Hi all - will keep this as brief as possible. TL;DR: worried about walkability, social isolation, and liveliness

My wife and I are trying to figure out where to move next after New York. We’re early 30s, both in tech, both fully remote (her company also has a Barcelona office, so that’s on the table).

She lived in San Diego for about 9 months during COVID and we lived together in Barcelona for 2 years after that. Neither city is a stranger to us, which is part of why we’re stuck.

It comes down to three things: walkability, how isolated we’d actually end up feeling, and whether the place has any life to it.

Walkability is my main hang up. Honestly, Barcelona spoiled me. It was possible to live with no car, everything in walking or biking distance, and the streets were built for people and bikes first. San Diego is gorgeous and the weather is unbeatable, but outside a few pockets it’s a driving city. My worry is we get priced out of anywhere near the beach that’s actually walkable and end up in a car-dependent neighborhood, getting on the highway to do basic stuff. My wife’s point here is fair though, which is the beach every day is non-negotiable for her, even if it means driving to get there.

Isolation is where it gets interesting, because we’re both worried about the same outcome from opposite directions. She thinks going back to Barcelona means only having 2 or 3 casual friends and no family nearby right as we’re trying to have kids - I 100% share that concern too. But my read on San Diego is we’re not much better off there either. Her best friend (who has a kid) is really our one close tie, plus a couple of arms length friendships. My concern is that because it’s less walkable, I’ll have less spontaneous interactions that build new friendships the way a walkable city does - I tend to build friendships this way. Sitting in traffic to see people you already know doesn’t fix isolation for me. (Would love for people to myth bust this here - I am totally open to being told this isn’t a reasonable take).

Liveliness is the last piece. I’m not precious about New York but I love the energy and the mix of people and food. Barcelona has a good version of that too. I’m worried San Diego, outside a couple of pockets, will feel quiet in a way that gets old.

A couple other factors in the mix but less central to the decision: our income would be roughly 60% of what it is now in Spain, but cost of living there runs lower, and healthcare plus parental leave in Spain is a lot better for us as we’re planning a family soon. It costs $0 to deliver a baby, and mat/pat leave is ~6 months.

Mainly want to hear from people who care about walkability, or who moved to San Diego from a walkable city. Did your take on the car dependency change once you were actually living it day to day?

looking for advice on neighborhoods!!! my husband (31M) and I (31F) recently moved to San Diego from LA and are now looking to buy our first home as we’re pregnant with our first child!

found some really great options in our budget in both Rancho Penasquitos and Del Sur and I’m wondering the pros & cons of each, and where would be better for a young family. we don’t have any friends or family in San Diego so would love to move somewhere with a welcoming community and ideally where other young families are!

Del Sur seems to have higher HOAs and Mello-Roos but wondering if that’s “worth it” thanks in advance!!!

I've decided that I want to move to San Diego next year, but I'm beyond nervous about it. It'll be a cross-country move, and my biggest fear is getting all the way over there ready to start my new life, only to find that things are even more expensive than I planned for.

I've read a bunch of online articles and watched those real estate youtubers that talk about cost of living, but their estimates vary wildly without giving enough specific information as to how they got to those numbers. I really want a realistic understanding of what I'll have to shell out every month just to live.

If you rent a 2-bedroom-2-bathroom apartment or townhouse in the San Diego area, would you mind giving concrete estimates of what you pay each month for the following:

• Total base rent
• Total apartment amenities fees
  • like trash, parking, pest control, required technology package, etc
• Total electricity bill
  • including the preposterous SDG&E delivery fees i've heard so much about...
• Total water/sewer bill
• Total internet bill
• Renters insurance
• Any other recurring monthly housing costs that surprised you

It would also be helpful to know

• What neighborhood/area of San Diego you live in
• Number of people in your household
• Edit: when you started your lease

Please note that I'm asking for totals per month on everything! Not just your half if you have a roommate. The total monthly household cost.

I know everyone's situation is different, but even a rough breakdown would be so so appreciated. As a chronic type A overthinker, the more information I have, the better.

If you take the time to answer, a million thanks!

I'm moving to SD with my gf in late September and am looking for a 2bd-1ba apartment in the North PB, Bird Rock, La Jolla area. I know it might be a ~bit early~ to start looking, but I'm just looking for some pointers on where to look.

I've setup searches on the usual suspects: Apartments.com, Zillow, Trulia - just trying to get a feel for what we can expect given our budget (< $3600/mo)

At the suggestion of a friend who lives in PB, I've checked out a few rental management companies, but there doesn't seem to be much: Red House Prop Man, Torrey Pines Prop Man, Cal Prop Man. I've also been told that getting a short-term rental (month-to-month or airbnb) and doing boots-on-the-ground search might be best.

Generally, I'm just not seeing a whole lot of options whatsoever. My search criteria is basically: 2 bed, 1 bath, < $3600/mo - ideally a Sep/Oct move-in date. I've only seen a hand-full of results (even without any move-in date filter).

Can anyone point me in the right direction - any property management companies I'm missing - should I be looking elsewhere on other websites/groups?

Hi everyone,

I am a nurse practitioner in my late 30's looking to move to SD from NYC in January. I'm working 3 jobs right now to save up a good size nest egg to cover my moving expenses and a few months rent when I move to SD. I am single and considering North Park, Hillcrest, Normal Heights and coming in Sept to check it all out. Im just so tired of the weather on the east coast that I need a change. I am a women's health nurse practitioner who has been working as an NP for 6 years in aesthetics, women's health, botox/PRP injectables. Just wondering from the other nurses/NPs how hard is it to find a job in SD as someone with experience? Is it a hyper-competitive market? Did you have to wait forever to get a job? This is really the only thing that I am nervous about when it comes to moving and just looking for some input. Thanks!!

Edit to say I have already applied for and received my CA RN and NP licenses (phew!)

ok I feel like I have to add the following:

-I am coming to visit for a few weeks before I move lol I have been to SD before so im not flying in blind

-I guess some of you guys are very anti transplant? I am aware the culture of SD is very different from nyc and thats why I’m moving. I am allowed to move to a different state in the country.

-i don’t care that you don’t like that i make part of my income doing Botox. I got bills to pay

-thank you so so so so much to all of the healthcare workers for commenting with helpful input and for taking care of the people in the SD community. I am looking forward to joining your ranks!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for accommodation in Mira Mesa / Miramar / San Diego area.

We are two people (me and my friend) looking to share a single bedroom. We are clean, responsible, and easy to get along with.

We are also open to get a new place if we find 2more people who are also looking for a room.

Please let me know if you have any leads or availability. Thank you!

Hello everyone,

I'll be moving to SD in October to start an apprenticeship in the trades. I will not be making a lot of money, I know I will need to get roommates. The school appears to be closest to the Tierrasanta area. What is the most affordable and closest location I should look to find roommates? I am aware of the extremely high cost of living. Any and all input will be very appreciated.

Hi! I recently moved to the area and am looking for a part-time job as a host or server. Figured I’d ask here to see if anyone has recommendations on good places to apply. Looking for somewhere with a good reputation, decent hourly pay, and reliable hours. Thanks :)

Hello all,

My husband and I are wanting to move back to California within the next year or so.

He works remotely and I will be looking to work at nearby hospitals (I’m okay with a commute).

We have a baby who will be around 12 months by then.

Most important things to us: the complex is near a park, not super close to a freeway, safety, and maybe on the quieter side.

We would like a two bedroom around $3,000 per month. We are also open to areas outside of San Diego like La Mesa.

Would love to hear from people who live in an area like this and what apartment complex you live in!

Thank you in advance

hi! i’m planning on moving to san diego by early/mid september. i’m currently job hunting and may move as soon as early august if a job (looking for chemistry lab or server/bartender jobs if you can help) lines up that way. i’m looking for a roommate thats pretty clean like myself, any gender, and hopefully has similar interests (art, cooking, nature, live music, mixology, video games). i’m primarily looking in the downtown area, going north up to hillcrest or east to golden hill. dm me if you think it’d be a good fit!

I'll be moving from NYC to SD in a few months. I plan on staying in an airbnb so I can personally check out these apartments but still would love to hear your thoughts. If anyone here lives/have lived/know anyone who lives in these apartments, can you make comments about the neighborhood, noise insulation, management, value for money. Thanks in advance!!

would love to hear feedback from folks that have lived in/around Westchester NY. for reference, i have lived here and NJ for the entirety of my life but have always dreamed of living in CA. it likely won't ever happen but i'll still continue dreaming!

Our family with young kids would be looking for a single family home, 3 to 4 bed. We are trying to stay within 15 mins of the coast, and good schools such as Carlsbad and the San Dieguito district.

Inventory seems slim currently, with a handful around $5k-$6k per month.

If you rent in these areas, what is a reasonable rent for 3br single family in the areas above that we should prepare for?

Is there seasonality when more homes become available at certain times?

Thanks in advance!

hello guys! I’m currently 17 and will be moving to San Diego next year to attend community college, I know everything in SD is expensive so how do I survive financially?? I will be getting some meager support from my parents but I will most definitely be working as well

Hello Everybody,

I am hoping this reaches the right person. My partner and I are looking to rent a 1 bedroom out. DEPENDING on location and what the place offers, we can afford UP TO 2800. I am a dispatcher and she is a teacher. I will list a couple must haves so i don't waste anyone's time. We love the Mission Valley area but realistically looking anywhere from Downtown to east, so North Park, Bankers Hill, La Mesa, Spring Valley, Santee, El Cajon.

• hardwood floors in main living/kitchen (rooms w/ carpet are ok)
• in unit W/D
• pet friendly

Hola a todos!! Nos acabamos de mudar a los apartamentos cerca del 125, estoy buscando Preschool para mi hijo de casi 3 años, conocen o me pueden recomendar alguno en esta zona y los precios de ser posible?? Me harían un gran favor🙏🏻🙏🏻

I’m wondering if I should secure a job before I come out here now, even though I won’t be coming until near the end of August. Will companies wait that long? Also, where’s the best place to secure a roommate?
Thank you all very much!!

please comment apartment complexes you’ve lived in and loved (or absolutely hated)! i’ve seen greystar is one that i should avoid but is there anywhere else? any price point is welcome!

Anyone know of any decent off campus housing between UCSD and SDSU for two people ? Looking for no more than 1.5K each preferably lower and a pretty even commute both ways for UCSD and SDSU. Anything helps thanks !

Hello All! My wife & I are contemplating on picking up and moving to San Diego or the Orange County area with our 17 month old daughter, will be 2 when we officially make the jump. We have no family or friends out there, just starting a new life. She’s a teacher & I’m a top producing real estate agent here. We would sell our house to pay off a little debt & use those funds along with the money in our bank to settle down out there and find jobs. I’d have to learn a whole new market. She’s got a 401k here. We would rent out there for a year, to see if it’s for us, if it’s not, we would come back to New York. We’re both 30 years old, still feel like we’re young to make the jump, or am I just crazy for wanting to do a move across country? Did anyone else move away from extended family? How are you doing now? Would love some advice!

moving to San Diego (hillcrest or north park) soon and really into bodybuilding. I want to choose a spot near a gym with the equipment I need for my program. specifically a pendulum or hack squat machine, hip thrust machine or place to set up barbell hip thrusts, smith machine, dumbbells up to 100, echo bike. any suggestions?

Hello

I have recently recieved an MLE offer from Qualcomm san diego, and I will start searching flats.

If anyone interested dm. Lets search together.

Hi everyone! I got a new job and will be relocating to San Diego next month. I toured several places and ended up falling in love with a unit in Hillcrest. I really wanted somewhere that’s super walkable. Any big cons or concerns for the area? I’m a 30 year old female and just wanted to know how safe the area is at night and if it gets super loud. I have a dog and will likely be walking alone at night every night. Also, if anyone has any recommendations for restaurants, coffee shops, workout studios/gyms, or pop-ups in the area, let me know! And if anyone has any recommendations on how to meet people. I don’t know anyone in San Diego unfortunately. Thank you!!!