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Not worth it - 6/10/2016

We moved here from Austin, TX with high hopes last summer. I sold my house which I did quite well on in Austin (well enough to start a new business), but, not well enough to buy a house in San Diego, or, pay California taxes. We plan to move back to Austin this summer, but, other places I am considering are the Fort Lauderdale area (family there), Houston (home to me)!, and Portland, Oregon. I would love to hear input from other writers? I am on my 3rd rental in San Diego. The 1st 2 were "Luxury" apartments which cost 2500 and 2600 per month and felt like Section 8 housing. Do not Ever rent an apartment from Irvine Property Management Company, you will be in for a nightmare! These buildings were so poorly constructed, I was constantly calling maintanence, the 2nd was filled with Black Mold and under the military flight path, the 1st I could hear my neighbors every step and conversations, I could even hear them sneeze! No city is worth it to pay this pricing for this poor quality of housing. I only rented apartments initially because I felt it would be easier than renting a home (please note: only 11% of San Diegans can afford home ownership)! - the housing is grossly inflated and extremely poorly constructed as the California Govt heavily taxes the builders and protects as much land as possible (even the ugly, useless areas) from being built upon, Unless you are the US military of course, who rules the skies here. We have to hear their F-18's and helicopters: at Torrey Pines, on Coronado beach, all over La Jolla, all over north county and the entire city basically and if you are sensitive to loud noises and toxins, you will feel unhappy. My 3rd rental, I can't wait for this lease to expire in April 1st. It's walking distance to Windansea Beach but it's not worth it. I am paying 3300 a month in rent and can't get the property management firm to fix my solar energy that's built into the townhouse but not working, replace my missing blind that The Travelodge guests can see into, or fix the buildings outdoor lighting and there are stairs everywhere leading up to my place but it is pitch Black! What else about San Diego?: Awful restaurants compared to Texas, 1-step above disgusting. Terrible grocery stores filled with mediocre, high priced options where everything will expire in a week. We have some amazing grocery stores and restaurants in Texas and beautiful, affordable, quality housing so coming here was a complete shocker to me in both these areas. There are few decent fitness centers with childcare. I have an 8 year old and also I am so surprised to not be able to find even 1 drop in childcare center in the entire city! Austin and Houston have several quality (Fun)! drop in childcare centers. It is way too cold here for me a lot, the winters are Very dry. This is not a tropical climate, it is a desert oceanic climate and far from perfect, in my opinion. Many days are overcast and cold. It feels Depressing. May gray and June gloom are NO joke. The people are: Meh. One of the reasons I wanted to leave Austin was because it's too Liberal, I mean liberally crazy. If you are an Independent, like myself, you are the odd man out, in Austin, TX. The entire city is "progressive" - *Democrats and if you're not, you rather need to be quiet there, or you won't have any friends. I wanted to live in a more open city, where I felt comfortable and I will say that at least I have found that here. People thankfully don't like to be so open about their beliefs: things like politics and religion are simply not discussed here, it's culturally very inappropriate to do so. Being close to Mexico, I thought there would be lots of good Mexican food options here but the Mexican is disgusting to me. I can barely eat it. It's very poor quality compared to Texas. Eating out here is just not worth it. My taste buds are drying up and dying I think. What else? - it's very diverse. If you don't like diversity, this is not the place for you. I notice when I take my child to play, we're often the only Americans at the park. Many, many international people here speaking other languages. Some of which I recognize, others I don't. There is a very large Asian population in San Diego. When we go to the Kearney Mesa area for Asian food (which there really are some good places), we are often the only caucasian people in the restaurant. We rarely get good service at these restaurants. I have to mention this too. Things are very different here, than they are in Houston where I grew up - more segregated I guess. I am divorced, and I rarely see any attractive men out and about. Austin was filled to the rim with attractive men and I had many dates there and there were lots of fun places to go. La Jolla, where we live now, is filled with constipated, uber-wealthy, and many older residents, or, tourists. I don't encounter many single men in my age range (late 30's), another big disappointment. Maybe moving to La Jolla was a bad idea, but, at least the schools are good. Sorry this is choppy and all over the place: a couple more thoughts: worst water quality I have ever experienced. This place I learned has the hardest water in the US and there is no way to get around it, so, everyday is a bad hair day. Terrible air quality too (all the planes)?? Back to the people: I haven't made many interesting friends either. I can't see myself becoming friends with these blondes who drive Mercedes and look and act like air-headed valley girls. Sorry ladies, the stereotypes ring true, I'm just not that into you. HA! Back to the men: the few attractive ones that I do see are walking arm and arm with an Asian woman. It's quite a "thing" here. Mover beware... Things that have lived up to my expectations are few but, the beaches truly are breathtaking and spending time at them anytime we like has been a truly fantastic experience we will miss. Love Balboa Park, Torrey Pines for hiking, The La Jolla Mall, the VIEWS. California probably used to be a most amazing place, back when my parents met here, that place is sadly gone forever however, and this is now a very dysfunctional and oppressive place to live sold off to the atrocious California Government who continues to run it into the ground with the highest taxes in the nation, a housing Crisis, many poor and homeless, more and more immigrants coming in everyday (with no housing), who knows what the military is really doing here? - probably running tests on us, mandated vaccines or NO access to an education! I'll take Texas heat and humidity anyway over all of this.

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ghmh - 3/1/2016

gmhmh

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This place has gone a long ways downhill since the - 1/6/2016

I visited San Diego in 1972, moved there in 1986 for a year and have moved here again in late 2015. . Short story is there are better places to live. I wanted to like this place very much but too many cons. . PROS The weather is enjoyable especially if you come from a snowy climate. The beaches are nice although the water is pretty cold. There are quite a few things to do but San Diego is really an island, an expensive one too. . CONS If you have a $100,000/yr job and your spouse works too, you can afford the housing costs. If you live in an apt, for some reason, people are stand offish and won't respond to a kind hello. This is to be expected for a large city though. . You have to drive north on a VERY crowded freeway on weekends to take in other cities such as San Clemente and such. . BUT there are things you can't deal with by throwing dollars at it like terrible traffic, rotten roads, rather unfriendly people and a big city vibe of plain disregard for one's fellow man. Add to that the kamikaze drivers, even in the rain! . The place is a desert (unless you count golf courses as greenery), no trees, no nature to enjoy, or wild animal life other than snakes. If you are into hiking or mtn biking, it is utterly boring. Dirt, rocks, scrub brush and that is it. I was in shock on my 1st few mtn bike rides. . Cost of living is about 65-70% higher than national average. . I would recommend other places in southern Orange County but they also have become really crowded.

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Over Rated! - 12/21/2015

San Diego is a poor choice to live, unless you are trying to be part of the secret conquer to seize this city back to Mexico. Anyway, its not like its the only place to live int he USA!!! Go to Florida instead and experience the white perly sand you get to lay on and the nice, more welcoming people that take the time to get to know. Trust me, I am stuck here, now, and there is Bigotry Galore! Do you like to keep your faith? Are you a religious Catholic or even just a Christian? Do you like nice churches? Then don't go to San Diego. Do you prefer traditional conservativeness over extreme liberall fuck everyone else views and charge people insane amount of rent views? Then go to Florida or even anywhere else, like the Midwest, where people are down to earth and are neither conservative nor libarl and you can actually have an intellectual conversation with. How does it feel to hop the trolley all the time because you cant afford to pay their high cost for tickets let alone pay eough money for a car. These people have this art down to a science! Its no accident san diego, the people governing it are making it to hard to live here for a reason! Like putting tourists here first all the time? What about being the laughing stock to Mexicans, when seeing that you are the only white person at their store. And btw, incase you didn't know, Mexicans find it offensicve to be called a Mexican eventhough it is their true race! How Stupid1 Well then, I guess we must all take it offensively to be called Americans, since we were born here! You will never have any girlfriends and never be able to go to the mall and shop with any friends, because the Mexican girls are rude and jealous and out to destroy all the white girls. it doesn't make me racist to call it how it is! YOu will find yourself falling in love with all the sexy Mexicans that are conartists, because they just know how to use their words! This one, I am not so sorry about! ;P

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Loving life! - 12/10/2015

Hi! The website is asking me for a review of San Diego, so I will. I really wanted to write a review downing San Diego to discourage people from considering coming here, but I just can't do it. I'm 4th generation San Diego. My pops is a former Marine out of Camp Pendleton. We have roots here. I grew up in SD and I love it here. I've lived other places, been to most of the states, through Mexico a lot, Canada, the UK. But I always com back here. Why? Because it's San Diego. If you live here or have visited, you get what I mean. The thing is this... There has been a large influx of outsiders moving to San Diego, raising the price of everything, and acting like jerks. Lot's of folks come here and litter our beaches, then just go on back to wherever they are from and don't think twice. I'd just like to say that if you are not from San Diego, or at LEAST from Southern CA. OR Baja CA. Mexico; please don't move here. Please don't even consider it. Locals, for the most part, get it. Outsiders do not. Is San Diego expensive? Better believe it. And it's worth every single hour on the job to pay my rent to enjoy this place and it's surrounding communities including Los Angeles. So, stay where you live and make it better so you can enjoy it! Leave SD to the locals who really get it and can truly appreciate it. Thanks for reading!!! :) Peace, Jimbo.

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Completely Over Rated, insanely expensive for a se - 11/15/2015

If you are tempted to move to San Diego I would recommend you think long and hard about it first. The options for great restaurants is terrible, the quality of food and housing is terrible, housing is tract garbage with completely obnoxious HOA rules and regulations and terrorist living within those communities who love to make your life a living hell. Renting an apartment is living in a tiny box for insanely high rent, and for some reason has an incredible amount of rude and uncaring people. I cannot understand the lack of respect people have for one another here. All I can come up with is that many people here have been raised to be selfish and hateful. If you are nice to kids and let them visit they label you a "child predator" (I am actually not using the real disgusting term they use) What I am saying is the truth. HOA laws are backed by all predator attorneys who only support HOA terrorism as a rule, so should you need to fight back on abusive tactics there will be no lawyer who will help you. Maybe one will take your money but then do nothing for you anyway.

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San Diego is highly overrated - America's Finest C - 10/24/2015

Relo from So Florida // one year in San Diego // the place is way overrated and does not have the 'best weather in the country' // the city is very dirty and run down and overrun with homeless people everywhere // real estate is very expensive and not very good value, dollar for dollar // can be very dull and monotonous and people do not have a good old east coast sense of humor - folks seem repressed and a bit passive.agressive and the 'flakiness' is chronic (rude!) - it feels like Stepford & Ground Hog Day combined..... can't wait to leave and move elsewhere

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recreation - 10/21/2015

lots of things to do for singles and families but very expensive to live here

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Every day is picnic day - 10/8/2015

This has been one of the most beautiful cities to live in with a very temperate climate. Unfortunately, the cost of living is pretty high and challenging for young people starting out or older people retiring. San Diego has some of the most beautiful beaches and living near the ocean has been wonderful.

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Southern California - 8/29/2015

Southern California is "pretty" but at a cost. The place is a desert and artificially made green. If you are looking for a place with trees, green grass, and full of wildlife other than snakes. Look elsewhere.

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San Diego - 8/17/2015

San Diego is a terrific place to work and live as long as you have an education or a good skill. Cost of housing is high as are all the basics. Lots of recreation and off work activities and the weather is generaly superb. People are friendly and you dont find the pretentious assholes you find in LA or NYC. People are into their activities and families.

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Decide what you value in a city - 7/27/2015

I currently live in San Diego, and while no place is perfect, the pros outweigh the cons. You get the beach, mountains, professional sports, great climate, international influence in dining and entertainment, safe for a large city, micro breweries, commitment to health and fitness. However, you get much less space for your money, gas is expensive, air quality isn't great, mildy noticeable difference in seasons, extreme drought, work commute can be long, and state tax is high.

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Expensive - 7/11/2015

I was born and have lived in San Diego all of my life (43) years old now. San Diego is Expensive and crowded. California is a high tax state. Do a lot of research before moving to California.

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advice on wildfires - 3/21/2015

Hello, My husband and I are thinking of relocating to San Diego from the East Coast. It has a lot of things we want--lots to do, sunny weather, a progressive vibe. However, I've been a little freaked out about all the reports of wildfires. Is this an increasing risk that should make us think twice about relocating there? Also, I have very mild asthma and I am concerned about how air quality may be affected---are there places in the area that would have less fire risk/better air quality. Thanks for your input!

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Unbiased Review - 3/8/2015

Take some of these comments with a grain of salt. I've lived in Southern California for most of my life and have lived in San Diego for 15 years. To start, San Diego is ComicCon! it's Military! It's Sunshine! and It's Fun!. It's important to realize that San Diego is very large and very diverse. There is San Diego proper and then there's the County of SD. The city of San Diego is very different from its surrounding cities in the county. San Diego is progressive and diverse whereas San Diego county is mostly ultra conservative, monologic, and older. The city of San Diego is really a big town with a small town feel. We have a thriving arts scene (La Jolla playhouse, Shakespeare's theatre,San Diego Opera/Ballet, Countless Farmers Markets, Diversionary Theatre,etc etc) , a large craft beer community, the second largest LGBT pride event in the country, a progressive attitude, and a laid back feel. Anything East or North of San Diego proper, however, is another world entirely. Now, on to living here. San Diego proper is very expensive; everything from housing to transportation to recreation will cost you. San Diego is not cheap. San Diego also has the most beautiful beaches in the world; seriously, they are absolutely breathtaking (and you can camp overnight at some of them). San Diego is also very hot if you live anywhere further than half a mile from the beach. If you're not on the coast, it will feel like Palm Springs. The further east you get the hotter it gets (dry, smoggy, and hot every single day of your life). If you have the opportunity to live on or a block or so away from the water, do it. If you're a millionaire and love the beach, buy a house on the water and you'll be the happiest person in the world. Our beach towns have Great people. Great sand. Great surf and Great food. San Diego is possibly the most awesome location in the world. It's 15 minutes from Tijuana, an hour from Disneyland, 45 minutes from snow and skiing, 2 hours from Palm Springs, an hour and a half from LA, and 4 hours from Vegas. You could literally go surfing in the morning, skiing in the afternoon, then go live in up in LA for the night. San Diego also has some of the best educational opportunities anywhere. It is home to UCSD ( with its Scripps institute, UCSD Medical, state of the art stem cell research, and cutting edge biology research), SDSU (Go Aztecs), USD, and Point Loma Nazarene. The city is culturally diverse with some of the best authentic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Mexican food, in the country. It is home to the second largest expatriate Iraqi community and the largest expatriate Somalian community. Vegan/Vegitarian food is everywhere, and North Park and Hillcrest have very large hipster communities. The city is home to the world famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and Sea World. Qualcomm calls SD home as does most of the solar power and biotech industry. All that said, San Diego has some very impoverished neighborhoods. It has a relatively high unemployment rate. It has some pretty awful traffic, and the streets are probably the worst kept streets of any city of its size in the country. I hope this review is helpful! if your'e still curious, go ahead and google some cities in SD and see what they look like (Hillcrest, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Downtown, South Park, Balboa Park, etc).

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Over-priced - 1/17/2015

I'm a 2nd-generation San Diego native. I can honestly say, San Diego is NOT "America's Finest City!" This is not the same city I grew up in, too many non-natives with big $$$ have ruined it. Housing is WAY overpriced, utilities are insane, traffic is a nightmare...except at 3am! Friends, who were not born in San Diego, comment that it's the "price you pay" for the weather. Sorry, but NOTHING is worth the price it costs to live in San Diego now. You need at least a 6-figure income to survive here anymore & I'm counting down the days until I can leave this place to the tourists that our City Council caters to, instead of the citizens who elected them!

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Low quality of life - 10/7/2014

I moved to San Diego ten years ago from Chicago. These are my observations: The high cost of living makes finding fun things to do unaffordable, as there are very few free or inexpensive options. Constant seventy degree weather gets boring. Few cultural offering offerings in comparison with similar sized cities. The ocean is beyond freezing. In general, a superficial, shallow air to most citizens. In my opinion, it's just dull, and lacks soul. For further reference, I'm from Nashville, TN, and have also lived in New Orleans and south Florida.

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Recreation for San Diego - Fantastic !!! - 8/30/2014

There are more things to do in San Diego than you have time for. There is always something for all ages: Beautiful beaches can be enjoyed for FREE! Many events at the gorgeous 100 year-old Balboa Park are FREE! Ballet / Operas can be enjoyed at low costs; some world-class performances can be enjoyed very inexpensively at university campuses. And the performers are not just university students – some are professional from London, NYC, etc. One can’t list all those activities here in this section. Just Google “things to do in San Diego” and you will find more many activities than you can possibly participate!

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Paradise - 6/10/2014

San Diego is the little hidden gem south of Los Angeles with almost the same things as LA has to offer only less people, pollution and traffic. We have a blossoming craft beer culture and some great new eateries. New buildings going up in downtown east village are the norm. Beaches are fantastic if not some of the best in the country however all this paradise comes at a cost! It is not cheap to live here, but as far as crime and quality of life San Diego is pretty awesome and has relatively low crime for its size/population. Fashion is laid back as well as the attitude.

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cost of housing - 4/22/2014

High rent and purchase price of homes. High fuel and utilities.

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