From Brooklyn, to San Fran or San Jose (Los Angeles, San Diego: environment, relocating)

[msmelissa]

Hi ,

I'm a 25 year old Brooklynite (NY of course) who is itching to move out west. I am too tired of these east coast winters. I, however, have no prospects of a job, nor do I know of any place to live. I admire those who have the get up and go mentality. I know I shouldn't just get up and appear in either cities, so i'm trying to do as much research as I can. I've done pro's and cons of both San Francisco and San Diego, but m still researchin'.

I have certain concerns : I am a young black/latina, coming from NYC diversity is huge for me. There have been many discussions on this but no clear cut answers.
Job market: What's up? I hear San Diego has more opportunities than San Francisco?
Transporation: Believe it or not, I don't have a drivers license. Living in downtown brooklyn, it wasn't really crucial to have one. I know I'll need one eventually, which is why I have a permit. I'm learning guys.... Anyway they say San Francisco has good transportation services, whereas San Diego is seriously lacking.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If it matters I've never been out to the west coast, but have backpacked to several Latin American countries, for about a year, so I'm pretty much adaptable to most environments.

[aswedc]

I suppose it depends on the field, but for business at least the SF job market is much hotter than San Diego.

[sonarrat]

You would not be happy with San Jose. It's next to impossible to survive without a car there. At least in San Francisco the infrastructure is in place, but in SJ the buses and trains go from nowhere to nothing. Also the job market is cooling.. the Intel fab in Santa Clara is closing and I wouldn't be surprised if others follow.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

You would not be happy with San Jose. It's next to impossible to survive without a car there. At least in San Francisco the infrastructure is in place, but in SJ the buses and trains go from nowhere to nothing. Also the job market is cooling.. the Intel fab in Santa Clara is closing and I wouldn't be surprised if others follow.

The title says "San Jose" but the post is about San Diego. I guess they're easily confused...

[sonarrat]

Eeesh. Hopefully that was a slip. Otherwise it's a sign that maybe it's not time to make that move just yet.

[Slauson Rosecranz]

The slip is understandable. Both are equally non-descript and boring.

Melissa, try San Francisco. The Bay Area is *way* more diverse, plus it has a relatively doable (but pretty expensive) subway system, BART. In San Diego, you'd need a car even more than in Los Angeles, and San Jo's "transit system" isn't worth talking about.

Also, there's Berkeley, if San Francisco is too expensive. It has BART subway service, too.

[dreamfollower]

Do not even think of living anywhere south of SanFran without being able to drive.

I, too, am from Brooklyn, NY and have made the trek in the hopes of relocating here. I drive and I have lived in the suburbs of NY, as well as Brooklyn, while working in Manhattan.

First of all, since it seems that your experience has basically been of an urban environment, aside from SanFran or downtown LA, I doubt there is a community that can offer you the diversity you probably are used to within a walking distance. The experience here may be totally unlike what you envision.

It is beautiful and pockets of it very interesting, but for a younger person from NYC, the balance of the area is basically suburbia and would probably be "boring". The coastal towns are hip/trendy and can offer the diversity, but they are small areas and, again, you need to get that license and feel comfortable driving everywhere.

Maybe you should first establish that you would really like the "driving" experience. You should probably get your license in NY and make sure you are comfortable not only with local street driving, but highways at 70MPH.

By having "no job prospects", I am assuming you are either going to live off the land or get entry-level jobs, which is fine, but how, then, will you pay rent and eat? Your reason for moving here should be more than disliking the cold weather of the east. I would rather be in a cold, but interesting place than a boring sunny one.

I am 54 yrs. old and I did it, but you have to be able to handle the uncertainty, and I have a resume and funds. I wanted to get away from the "rat race" and the pace of NY and have always loved the west.

I have been here about 2-months and I am still not sure if it is where I will actually settle. I need a bit more time to decide where I can find the diversity and a decent neighborhood.

Do not forget to consider the "crime" factor here. It does exist and is quite different from the boroughs of Manhattan. It is a bit unpredictable.

Your idea and eagerness to follow your dream is GREAT. DO NOT LET IT GO!

Just learn to drive and get some sort of a realistic survival plan going before you attempt the move, along with as much research as you can gather. And if your planning takes a bit longer than desired, take it in stride. If it is meant to be, the wait and knowledge gained will be worth it.

All The Best For Following Your Dream!

[msmelissa]

Oops sorr about the mistake...I did mean San Diego. Thank you all for your honesty i really appreciate it. Still researchin' some moreand will def continue to...

Thanks, again

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by Slauson Rosecranz

The slip is understandable. Both are equally non-descript and boring.

Melissa, try San Francisco. The Bay Area is *way* more diverse, plus it has a relatively doable (but pretty expensive) subway system, BART. In San Diego, you'd need a car even more than in Los Angeles, and San Jo's "transit system" isn't worth talking about.

Also, there's Berkeley, if San Francisco is too expensive. It has BART subway service, too.

SJ and SD are boring but you recommend that childish Oakland start kit they call Berkeley?

[Slauson Rosecranz]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

SJ and SD are boring but you recommend that childish Oakland start kit they call Berkeley?

Well, between Sproul Plaza, the gourmet ghetto, and all the undergrads, there's plenty of opportunities for her to hang out
and make friends.