Relocating from Toronto to Carlsbad / San Diego

[sschibuola]

mmmmm . . . may sound weird considering the Beach is the most SoCal-like place in Toronto, but there's nothing in SoCal that's quite like the Beach.

not the actual beach itself - sorry to say the Toronto version is a pretty but very pale (and either too cold or too humid) version of the California reality - but the urban amenities and pure walkability and diversity -nothing here really matches that.

To be sure, some places come close - La Jolla, Santa Monica, Laguna. Those are great but insanely expensive to live in or near - these are multimillionaire playgrounds. I know the Beach is pricey too but these places are in a different league. Other SoCal beach cities are a little more affordable and certainly have their charms - e.g. San Clemente, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Huntington, Hermosa - but it's more of a small town/single-main street type of charm.

[L-Costa]

Although Southern California is beautiful, most likely you will not find the diversity you encounter in Toronto. Not racial diversity but segregation based on income. You will find here numerous ocean side communities which look immaculate but will require certain income level to live there. You will also find spots and places you may want to avoid. Urban planning and city management are not aligned with Canadian practices.