Want To Live "The Good Life" In San Diego (apartment, renting)

[southphillyitaliana]

Hello all,

Keep in mind, when I say "the good life" I am not talking about typical California conspicuous consumption. Materially speaking, I have everything I'll ever need in life and am not looking to own more. No, what I mean by "the good life" is simply getting the hell out of Filthadelphia forever and waking up to some salt air and an ocean breeze, or at least be able to get to it whenever I need a mental health break.

A friend in San Diego has been imploring me to move there, knowing how much I crave the ocean and hate the humidity of Florida and the filthiness of the Jersey Shore. She has always raved about Cali but I have always resisted, saying no, I can't, it's too expensive there. But she reminded me that she and her husband pull in a combined total of less than $100k and they live perfectly fine out there in a small house with 2 kids. Now, when I move, I can't expect to probably make more than $30k - if that - as I work in a low-paying but very satisfying position in the mental health field. Because I own all that I need and the beach life is more important to me than anything else, I am fine with renting a tiny apartment in San Diego, and two neighborhoods - Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach - have been recommended to me as "affordable" - for California, anyway.

My thing is I'd like my apartment to not be in a gang neighborhood and to be somewhat close to the ocean. I am being realistic and thinking even the smallest place would run $1000-1500 bucks a month. I won't be moving for a few years and not until I have an entire year's worth of living expenses and a job lined up. I also will not be driving and have been told there is reliable public transit.

Please give me the lowdown on living in San Diego in either of these two neighborhoods. How is the public transit there - can I get anywhere on it, including the beaches? What can I expect for $1000-1500 per month - would I be near the beach at all? How expensive are utilities, food costs, etc. in San Diego?

I know there are lots of San Diego threads here, but I don't have the time right now to sift through all of them.

Thanks!

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by southphillyitaliana

typical California conspicuous consumption.

What's that? I've been here all my life and am wondering where you came up with that wide tarring brush.

[southphillyitaliana]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

What's that? I've been here all my life and am wondering where you came up with that wide tarring brush.

I'm stereotyping, obviously. Sorry about that.

[Snort]

YouTube - ‪YouTube tony bennett the good life‬‏

[Snort]

For the kind of work you're looking for, you really need to be out here. Even for highly specialized jobs, you still need to be out here. I think it would be unusual for you to get a job lined up in CA while physically in PA. The beach area of SD isn't gang-central, but there are homeless and young hipsters. With your budget, you might be looking at shared housing.

[luckodeirish]

Also, not sure what your position is, but if you currently hold a certification or license in a MH field don't forget to check to see what it will take to pass the California exams/certifications. Calif is not reciprocal with most states.