There comes a time when one needs to change cities for certain reasons. If that time comes and you’re thinking of moving to San Diego, you need to know everything about the city. So, what’re the pros and cons of living in San Francisco?
People call San Diego America’s Finest City. This is because of the great weather, beaches and surfing spots, art and culture scene, and quality public schools it offers. But the city also has an ugly side. Residents have to contend with expensive housing, cost of living, high taxes, and traffic.
Despite these ugly realities, San Diego is a great city to live in. It has a rich heritage that goes back centuries. Here, we look at both sides of the coin so you can know all you need to know about San Diego.
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Pros of Living in San Diego
San Diego has plenty of qualities that make it an excellent place for residents. Here are some of them.
Great Weather
When you come this far south, you can expect nothing but sunshine. The weather is warm throughout the year, which means you have nothing to worry about here.
The advantage of such great weather is that you can spend more time outdoors. There’s no need to worry about what the weather will be each time you go out. You can also spend more time enjoying the warmth and the incredible scenery that San Diego offers.
However, few people don’t enjoy the fact that the seasons are almost the same. So, if you’re one of those people who want a little bit of cold, there are places close to San Diego where it snows.
Marvelous Beaches and Surfing Spots
If you like beaches or want to enjoy the surfing lifestyle, moving to San Diego will be perfect for you. The city has some of the best beaches in the United States. In addition, the city is much less chaotic than other cities in California, which makes it great for surfers.
The Pacific Ocean is also great for surfing. For those not interested in surfing, the beaches are also great for swimming.
Amazing Arts and Culture Scene
One of the big positives in San Diego is its cultural scene. It’s home to the biggest cultural urban park in the city, Balboa Park. The park contains 15 museums, art galleries, the San Diego Zoo, and botanical gardens. This park alone is a cultural heritage where you can spend a great deal of time.
Beyond that, there are a lot of lovely places to visit in the city. Whether you are looking for sporting events, music concerts, or more, the city has it all. There are also a lot of fine dining places within the city. With over 7000 restaurants in the city, you are never out of options. So, living in San Diego means you can spend plenty of time outdoors.
Good Public Schools
San Diego is a great place to do it if you want to raise a family due to the quality public school system. The city has one of the best public school systems in the country. This means you can have access to affordable and quality education.
Cons of Living in San Diego
San Diego has some great features that make it livable, but it also has some negatives that not everyone will be comfortable with. So here are the disadvantages of living in San Diego.
Expensive Housing
Whether buying houses or renting, be ready to pay a fortune to get what you want; homes are incredibly expensive and far above the national average. San Diego is one of the ten most expensive cities to buy a house in the United States.
The average cost of a house in the city is $849,192 presently. This is more than three times the national average of $298,933. So if you are planning to buy a house here, you’ll be making a substantial investment.
Even if you choose to rent an apartment, you still have to pay a lot to get what you want. The average rent in the city is around $2,344, which is far ahead of the national average.
High Tax Burden
San Diego is in California, a state known for its high tax burden. So, you’ll also have to pay high taxes if you live in San Diego. The state income tax bracket has a maximum of 13.3% tax which means you’ll be paying a substantial part of the income as tax. So even if you’re earning high, your tax rate will also increase with your income.
Inadequate Public Transportation
Moving around in the city requires you to have your car. The public transit system is relatively inefficient, and if you are planning to use it, you should be ready to spend more time getting to where you’re going.
Due to this, most residents of San Diego drive cars. The problem with this is that it leads to more traffic on the roads. Rush hours can be incredibly frustrating because you’ll spend 60% more time than you usually need to get to your destination. So, if you want to live in San Diego, have it in mind that you’ll need a car and be prepared for traffic.
However, you can get the option of driving in the carpool lane. This can save you some time as such lanes are usually without traffic. But you’ll need to meet some requirements regarding the type of car and might need a sticker to drive in the lane.
High Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in this city is high. This is a challenge for several residing in the city and reflects in social problems such as homelessness. The cost of living in San Diego is 51% higher than the national average. Whether it’s utilities, goods & services, transportation, or groceries, the cost of everything is higher here.
In Conclusion
San Diego is a city of beaches, sunshine, and crashing waves. It boasts of great neighborhoods and quality public schools. But it has its problems too, such as transport, cost of living, taxes, etc. So, you need to consider both sides well enough to decide whether it’s a great city for you.
