Just got a job offer that requires moving to San Diego

[Legendary]

I just got a job offer for a software company that would require me to move out to San Diego. The money is good and so are the benefits so my decision really hinges on the city itself. This is my first job out of college and I would essentially be leaving everyone I know behind. The company itself seems open enough that making new friends wouldn't be hard, but who likes leaving old friends behind?

I've lived near New York City all my life, went to school at NYU and I've never really known anything but your typical snobbish Northeasterner life (b!tching about the weather and traffic, discussing how much NJ, Long Island, CT, Boston, upstate etc. suck). I'm not averse to change, or moving to the West Coast in general (except probably having to wake up early to catch 1 PM Giants games) but I'd like to know some of the good and maybe even some of the bad of San Diego.
My main focus would be on available culture (like symphony/opera), nightlife (not really clubs but bars/lounges), cost of transportation (insurance costs in particular, I'm 21, male, clean driving record for the past 5 years). Any other generally useful information will be infinitely useful as well. I have to respond by Monday night so expediency is appreciated!

Thanks in advance. :beer::wine:

 

[watdahel]

Can I come?

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i moved to dc after school without knowing anyone / left everyone behind

it was rough for about 6 months, but it was a great opportunity and i havent looked back. i dont have a high opinion of california, but i am a fan of seeing the world and living in multiple places in ones life

 

[Shortcut]

oh man. the culture in SD <<< culture in NYC. there's no comparison. SD is more of a town for families.

expect to drive everywhere in SD, as well.

 

[KLin]

The weather is pretty consistent in San Diego, but damn it's expensive to live down there.

 

[michaels]

There comes a point in your life when you have to grow up and make decisions that are about you, not friends etc.

This is that time.

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: KLin
The weather is pretty consistent in San Diego, but damn it's expensive to live down there.

probably cheap compared to NYC

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm guessing you haven't travelled much around the country. Otherwise, you'd have already been out the door, down the street and, lined up at the airport for the next flight out.

San Diego is a fairly orderly town with a lot of ageing ex-military which translates into lower crime, nice streets and well defined housing and merchant areas. Great parks, shore line and, weather. Costs are higher than average but, so are costs where you're currently living. Easy access to night life, restaurants and, bars.

 

[mooglemania85]

I'm guessing you haven't watched Anchorman.

 

[Twista]

laws suck there other than that its great im guessing.

 

[Ionizer86]

Oh man, SD is known as America's Finest City, and for good reason too! We were there for two years, and in that time, didn't touch the heater or AC even once. Great atmosphere, low crime, reasonably acceptable traffic (esp. compared to LA). The only real drawback is the high cost of housing.

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: Twista
laws suck there other than that its great im guessing.

What do you mean exactly?

Oh man, SD is known as America's Finest City, and for good reason too! We were there for two years, and in that time, didn't touch the heater or AC even once. Great atmosphere, low crime, reasonably acceptable traffic (esp. compared to LA). The only real drawback is the high cost of housing.

I've been preparing for high cost of housing for years, what coast it's on doesn't bother me too much

There comes a point in your life when you have to grow up and make decisions that are about you, not friends etc.

I was hoping this wouldn't apply until I was at least 25. Movies made me think I could just idle around for awhile. Damn you Hollywood!

i moved to dc after school without knowing anyone / left everyone behind

A success story! I'm sure there are many more out there but it's good to see one in the bits, so to speak.

 

[SVT Cobra]

I work on both coasts. Learn to speak Spanish and otherwise it is a blast.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Do you like Asian girls?

Do you like blonde girls with large bewbies?

Do you speak Mexican (not to be confused with Spanish)?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: Legendary

Originally posted by: Twista
laws suck there other than that its great im guessing.

What do you mean exactly?

They nail you for jaywalking. That's what it means. They're really strict and nail you for just about anything that's slightly illegal.

But San Diego is a nice place despite the lack of culture. I'm actually moving back out there in September. I have my reasons for liking it out there, but they don't really apply to anyone but me, but it's really nice and you should visit first if you really are considering it.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Once you go SD, you'll never go back.

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Do you like Asian girls?

Do you like blonde girls with large bewbies?

Do you speak Mexican (not to be confused with Spanish)?

1. Not often.
2. Sometimes.
3. Yeah, I'm pretty good at Spanish, although my yardstick is the Bronx.

They nail you for jaywalking. That's what it means. They're really strict and nail you for just about anything that's slightly illegal.

That's ridiculous, but good to know. I jaywalk all the time in the city.

But San Diego is a nice place despite the lack of culture. I'm actually moving back out there in September. I have my reasons for liking it out there, but they don't really apply to anyone but me, but it's really nice and you should visit first if you really are considering it.

I was just out there for an interview, I enjoyed it quite a bit from limited exposure. The people I met were quite enchanted by it.
I'm okay with losing culture. I could drive to LA if I really wanted it, I love driving I must confess.

 

[Dunbar]

San Diego is really nice, since most of the area is close to the ocean the temperatures are really consistently nice (70-80). There's none of the LA smog. But the housing prices are very high and I wouldn't want to commute very far with the traffic. I would definitely give it a shot, you are young and can always move back east if you don't like it.

 

[BoomerD]

San Diego is possibly the most friendly big city in America. We used to go there at least a couple of times per year when our son was stationed at MCAS Miramar. Decent food, close to LOTS of nice activities, ony 10 miles from Tijuana, (that can be a plus as well as a minus) right on the ocean, BEST CLIMATE in the continental US as long as you stay away from the inland areas, otherwise it gets HOT in the summer.

 

[Ewat]

I bet SD is better than LA

 

[EpsiIon]

Originally posted by: Legendary

They nail you for jaywalking. That's what it means. They're really strict and nail you for just about anything that's slightly illegal.

That's ridiculous, but good to know. I jaywalk all the time in the city.

Granted, I've never lived in San Diego (only visited a few times), but I've lived in Southern California for about 6 years and I've never even HEARD of anybody getting busted for jaywalking. Not saying it won't happen, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
San Diego is possibly the most friendly big city in America. We used to go there at least a couple of times per year when our son was stationed at MCAS Miramar. Decent food, close to LOTS of nice activities, only 10 miles from Tijuana, (that can be a plus as well as a minus) right on the ocean, BEST CLIMATE in the continental US as long as you stay away from the inland areas, otherwise it gets HOT in the summer.

OP: If you do go to San Diego, and then decide to visit Tijuana, you DO NOT want to see a donkey show, no matter how drunk/high you are.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: ebaycj

Originally posted by: BoomerD
San Diego is possibly the most friendly big city in America. We used to go there at least a couple of times per year when our son was stationed at MCAS Miramar. Decent food, close to LOTS of nice activities, only 10 miles from Tijuana, (that can be a plus as well as a minus) right on the ocean, BEST CLIMATE in the continental US as long as you stay away from the inland areas, otherwise it gets HOT in the summer.

OP: If you do go to San Diego, and then decide to visit Tijuana, you DO NOT want to see a donkey show, no matter how drunk/high you are.

Now HOW do you know that? He might enjoy seeing that one...

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: ebaycj

Originally posted by: BoomerD
San Diego is possibly the most friendly big city in America. We used to go there at least a couple of times per year when our son was stationed at MCAS Miramar. Decent food, close to LOTS of nice activities, only 10 miles from Tijuana, (that can be a plus as well as a minus) right on the ocean, BEST CLIMATE in the continental US as long as you stay away from the inland areas, otherwise it gets HOT in the summer.

OP: If you do go to San Diego, and then decide to visit Tijuana, you DO NOT want to see a donkey show, no matter how drunk/high you are.

Now HOW do you know that? He might enjoy seeing that one...

He's seems pretty sensible and normal. No one sensible and normal would ever want to see a donkey show.

 

[vital]

San Diego's pretty cool but I've been living here all my life and it gets boring.. I think it's time to move out soon