Let's be serious
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5/19/2017
First some observations about comments by others: 1) "it's not like it used to be", really? it's changed since you grew up there in the 50's? imagine that. 2) "it's insanely expensive", you want cheap, you can't go somewhere other people actually want to be, duh. I hear Cleveland is quite reasonable. 3) "traffic is horrible", it is everywhere, get over it. 4) "the weather sucks", if you think year round temps in the low 70's then don't move here, or move back to Indiana. 5) "the people are mean to me", oh boo hoo. Remember that most people who post here are probably unlikable, unhappy losers. Harsh but true.
Now for some pros and cons, as someone who has lived in SD and plans to shortly move back:
pros:
Great weather, mild without any of the unbearable heat or humidity of the desert or the south. Also no winter, obviously.
Great beaches, much cleaner than LA's. And real beach towns to boot.
Strong job market.
The people. Not the best people you've ever met, but mostly friendly, educated and easy to get along with. You will not find the same level of religious nuttiness or bigotry prevalent in most of the rest of the country - this is California. Neither will you find the zealousness of places like Berkeley or Boulder. This is the beach!
cons:
Traffic. Yes there is some, but like anywhere you just plan for it.
Cost. Much cheaper than LA, but not like living away from the water. It's absurd when people post about how their rent here is more than the mortgage payment was in Dubuque, or wherever. There is a reason for that.
the goal:
If you plan to move to SD do yourself a favor and live near the beach! (and I mean within 15-20 mins.) Yes it will be more expensive, but if you look for somewhere cheaper it'll just mean you're missing the point about being here. If you move anywhere you want to tap into what is great about the place. If you move to a city live where stuff is happening, not an hour subway ride away. If you move to the country, get a house with some woods and a creek, don't live in a trailer beside the highway. Get it?
So if you move to SD, live at or near the beach. The freeways actually go where you want to go so you'll be tempted to compromise to save money, but don't or you'll wind up as another of the whiners who think it sucks.
Tanned Tom | Albuquerque, NM