Thinking about moving to San Diego?
You’re not the only one. Over 3.2 million people call San Diego home. The city maintains some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. L. Frank Baum was inspired by Coronado’s Hotel Del when creating Emerald City. And, San Diego is known for creating wildly popular food staples like the California burrito and carne asada fries.
Living in San Diego
San Diego’s neighborhoods have a culture as rich as its population. From picturesque, beach homes in La Jolla to modern, downtown condos in East Village, you’ll find your place in the city and a home perfect for you. Not sure where to start? Read our guide to top San Diego neighborhoods, then consult our list of best San Diego realtors to help make your search easy.
Traffic
SoCal residents take a slightly different naming convention for their roadways by adding “the” in front of any main freeway. For example, the 5, the 805 and the 15 are all popular routes that interweave you between different areas of the city all the way down to the U.S./Mexico border.
Due to the city’s port of entries, not to mention commutes in and out of downtown, as well as North County, traffic can back up during peak hours.
Beat the commute: Many San Diegans participate in ridesharing, public transportation or bike to work whenever they can. The Coaster, San Diego Trolley (MTS), and DecoBike San Diego all provide alternatives for residents who wish to ride to work in a different way.
Weather
It’s called America’s Finest City for a reason. With the majority of the calendar year being filled with 70-degree temperatures and sunny skies, San Diego is a place where people like to vacation year-round. The temperatures cool during the winter months, but nowhere near the freezing thermostats and precipitation the rest of the country endures.
Summer average (June – Aug): 74°F high, 65°F low
Winter average (Dec – Feb): 65°F high, 49°F low
Economy
San Diego is a military city and much of its economy is made up of military- and defense-related activity, in addition to tourism, medical, and manufacturing jobs, all which are listed as top industries.
Major employers include 32nd St. Naval Base, Barona Resort & Casino, Kaiser Permanente, and SeaWorld San Diego.
Unemployment rate: 4.8% (as of November 2015)
Average weekly wages for all industries: $1,130 (first quarter 2015)