Is the traffic really that bad? (San Diego: to buy, to live, moving)

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by MAK802

We moved here from NJ in October and are surprised to hear when people mention traffic. I guess it has a different meaning to most. You wanna see traffic? Try driving into NYC using the Lincoln Tunnel either before 9am or around 5pm. That's traffic. Or, go on the NJ Turnpike or GSP on a Friday, around 5. San Diego has no traffic compared to what we had in NJ.

I'd say traffic is mostly spotty here. Last week during the rains, my commute was horrible on more than a couple of days. Over 45 minutes for a normally 17 minute drive. It also took me over an hour to get to Chula Vista after work one day.

IMO, traffic has gotten better ever since gas prices hit $4.75 at it's peak. I'm thinking people have just adjusted to new driving habits? Whatever the case, it's a good thing.

[Radical347]

There are pockets of bad traffic, and like others have said, the main freeways (5/8/805) can get congested during rush hour. The 163 isn't too bad.

But for a big metro area (and even considering some non-metro areas) SD has the most polite drivers in the country, hands down. The only places that can even compare are LA or Minnesota. It's true about 65 (if the sign says 65) being the lower limit, but if you follow that, you'll be golden. They'll almost always pull over for you when you put your turn signal on (but you gotta turn it on -- they can't read your mind!). It's not 100% of the time, but I'd say about 70% of the time, which is 60-65% higher than most other areas. I've never been flipped off either, and I've only been honked at twice in three years (and both of those were in Mission Valley.)

But when it rains...watch out. Everyone starts sliding all over the place.

[luvSD]

Traffic is not that bad - certainly it is not smooth sailing, but I think the traffic in New York is worst. This is what I think:

1) traffic is generally OK, but can get bad during rush hour and during special events (for example, at Balboa park during December Nights, or Earth Day)

2)drivers are not deliberately mean, but you do need some courage to brave the freeways. As mentioned above, the highways are 4 lanes or more with cars switching lanes. Note: drivers are not weaving through traffic, rather, they are trying to get themselves to the right place (exit lane, fast lane, car pool lane etc).

3) generally, watch yourself and you will be OK. Drivers do not drive defensively and are not particularly courteous, but they are mindful of their own actions.

4) you can turn right on a red light. This is great for drivers but becomes hazardous for pedestrians. Many people don't check for pedestrians when they turn on the red. As well, many are on their cell phones when driving.

5)San Diego is organized so that you pretty much need a car to get from A to B. Public transportation is available, but it can be a one hour wait for the next bus plus, the bus don't get you everywhere you want to go. The bottom line is that you need a car to survive. Car = drive = traffic = life in SD.

6) the weather in SD is pretty nice most of the year so we bypass car accidents that are due to icy or wet roads. On the rare occassion that it rains, we get more car accidents.

[RD5050]

Except for rush hour, traffic in San Diego isn't that bad.

One of the biggest challenges driving on San Diego highways, is people always seem to be in a rush to get everywhere. It sometimes feels like you're driving in an Indy 500 race. Everyone wants to drive 65 and faster. Personally, I am much more comfortable driving 55, so I typically stay in the rightmost lanes, and average 55 - 65. I treat 65 as the maximum speed, which I believe is the law in California. However, since there are so many people who choose to drive faster than 65, I just stay to the right.

Another challenge is driving up and down the huge hills. They can take a bit of time to get used to, especially when the ground is wet. Luckily it doesn't rain much here, so that issue doesn't come up too often.

Other issues are lots of people continue to talk on hand-held cell phones while driving, even though we recently passed a law making it illegal. And failure to use turn-signals is pretty common in San Diego.

One good thing we have in California, is there is a law against blocking an intersection. So you need to be absolutely certain you can get fully across the street before you enter an intersection. That really helps reduce gridlock on city streets.

[jodi1216]

Is 65 and over what people are driving on highways or smaller streets? That seems kind of excessive for in-town traffic with crossover streets.

[NYSD1995]

aside from freeway traffic at rush hour San Diego is not bad by CA standards. However the major traffic jams can be pretty epic. Once you get some experience with high-speed freeway driving you get used to it.

To me the bigger problem is the way people drive in the residential areas, parking lots and garages, where people drive way too fast. I nearly got hit leaving my work garage today.

[beelzebub]

Traffic in SD can be bad but it is very directional, regular and predictable. Traffic flows into the Golden Triangle area into the morning, and flows out in the evening. If you have that commute, you'll spend a lot of time in traffic. Otherwise, you'll have smooth sailing.

You can view average traffic on Google Maps. Zoom into the area of interest, and click on the "Traffic" button. In the box that pops up, you can select the time & day for which you want to see the average traffic.

-B

[ontheGtrain]

Originally Posted by MAK802

We moved here from NJ in October and are surprised to hear when people mention traffic. I guess it has a different meaning to most. You wanna see traffic? Try driving into NYC using the Lincoln Tunnel either before 9am or around 5pm. That's traffic. Or, go on the NJ Turnpike or GSP on a Friday, around 5. San Diego has no traffic compared to what we had in NJ.

How about the BQE or the west side HWAY. SD traffic is down right pleasant in comparison to nyc. Its all relative to what you are use to.

[militarymom]

I dont think traffic is bad at all really. I came from the midwest, a decent size city but nothing like socal. Its not bad. I love it here

[5FLgirls]

Originally Posted by jodi1216

Are we talking horrible are tolerable. Are there a lot of rude drivers, accidents?

I'm thinking of relocating my family to a more open-minded place in the future. Right now we are in Gadsden, Alabama. I have a multi-racial son in middle school who is not having a pleasant time of it. We will be moving back to Florida soon but I would really like to settle down in a different area of the country.

So far I'm getting this about SD: beautiful, expensive, great weather, bad traffic, lots to do, many dog lovers, good mexican food, laid back, superficial (a percentage), idealistic, lot of outdoor activities, mostly safe...

Is that about right?

--Traffic is tolerable. A lot of other posters hit the traffic issue very well. You get used to it and it makes you a better driver. You also figure out when to use and not use the freeways.

--It is beautiful, expensive, has great weather, there is lots to do, way more dog lovers than I've ever seen anywhere else in my life!, laid back, a tiny bit superficial but that depends on where you live, mexican food is okay but not great, lots of outdoor activities, and safety is relative.

Friends moved here from Scottsdale, AZ because they wanted more diversity in their lives (their four adopted children are korean and were the only minority in their school). They are thrilled with life in SD. Especially in the small suburb we live in. Although I've always felt extremely safe where we live--I didn't agree with a few of my neighbors who've lived here for 30 years telling me they don't lock their doors. My friends from Scottsdale just told us a story last night about how their locked car was stolen from their driveway two months ago (and they live three blocks from us). You're not 100% safe anywhere!