Is San Diego a good fit for me? (Mesa: apartment complex, rentals)

[NorthernLass]

I'm initially form NYC, but relocated a few years ago to the DC metro area. I'm very fortunate, because my job is 100% telework (meaning I work from home and can practically live anywhere in the country).

I have never lived on the West Coast, but I've always enjoyed visiting San Diego.

Although I was initially interested in moving further South (to reduce my living cost), I'm now starting to realize that maybe it is best for me to spend a few years on the West Coast, since it has everything that I'm looking for. I'm just a little concerned because I have no friends or family in San Diego.

As an aside: Is anyone familiar with the following apartment complex: Ariva Apartments Clairemont Mesa San Diego

Is this property centrally located next to the beach and nice restaurants.

Please advise.

Thanks!

[RainbowHope]

San Diego is a fantastic place to live!

If you are looking for someplace to move that will reduce your living cost, this may not be the place, but if you're looking to experience living on the west coast, and you can afford it, then go for it.

[DriveNotCommute]

If you don't mind input from someone who is spotting those apartments on a map, I am at least familiar with that general region. They appear to be fairly new construction and I have not personally seen that complex.

I can understand how the sense of scale on a map is difficult to establish when looking up a place from far away.

With your top priorities as the beach and good food, I would say that the location you picked is okay but far from ideal.

While it is not centrally located, you are at least right next to the largest cluster of authentic Asian restaurants in San Diego, over on Convoy between Clairemont Mesa and Balboa. There are a few places that are open late there too. However I believe that the other major cluster of fine dining are in the neighborhoods surrounding Downtown and the genres cover a wider variety. So food-wise, you would not be exactly central but at least you're next to one of the clusters.

Beach wise, you would not be that close to the beach. The route should be pretty direct from there but depending on traffic, I'd say you would still at minimum be about 20 minutes away (driving of course). There appears to be a fairly direct bus route to Pacific Beach, Route #27 from a station a few blocks away from you. One way fare is $2.25 and runs about 30-45 minutes depending on time of day.

Finally, when a person mentions Kearney Mesa, I tend to think of businesses, offices and factories for government contractors. Although it's true that the government contractor sector has been shrinking in Southern California as a whole for decades now.

[sdurbanite]

Sounds like a good plan to me to try out West Coast living. Just don't expect to find NYC or DC out here. If you are looking at Ariva, you might want to check out Civita, which is just a bit further south of there and closer to more interesting neighborhoods. I think pricing is about the same. Both Ariva and Civita are less than 20 mins by car from the nearest beach.

I love DC and wouldn't mind living there for a couple years before coming back to SD. Good luck!

West Park Apartments for Rent in Mission Valley San Diego, CA - Civita Life

[NorthernLass]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I'm also curious about the dating scene? Is San Diego a good place for a single person to meet others and have an active dating life?

[NorthernLass]

Is La Jolla a better place to apartment hunt?

[skelaki]

Apartments for Rent in La Jolla, CA - 83 Rentals

[NorthernLass]

Has anyone relocated from the DC metro area to San Diego? If so, can you provide any feedback?

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by NorthernLass

Has anyone relocated from the DC metro area to San Diego? If so, can you provide any feedback?

Yes, I did. I never want to live back east after living in SD. East vs West if very subjective and dependent on one's personality and goals in life in regards to whether it will be a good fit. For me, SD and the West Coast in general is just a much better fit. YMMV. Good luck.

[Compuhi]

Originally Posted by NorthernLass

Has anyone relocated from the DC metro area to San Diego? If so, can you provide any feedback?

A good friend of mind did. Him and his gf moved out here from DC and loved the area. They stayed for about 3-4 years, but moved back to DC due to job prospects. After being in DC for a few years now, they want to move back to SD, lol.

Moral of the story: If you can afford it, you will likely enjoy it in SD