Gillymonkey

Hi ,
We've now been in San Diego for a week and a half. So far we love it! Getting a place to live etc has been so easy.

We have been using public transport so far and have found it to be fairly good and easy to use (although I think all the bus drivers think we are really odd with our massive IKEA bags of shopping on our numerous trips!). The only things that have really frustrated us so far are that we can't find diluting juice (neither of us drink tea or coffee and it was always our staple drink), and why are sheets so expensive? $40 is mad for basic sheets! We've found grocery shopping a bit expensive; our closet shops are Ralphs and Vons. I think part of the problem is that we are foodies and always make things from scratch, it would be cheap if we bought convenience food but because we want to cook it seems to cost a fortune.

My husband starts work on Monday and as I will not be working I am very keen to start meeting people. Does anyone live around the UTC area? I'm in my late twenties with no kids.

One other question I have is where is a good place to buy a cheap used car? (ideally less than $3000). I'm aiming to get my California licence as quickly as possable then go car shopping. I miss my car so much!

Thanks
Gill

fatbrit

Welcome! Here's one solved for you:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/cta/

Gillymonkey

Thanks for that, I must admit I always tend to buy my cars from dealers though. Hopefully San Diego has a used car dealer street like you get in Glasgow

fatbrit

If a dealer is selling you a car for $3k, s/he probably paid no more than $500 for it at auction. The dealer-advertised vehicles on craigslist are so marked.

Bluegrass Lass

Dilute juice is not common here. In fact, before I visited the UK (I'm American), I had never seen or heard of it before. Your best bet would probably be buying it from Amazon. Or buying regular juice, and diluting it to your taste. Or you could buy the frozen juice concentrates and dilute to your taste.

N1cky

Fresh and Easy (owned by Tesco) sell Robinsons Orange, Blackcurrant and Lemon squash, there are a few stores in San Diego

Gillymonkey

Thanks for that! I will be on the hunt for some Robinsons now as my husband is addicted to it

caleyjag

Remind him he lives in SoCal now. Robinsons is out. Jamba Juice and personal trainers are in.


In addition to Fresh n' Easy, which of course has Robinsons as well as being your best bet for Bisto and Salad Cream, there are also a number of import shops in San Diego that specialize in British treats. They will have a better selection but it does come at a premium.

Gillymonkey

Thanks for the tips. We are trying out everything to see what we like and don't like. I don't feel like things are too different here which is good.

Ozzidoc

Sorry - I leave town tonight - back in Jan.

Enjoy San Diego

Englishman43

Stater Bros has Dilute juices as does World Market - there is one near you at 8657 Villa La Jolla Drive Suite- also there is an English shop off of Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach that has them and a bunch of good stuff .


Ralphs is pricey so avoid it if you can Stater Bro, Albertsons & Vons are more reasonable

redbel

Craigslist will have used cars.
Also there is a Car Max in San Diego.
Solana Beach English shop is closing down, better ones are the one in Carlsbad and of course Shakespeare pub and shop in India Street.
Welcome to San Diego.
I moved here 5 years ago from Newbury in Berkshire and bought a house last year in Encinitas, where i live with my husband, 3 dogs and 2 horses !

tonrob

AKA The Devil's jizz.... <shudder>

Ozzidoc

Where's the Carlsbad one?

Shakey's is always a good port of call for supplies

docholywood

$7.50 for a small robinsons barley or ribena?...may as well drink Dom