The Pros and Cons of Living in San Diego

Fall has started in the U.S. and here I am lying in my bikini on a California beach.

This beach, as I just discovered, is within walking distance of the overpriced room I rent in a tiny apartment with dripping taps and cracked walls so thin I know exactly who wants a 7AM “Large vanilla latte with soy milk” at the drive-through coffee shop next door.

Living in San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is this living the California Dream?

Where it is normal to still rent a room instead of owning a home in your thirties, where you easily pay upwards of $1000 for that room but where you get a comfortable climate and a good-looking city with a lot to offer in return?

I have been living in San Diego on and off for a couple of years now. And yes, it is a great city.

The city isn’t too big and overwhelming, yet has a lot of activities going on, numerous completely different neighborhoods to explore, a beautiful coastline on one side and the mountains on the other side.

Also Read: What to Do in San Diego – Top Things Not to Miss

I like San Diego, and I really do think there are more pros than cons to living here. But, that doesn’t mean it’s all perfect. 

If you ask anyone living in San Diego what they think of this city they will without fail tell you it is great and “the weather is just perfect”. But really? In winter I freeze my butt off at night because most of these old, poorly constructed properties get so cold.

Public transport is horrible so everybody drives everywhere and I have almost stopped drinking because I simply can’t get myself to pay $10 or more for a glass of wine – I used to live in Spain, where anything over $4 was considered outrageous!

But I guess it’s exactly that what is my problem: I compare. We all tend to compare.

Americans coming from cold, northern states love the year-round warm days, and Americans from the humid south-east love the low humidity here.

But I compare San Diego to completely different places. To Europe; overflowing with culture, history and numerous affordable countries within easy reach to travel to and explore.

Also Read: Moving to Spain as an American – What I Wish I Knew

I compare San Diego to the Caribbean, where the water is actually warm enough to swim in without a wetsuit, and to Asia where the food is so cheap and delicious.

I shouldn’t do that though. Years of living all over the world have taught me that no place is perfect. But I have to say, San Diego has a lot going for it!

And that is what I want to share with you here: things that make San Diego a good place to live.

The Pros of San Diego

1. San Diego’s Nature

Parks, beaches, hiking trails, coves, lakes, estuaries, nearby mountains, bays… Those are definitely some of the highlights of San Diego.

The city has a lot to offer any type of nature lover and many people here like to boast how “you can drive up the mountains to go skiing in the morning and be sunbathing on the beach in the afternoon”.

2. San Diego’s Arts and Culture

San Diego is home to Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the USA.

The park features 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theater, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

From art galleries to symphonies, live theaters to operas, San Diego has a lot to offer. Add to this the exploding culinary arts scene with more than 7000 restaurants and counting.

3. San Diego’s Neighborhoods

San Diego County is spread out over 4,500 square miles and includes so many neighborhoods that you could be born and raised in San Diego and never see all of them.

It is a city of eclectic villages each with its own vibe, lifestyle, and fun.

From the amazing food and drinks in North Park and Little Italy to the nightlife and recreational options in Pacific Beach and The Gaslamp Quarter. There is something here for everyone’s taste.

And that, to me is what keeps this city so interesting. You can easily visit different neighborhoods and spend a very different day (or evening) in each of them.

Also Read: The Best Rooftop Bars in San Diego

4. San Diego’s Beaches

This is my personal favorite: San Diego comes with 70 miles of coastline!

And this coast offers a wide variety of beaches: family beaches, party beaches, scenic beaches, surf beaches, resort beaches, snorkeling beaches, dog beaches (which makes adopting a local dog a great idea if you move here), and even a nudist beach.

So whatever your favorite type of beach is, you will be able to find it here.

5. San Diego’s Events

There seems to be something happening in San Diego every weekend, not to say every single day.

Whether it’s a beer fest, a large fair, live bands, a major sporting event, or horse races… You will never be able to say there is nothing going on in this city!

6. San Diego’s Family Fun

San Diego has a lot to offer families: SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and Legoland to name a few.

But also an adorable seaside amusement park on the boardwalk, called Belmont Park.

Or go to Seaport Village for waterfront eateries, shops, and entertainment for all ages.

7. San Diego’s Golf Courses

San Diego and the surrounding area feature over 80 golf courses, making it a renowned golf vacation destination.

8. San Diego’s Beer

San Diego is often called The Craft Beer Capital of America.

There are over 150 licensed craft breweries and brewpubs in San Diego County.

Its beer culture is definitely one of the highlights of San Diego and a draw for tourism, particularly during major festivals such as the San Diego Beer Week and the San Diego International Beer Competition.

San Diego County breweries like AleSmith Brewing Company, Stone Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Company, and Ballast Point are consistently rated among the top breweries in the world.

9. San Diego’s Mexican Food

Ok, nothing beats Mexican food in Mexico, but San Diego probably boasts some of the best Mexican food in the USA.

And, it’s available 24 hours a day on almost every corner. You will find Taco Tuesday signs all over the city which is the perfect day to try out cheap and delicious tacos!

10. San Diego’s Traffic

Like almost anywhere in the USA, San Diegans drive everywhere. Surprisingly though traffic is not too bad here. Yes, you will hear some complaints about San Diego traffic and during rush hour it can get a bit frustrating.

But, if you compare it to nearby Los Angeles, traffic here is a breeze, and driving around while being surrounded by palm trees and with great views of the ocean, beautiful bays, and an attractive skyline is actually a treat!

11. San Diego’s Climate

In my personal opinion, it gets too cold here in winter and the water is definitely too cold year-round.

But, more people will probably agree with these sources: The United States Weather Bureau describes San Diego’s weather as the closest thing to perfect in America.

Holiday Magazine described San Diego as the “only area in the United States with perfect weather.”

Pleasant Weather Rating Service Poll voted San Diego as the best year-round weather in the nation, and the second-best in the world.

12. San Diego’s Lifestyle

San Diego has a very laid-back, “no worries” lifestyle and that is probably why San Diego is the best place to live according to many.

People show up to business meetings in shorts and brag about how you can wear flip-flops almost year-round. The climate surely helps here and seems to make people a lot more relaxed and friendlier than in many other cities around the world.

San Diegans are also surprisingly fit and healthy. Yes, you can find a McDonald’s, a Burger King and all the others without even trying, but at the same time there are a lot of healthy alternatives and many San Diegans seem to prefer those.

And then there are all the sports they enjoy. Whether you’re into surfing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, hiking, off-road racing, kayaking, snorkeling, biking, fishing, yoga, kickboxing, or just walking along the scenic boardwalk, it’s available in San Diego.

Living the California Dream in San Diego – the Good and the Bad

I feel very fortunate that I get to be in San Diego and experience this life that so many people talk about.

I am lucky enough to be able to afford my room, drive my rental car, and live in one of the best areas of the city.

But at the same time, I see homeless people every day, a lot of poverty and shocking inequality.

So could I ever call it a dream or the best place to live in the world? No, sorry San Diego, I will give you a lot of praise but I can’t give you that.

What I will say though is this: San Diego is without a doubt one of the nicest places I have lived in. And that is coming from someone who has lived in over a dozen countries, and many more cities, all over the world!

With all San Diego has to offer this city keeps me from getting bored and wanting to move on. The skyline I enjoy every time I get a chance to look at it and the beaches and blue skies do a good job of lifting my mood every day.

And that’s why I would say San Diego is a good, or even great, place to live!

Moving to San Diego

I hope my overview of the pros and cons of living in San Diego has shown you what a great city this is!

Have you decided to move to San Diego? Feel free to ask me for tips or my very honest opinion about the positives, but also the negatives, of this Californian city!

Also Read:

• What it Was Like to Move to San Diego From Europe
• San Diego on a Budget – Free & Cheap Things to Do
• What to See & Do on a Short Trip to San Diego
• 10 of the Best Rooftop Bars in San Diego
• San Diego’s Best Coffee Shops to Work From / Study at
• The Best Day Trips From San Diego
• Interview With an Expat About Moving to & Living in San Diego

 

Like this article about the pros and cons of San Diego? Pin it!