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The OP wants lower housing costs and a better quality of life, two things SD beach towns have over LA's. Weather and surf is probably too similar to make much of a difference.
Lower housing prices would be debatable outside Malibu, Santa Monica, Del Mar or La Jolla. I don't think anywhere along the beach in metro San Diego is cheaper than metro LA and places like Encinitas, Carlsbad and Coronado are very pricey. Maybe Chula Vista & Imperial Beach may be less expensive. But Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach are likely no more expensive than most of metro San Diego. Quality of life has to be defined. Maybe less traffic in San Diego but air quality is about the same for beach cities. And cultural activities are more available in Los Angeles.
Lower housing prices would be debatable outside Malibu, Santa Monica, Del Mar or La Jolla. I don't think anywhere along the beach in metro San Diego is cheaper than metro LA and places like Encinitas, Carlsbad and Coronado are very pricey. Maybe Chula Vista & Imperial Beach may be less expensive. But Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach are likely no more expensive than most of metro San Diego. Quality of life has to be defined. Maybe less traffic in San Diego but air quality is about the same for beach cities. And cultural activities are more available in Los Angeles.
Zillow Home Value Index
Redondo Beach - $667K
Hermosa Beach - $855K
Manhattan Beach - $1,223K
It's a bit hard to find data for rental prices by zip code/neighborhood since we want to compare coastal areas rather than include all the inland areas but overall rent in LA is higher than SD. And since coastal areas demand a higher premium, it's pretty reasonable to assume rent will be higher too, especially given the higher property values.
Less traffic, lower crime overall, and cleaner beaches. Santa Monica and Venice have bad water quality overall. I would NEVER swim in the water in Venice Beach. And given that the OP already happens to live in LA and is not happy with the quality of life, all those additional cultural activities don't seem to matter much.
It's a bit hard to find data for rental prices by zip code/neighborhood since we want to compare coastal areas rather than include all the inland areas but overall rent in LA is higher than SD. And since coastal areas demand a higher premium, it's pretty reasonable to assume rent will be higher too, especially given the higher property values.
Less traffic, lower crime overall, and cleaner beaches. Santa Monica and Venice have bad water quality overall. I would NEVER swim in the water in Venice Beach. And given that the OP already happens to live in LA and is not happy with the quality of life, all those additional cultural activities don't seem to matter much.
I'm surprised the housing prices are higher overall in metro LA. I think Orange county is higher than Los Angeles; with the exception of Malibu & Santa Barbara I think Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar and maybe Dana Point are some of the highest housing prices in southern California, right?
Water quality isn't much different between LA and San Diego counties the last time I heard a report. I know after rain storms that the runoff from sewers can close down beaches along Santa Monica bay but that probably happens in San Diego county also. I swim in Santa Monica and have never run into any water quality problems other than occasional sting rays!
I'm surprised the housing prices are higher overall in metro LA. I think Orange county is higher than Los Angeles; with the exception of Malibu & Santa Barbara I think Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar and maybe Dana Point are some of the highest housing prices in southern California, right?
Water quality isn't much different between LA and San Diego counties the last time I heard a report. I know after rain storms that the runoff from sewers can close down beaches along Santa Monica bay but that probably happens in San Diego county also. I swim in Santa Monica and have never run into any water quality problems other than occasional sting rays!
San Diego overall is cleaner than LA County beaches, but yes during winter storms it does suffer from runoff too. Over the last summer no beach in SD scored below an A or B while only 79% of LA County beaches scored either an A or B.
The Pacific Beach area of San Diego may work for you. I have a friend who lives in PB less than a mile from the beach. He's in a decent 1 bedroom with a parking spot for about $800 or $850 and I don't think his rent is out of the norm. Really close to the water is going to be more expensive, but you could probably find cheaper with a roommate. There's a fun laid back vibe in that area. Lots of bars, restaurants and surfers who are out in the morning before work.
In contrast, I have friends in LA who live in Playa and other friends in Santa Monica. My friend in Playa has a roommate (or maybe 2) and she still pays like $800, but she is only a block or two from the beach. I'm not sure how much my friends in Santa Monica pay, but it's a lot more.
The Pacific Beach area of San Diego may work for you. I have a friend who lives in PB less than a mile from the beach. He's in a decent 1 bedroom with a parking spot for about $800 or $850 and I don't think his rent is out of the norm. Really close to the water is going to be more expensive, but you could probably find cheaper with a roommate. There's a fun laid back vibe in that area. Lots of bars, restaurants and surfers who are out in the morning before work.
In contrast, I have friends in LA who live in Playa and other friends in Santa Monica. My friend in Playa has a roommate (or maybe 2) and she still pays like $800, but she is only a block or two from the beach. I'm not sure how much my friends in Santa Monica pay, but it's a lot more.
That sounds beautiful, right now I live about 2 miles from the beach and pay $1300/month for a 1br (in Santa Monica).
I'm going to check that out.
But it would be easier to stay in LA, if I could find something cheaper down the coast (Southbay). But thanks for the tip!
Better life, more to do, L.A has the south bay, venice, santa monica close to OC.
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San Diego beaches don't have smog.
