on with UNIX/PERL/enterprise-architecture/J2EE/Oracle/ web/etc. Here I am working with $100K-$130K salaries.

Recently I am unable to take my allergy situation in spring and fall and it is getting worse. I have family history of asthma, blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and arthritis. So far I am Diabetic, big pollen allergy problems, have high cholesterol, and borderline high blood pressure.

Since I moved in White Plains, NY area (1996), it was always easy for me to get contractor or permanent jobs in IT (from Programmer to Sr Manager/Director) even in the times of post 2001 and this recession. Apart from my car, I own only the basic stuff which I can either bring or throw away.

Would it be wise for me to move with my three toddler kids and girlfriend to move in San Diego area? Is this a good place to raise kids?

What are the big fortune 100 employers out here and how big are their IT departments ? As I am a US citizen, are there any defense IT jobs as well ?

I am recently waiting to be laid-off and trying to look for jobs in southern CA and Arizona. So far I haven't found as many big employers postings as I usually find of NY Metro area.

I have savings and within 1-3 years time, after securing a job I might consider buying a house rather than renting.

In fact, any warmer place like Arizona or other part of CA should be nice - only I just want to get a bit away from San Jose - Silicon Valley rush.

Please advice.

[NYSD1995]

You will have an incredibly difficult time finding a job at your level here. There is effectively zero Fortune 100 presence in San Diego and very few Fortune 500.

LA / OC will be better in that regard, but San Diego is a much nicer place to live.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by trustedNYker

As I am a US citizen, are there any defense IT jobs as well ?

People in defense jobs in San Diego are getting laid off. (I survived May, I survived July. In September ... it may be my turn. :-( ) So in the near term, don't count on getting hired by defense. Farther out, I still kind of doubt it, since the Dems are the majority in Congress. They tend to do less defense spending than the Republicans.

[kettlepot]

Having lived on both the east coast, (NYC & DC) and San Diego, you will find your allergy situation in San Diego much better. I find that from time to time something will bloom that will make life unpleasant for 3 days, and then it goes away.

The pace of life in San Diego is much easier with a lot more opportunities for spending time outdoors. However, pay is significantly lower here than in New York. The Defense industry is still a major employer here, but as Oddstray said, the likelihood of substantial spending increases in that area are nil. Basically, if you can get a job, you will like San Diego, but will you be able to get a job?