How Good is San Diego? (Chula Vista, Vista: apartment, rental market, condo) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

Janer · 05-09-2007, 05:00 PM

I'm thinking about moving out to San Diego with a friend. I'm originally from Long Island, New York and have been living Charlotte for the past couple of years and I'm ready for a change. I'm 24 years old and I would love to go to a city that is descent in price, has lots of things to do, and diversity. Any information anyone could provide as to what parts I may be interested or anything of that nature would be helpful, thanks.

NYSD1995 · 05-09-2007, 05:02 PM

I'm from LI too. SD is insanely expensive, has tons of stuff to do, and is very diverse. 2 outta 3 aint bad. But seriously if you are renting and not buying it's a lot more manageable. Fun place with a lot to do - everyone I know back on LI thinks I live in paradise ;-)

kettlepot · 05-09-2007, 05:09 PM

San Diego has plenty to do, and lots of diversity, but decent in price, nope. Though the rental market isn't outrageous.

Neighborhoods: Pacific Beach, Little Italy, Downtown, Hillcrest, and Bankers Hill (aka West Park). For a funkier feel, try North Park, South Park, University Heights and Ocean Beach. For a more Anytown USA feel, Clairemont and Mission Valley.

There are also areas outside of the city to consider. Read the other threads and you'll get plenty of info on them.

JoMunkie · 05-10-2007, 12:31 AM

I agree with the above comments regarding San Diego, however if you want to spend your money on an investment rather than wasting it on rent, I'd at least attempt to buy a house or condo...you can always rent rooms out to people to help with the mortgage too! A 2 bedroom apartment rents for the same (or close to) what a mortgage would be on a smaller 2 bedroom condo....depending on the area of course. And if you have the motivation to fix up a place, that can save you a bit of money too & gain you more on the resale.

brandonrkl83 · 12-31-2008, 10:48 AM

I am living in San Diego in North County in the Scripps Ranch area and if you are coming out here with less than 100,000 dollars in your account I suggest you stay where you are. It is ridiculouly expensive for anyone your age that are coming out here with no support system and you will never survive. The housing market has come down, but is still unattainable for the average person with the average house cost about 410,00 still. So you do what you would like but it will be a hard road and you will probably end up near the border in Chula Vista or in college town of Pacific Beach. They are not bad areas, just not that great either.

I hope that this is a good thread for you. It is everything everyone says it is, but it is just so expensive for everything. I am from Boston, Mass right near fenway park and there is no comparision in price.

JakeDog · 12-31-2008, 10:59 AM

Why would a 24 y/o want a house. Move where you want to, find work that you love, and enjoy your life. you have plenty of years to buy a home.

luvSD · 12-31-2008, 11:24 AM

San Diego is a beautiful place and has much to do. But let me tell you the bad things so you are well warned:
- expensive for rent, for food, and for gas. Even expensive to park your car.
- very hot in the summer. OK if you haev an office job with air conditioning, but if you work outdoors, you will find it too hot for pleasure
- chances of forest fires, earthquakes (though, not really earthquakes but definately yes on forest fires).
- at rare times when it rains alot, there are landslides. You hear about these because they get media coverage, but the number of people who are affected by them is minimal - so not a real worry.
- traffic can be bad but is OK once you know your way around and get a feel as to when traffic gets busy.

OK, for a 24 year old this is what I would suggest. Come. If you have no kids or elderly parents to be responsible for, this place is great because lots of outdoor stuff to do, beach is free, people are nice. As a single, you can survive on a studio apartment or share a house with 5 other guys (more affordable than buying house), you can survive on macaroni and cheese or beans and rice (when funds are low), and you don't have to buy 3-piece suits for work, nor do you have to get your nails manicured. Check here to get a glimpse of things to do: San Diego Attractions (http://www.san-diego-travels.com/attractions.html - broken link)

Encinitan · 12-31-2008, 11:45 AM

LuvSD, you said San Diego is "- very hot in the summer."
compared to the rest of the US, this statement is false.
Phoenix is very hot in the summer. Las Vegas is toasty. Florida is hot and humid. San Diego, unless you're in the Anzo Borrego desert, is not very hot.

oklahomaboy405 · 12-31-2008, 12:49 PM

SD is the best place in the world.
I've never seen the ocean before july 4th this year.
Mission beach was the ****e
Never been to an outdoor shopping mall
or have i ever seen golden women
I'm from oklahoma the 4th of july is gonna be about 95 and its gonna be a heat index of 105 it was
Tucson is HOT.
80 degrees this year in SD and it had that ocean breeze...
If I won the lottery i'd buy a beach house, you know the ones that open all the way up. lol

RD5050 · 12-31-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janer

I'm thinking about moving out to San Diego with a friend. I'm originally from Long Island, New York and have been living Charlotte for the past couple of years and I'm ready for a change. I'm 24 years old and I would love to go to a city that is descent in price, has lots of things to do, and diversity. Any information anyone could provide as to what parts I may be interested or anything of that nature would be helpful, thanks.

Not sure why this year-old thread was revived?

The person who created the thread joined the forum, and made just one post (this thread) back in May 2007. I doubt they are still active at City-Data.