Moving to San Diego, CA

San Diego: California’s sunny, surfer’s paradise.  Almost every day, San Diego treats its inhabitants to warm sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and a laid-back California vibe.  It’s one of the nation’s world’s most enviable locations.

However, San Diego is far more than just a beach town.  It is home to a number of vital industries and ports, and its residents enjoy a wide array of restaurants and attractions.  Also, besides being on the beach, it’s a very short day-trip from both Mexico and LA.

San Diego’s Layout

San Diego is located at the southern tip of California, right on the Pacific Ocean.  At its southern most end, San Diego runs into the border with Mexico (Tijuana).  At its easternmost end, San Diego edges on a mountain range that descends into a sparse desert.  Also, across from the downtown and jutting out into the Pacific is Coronado Island, which is connected to the mainland by a long bridge.

San Diego is comprised of a number of neighborhoods, including the downtown area, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Old Town, and La Jolla. Nearby cities include Escondito, Oceanside, Encinitas and El Cajon, and the metropolitan area includes the larger cities of San Marcos and Carlsbad.  Greater San Diego is home to over 3 million people.

Positives of Moving San Diego

San Diego Weather – Besides the June Gloom (see below), no one complains about San Diego weather, because it’s as close to perfect as you can get.  The Pacific Ocean keeps the city from getting too warm or too cold; yet, the summers do get hot enough to enjoy the beaches and swim in the ocean.

Surfing – San Diego is a great place to be a surfer.  While it’s not widely recognized for its killer waves, its sunny and warm climate makes daily trips to the beach not only possible, but enjoyable.

Mexico – San Diego is super close to Mexico, so you’ll be able to see another country and enjoy its food and culture as many times as you’d like.  San Diego neighbors the large Mexican city of Tijuana.  However, venture further into Mexico and you can experience the pristine, wide-open beaches of the Baja Peninsula.

Beer & Wine – San Diego is home to a number of critically-acclaimed breweries, including Stone and Alesmith. In many respects, it is the epicenter of the craft beer revolution. However, San Diego also does wine — nearby Temecula is a renowned wine country.

Zoos and Parks – San Diego has a thriving system of zoos and parks that attract tourists and residents alike all year long.  Consider investing in park memberships to cut down on costs, and you’ll be able to take the family down to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld or Six Flags Magic Mountain whenever you want.

Military – San Diego is the location of a number of military bases and training sites.  The large military population helps provide a constant influx into the local economy.

Negatives of Moving to San Diego

June Gloom – San Diego suffers from what is typically called June Gloom.  The city’s skies are often shrouded in a low-lying, cool fog for most of June and parts of May and July. The fog and clouds go against what people usually expect from San Diego weather and can put a damper on summer activities.

Traffic – Traveling across San Diego is difficult because places are far apart from each other. There are many highways to take, but traffic becomes problematic during rush hour, and, unfortunately, San Diego does not have much in the way of public transportation services.

Cost of Living – Everyone wants to live in beautiful San Diego! The cost of living, unfortunately, reflects that demand. Look into getting a roommate to cut down on monthly rent or living a few miles away from the beaches.

Earthquakes – San Diego is prone to earthquakes.  Read our article on basic earthquake safety techniques. Stay prepared in case of emergency!

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