Moving to San Diego (1 Viewer)

[Tau837]

My wife wants to move to San Diego for various reasons. Her brother lives there, and her parents would move there if we do, since both of their kids would be there. I have been there many times on business, and I have always enjoyed it, so I assume we will enjoy living there. I have begun investigating job opportunities

I have worked for government contractors for the past several years, and have a senior position, so it may not be easy. That said, I have two job prospects now, one with my current company that is pretty much a sure thing, and another with a well known competitor that is just at the prospect stage right now. I just started my search, so I suspect that, given enough time, I can find more opportunities if needed.

Anyway, as a lifelong east coast guy, I'm interested in all kinds of feedback. What do I need to know? Where should we consider living? What is the real estate market like nowadays? etc.

To the extent that it might influence any answers: we don't have kids; we have a Doberman; my wife is disabled and pretty limited physically due to spinal problems and chronic pain. All thoughts/advice appreciated.

ETA: Update in post 51.

 

[SproutDaddy]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

 

[dparker713]

Not sure what information you're exactly looking for, but the Golden Hill or South Park area might be nice. Should be able to find a craftsman style house that is fairly easy to negotiate. I'd personally recommend renting with the uncertainty in the housing market, then I again I think nearly everyone should rent. There are of course many other options, but it really comes down to what you want - what kind of commute, nearness to the beach, restuarants, nightlife, etc.

On thing that is an easy recommendation - a convertable.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

San Diego is a big city (square footage-wise). I'd suggest figuring out where you'd work before you consider places to live. There's no reason to have an hour commute if you don't have to.

The weather is pretty good.

Housing is expensive, but depending on where you live on the east coast, you may already be used to that.

You'll have to become a Philip Rivers fan . . .

 

[Raider Nation]

Good luck JWB. It's a beautiful city indeed. Just make sure to wear black and silver clothing wherever you go.

 

[simey]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

First thing I thought of. You need to meet TommyGunz, he lives there and is a popular real estate guru.

 

[higgins]

:jealous:

 

[koby925]

Advice - make a lot of money

If you are into healthy, tasty eating, in my opinion San Diego has the best food in the states.

My personal favorite area of the city is Encinitas/Cardiff.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

First thing I thought of. You need to meet TommyGunz, he lives there and is a popular real estate guru very fortunate renter.

Fixed. I follow the market and am opinionated, but definitely no guru.JWB > welcome! Looking fwd to meeting you for a beer at halftime at the Q.

 

[Chaka]

Solana Beach is beautiful, centrally located (centrally enough), great eating, shopping and entertainment (Belly Up Tavern in SB is great for live music), while still being significantly more low key than La Jolla and afaik they have the only leash free dog beach north of Ocean Beach (and I am not 100% about OB anymore).

 

[comfortably numb]

Meh, I wouldn't be thrilled, it gets too hot down there.

Corpus Christie is about an hour away if you want to do anything fun.

 

[Slider6]

San Diego is a big city (square footage-wise). I'd suggest figuring out where you'd work before you consider places to live. There's no reason to have an hour commute if you don't have to.

The weather is pretty good.

Housing is expensive, but depending on where you live on the east coast, you may already be used to that.

You'll have to become a Philip Rivers fan . . .

I live downtown (see avatar) but commute to Vista. Worst job choice of my life. I spend about 2 hours a day in my car. Needless to say, I'll be looking for a new job soon and hopefully downtown.

 

[dparker713]

Meh, I wouldn't be thrilled, it gets too hot down there.Corpus Christie is about an hour away if you want to do anything fun.

It only gets too hot away from the beach. Lived in Bankers Hill for a year, didn't matter that it was 95, it was still pleasant with the ocean breeze/

 

[Chaka]

San Diego is a big city (square footage-wise). I'd suggest figuring out where you'd work before you consider places to live. There's no reason to have an hour commute if you don't have to.

The weather is pretty good.

Housing is expensive, but depending on where you live on the east coast, you may already be used to that.

You'll have to become a Philip Rivers fan . . .

I live downtown (see avatar) but commute to Vista. Worst job choice of my life. I spend about 2 hours a day in my car. Needless to say, I'll be looking for a new job soon and hopefully downtown.

At least you are going counter traffic. Think of how bad it would be if you lived in Vista and had to commute to Downtown.

 

[Chaka]

Meh, I wouldn't be thrilled, it gets too hot down there.Corpus Christie is about an hour away if you want to do anything fun.

It only gets too hot away from the beach. Lived in Bankers Hill for a year, didn't matter that it was 95, it was still pleasant with the ocean breeze/

If San Diego is too hot for you, you're doing it wrong.

 

[Slider6]

San Diego is a big city (square footage-wise). I'd suggest figuring out where you'd work before you consider places to live. There's no reason to have an hour commute if you don't have to.

The weather is pretty good.

Housing is expensive, but depending on where you live on the east coast, you may already be used to that.

You'll have to become a Philip Rivers fan . . .

I live downtown (see avatar) but commute to Vista. Worst job choice of my life. I spend about 2 hours a day in my car. Needless to say, I'll be looking for a new job soon and hopefully downtown.

At least you are going counter traffic. Think of how bad it would be if you lived in Vista and had to commute to Downtown.

There is no way I could do the opposite. My commute isn't bad traffic-wise its just a lot of miles. Other than the 78 (which is always awful) I hardly ever hit traffic.

 

[Tau837]

If you are into healthy, tasty eating, in my opinion San Diego has the best food in the states.

Love the food there. That will definitely be a highlight.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

 

[Tau837]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

First thing I thought of. You need to meet TommyGunz, he lives there and is a popular real estate guru very fortunate renter.

Fixed. I follow the market and am opinionated, but definitely no guru.JWB > welcome! Looking fwd to meeting you for a beer at halftime at the Q.

Hey Tommy, will definitely arrange to meet for a beer (or several) at the Q or elsewhere. I take it from your post that you are not actually a real estate guy. If you are (or anyone here is) I'd appreciate a PM.

 

[Tau837]

Meh, I wouldn't be thrilled, it gets too hot down there.Corpus Christie is about an hour away if you want to do anything fun.

LOL. I have lived my entire life in NC and VA, where in summer months it is often in the 90s/100s with extremely high humidity. I don't think the heat is going to be an issue.

 

[Tau837]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

Hope not, but that has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have to adopt the Padres.

 

[Tau837]

Thanks for the advice on neighborhoods/areas to target. I've got a lot to learn about that.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

First thing I thought of. You need to meet TommyGunz, he lives there and is a popular real estate guru very fortunate renter.

Fixed. I follow the market and am opinionated, but definitely no guru.JWB > welcome! Looking fwd to meeting you for a beer at halftime at the Q.

Hey Tommy, will definitely arrange to meet for a beer (or several) at the Q or elsewhere. I take it from your post that you are not actually a real estate guy. If you are (or anyone here is) I'd appreciate a PM.

Not in RE, but I have followed/studied the SD RE market extremely closely for the past 5 years. Certainly willing to share thoughts about neighborhoods/prices/markets if you have questions or interest in my opinion. Also, I'm a Bolt season ticket holder but only make a few games a year b/c I have an 18 month old who's not quite ready to spend every Sunday at the Q. If you ever want tickets - shoot me a PM. My seats are 13 rows from the field, Chargers side, aisle seats, at ~ the 5 yard line. Let me know when you get out here if you're interested in taking wifey to a game. I usually get a nice premium for my seats but they're face for you.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

Hope not, but that has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have to adopt the Padres.

Oh it's happening! Petco Park is an absolutely awesome stadium, the Padres will be decent again someday.

 

[the hairy scotsman]

San Diego is a big city (square footage-wise). I'd suggest figuring out where you'd work before you consider places to live. There's no reason to have an hour commute if you don't have to.

The weather is pretty good.

Housing is expensive, but depending on where you live on the east coast, you may already be used to that.

You'll have to become a Philip Rivers fan . . .

So...how many square feet?

 

[tommyGunZ]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

Hope not, but that has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have to adopt the Padres.

Oh it's happening! Petco Park is an absolutely awesome stadium, the Padres will be decent again someday.

Next year.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

keep me up to speed. it was nice to meet you when you came out last time. i lived in SD for a few years, but it was many years ago. tgunz will be much more knowledgeable than i, but try and be west of the 5 if you can.

but if you want to bounce anything off of me, feel free.

and the weather in socal is the best in the country. the mildness of it, may help out your wife ever so slightly.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Admit it........you just want to get closer to Philip.

First thing I thought of. You need to meet TommyGunz, he lives there and is a popular real estate guru very fortunate renter.

Fixed. I follow the market and am opinionated, but definitely no guru.JWB > welcome! Looking fwd to meeting you for a beer at halftime at the Q.

Hey Tommy, will definitely arrange to meet for a beer (or several) at the Q or elsewhere. I take it from your post that you are not actually a real estate guy. If you are (or anyone here is) I'd appreciate a PM.

Not in RE, but I have followed/studied the SD RE market extremely closely for the past 5 years. Certainly willing to share thoughts about neighborhoods/prices/markets if you have questions or interest in my opinion. Also, I'm a Bolt season ticket holder but only make a few games a year b/c I have an 18 month old who's not quite ready to spend every Sunday at the Q. If you ever want tickets - shoot me a PM. My seats are 13 rows from the field, Chargers side, aisle seats, at ~ the 5 yard line. Let me know when you get out here if you're interested in taking wifey to a game. I usually get a nice premium for my seats but they're face for you.

what about me? i need to tix to 11/10 we are staying at the hyatt downtown. cornhole?

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Stay classy?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

San Diego is a big city (square footage-wise). I'd suggest figuring out where you'd work before you consider places to live. There's no reason to have an hour commute if you don't have to.

The weather is pretty good.

Housing is expensive, but depending on where you live on the east coast, you may already be used to that.

You'll have to become a Philip Rivers fan . . .

So...how many square feet?

More than ten billion. (Seriously.)

 

[Slider6]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

Hope not, but that has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have to adopt the Padres.

Oh it's happening! Petco Park is an absolutely awesome stadium, the Padres will be decent again someday.

Next year.

Not likely. Unless they can get the hitters to stop complaining about the dimensions of the ballpark and just start hitting line drives like any professional hitter should strive for anyway! Seriously, I could strike out at the rate these guys do and I would play for the league minimum!

 

[tommyGunZ]

what about me? i need to tix to 11/10 we are staying at the hyatt downtown. cornhole?

If you're serious, PM me with a picture of yourself in your Charger jersey.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

Hope not, but that has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have to adopt the Padres.

Oh it's happening! Petco Park is an absolutely awesome stadium, the Padres will be decent again someday.

Next year.

Not likely. Unless they can get the hitters to stop complaining about the dimensions of the ballpark and just start hitting line drives like any professional hitter should strive for anyway! Seriously, I could strike out at the rate these guys do and I would play for the league minimum!

Jed > Jesus. Just give him a little more time. The hitters/pitchers are coming. Lots of upside in the minors, more pitching help on the way, and payroll is going to "start with a 5" next year. I BELIEVE!

 

[Slider6]

Unfortunately, by the time you get here the Chargers will be in LA.

Hope not, but that has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have to adopt the Padres.

Oh it's happening! Petco Park is an absolutely awesome stadium, the Padres will be decent again someday.

Next year.

Not likely. Unless they can get the hitters to stop complaining about the dimensions of the ballpark and just start hitting line drives like any professional hitter should strive for anyway! Seriously, I could strike out at the rate these guys do and I would play for the league minimum!

Jed > Jesus. Just give him a little more time. The hitters/pitchers are coming. Lots of upside in the minors, more pitching help on the way, and payroll is going to "start with a 5" next year. I BELIEVE!

I like Jed and think he's doing a great job. But the hitters, fans, talk radio need to realize that this team is much more mid-80s St Louis Cardinals than the 70's Orioles. Team speed, good defense, great pitching, and line drives will win the NL West.Again, I have to point to the hitters in general as the problem with the current team. How many times has there been a runner on third and less than 2 outs and that runner doesn't score? I swear it's like once per game. And the 1250+ strikeouts are unacceptable in a ballpark that needs line drives/contact over big swingers (of which there are none on the team).

 

[tommyGunZ]

I like Jed and think he's doing a great job. But the hitters, fans, talk radio need to realize that this team is much more mid-80s St Louis Cardinals than the 70's Orioles. Team speed, good defense, great pitching, and line drives will win the NL West.

Again, I have to point to the hitters in general as the problem with the current team. How many times has there been a runner on third and less than 2 outs and that runner doesn't score? I swear it's like once per game. And the 1250+ strikeouts are unacceptable in a ballpark that needs line drives/contact over big swingers (of which there are none on the team).

Oh please, don't get me started. I've never been so frustrated as I am with a friar on 3rd < 2 outs. Maddening.

 

[Slider6]

I like Jed and think he's doing a great job. But the hitters, fans, talk radio need to realize that this team is much more mid-80s St Louis Cardinals than the 70's Orioles. Team speed, good defense, great pitching, and line drives will win the NL West.

Again, I have to point to the hitters in general as the problem with the current team. How many times has there been a runner on third and less than 2 outs and that runner doesn't score? I swear it's like once per game. And the 1250+ strikeouts are unacceptable in a ballpark that needs line drives/contact over big swingers (of which there are none on the team).

Oh please, don't get me started. I've never been so frustrated as I am with a friar on 3rd < 2 outs. Maddening.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed and screams every time it happens!

 

[17seconds]

Versus the east coast you will find people to be very casual and even flaky. Nobody is on time here.

 

[Exit 1]

I heard the water is colder and not as friendly to swimmers as it is on the East Coast.

Do you think you could knock out a great white shark with your fists if you had to?

 

[BassNBrew]

This might be the only time I ever say this, but LACXX football will be an ungrade for you.

If you want to wear the jersey of the best QB in the league, stock up on CAM jerseys before you leave.

Seriously though, I hope this works out well for you.

 

[Tau837]

Update.

The opportunities mentioned in the OP fell through, and we're still in Virginia Beach. However, I have a promising opportunity for which I will interview in San Diego in a couple of weeks.

In the interim, my BIL has recently moved into a new house in La Mesa. If we end up moving, we will want to be reasonably close to them, as they are a big reason for our desire to move to San Diego. They just had their first child a couple months ago, and we haven't met him yet but will want to be involved in his life, as we are unable to have kids of our own. And my wife is disabled, so being close will also be helpful to her/us when I'm at work or out of town.

If the job works out, I will likely be working in Poway.

I don't know much about La Mesa and surrounding areas or the commute routes to and from Poway. Any advice?

Aside from all that, I'm pleased that the Chargers are still there. Speaking of the Chargers, anyone have two extra tickets to the Denver game on 11/10 that I can buy?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

i might have a line on the tickets. a buddy has season tickets, they're good seats in the 100+ range.

 

[Tau837]

i might have a line on the tickets. a buddy has season tickets, they're good seats in the 100+ range.

I'm waiting to hear back from my BIL to see if he can get clearance to go to the game (given his two month old). And I'm leaving soon for a poker night, but I'll get back to you as soon as I find out.

 

[koby925]

Solana Beach is beautiful, centrally located (centrally enough), great eating, shopping and entertainment (Belly Up Tavern in SB is great for live music), while still being significantly more low key than La Jolla and afaik they have the only leash free dog beach north of Ocean Beach (and I am not 100% about OB anymore).

My BIL plays at Belly Up a lot

 

[flapgreen]

Unless you want your car broken into once a week, make sure you get private parking.

 

[dickey moe]

G'luck, bra'.

 

[-fish-]

Update.

The opportunities mentioned in the OP fell through, and we're still in Virginia Beach. However, I have a promising opportunity for which I will interview in San Diego in a couple of weeks.

In the interim, my BIL has recently moved into a new house in La Mesa. If we end up moving, we will want to be reasonably close to them, as they are a big reason for our desire to move to San Diego. They just had their first child a couple months ago, and we haven't met him yet but will want to be involved in his life, as we are unable to have kids of our own. And my wife is disabled, so being close will also be helpful to her/us when I'm at work or out of town.

If the job works out, I will likely be working in Poway.

I don't know much about La Mesa and surrounding areas or the commute routes to and from Poway. Any advice?

Aside from all that, I'm pleased that the Chargers are still there. Speaking of the Chargers, anyone have two extra tickets to the Denver game on 11/10 that I can buy?

I grew up in La Mesa. Pretty easy commute to Poway.

feel free to PM me.

 

[-fish-]

Unless you want your car broken into once a week, make sure you get private parking.

Possibly. All depends on where.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Sent him an email.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Sent him an email.