Hey, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 1.4M, San Diego is a major city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
54 upvotes
28 Replies
Hudson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
40 upvotes
Grace Chavez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Austin it's tough.
39 upvotes
Aubrey Carter
this is the way
38 upvotes
Jayden Parker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
36 upvotes
Jordan H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Portland about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Weston Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
31 upvotes
Vivian
following this thread
30 upvotes
Mason Kelly
I've lived in Eastside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The safety scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Ruby Gonzalez
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Sean H.
preach
23 upvotes
Elijah Cox
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Rylee Lee
bump
22 upvotes
Ellie
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The community vibe is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Kayden W.
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
milwaukee_delilah
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Eva
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
16 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
16 upvotes
jacob_runner
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Wyatt Young
yep
14 upvotes
tampa_stella
following this thread
12 upvotes
Eliana Davis
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Mia Lewis
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. it exceeded my expectations.
10 upvotes
Abigail M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Miles Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Jayden King
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
William
bump
4 upvotes
John Martin
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
3 upvotes
Autumn W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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