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Starting a business in Encinitas?

Not sure if this has been asked before, but My partner and I are Homes are going for about $1,466,000 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What do you all think?
26 upvotes

25 Replies

Robert L.
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Delilah Ward
bump
38 upvotes
Mackenzie Watson
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Daniel Reed
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Landon Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.

Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Dylan Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
Daniel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Portland about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.

Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Sophie Chavez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
27 upvotes
Daniel R.
Used to live on the North side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
26 upvotes
Aaron Stewart
I've lived in Westside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is better than expected

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Eleanor A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 28, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Pine Hills and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
25 upvotes
Katherine Richardson
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Sunset area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Clara B.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
19 upvotes
Brooklyn Robinson
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The walkability scene is average

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Sophia Taylor
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
Ava N.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in West area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Stella Thompson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
12 upvotes
Aurora Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Minneapolis about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.

Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high

Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.

Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Elizabeth Wood
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Leah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a marketing manager, 46, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in West and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Declan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Cameron
it depends on the neighborhood
5 upvotes
Ian C.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
4 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
4 upvotes
Jack C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
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