Is San Diego a good place for young singles? (San Francisco: apartment, job market)

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by abrandnewme18

I'm looking over the thread and wow...reality hits.
San Diego is really that expensive, huh?
How does the cost of SD compare to LA?

San Diego and LA are both large areas. They have very expensive places and not-so-expensive places. The very expensive places are (usually) nicer.

A lot of it also is how much any individual needs to "spend money" to be happy.

Cost of housing in soCal (San Diego and LA) are high, compared to some other parts of the USA. Other costs are lower than some other parts of the USA.

[Malina3]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

The difference with SD is that for it's size and upscale, expensive nature it's not due to being a business center, so it's a lot of idle wealth mixed with retiree / tourist / life on vacation types of all ages. Most professionals in SD tend to be older with families, saved up a down payment somewhere else and dug in here.

I agree. From my experience most of the moms I talk to out and about are like 35 and older. Probably already had a decent two family income for years and thus saved up quite a bit before moving and having kids here. That said this a a great city for having kids. So so many things to do, if you have money.

[Malina3]

Originally Posted by hodster

It's a safe and beautiful city. However in terms of professional development (career wisely) there is nothing here. Even the Sales jobs are the worst I have ever seen. As well the people here aren't very nice, I have no idea why everyone keeps saying everyone is chilled in California...There are amazing beaches, beautiful downtown architecture and nice weather, but that's all. Definitely Not a city for young professionals.
I think bigger cities such as NY, SF , Chicago are better (u also don't need a car there). Maybe Houston and Dallas too.

Like someone said earlier, most adults here came from somewhere else, already built professionally and financially.

I hear a lot of young people come to SD to work in the service industry for a few years. SD is a touristy place with hotels and entertainment being very expensive. Thus bar tenders say, make a lot more money here than they could elsewhere.

[Malina3]

Originally Posted by phinneas j. whoopee

LOL. Not only are there bases all over the city-
MCAS Miramar.
32nd st.
Sub Base
NAS North Island
Coronado amphib base
NRSW headquarters
Balboa Hospital
Camp Pendleton
(In all comprising 95,000 active duty uniformed personnel)

San Diego County counts 240,000 veterans in its population, (third highest in the nation) 90% of whom are male.

However you seem to believe people in the military don't own cars and just hang around drinking soda pop at the USO.

You would be hard pressed to name another city in the country with a more concentrated military population.

To be fair....When I tell people that we've recently relocated to San Diego, the next question they ask is if we're from the military! Seems like a major source of employment here. I estimate 1/5 people you talk to are from the military here or so it seems from my experience.

[elchevere]

Maybe/maybe not...I could be wrong but I believe the tab for a beer and cocktail is noticeably higher in other tourist hot spots such as Vegas and So Beach (i.e. $11 for a can of Corona and $22-24 for a mixed drink) so, it, stands to reason higher tips follow in those places...now, if you are comparing to less touristy and more seasonal /less full year places such as Dallas, Denver, Seattle, etc that's another story.... But, yes, I agree with you that many come out here to put off adulthood by taking on service jobs for a few months or years (bartender, personal trainer, etc.) do so but they are replaceable the following month when the next busload of fresh wannabes who wish to put off adulthood shows up....transient personnel is good for the industry business owners (why overpay when you don't have to) but bad for frequent patrons in the form of customer service (high turnover and potentially lousy service).

Originally Posted by Malina3

I hear a lot of young people come to SD to work in the service industry for a few years. SD is a touristy place with hotels and entertainment being very expensive. Thus bar tenders say, make a lot more money here than they could elsewhere.

[LuvSouthOC]

I must be pretty out of the loop because paying 11 bucks for a barely adequate beer is not my idea of a decent value. Bump that up to a real mixed drink and *if* the occasion warrants such a drink, I will pay. Paying 22-24 (plus tip) for a mixed drink is what I remember in NYC and if I did that regularly like many there do, I wouldn't be saving in my 401k. Expensive drinks be damned.

[elchevere]

those are the prices they are getting in the 'party cities'--NYC. Vegas, South Beach....been a couple of years since I've been to the local SD nightclubs but it would not surprise me if drink prices are not that far behind.

Then, of course, there's that wonderful concept of bottle service....you know, where some (NOT me) pay $400 or more (before tip) for a $25 bottle of vodka so you can drink it sitting down while some hot chick in lingerie brings you your bottle with a sparkler attached?....and this current generation of kids wonders why they are in debt (or, as Michael Douglas in the most recent Wall Street movie refers to them as--the NINJA's.)....I know of people who routinely drop close to $1K a weekend who do not have jobs or careers that warrant such expenditures....I remember when I balked at $100 in my day for the occasional certain recreational....ah, never mind.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by elchevere

those are the prices they are getting in the 'party cities'--nyc. Vegas, south beach....been a couple of years since i've been to the local sd nightclubs but it would not surprise me if drink prices are not that far behind.

Then, of course, there's that wonderful concept of bottle service....you know, where some (not me) pay $400 or more (before tip) for a $25 bottle of vodka so you can drink it sitting down while some hot chick in lingerie brings you your bottle with a sparkler attached?....and this current generation of kids wonders why they are in debt (or, as michael douglas in the most recent wall street movie refers to them as--the ninja's.)....i know of people who routinely drop close to $1k a weekend who do not have jobs or careers that warrant such expenditures....i remember when i balked at $100 in my day for the occasional certain recreational....ah, never mind.

[Ericthebean]

San Diego is a good place for midlife years mostly I would think...ages 35 to 55. 20-somethings better off in San Francisco, San Jose, LA

The entry-level college degree jobs are more common in larger cities. San Diego has smaller self-startups hiring 10-15 or more years experience with 4-year degrees. It's for well off families or married empty nesters, or longtime homeowners sitting on real estate they reaped the benefits of

[abrandnewme18]

So what city would be better for young professional singles: San Diego or Denver?