I live on the UCSD campus - in the La Jolla area (but closer to to a neighborhood named after a shopping mall - University Towne Center {UTC}).

From downtown, traffic is actually worse going to La Jolla/UTC and from La Jolla in the afternoon. But coming from downtown and using I-5, though, its really not so bad. 805 - about 3 east - is much worse.

the suburban element of San Diego will wear you down. I'd live downtown and endure the moderate commute rather than live in UTC, where there are pure vanilla apartments, condos and townhomes (although reasonably priced and high quality).

For me, the best part about San Diego is the proximity to Tijuana. We got a SENTRI expedited border crossing permit (about $200 for the first 2 years, then $40/year thereafter) and an annual mexican auto insurance policy ($120 for full coverage) : from downtown you can be in Mexico in 15 minutes and return in 20. Its truly refreshing to go down to TJ, have dinner and come home.

LA is not too long a drive - 2 hours if no traffic.

Psychologically, moving to a new and different city usually produces three stages of feelings: enamorment for the first 3-6 months, then quickly decending into a homesick depression for another 6 months, followed by acceptance after the 12 month point. With San Diego, though, I think you might get restless after 2 or 3 years, coming from NYC.

Take advantage of the SoCal lifestyle. Learn how to surf. You'll meet people, and it has a meditative quality if done regularly. Use the TJ airport to take advantage of ~$200 all in fares to almost anywhere in Mexico on short notice for weekend trips. SD is also one of the cheapest (and best weather) places to get a pilot's license, if that at all interests you.