Looking to move to San Diego (apartment, rental, neighborhoods)

[theearlcarlson]

Hi all,

I'm in my final year of college, and I am looking at places to move. I have a fairly extensive list, but San Diego is a top contender.

I have family in San Diego, but am moving from Michigan. I've been out to San Diego a few times, and have loved the weather, and the people. I am a photographer, but am assuming that I will be waiting tables for a while before I am able to make a living income off of my photography. I am fine with having a roommate or two, and am interested in a good art scene and nightlife. I'm not necessarily looking for clubbing, but rather bars, live music venues, and other events/parties.

I mostly enjoy electronic music (dubstep, d&b, trip hop, grime), hip hop, and jungle/reggae/dancehall - but enjoy nearly any live music.

Also, I am a bit of a foodie.


Basically I have a few questions:

1. Is it possible to live in San Diego off of a waiter's wage (in an active neighborhood)? And just as importantly, is it possible to enjoy one's self off of that wage easily in San Diego?

2. What are some good neighborhoods that are close to the city to look into finding an apartment in?

3. What's the music scene like? Is there any chance of finding some of the music I had mentioned in San Diego?

4. What's the art scene in San Diego like, what about the fashion scene?

5. How's the public transportation?

6. When I come out to visit, what are some local spots (food, bars, other) to check out?

7. Are there many good deli's around San Diego? Many good places to get nice cheeses, and other delicious foods?



Thanks so much for any help that you can give,

Best,
-EC

[moved]

Don't count on getting a job waiting tables. With three colleges in San Diego, lots of the college students work as waitstaff. If you want an apartment in the city, you'll want to look in the East Village, Gaslamp, Golden Hill, South Park, North Park, Normal Heights and University Heights. The East Village and Gaslamp areas are both downtown, the others are uptown. What's your rental budget?

Public transportation is ok, but it will depend on where you live. If you're downtown, you have the trolley.

For roommates, check out Craigslist in the areas that I listed. More people will provide more information on the items that you posted.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by theearlcarlson

1. Is it possible to live in San Diego off of a waiter's wage (in an active neighborhood)?

Yes, but it will probably depend where you ware waiting. Denny's vs high end restaurant.

And just as importantly, is it possible to enjoy one's self off of that wage easily in San Diego?

Probably not, depends on what you enjoy doing and your type of lifestyle though.

2. What are some good neighborhoods that are close to the city to look into finding an apartment in?

North Park, South Park, University Heights, Hillcrest, Little Italy, Gaslamp, East Village, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach

3. What's the music scene like? Is there any chance of finding some of the music I had mentioned in San Diego?

small but it's there

4. What's the art scene in San Diego like, what about the fashion scene?

Small but it's there as well.

5. How's the public transportation?

decent to bad depending on where you live and where you work/socialize. Areas closer to downtown tend to be better.

6. When I come out to visit, what are some local spots (food, bars, other) to check out?

A bit vague and too general to answer, search some other threads or let us know specifically what type of places/food/bars you are looking for.

7. Are there many good deli's around San Diego? Many good places to get nice cheeses, and other delicious foods?

Not really, I have yet to find a deli that impresses me. I'm a bit of a foodie too, SD overall is pretty average when it comes to food but there are definitely plenty of good places out there. You just have to look for them and do a little trial and error.