[NoTimeToTalk]

Hello. I'm trying to decide between moving to San Diego or the southern part of Connecticut in Fairfield or New Haven County. Career opportunities are okay in either of the two areas, and the income will be roughly the same (around $100,000). I'm currently in the NYC metro area. Please tell me what you think is best given my situation.

- Single male, late twenties
- Want reasonable access to the city without living in it (I like peace and quiet in a suburban home)
- Like warm and sunny weather, but also like experiencing the four seasons
- Like relaxed and laid-back attitudes, but also appreciate sophistication and ambition
- Eventually want kids and do not want to have to move to a new metropolitan area
- Enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle with outdoor activities
- Like beach views and the beach environment, but also like being able to go to a busy downtown area
- Whole family is in the NYC area
- Don't want to be in the rat race and prefer a lower-stress day-to-day living experience
- Don't want to spend all day in the office and commuting to the office
- Like having a car
- Want to own a single family detached home with a garage in the near future

Thanks in advance for your time and input!

[kidyankee764]

- Single male, late twenties San Diego
- Want reasonable access to the city without living in it (I like peace and quiet in a suburban home) CT
- Like warm and sunny weather, but also like experiencing the four seasons Either
- Like relaxed and laid-back attitudes, but also appreciate sophistication and ambition San Diego
- Eventually want kids and do not want to have to move to a new metropolitan area Either
- Enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle with outdoor activities San Diego
- Like beach views and the beach environment, but also like being able to go to a busy downtown area San Diego
- Whole family is in the NYC area CT
- Don't want to be in the rat race and prefer a lower-stress day-to-day living experience San Diego
- Don't want to spend all day in the office and commuting to the office Nowhere
- Like having a car Either
- Want to own a single family detached home with a garage in the near future Either

Looks like San Diego wins. Honestly, if you're in your late 20's and enjoy a year round active lifestyle, go to San Diego. If you were a father of two and worked for a financial firm with a housing budget of 800k needing good schools, I'd suggest Connecticut.

[basehead617]

If there's one thing you definitely don't get in San Diego, it's the four seasons.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by basehead617

If there's one thing you definitely don't get in San Diego, it's the four seasons.

OTOH, many people describe SD as having the most perfect climate in the country.

[UconnHusky1]

I lived in San Diego for several years....it really depends on your exact location for a fair comparison. La Jolla, Pt. Loma and La Mesa are a few prime sections, but very expensive. Conversely, some sections are far cheaper (further inland),but it won't feel like San diego...more like Phoenix.

Since family is in CT, do you have friends in San Diego? It's extremely easy to meet new people in San Diego, but having a nice network will make your transition much easier at the beginning to prevent home sickness.

[Lintu]

I LOVE San Diego, but the main turnoff for me would be home prices. That said, I haven't looked at them much since the housing downturn to know whether it's become substantially more affordable.

[Stylo]

Gotta live close to the water in San Diego or it gets pretty hot/desert-like.

There's definitely no four seasons. But the coast is beautiful, there's decent nightlife (nothing like LA though), and the weather is amazing. But if you don't mind winter then that's not really an issue.

There's only 1 season in San Diego basically. That's why people that like it go there.

I would personally rent in San Diego and experience it while you still can. Then maybe consider buying a house closer to home in a place like CT. I would personally not buy in San Diego.

By the way, if you don't mind harsh winters, it actually sounds like you'd really like Boston.

[NoTimeToTalk]

Thanks, all, for your responses!

The areas in San Diego that I'm considering are in the La Jolla/Del Mar/Solana Beach/Encinitas/Carlsbad corridor.

I looked at the home prices recently, and it's amazing at what you can get in New Haven County for the same price of a small house on a small lot in the San Diego area.

What do you think about places like Milford and Guilford?

[Lintu]

Where would you be commuting in CT?

[NoTimeToTalk]

Most likely to New Haven.