I work remote and chose San Diego specifically for the lifestyle. With a population of 1,385,061, the city has a {city_feel}. Public transit is improving but not there yet - you'll want a car. Is this just me?
79 upvotes
55 Replies
Kayden C.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a travel nurse in Ocean Beach. Been here since 2017. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here..
Neighborhood-wise, Ocean Beach has really transformed in the past few years. South Park is the up-and-coming spot right now. Pacific Beach is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for hospitality: hit or miss. For retail: affordable.
The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.
50 upvotes
Lydia Ramirez
Parent of two in Pacific Beach. Schools are solid here. The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
50 upvotes
Kinsley C.
I've been in Clairemont for 6 years and Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.
48 upvotes
Aria Lee
Been here 11 years, can vouch for this.
47 upvotes
Miles Foster
Parent of two in Clairemont. Schools are hit or miss here. I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
47 upvotes
Henry B.
As a local, yes.
46 upvotes
Leo Hill
Great question. Here's my honest take after 7 years:
The good:
- Friendly locals
- Good schools in certain areas
- Low commute times
The not-so-good:
- Traffic is getting worse
- Summers are brutal
I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. I'd say for young professionals, San Diego is decent.
46 upvotes
Gabriel C.
My experience has been different actually. I found that The suburbs vs city debate here is real.. Maybe it depends on which part of San Diego you're in.
45 upvotes
Henry J.
Saving this thread.
45 upvotes
Zoe Diaz
Weekend warrior here - San Diego is pretty good for photography. I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.
44 upvotes
Hailey B.
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Carlsbad vs University Heights: completely different vibes. Carlsbad is more decent with artists and creative types. University Heights is quiet and better for singles.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Carlsbad. In University Heights you can find stuff for /mo.
Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
43 upvotes
Dennis A.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a remote worker in Encinitas. Been here since 2020. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year..
Neighborhood-wise, Encinitas has really shifted in the past few years. North Park is the up-and-coming spot right now. University Heights is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for government: improving. For education: quiet.
The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.
Happy to answer questions.
42 upvotes
Ella Brown
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in San Diego is decent. The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel..
42 upvotes
Madelyn
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Mission Hills from Chicago about 5 years ago. Initially I was excited but nervous. But after settling in, Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Mission Hills and University Heights for housing
- Join local Facebook/Reddit groups for your neighborhood
- Try the farmers market on Saturday mornings
The biggest adjustment was job market. The suburbs vs city debate here is real.. Overall I'd give San Diego a 8/10 for remote workers.
42 upvotes
Silas T.
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. The city has transformed a lot.
42 upvotes
audrey_dude
Appreciate the honesty.
41 upvotes
Jace Turner
I've been in La Jolla for 4 years and The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.
41 upvotes
Aaron B.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a remote worker in Carlsbad. Been here since 2017. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year..
Neighborhood-wise, Carlsbad has really changed in the past few years. North Park is the up-and-coming spot right now. Point Loma is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for tech: hit or miss. For logistics: affordable.
People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.
40 upvotes
Hudson H.
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive San Diego guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Encinitas: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Point Loma: solid value for the location
Tier 2 (best value):
- Ocean Beach: great community feel
- University Heights: quiet but close to everything
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: pretty good compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. San Diego is established but it's not for everyone. If you value affordability over career growth, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider St. Louis.
Good luck!
40 upvotes
Jordan
My experience has been different actually. I found that The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. Maybe it depends on which part of San Diego you're in.
39 upvotes
fresno_victoria
Pretty much.
38 upvotes
Justin M.
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in San Diego is excellent. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit..
37 upvotes
Noah O.
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Encinitas, Clairemont, and currently in Ocean Beach. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Encinitas: /mo for a 1-bed
- Clairemont: about /mo
- Ocean Beach: /mo but pretty good
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, San Diego really clicks. Hope that helps!
37 upvotes
Levi Harris
Homeowner in Hillcrest since 2024. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. Property values have been flat which is surprising honestly.
33 upvotes
Carter Johnson
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Carlsbad, Ocean Beach, and currently in Kensington. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Carlsbad: /mo for a 1-bed
- Ocean Beach: about /mo
- Kensington: /mo but excellent
People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, San Diego really clicks. Feel free to ask specifics.
32 upvotes
Audrey Wilson
Pacific Beach local here. The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
32 upvotes
Carson G.
Yep.
31 upvotes
Julian Adams
Word.
31 upvotes
Brooks Jimenez
Big facts.
30 upvotes
Jacob Jones
I've been in Encinitas for 6 years and The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
29 upvotes
Emma James
Yep.
28 upvotes
Bella Thompson
It's gotten worse recently.
28 upvotes
Asher Hernandez
Parent of two in Normal Heights. Schools are underrated here. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
27 upvotes
Mackenzie Brown
My neighbor would disagree lol.
25 upvotes
philly_william
I walk my dog through University Heights every day and Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. The vibe has really evolved in the past couple years.
25 upvotes
Bella Adams
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching San Diego.
Background: 36, newlywed, moved from Seattle 8 years ago for work. Currently in Kensington.
**Housing:**
The market is pretty good right now. We went with Kensington because the price was right. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at University Heights - it's pricey and the value is better.
**Work:**
logistics jobs are growing here. I was worried coming from Seattle but the market is solid. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 17 months were tough. Then I found my people through a local meetup group. Now I have a solid group. San Diego people are genuine once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: pricey
- Traffic: honestly terrible
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: solid local scene
**Would I move here again?**
The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. For remote workers, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
24 upvotes
Oliver Mitchell
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a college grad in Encinitas. Been here since 2017. The suburbs vs city debate here is real..
Neighborhood-wise, Encinitas has really changed in the past few years. Hillcrest is the up-and-coming spot right now. Ocean Beach is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for real estate: excellent. For retail: quiet.
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.
Good luck!
22 upvotes
Skylar
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Point Loma from Portland about 4 years ago. Initially I missed home a lot. But after settling in, Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Point Loma and Clairemont for housing
- Try the farmers market on Saturday mornings
- Talk to your neighbors - people are friendlier than you'd expect
The biggest adjustment was dating scene. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. Overall I'd give San Diego a 8/10 for couples.
20 upvotes
Aaron White
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive San Diego guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Hillcrest: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Encinitas: family-friendly with good parks
Tier 2 (best value):
- Point Loma: best value in the city
- Mission Hills: good schools, safe streets
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: improving compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. San Diego is up-and-coming but it's not for everyone. If you value space over nightlife, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Minneapolis.
19 upvotes
Rylee Murphy
As someone who lives in Kensington, I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. That said, the weather is love-it-or-hate-it.
19 upvotes
Aurora
Night shift worker - San Diego at 3am is great. The {industry} scene here is really picking up..
18 upvotes
Nevaeh Green
Saving this thread.
17 upvotes
Jonathan F.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a single guy in Point Loma. Been here since 2023. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}..
Neighborhood-wise, Point Loma has really grown in the past few years. Mission Hills is the up-and-coming spot right now. Hillcrest is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for marketing: excellent. For tech: up-and-coming.
Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.
Happy to answer questions.
17 upvotes
Weston Reed
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Mission Hills vs Hillcrest: completely different vibes. Mission Hills is more improving with trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Hillcrest is established and better for young professionals.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Mission Hills. In Hillcrest you can find stuff for /mo.
The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.
14 upvotes
Kayden Gomez
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in San Diego is hit or miss. I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better..
14 upvotes
Gianna
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive San Diego guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Encinitas: quiet, tree-lined streets, families
- South Park: up-and-coming, artsy vibe
Tier 2 (best value):
- Ocean Beach: best value in the city
- Hillcrest: suburban feel, big yards
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: underrated compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. San Diego is established but it's not for everyone. If you value quiet over diversity, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Atlanta.
Hope that helps!
14 upvotes
Aria Kelly
Homeowner in Encinitas since 2024. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. Property values have dipped slightly but recovered which is concerning for affordability.
14 upvotes
Mateo O.
Weekend warrior here - San Diego is excellent for photography. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.
11 upvotes
Connor Phillips
Not to be negative but the food scene is overrated. I still like living here overall though. Just keeping it real.
9 upvotes
Ethan G.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a family with kids in Normal Heights. Been here since 2016. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit..
Neighborhood-wise, Normal Heights has really grown in the past few years. Pacific Beach is the up-and-coming spot right now. Mira Mesa is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for retail: pretty good. For healthcare: affordable.
The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.
8 upvotes
Madeline Diaz
Adding this to my list.
4 upvotes
Theodore J.
Depends on the neighborhood.
3 upvotes
Parker Young
Moved here from Atlanta and I'd say I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. The walkability here is pretty good compared to what I'm used to.
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