Wsa curious if any locals could help out a NY-er (not a true 5-borogh guy, but Ive done 8 years bow in NYC) who is strongly considered relocating to San Diego for a new job.

I've been to the city about 5-6 times and frankly, what is there bad to say about san Diego? I fell in love with it. It seemed a bit less snotty and suburbia as OC and not as sprawled out as LA with traffic issues, etc.

I have heard that the 5 and 805 get bad with traffic, so im wondering if my job is near La Holla, would it make sense to live downtown and commute north? I guess what Im looking for are some people in my age range (single guy in his late 20s) that can offer a few tips on communities that are nice.

I know Pacific Beach is nice as is Mission Bay? Any other parts of town offer a young professional with some nice bars, restaurants and still not a huge commute.

Thanks in advance!

I lived my 20s in San Diego. I just moved away two years ago, not because I didn't like the city, but to be closer to family.

I think Pacific Beach would be perfect for you. Your commute would be going against traffic for the most part (depending on your start and end points, you may not even have to get on the 5), and PB has everything you ask for.

Mission Beach and Ocean Beach also have a hip bar/restaurant scene, but are a little grittier than PB. Another beach community you might like is Encinitas, but it's a good 20-30 minute drive north on the 5.

Downtown SD is constantly growing and changing. I just went back to visit a few weeks ago and I was amazed at all the new construction. If you like the urban scene it's a great place to be, especially around the Gaslamp Quarter.

Good luck.

What do you mean exactly by saying the job is near La Jolla?

Just thinking, if its in La Jolla proper, living anywhere North would probably give you the worst commute possible. (though really its not that awful, but if it's important to you, getting out of La Jolla heading north at the end of a work day is pretty rough).

I would second the suggestions of both Pacific Beach and downtown. I would be looking downtown if I were you, but that's more of a personal taste sort of thing. Can't realistically (...I imagine, have loads of inherited wealth?) get any closer to La Jolla than PB, the drive from downtown is a bit farther, but, we're still talking on the order of 20 minutes.

At any rate, welcome, hope you like it. Most of us do.

Housing is ridiculous and gasoline is the highest in the country. Income is less than if you worked in OC. You are told you get paid in the sunshine factor instead. Traffic is a parking lot on the 5 and the 15. If I had a choice I wouldn't live here. I don't have a choice.

Julie--Well move to the NYC area and see what housing looks like--quite similar! And gas is more/same here in NY state as well. From a cost of living perspective its a wash. I want to rent fora year or two just to see if I will stick. I've been told the laid back vibe will either be the kiss of death for me or welcomed...I am fairly laid back and have thrived in NYC--I work my arse off but know how to chill as well.

It seems like the Gaslamp area is growing big time and is the most urban for me. I am just wondering what the commute and parking situation is living downtown. I would be commuting from downtown to the la jolla/ univeristy heights? area. It took me about 20 mins on saturday. i can handle 30 mins I just dont want to deal with 1 hr+. I can do that in the NYC suburbs commuting into the city.

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.