Retiring in San Diego

[yahui168]

I was in San Diego for about a week for Christmas to New Years. I forgot how nice it was. Last time I visited was 10-15 years ago. I'm seriously thinking of retiring there in 15 years or so. I'm guessing La Jolla is the place if you want to be close to the beach. What if I don't care to live that close to the beach? Which other areas should I start my research? Thanks!

[dragoncar]

Well if you don't want to live near the beach, it gets a lot cheaper and a lot warmer as you go inland.  I don't know the area super well, just like to browse on redfin.  There were some great deals in the pacific beach area a few years ago, but they seem to have evaporated.  I think I'd probably rent down there for a while to verify my desire to live there and determine which area I want to live (it's huge).

[adesertsky]

Living in inland SD is much different than living near the beach.  As mentioned, it is MUCH hotter.  It is cheaper inland but still expensive.  As for living at the beach, La Jolla is one of dozens of beach community options, and probably among the priciest.  Head up the coast to Encinitas, Carlsbad or Oceanside to find more low key communities close to the ocean.

For non-beachside living, try some other areas of North County (Vista, San Marcos, Escondido).  I'm not too familiar with (nor a big fan of) the inland communities closer to the cities.  There is a swath of bedroom communities inland south of Escondido (Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Carmel Mountain) that are lovely but get SO HOT.  Seriously, that is why I moved away. 

[skidlystache]

I lived in San Dog for 7 years and loved every minute of it. Every time I go back I ask myself why I ever left. La Jolla is nice but like a lot of the area, it's pricey. If you head just east of LJ (to the other side of I-5) you'll find University City (or U.C.), named after UCSD I suppose. This is a very nice area and may be a bit cheaper to find housing depending on what you're looking for (homes, condos, townhouses & apartments galore for sale or rent). You can easily reach anywhere in the local area from UC because major arteries (I-5, I-8 and highways 163 and 52) are all close. If you're a true mustachian you can easily bike anywhere from UC. I loved biking north by the Torrey Pines golf course along the ocean. Absolutely beautiful scenery. You can also bike south to Mission Bay Park, great for walking, jogging, picnics, etc. If you're really gutsy you can swim in the ocean from the La Jolla cove to La Jolla Shores. Lots of people do it every day but that water is cold! Bus transportation is extensive and a huge outdoor mall (UTC) is nearby with all the standard stores, food court and indoor ice skating rink. SD also has a decent trolley service serving downtown and areas south, east and north but don't believe it extends as far north as UC. Balboa Park near downtown is top notch for museums, strolling, and the world famous zoo. Lots of condos for sale downtown and tons of restaurants and bars. Good luck!

[capital]

If you're a true mustachian you can easily bike anywhere from UC.

If you have 1+ hour to get to many destinations beyond the immediate neighborhood, don't mind riding on the Interstate and 55mph 6-lane stroads, merging across multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to turn, and showing up very sweaty from riding up and down canyon walls.

It's doable (I did it), but it's not 'easy'. There are many, many far better places to live carfree.

[dragoncar]

If you're a true mustachian you can easily bike anywhere from UC.

If you have 1+ hour to get to many destinations beyond the immediate neighborhood, don't mind riding on the Interstate and 55mph 6-lane stroads, merging across multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to turn, and showing up very sweaty from riding up and down canyon walls.

It's doable (I did it), but it's not 'easy'. There are many, many far better places to live carfree.

Yeah, I see a lot of recreational bikers, but it's definitely car culture down there.  One question:  "stroads?"  Is that a typo or a street-road or something else?

[mxer54]

I just moved from San Diego (forced to move), I've lived there for about 14 years.  I lived in 4S Ranch right next to Rancho Bernardo.  It is lovely...Poway is where it gets too hot...I have no idea why people move into that sweat box valley. It's not even that nice!

Nice areas are Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Anywhere alone the 52 all the way from the 15 to Torree Pines.  It doesnt get too hot. 

Cheaper areas are north....a LOT of people commute to San Diego from there...Place called Temecula or Murrieta.  Thats where I am planning on retiring...Houses are decently priced...not too far from San Diego (45 min) or LA.  It's out of the hussle and bussle but has plenty to do.  Gets a little warm but no humidity...it's fine.

[somepissedoffman]

GF and I bought a house in City Heights, and we're loving it.  It's not as fancy or trendy as some of the other neighborhoods, and by that I mean the houses are way cheaper.  About 5 miles from downtown,  12 miles from the beach.  I also discovered that we have really nice hiking trails through the canyons around us.  The freeways and canyons make it a bit of a struggle to bike, but the weather means you can struggle on your bike all year!

[Russ]

One question:  "stroads?"  Is that a typo or a street-road or something else?

yeah street-road. poor suburban planning of trying to combine major through roads with small-town-vibey pedestrian friendly streets with little shops and things. so you get fast, narrow (cause sidewalks) roads with no room for bikes, and pedestrians jumping out in front of cars. Ends up not making anybody happy (surprise!)

[MissPeach]

I'm partial to Downtown because you get live without a car. There are lots of trolley, bus lines, Amtrack, ferry, etc. there. It's easy to get to the mall/shopping, restaurants, beach, etc. Also there is car 2 go for those times you really need a car. With that you pay by the minute and don't have to worry about gas, maintenance or parking. Rent is not cheap though. But I can't make the case to buy in SD because renting is cheaper than mortgages, property taxes, HOA, etc.