Any Reasons to Stay in SD (San Diego, San Francisco: rent, big house, schools)

[Movnon]

I've lived here now for over a year. Have a decent job and virtually no debt. Don't own but am renting in north county. I have recently been offered the same Money but would have to move to CO or MN or GA.

While I feel fortunate to have choice, I thougt I'd exhaust what reasons there might be to Move. My assumptions which lead me to leave SD are

CA is in dire trouble and may take decades to recover

SD is losing jobs and what remains are lower paid and entry level career paths

SD is not affordable for a family if you want nice house and car

SD is on the border of a country with signicant problems

CA schools seem to rank at the bottom and show no signs of improvement

There is a lack of young professionals, SD is not a place to be upwardly moblie in a career

I know the list is negative but I came here wanting this to work out and before I move it would be nice to know what I see others also understand to be valid.

[Sassberto]

Stay in San Diego if:
- you can get or have TS clearance and have IT skills
- you are a biologist with a PhD
- you are a wireless engineer, esp low-level signal / RF / CDMA
- you are career military with a housing allowance (and live in Temecula)
- you love to surf,skate, etc... every day
- you love the weather so much it is more important than career growth, an upscale lifestyle, etc.

[cruitr]

San Diego has never been a great city for career growth (except for maybe biotech and wireless). Cities like Dallas, San Francisco, and Atlanta are typical career-growth cities.

[dthatcher7]

Um, movnon? Every complaint you made about CA is also true about the US in general. More and more young professionals are starting/advancing their careers overseas. China is a favorite destination, as is New Zealand.

[Movnon]

Originally Posted by dthatcher7

Um, movnon? Every complaint you made about CA is also true about the US in general. More and more young professionals are starting/advancing their careers overseas. China is a favorite destination, as is New Zealand.

Thanks for the reply but I must disagree. For example MInneapolis has susbtantial career opportunity and it's schools systems is one of the top inthe USA.

I don't know of anyone in New Zealand but I do know people in the USA who won't move to CA because there lives would be worse here.

[thepinksquid]

If your focused on "getting ahead" in your career field, and having the best bang for your buck with your money, then I would say that San Diego (and probably CA in general) is probably not the best place to live.

I have to say, though, that personally the weather and having plenty of outdoor activities makes living here worthwhile for me, even if in the long run I make less money/have less disposable income.

I rent and I don't have kids, though--so I know that my opinion may change if those factors were to change.

Since you mentioned Colorado as an option, I'd definitely look towards that for a possibly near-comparable lifestyle to San Diego. We have friends in Denver that really enjoy the city.

[Encinitan]

I've lived in San Diego for 30 or my 40 years and there are so many reasons for me to stay here I don't even know where to begin. Work, family, friends, weather, surfing, etc. But, I can't say San Diego is for everyone. A lot of people are like you, who can't justify staying. For them, I think it's best to go somewhere else because the factors that you value are things you either can't or won't find here. There are a lot of very happy, successful, and fulfilled people in San Diego. Sometimes reading this board, it's hard to imagine that is so.
Good luck to you where ever you end up.

[kettlepot]

CA is in dire trouble and may take decades to recover

That's the state's problem, not your problem.

SD is losing jobs and what remains are lower paid and entry level career paths

You have a job, and your work seems to be appreciated. The above is a problem for other people not you.

SD is not affordable for a family if you want nice house and car

True. If the big house, and the expensive car are your priorities, San Diego may be a difficult fit.

SD is on the border of a country with significant problems

Except for auto theft, Mexico is like Las Vegas. What happens in Mexico; stays in Mexico.

CA schools seem to rank at the bottom and show no signs of improvement

My experience with CA schools has been that their poor performance is more a function of uncaring students, and parents who do not value education. If you guide your children into the right classes and stress the importance of good grades, your children will get a good education in most California schools.

There is a lack of young professionals, SD is not a place to be upwardly mobile in a career

Yes, that is the San Diego dilemma.

would have to move to CO or MN or GA.

I've been to Colorado in the summertime. It was very nice.
I've been to the South in the summertime. It was a sweltering, bug infested, swampish hell-hole.
I've never been to Minnesota, but the weather guy sure likes to talk about it in the wintertime.

Good luck.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by Movnon

I don't know of anyone in New Zealand but I do know people in the USA who won't move to CA because there lives would be worse here.

Although I know what you're getting at--that's such a broad statement. Like myself and others have posted, if more $$$ in the end and possibly better schools if your primary motivator, then I can see why you're thinking of moving. However, IMHO, being able to have 70 degree weather nearly year-round, comfortable diversity in people, and access to fantastic outdoor activities is far more important than having a bigger house or a newer car.

"...there (well, their) lives would be worse" I think would be more accurately stated by saying that "their lives would be different" unless the people you speak of really, really like brand new things and oversized houses at Midwestern prices. Then perhaps, yes, life in San Diego would suck I guess.

[Movnon]

Actually Pink, I think many would outright faint if they came here. I absolutely understand your point, and for you what a deal. You know what you want and why you want it.. But I think it is underestimated what Americans think of California over the recent years. A lot of this is from so many who left California and tell them how bad it is. Of course bad economically not weather wise. So yes, many would use the word worse to describe life if they had to move here. It's the same as NYC. I went to a seminar with highly skilled professionals years ago and they talked about how living in the city is a very undesirable option even though they love to visit.