Moving... Please help! (San Diego: apartments, for rent, transfer)

[indecisiveamber]

My friend and I (and possibly one other) are looking to move in November. We are from Wisconsin, in our mid-20s.

California, Florida, and South Carolina seem to be our top spots. We are just having a heck of a time choosing the right place.

I've read through posts on numerous cities and states and many of you posters seem to be very knowledgeable on lots of places, so I was hoping some of you may be able to give us some insight.

I do administrative work and would like to stick with that, I do however, have quite a bit of customer service, hospitality, and logistics experience. My friend is a security guard at Target and would just like to transfer. She is planning on applying for police officer jobs once we are settled in. My other friend who may or may not be moving with us works on a golf course and would be looking for a golf course management position.

We're looking for a big city, with lots of nightlife and people in our age group. I am personally looking for a good music scene. We'd like nice weather year-round, trying to get away from the cold winters. Thinking above 40 for winters. Also don't want sweltering summers, prefer low humidity.

And last but certainly not least (the biggest issue we've been running into with big cities) is rent. Affordable in a decent area...

Does such a place exist??

[timelesschild]

Offhand, and just as a generalization, you will have to prioritize your desires and go with the city that satisfies as many of them as possible.

LA has everything you are looking for except "affordable in a decent area". Of course, this is depending on your definition of affordable. Given your and your friend's professions, I'm thinking you will be challenged to have a fun lifestyle in LA unless you are creative about finding the free concerts, etc., willing to live waaaay out from things, and/or compromising safety for affordability.

There are many other places in California, of course. I know less about them. I am guessing, however, that anywhere you find nice weather year-round with lots to do, will be more expensive than your job is able to support.

South Carolina can be affordable and has mild weather; however, the nightlife/music scene is lacking there, and the humidity is high.

Florida is expensive with high humidity and intense summer heat; however, the nightlife/music scene can be pretty active there, depending on city.

A thought that just occurred to me is Austin, Texas. That might be a place with decent weather, plenty to do, and possibly affordable. Give it a look and see what you think...

[sav858]

Look into San Diego, it's the most affordable big coastal city in CA and has pretty much what you're looking for. Plus SD has a really low officer to citizen ratio, about 1/2 the national average, and they are constantly recruiting and trying to beef up their police force. And it's a safe city despite having few officers and being on the border.

Also what is considered "affordable" to you? like a price range

[indecisiveamber]

I forgot to mention that we both bartend, and would possibly look to that as a second job if need be.

$1500 range for a 2bd is along the lines of what we're thinking.

San Diego is what I've been looking into the most, I think it's my #1 right now. Do you have any thoughts on which areas would be good for us to look at for renting?

Many people have recommended Austin to me. Coincidently I just went there to visit a friend over the 4th. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend, however, makes the heat seem unbearable. I guess the weather was not quite as "extreme" as it usually is while I was there.

Thanks for the feedback!!

[sav858]

Depends on what kind of scene you want. Pacific Beach is saturated with 20-30 year olds and has one of SD's biggest bar and nightlife scenes. It can be rowdy and have a party atmosphere but you can live in quieter areas where that's not so much of an issue. I live in PB but live in the northern part away from all the bars, so it's quiet but the bars are still within a walking or biking distance. It's a great, fun place for people in their 20's.

Ocean Beach is smaller and has more of a hippy vibe and a decent bar scene. Mission Beach is just south of PB and is a nice, cool little area too. Canes is a popular live music venue in MB too. PB has several bars that have bands a lot, like 710 club.

If want young and urban then look in and around downtown and Little Italy. The Gaslamp Quarter has the most bars and nightlife in SD.

I pay $1400 for a 2 bedroom 8 blocks from the beach in PB, most 2 bedrooms will go for that or higher. $1500 should get you a 2 bedroom, the farther east towards the freeway you go the cheaper it gets. But good to decent deals on apartments in PB go quick so if you gotta be fast before someone else snatches up an apartment before you. $1500 for a 2 bedroom probably won't sit for long so if you see one get on it quick.