Living in DOWNTOWN San Diego (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach: neighborhoods, college, restaurants)

[cebu077]

Hello, I'm a single 31-year-old woman looking to re-locate to San Diego once I'm able to land a public relations job out there. I grew up in Ohio, and while it was a wonderful place to be a kid, I have detested it ever since I became of adult age. One of the aspects of it that bothers me the most is how young people are when they get married here. Many people here get married in their early 20's -- and I do mean EARLY 20's. Consequently, they "settle down" at a young age, start a family and all that, which leaves a single, career-oriented person like me with very few local friends. Most of the friends I have made here have been younger than me, because the people my age and even those a bit younger than me don't want to do anything social now that they are "settled down."

My point in telling you all of this is to provide you with a bit of background for my question. I read somewhere that living in downtown San Diego is a good way to meet young, single people. I would like to meet people for both friendships and dating. Am I going to run into the same problem I have dealt with here in regard to the region being way too family-oriented? Is San Diego a "young person's town"? And would living in downtown increase my chances of meeting people in the same life situation as me?

Thanks in advance!

[skyway31]

I'm a 31 year-old single male. (And, everybody save the jokes about match.com and the like lol) I moved to San Diego last summer at 30. It's a great place. BUT, I found that I was in a bit of a "tweener" situation. There are tons of young partying singles, but a lot of it is of the frat/sorority nature, even downtown. Downtown would be better than PB though. But, as much as I can appreciate and enjoy downtown SD, I couldn't quite get stoked about living downtown. I actually moved back up to Hermosa Beach in L.A. county. Why? HB and Manhattan Beach are absolutely perfect for this age range. I could go on about why. But, it would be moot if your job would be in SD. If you're set on SD-and it is a great place to be sure-then I'll wait and let others comment.

[destroycreate]

My father lives in 5th Avenue right in the Gaslamp District, and it's great if you're young and living in the city. There are tons of restaurants, bars, and clubs of good quality that you can meet people at. I find that San Diegans are quite social so you'll have no problem meeting people. It's become quite hip to live in Downtown particularly in the East Village area. Many yuppies with their dogs live in the high rises and you see them walking with their pets and what not.

I actually recommend Little Italy, right next to downtown as a place to live. It's quieter, and has a nice community vibe, but it's still in downtown just not as overwhelming. Many cute cafes, restaurants, and bars and beautiful old architecture.

[destroycreate]

I DON'T recommend PB, it's overrated and bro/bro ho galore. You know a lot of white trash guys with tats and wife beaters, the clubs and bars are very very college style...it's not at all liberal artsy ville in any way. Downtown is more sophisticated.

[skyway31]

Good point about Little Italy. It's charming and a tad cheaper than being right in the Gaslamp. It is very small though. IMO, as far as living in downtown goes, an overlooked but IMO HUGE factor would be how close you are to that Ralphs. Obviously, a huge part of the appeal of livig down there is being able to walk everywhere. If you could walk easily to that Ralphs (the only full grocery store in dowtown) it would make a huge difference IMO. Of course, that's also the most central part of downtown as well.

[sav858]

I'd go with Little Italy or North Park before right in the middle of Downtown probably. or Hillcrest if you don't mind living in the gay neighborhood.

[NYSD1995]

Downtown is really a bit more of a tourist, party location than a real neighborhood. I can say that my wife's single 30-something girlfriends hate it in San Diego because they say it's full of 20-something drunkards.

I would look at North Park, Normal Heights, Hillcrest, etc.. Little Italy is an option as well.

[skyway31]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Downtown is really a bit more of a tourist, party location than a real neighborhood. I can say that my wife's single 30-something girlfriends hate it in San Diego because they say it's full of 20-something drunkards.

I would look at North Park, Normal Heights, Hillcrest, etc.. Little Italy is an option as well.

Well, if you're talking the nightlife scene, yeah that's pretty true haha. But, if you're characterizing all of San Diego like this, then that's pretty ridiculous.

[cebu077]

Thanks for all of the replies you have given me so far, guys! I really appreciate it, as I want to make an informed decision about moving to San Diego.

I'm straight myself but very liberal, so I wouldn't mind living in a gay neighborhood AT ALL. In fact, it would be a refreshing change from the overall very homophobic, very racist Midwest! I'll also look into Little Italy, Normal Heights (nicknamed "Abnormal Heights," right, LOL?), and the other neighborhoods you all suggested. I do realize that San Diego has a rather diverse range of neighborhoods.

So, what are my chances of making friends in San Diego, considering my age and single status? I realize that SD is expensive, etc., but my main concern is leaving the family obsessed Midwest only to end up in a similar social climate. Are there single people my age in SD, and are they open to meeting new people? I'm very outgoing and I make friends easily, but I do still have concerns about ending up permanently lonely (obviously, I'll spend a great deal of time alone at first) in SD. It's my number one concern.

Oh, and it's great to hear that many "yuppies" live downtown with their dogs, because I have a wonderful little dog of my own!

[cebu077]

Just bumping this post up, because it really is crucial for my decision that I know whether or not it's possible for a thirty-something female to make friends in San Diego...