Hello, Military spouse here. With a population of 1.4M, San Diego is a major city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I wrong here? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
41 upvotes
8 Replies
Kayden Wright
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Quinn C.
I'm a electrician and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Leah Lopez
I work in hospitality here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is pretty good. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Joshua
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 1 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Urban sprawl is real. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
jayden_vibes
this is the way
16 upvotes
Benjamin N.
not my experience at all
13 upvotes
Natalie Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Springfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
11 upvotes
Landon Robinson
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
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