eurotramp

What is it like living there..the good, the bad and the ugly...not interested in job and Healthcare issues...that would be all taken care of.
Just would like to know what life would/could be for a family of 4 with two girls 9 and 11.

Whats crime like, whats education like, whats shopping like, eating out...which areas are good and which to avoid..just any info would be very much appreciated...

Thanks

eurotramp

Nobody????

cabritpop

Alright, I'll give it a go.

I used to live in Orange County which was about 70 miles from SD, so I haven't lived there but visited many times. In downtown SD there are always LOADS of Jarheads and Squids and other US Military types hanging out in the bars and everywhere else, lot of bases nearby. The shopping is excellent (but then so is most of coastal California) and so is eating out, there is an area called the gaslamp district which has more bars & restaurants than you can shake a stick at.
You haven't mentioned housing as a concern, I'll make a conservative estimate that within a 100 mile radius of SD except further east which is desert, housing is :scared: bloody pricey. Even for a crackerjack apartment. There is a lot to see and do in the area and north of there too, I must warn you Sea World does suck after about the 2nd or 3rd time.

Edit: My opinion here but, San Diego is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there I would rather live MUCH further north.

eurotramp

Thanks for that...
I had a look at house prices and they are a bit high, compare to other places, but we live in suburb London...so the prices were not really a shock for me..

What is SD like crime wise and for children..is the area family friendly?

What are the people like in California?? Are they relaxed and easy going??

gardnma

Like, Oh-ma-gawd, totally gnarly dude. They are, like, reaaaly friendly and all, like totally laid back and bitchin' you knooow.

California should be divided into two states: "Northern California" and "Mars".

Seriously, it never did anything for me. There is a stunning lack of culture and generally (generally), the Californians are pretty shallow and narcissistic. On the positive, having said that of the people and environment, California offers some of the most amazing natural sights. Redwoods, Shasta, Deserts, Beaches. There's also Disneyland, Hwy 1 drive, etc.

If you like year 'round heat and sunshine - it hits that mark (you will not believe this one: you actually get sick of the good weather after a while)

If you were to list out the things you really want from a place, that will give you a good idea of wether or not CA is a good choice.

Good luck

dbj1000

Heh!

I want to earn $350,000 but still be bankrupted by my mortgage.
I want a nose job, a boob job, and porcelain veneers.
I want to be an Actor.
I want to sink into the sea when the Big One hits.

SoCal, here I come!

cabritpop

What is SD like crime wise and for children..is the area family friendly?

Here are the crime figures, SD is number 59 in this list (you decide)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_..._by_crime_rate

What are the people like in California?? Are they relaxed and easy going??

I could write a hell of a long post on this but I won't, this MP3 just about sums up what the people are like in southern CA Woman calls 911 to complain about Burger King and I'm not joking.

Dan725

I can't believe how calm the 911 operator was

As far as San Diego goes, I have visited a couple of times, its a beatiful looking city, the downtown has really come on a lot and there is lots happening. Suburbs like La Jolla also very nice. Crime etc will be no worse than anywhere else. If you don't think the housing is too bad (I assume that you will be earning at least $300k a year), go for it. Me, no way I can afford to. I found homes very similar to our 300kish Florida home for between $900k and $1.1 million, and I'm not joking, the prices are really that bad as far as I can see.

Maz

I listened... :scared: but oddly enough, I'm not surprised...

Bob

can't help with specifics.....but, just a thought, you can't do the the currency conversion because once your here, you'll be earning dollars...much better to look at %...baring in mind that no credit history will make it expensive initially for any credit cards, mobile phones and utilities as well as car insurance...hell, cars just aren't cheap to run here.

You mentioned your medical insurance is covered, that's lucky...but is it an HMO or PPO? What's the co-pays, deductables, are prescriptions included, what about dental and eyeballs?

eurotramp

My husband works for NATO, were ever we go we have a international private health insurance, which covers everything for 90%...(very handy here in the UK) hospitalisation 100%..we also get the European amount on holidays and we get things like expatriation allowance, childcare allowance..the list goes on..I just cant see that the houses there are more expensive then over here, the may cost the same..but they are much bigger...forgot to mention that we dont pay for moves and dont need a green card either...

It wouldn't be for ever....


Just listend to the burger story...come on...that can,t be the norm...made me smile ...."you are here to protect me"....."from what, a dangerous burger?"

Bob

That's pretty cool....but having to pay 10% is still a lot of money to cough up if you have to....and housing, going to cost a lot to cool it down, so huge isn't always best

Hiro11

Never lived in SD but I used to go there about once a month on business. It seems like a nice, large city with a hefty military presence (mostly Navy and Marine), outrageous housing prices, good restaurants and, perhaps most importantly, possibly the most perfect climate on earth. Every time I've been to SD, no matter the time of year, it's blindingly sunny and upper 70s F with a pleasant breeze. Gorgeous, gorgeous weather.

Mallory

I have visited the SD area, La Jolla, Laguna Beach, area several times. Personally, I find the area GORGEOUS. The weather is fantastic. I would love to live there. But the housing prices are astronomical. go and enjoy, you will probably never want to leave.

Kate2112

I have a couple of friends who live in SD, they love it. High 60's to Mid 70's year round. Perfect weather. Its a pleasant place to bring up children and live an everyday life. If your not hoping to be over stimulated by culture and cultural pursuits this might be a good place for an overseas placement.