Getting to Know San Diego

GETTING TO KNOW

San Diego

Local Attractions • Cost of Living • Neighborhoods Schools • Transportation • more!

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TOP 15 THINGS TO KNOW

BEFORE MOVING TO SAN DIEGO

If you can’t face another cold, snowy winter you might be tempted to move to San Diego.

The city is famous for its livable climate and happy residents. Before you go embrace the Southern California lifestyle, here are 15 things you should know about moving to San Diego.

1. THERE ARE PANDAS

4. THE NATURE IS SPECTACULAR

You’ve probably heard of the famous San Diego Zoo. It’s a wonderful place to see animals, and in particular the zoo’s pandas. San Diego has hosted pandas since 1996, and currently houses three. If you’re moving to San Diego with kids you can look forward to family outings to the zoo, as long as it’s in your budget.

A one-day pass for an adult costs $50, while a child’s ticket isn’t much cheaper, at $40.

Like caves? What about mountains? Beaches? Surfing?

OK, you get the picture. The San Diego area has a lot to offer if you’re willing to get out of your neighborhood and into nature. Even if you’re not the active type, you can always stroll on the beach and appreciate the San Diego sunsets.

2. THE WEATHER IS ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE Yes, the weather in San Diego is really that good. The annual average temperature is 63.65 degrees, with an average high of 69.8 and an average low of 57.5.

If you’re not planning to do much traveling after moving to San Diego, you can probably host a clothing swap to get rid of your winter gear.

3. BALBOA PARK Balboa Park is a magnificent public park in San Diego, and a spot you won’t want to miss if you visit. It’s home to the San Diego Zoo, where those pandas live, but there’s more to the park than the zoo. Plus, there’s free WiFi thanks to a generous grant that aims to boost San Diego’s status as a tech-friendly city.

5. HIT THE FARMERS MARKETS Like San Francisco, San Diego has access to amazing produce that you can snag at local farmers markets. If you want to save money after moving to San Diego you can cook your own food rather than hitting the city’s restaurants. With such high-quality fruit and vegetables at your fingertips you should be able to whip up some delightful meals.

6. YOU CAN GO TO MEXICO FOR THE DAY If you’re in San Diego, you’re close to Mexico, which means you have access to culture, art and food South of the Border. You can party it up in Tijuana for the day, or venture further into Mexico for a longer visit to the country’s museums, ruins, cities or beaches.

Mexican border towns aren’t your only option for a day trip from San Diego. You can go whale watching, head to LEGOLAND or check out wine country. Your Instagram followers will thank you if you visit the Carlsbad flower fields. Towns in the area like Julian and San Juan Capistrano area great for history buffs. Love star gazing? Head to Borrego Springs.

7. THE MEXICAN FOOD DESERVES ITS REPUTATION What do you get when you combine proximity to Mexico with a sizable Mexican-American population?

Amazing Mexican food, for one thing. When you first get to San Diego you’ll probably want to try as many Mexican food places as you can. After a while, many San Diego residents settle on a favorite and become vocal partisans for their favorite joint. (continued)

12. PETCO PARK The San Diego Padres may be hit-or-miss as a baseball team, but their stadium is a lovely place to spend an afternoon or evening in San Diego’s perfect weather.

Even if you’re not a baseball fan you may find yourself hitting the stadium a few times a year with friends.

It’s that nice.

8. THERE ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS EVERYWHERE San Diego is home to many colleges and universities, so if rowdy college students aren’t your thing you may want to choose your weekend hangouts carefully. The many campuses in San Diego mean you’ll have plenty of options for inexpensive performances and lectures.

9. THE CRAFT BEER IS STELLAR San Diego has a craft beer scene that rivals other beerfriendly cities. Why meet a friend for a generic beer when you could support a local brewery? Large San Diego breweries you may have heard of include Stone and Ballast Point, but there are reportedly over 100 microbreweries in the greater San Diego area. Nondrinkers shouldn’t worry. The coffee and juice options in San Diego are on point as well.

10. SAFETY FIRST Real talk: swimming off the San Diego beaches can be hazardous. Always pay attention to signs indicating which areas are safe (or unsafe) for swimming and heed the lifeguards. Certain popular San Diego activities, including swimming, cave-exploring, kayaking and hiking can be dicey when done alone, so it’s a good idea to find a buddy who can join you on outdoor adventures.

11. THEY PUT FRIES IN BURRITOS Carb lovers, rejoice! The iconic San Diego burrito has both carne asada and french fries within. For some people, that may be all the excuse they need for moving to San Diego. Called a California Burrito, the San Diego staple often includes potatoes and avocados in addition to the beef and the fries.

Authentically Mexican? No. Satisfying after a day of swimming or surfing (assuming you eat meat)? Yes.

13. THERE’S A FLOATING MUSEUM San Diego is home to the USS Midway Museum, a floating aircraft carrier. It’s right in downtown San Diego at Navy Pier. Over a million people visit the museum each year, and there are also private events held there.

If the Midway Museum doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, there are other museums in San Diego to keep you busy. Balboa Park boasts the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Museum of Man. There’s also a Museum of Contemporary Art, a Children’s Discovery Museum and more.

14. SEALS! You don’t have to go to the zoo to see animals in the San Diego area. There are wild seals in La Jolla Cove. A picnic and a little seal-watching is a great, frugal outing on a sunny San Diego day. Be sure to follow the rules if you visit the La Jolla Cove marine refuge. You wouldn’t want to disturb the seals, sea lions and other wildlife.

If you prefer SEALS to seals you can visit Coronado, where the Navy SEALS train. There are Coronado Island tours that cover the island’s historic and artistic attractions, including the famous Hotel del Coronado.

And you may be able to see Navy SEALS training on the island’s beaches.

15. COMIC-CON IS ALWAYS ENTERTAINING Once a year, San Diego plays host to Comic-Con International. It’s not the only Comic-Con, but it’s a big one, and it brings both characters and celebrities to town. If you’re a fan, you may want to attend. If not, you may want to get out of town and rent out your place on Airbnb if the terms of your lease or homeowners association allow it.

Source - photo credits and writer: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/moving-to-san-diego

SAN DIEGO

COST OF LIVING

Cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means San Diego is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means San Diego, CA is more expensive.

SAN DIEGO COST OF LIVING = 160.1 NATIONAL AVERAGE = 100

COST OF LIVING

SAN DIEGO

CALIFORNIA

USA

Overall

160.1

149.9

100

Grocery

109.7

105.1

100

Health

89

92.4

100

Housing

279.1

239.1

100

Median Home Cost

$812,100

$684,800

$291,700

Utilities

102.8

102.4

100

Transportation

120.2

133.1

100

Miscellaneous

105.6

103.7

100

COST OF LIVING MAP

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AVERAGE RENT

BY BEDROOM SIZE

JOBS IN SAN DIEGO

EMPLOYMENT INFO

SAN DIEGO

UNITED STATES

Income per Cap.

$37,112

$31,177

Household Income

$71,535

$57,652

Unemployment Rate

6.6

6

Recent Job Growth

-8.62%

-6.18%

Future Job Growth

34.94%

33.51%

SAN DIEGO

SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES SAN DIEGO COMMUNITIES

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TOP 5

SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO

These are some of the top-rated public schools (elementary, middle, high) in San Diego based on a variety of measures, including academic performance and equity. Find out more about GreatSchools ratings.

ELEMENTARY

MIDDLE

HIGH

SAN DIEGO PUBLIC

TRANSPORTATION

GETTING AROUND SAN DIEGO

San Diego offers many modes of public transportation providing economical and eco-friendly options to get around.

PRONTO CARD: Always get the best fare! Riders will not need to buy passes in advance. You can earn-as-you-go by adding money to your PRONTO account. Every time you tap to board a vehicle, the appropriate one-way fare is deducted from your balance. Ride the Bus, Trolley, COASTER, or SPRINTER with PRONTO! BUSES: An economical way to navigate through San Diego. There are plenty of routes that offer service throughout the county.

SAN DIEGO TROLLEY: The San Diego Trolley provides convenient services through downtown and out to various locations like Old Town, Mission Valley, El Cajon, Santee and San Ysidro, which is on the Mexican border.

(See next page for trolley map) COASTER: The North County Transit District’s COASTER trains connect downtown San Diego and Old Town with coastal communities throughout the county including Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside.

These trains offer visitors car-free access to some of the most charming beach communities in the region, as well as a relaxing ride with breathtaking coastal scenery.

SPRINTER: The (north county) east-west SPRINTER light rail train system that connects Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. The 22-mile long rail system runs along the Highway 78 corridor, serving 15 stations.

PACIFIC SURFLINER: A relaxing and convenient way to travel along the San Diego coastline and to San Diego from destinations like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and the northern Pacific Coast.

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SAN DIEGO TROLLEY: GREEN LINE

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is located off of the GREEN LINE on the north side of the I-8 freeway. NOTE: Alvarado Medical Center is a trolley stop station, but is not associated with Alvarado Parkway Institute.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE TROLLEY MAP.

Directions to API via Trolley (Approx. half a mile/10-minute walk): • Take the GREEN LINE to 70th St. Trolley Station (La Mesa).

• Walk west on Alvarado Rd. • Turn right onto Lake Murray Blvd.

• Turn right onto Parkway Dr. API on the left at 7050 Parkway Dr.

CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE MAP