Considering a move to San Diego (homes, schools, college)

[bacillus]

Hi everyone, I am moving in the next few months. I currently live in Ohio and will be moving either to San Diego or Charlottesville, Virginia. I would love to hear some input about why I should pick one over the other. What are your favorite and least favorite things about San Diego? Would love to hear both the good and the bad.

A little about me to help out: I am mid-twenties and single. Wherever I move, I'll be guaranteed work there for 4 - 5 years and making about $50,000. I know SD cost of living is high -- can I survive and have a good time on that pay? Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it, because I have to make a decision very soon.

[JayVill2008]

If I were you I would move to SD! Great place for some someone your age. The weather is great all-year round plus if you are the outdoors type, there's lots to do. When I visit my relatives out there it's always a great time. The only negative to me is that you really need a car to get around there cause the public transportation is horrible. Wouldn't be surprised if others who post on this thread that live in sd would agree with me

[bradleyyo]

I am an SD native and I don't think it's horrible but I do think it needs improvement and it is improving. Over the next 30 years 4-5 new light rail lines as well as more bus routes are going to be added.

[Mugsy]

Originally Posted by bacillus

Hi everyone, I am moving in the next few months. I currently live in Ohio and will be moving either to San Diego or Charlottesville, Virginia. I would love to hear some input about why I should pick one over the other. What are your favorite and least favorite things about San Diego? Would love to hear both the good and the bad.

A little about me to help out: I am mid-twenties and single. Wherever I move, I'll be guaranteed work there for 4 - 5 years and making about $50,000. I know SD cost of living is high -- can I survive and have a good time on that pay? Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it, because I have to make a decision very soon.

Sounds good, the 50K is perfect and you will be able to afford to live here on that. I love the weather and the sunsets here in San Diego. I do not like the CA Drivers, but that is really my only complaint.

[loveautumn]

I'd definitely say SD...Charlottesville is a relatively small college town and pretty far from DC so there would be more going on here at your age.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by bacillus

Hi everyone, I am moving in the next few months. I currently live in Ohio and will be moving either to San Diego or Charlottesville, Virginia. I would love to hear some input about why I should pick one over the other. What are your favorite and least favorite things about San Diego? Would love to hear both the good and the bad.

A little about me to help out: I am mid-twenties and single. Wherever I move, I'll be guaranteed work there for 4 - 5 years and making about $50,000. I know SD cost of living is high -- can I survive and have a good time on that pay? Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it, because I have to make a decision very soon.

Have you ever visited either place before? Or even been down towards the South or over the Rockies?

[bacillus]

Yeah, I've traveled pretty extensively across the country. I spent several weeks in San Diego a while back, and I've been all over Virginia (I have some family there). I have a general feel for both places, but not for day-to-day life. I know that I loved visiting San Diego, but living there could be a totally different story.

[rvabrendan]

I'm 24 and live about an hour away from Charlottesville, VA. Very pretty area - but fairly small and boring as well as all of the seasons in their extremes (cold!!). If it were me, SD would be my choice.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by bacillus

Yeah, I've traveled pretty extensively across the country. I spent several weeks in San Diego a while back, and I've been all over Virginia (I have some family there). I have a general feel for both places, but not for day-to-day life. I know that I loved visiting San Diego, but living there could be a totally different story.

I really couldnt make a direct comparison as I have never been to Charlottesville and have only been closer to the eastern portion like McLean and Tysons Corner. To me while nice, they were textbook suburbia: shopping malls, homes, schools. These are everywhere including here.

50k should be fine and sounds like a decent start to have in SD.

There is a lot to do here in SD with the focus of "a lot" being outdoorsy stuff. Canyon hiking out east to various beach activities...but year round more or less.

I noticed the general consensus of more outspoken folks is that people REALLY want to live here. Whether that means aspiring or currently. I dont know if Charlottesville fits that description.

I know that I do really love it and while its not the end all be all for me, its sure one of my favorite places so far that I have lived. In other words, I dont have an itch to get out anytime soon.
If there was one thing I didnt like out here, its that the darned water is FREEZING!
The people here? I think people generally are the same about everywhere once you get past the pleasantries. I do notice that folks here are more obliged to exchange a hello and a smile if walking by. At least more so than much busier cities, but this again is not specific to SD, just something I noticed and hope it stays that way around here.

[jmc]

I've lived in both places, actually. Would DEFINITELY choose San Diego over Charlottesville. Not that Charlottesville is bad, but I really love SD. Just my two cents worth.