Looking to relocate from LA to San Diego -originally from Chicago (San Francisco: renting, condo)

[chicagoItaly]

My husband and I are looking to leave LA (long past due) and are considering San Diego or San Francisco. I love both cities and know that each offer different pluses and minuses. If we were to relocate to San Diego I was hoping someone could help us on an area that would be appropriate for two 43 yr. old professionals. We will be initially renting and have considered the Torrey Pines, Carmel Valley, Balboa Park, Mission hills, Bankers hill and downtown areas. My husband lived in La Jolla for a year, while at College. And although it's beautiful, I find it a little sleepy for my taste. We both enjoy nature and culture, but absolutely want something nice in a good area. Our budget is enough for a new amenity apt./condo/townhouse with 2 Bdr + 2Bth. I checked out the prices online and we can afford that, but not sure where to live. I would like to live in an area where it is age appropriate (40+) with professionals. We currently do not have children. Any suggestions?

[cruitr]

Have you looked at the job market in San Diego?

[chicagoItaly]

Currently looking. I know it will be tough to find a job in San Diego, which is why I'm also considering San Francisco. I'm a business consultant and typically I can find contract assignments with major corporations for what I do, but San Diego is smaller for my field of expertise than San Francisco, so I'm keeping my options open.

My husband and I are visiting in the next couple of weeks. In case I do retain a contract assignment, I would like to know what area we should be looking to live. Typically with contract assignments they have you start immediately, so we want to at least identify an area and start looking at places to live, in case I do get an assignment. Any suggestions on where to live for two 43 yr. old professionals? I don't mind a commute for up to 1/2 hour. Anything is better than LA traffic. My husband has his own business and works from home, so his commute or location is not an issue.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by chicagoItaly

... My husband lived in La Jolla for a year, while at College. And although it's beautiful, I find it a little sleepy for my taste. ...

Carmel Valley will be sleepier than La Jolla. Probably Torrey Pines, also. The areas closer in to downtown tend to have a bit more life.

Your limit of 1/2 hour on the commute isn't very useful unless you knew where you were going to be working. Since you don't know that, the areas closer in to downtown will also be more "central". In fact, if you live in one of the downtown neighborhoods, your commute will most likely be against rush hour so it won't be an issue.

[avalon2k41]

SD is great for families and children so the areas should be plentiful, just avoid LA as that is no longer a good area to raise a family. I live there and seen how it has changed into a fast pased mega city.

[loveautumn]

Most places that are "lively" in SD are geared to the 20 and early 30 somethings. Of course there are great restaurants downtown, in LJ area, and in North County.

SD is basically alot sleepier than LA or SF and in your age group, even more so. Unless you get involved in charity groups and the like that hold alot of events, charity dinners, etc.

[Nicolo09]

My wife and I are also moving from LA to SD this spring, and are originally from Chicago. We lived in LA for 5 years and are looking forward to leaving. It looks like we are going to be looking in the Mission Hills area..

[chicagoItaly]

Thanks for all the advise. Nice to know that someone else from Chicago is looking to leave LA as well. I moved to LA 5 years ago and would have left much sooner, but couldn't because of the recession. My husband and I are now ready to move and will be heading down there next week to look at neighborhoods again. I'll check out Mission Hills as well. Thanks everyone for your help.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by oddstray

Carmel Valley will be sleepier than La Jolla. Probably Torrey Pines, also. The areas closer in to downtown tend to have a bit more life.

Your limit of 1/2 hour on the commute isn't very useful unless you knew where you were going to be working. Since you don't know that, the areas closer in to downtown will also be more "central". In fact, if you live in one of the downtown neighborhoods, your commute will most likely be against rush hour so it won't be an issue.

I totally agree with this. We've gone to La Jolla every year for vacation and we find it more lively than Carmel Valley. Honestly, if we didn't have kids then I probably wouldn't also be considering Carmel Valley. I think most people move there to raise their kids. TONS of families with young children.

When we were looking at houses there we saw tons and tons of families with young kids. It's ideal for that. So if you don't have kids you might find it boring.

[skeke]

I would pick Mission Hills of the areas you named. La Jolla bores me no end. I never go there. Carmel Valley feels like the burbs. With no kids, I would pick someplace more central.