Hi there! Looking to move from Detroit area to San Diego in the next month or so- I’ve seen a lot of talk about east village but am wondering if anyone can share their experience if they’ve lived at this building?

Just moved to SD and I’m in temp housing for a bit. Wanted recommendations on apartments in Mira Mesa. I’m looking for 1 bedrooms. My budget is $3000 but I’d prefer a bit less than that. I toured rooms in Legacy and Casa Mira View and they seemed really nice but there’s so many conflicting reviews online. Anyone lived in these places and can attest or know other recommendations?

I'll be moving into a one bedroom apartment with my boyfriend next year for College/University and I'm noticing that a lot of the apartment complexes only pay for trash service at minimum. I'm curious, how much each utility costs on average so I can see if our expected income is enough. I'm the most curious about water, electricity, and gas. Thank you!

Hi, I'm in search of realtors Or anyone who has this great knowledge input and expertise who can help me narrow down which city in San Diego or cities that may be best for me around my health and climate sensitivities (allergies, asthma, migraines, and pain primarily) - I live in Arizona the desert, but after moving from the East Coast, where everything is very affected by the climate the most out of any place I've been or lived, then moved to the desert few years ago .... allergies and asthma, felt better, but not sure about pain. / migraine they have been worse but different it's hard to say. I'm very attuned to my body and climate but the desert and here are not as clear as far as how much is structural in my body affecting me vs the environment but combo also . I am testing out the area (don't live in this state But here temporarily to see if it's my place to move and see how I feel and relax at the beach etc) I was in North County in Encinitas for a week and loved it in all aspects and then I came to the south county in Ocean Beach and I don't like it as much and I feel like my allergies are more here versus North County so I need to find a place for this weekend Airbnb etc and really need someone to help me narrow it down Now, and if I move , help figure it out etc . Thank you so much ! 🩷

I'm close to renting an apartment in UTC since it’s near work, but I’m having second thoughts. The area looked nice when I drove around, but it didn’t seem very walkable, and I’m worried it might not be the best spot for meeting people. I’m in my mid-twenties—not a big partier, but I’d prefer a place that's more lively.

I’m also considering a place near Windansea beach in La Jolla, though the commute would be longer, and places further south, like Gaslamp or North Park, would be way worse. Is it worth living in UTC for the 5-15 minute commute, and would the presence of so many UCSD students make it easier to meet other young people?

Moving to North Park

Hey Family! 26M here, considering moving to North Park next year. Would love to know any tips, tricks and your favorite spots in the neighborhood. Reading other posts, I know the neighborhood has changed over the years, but I’d still love to give it a shot! My main goal is to make new friends and feel connected to the community.

Thank you!

New office is in the former. I've been looking for apartments in La Jolla, and I like the area well enough. But I had dinner in Little Italy and loved the atmosphere and how walkable it was. Google maps says leaving from Little Italy in the morning would take around 30 minutes, and returning in the evening around 50. Does that sound around accurate?

I’m interested in moving to San Diego for law school, and am aware that there are a ton of scam listings for bedrooms for rent.

I see listings for $800-1k for bedrooms outside of DT, and think that is very doable with my budget, however, unsure if these prices are too good to be true.

Anyone here moved to San Diego in their early 30s? What was your longer term plan when you moved and if you’re still in SD now, has that plan changed?

Partner and I are moving to SD next year, both in our late 20s/early 30s with transportable jobs earning $170k combined per year. We doubt kids are in our future and homeownership seems unrealistic and unimportant at this stage of our lives, in both our home state and in SD. Part of the reason we’re moving is because we don’t have anything tying us down and we know the lifestyle in San Diego would suit us. We don’t really have longer term plans since this move is more like “we’ll try it and see if we like it enough to stay for 3 years.”

I guess my question is: is everyone our age who still lives in SD and doesn’t own property resigning themselves to renting forever and hoping they can keep their income catching up with the cost of living? This might sound super negative but I think it’s a reality. Kinda wondering what that might look like for us if we move and decide we never want to leave San Diego haha.

I'm only familiar with downtown San Diego, Little Italy, and Mission Valley. I'm a singe person and looking for a 1 bedroom under $3k. I'm hoping the morning commute won't be more than 30 minutes. Any advice on what neighborhoods I should look into?

Hey guys, currently looking to move to downtown San Diego by November 1st at the earliest (max budget on my end I would like to keep ~ $1800). Does anyone know a good place to find others looking for people to sign a lease or rent out? I have been looking on Facebook marketplace and messaging downtown apartment complexes as well but really no luck. I would rather share a 2/3 bedroom with another housemate(s) than pay $2200+ for a 1 bedroom in downtown. Spots that have a balcony are a huge plus for me, SD weather is too good to not be able to lounge outside (I know Strata, Merian, Broadway towers have these). Due to this, does anyone know a site/forum that helps folks looking to rent connect with each other? Or if you are willing to message below or PM me! Thank you in advance to everyone that is willing to help

Hey SD Moving Community! My husband and I (millennials with one dog, no kids) are making the big move from New York to San Diego around May 2025 and are currently in the research phase. We’d love some advice from locals on the best neighborhoods that are dog-friendly, great for commuting, and (bonus points!) have access to good Asian food.

About Us:

• 2 adults, 1 Norwegian Elkhound (35 lbs)
• Budget: $2.5k-$2.8k/month, 1BR
• Combined income: ~$250k/year, excellent credit. We want to be cautious with rent since we're also renting out our NY house.
• Husband will be commuting to the San Diego Naval Base - He’ll have the car, and I’ll be working remotely, so a walkable area or good public transport is preferred.
• We’re not into nightlife—we prefer safe, quiet, and walkable areas for our dog.

Areas We're Considering:

We’ve heard great things about UTC/La Jolla (H Mart and Mitsuwa nearby = Asian food heaven!), but we’re not sure how well it fits our commute needs to the Naval Base. Is this a good option, or are there better neighborhoods we should check out?

Moving Plans:

• PODS/U-Pack/Packrat Storage (~$3.5k-$5k): We're thinking of storing our furniture and staying at the SD Naval Base lodging (~$1k/week) while we apartment hunt. Anyone had experience with this approach?
• Driving cross-country: Bringing the car and dog along for the journey (any tips for this long drive?).
• Budgeting ~$15k+ for the move - includes deposit, rent, storage, movers, hotel stops, etc.

Timing Questions:

My husband will be away for training from November to May, so I'm considering flying out ahead of him to secure an apartment solo. Would you recommend doing this?

Real Estate Help:

Are rental agents worth it in San Diego? I’m familiar with NYC's system, but how does it work here in terms of fees and commissions? Also, has anyone had positive experiences with virtual tours and renting sight unseen?

Our Priorities in order:

1. Pet-friendly
2. Commute time to SD Naval Base
3. Parking/garage access
4. In-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher
5. Safe neighborhood
6. Proximity to Asian food
7. Walkability
8. EV Charger access

Any recommendations on neighborhoods, real estate agents, moving logistics, or advice for the cross-country move would be super helpful. Thank you so much in advance!

Doing research to narrow down the towns in north San Diego that check the boxes for me to consider testing out , and well chat gpt has helped a lot and YouTube , but want to see input here of the best town of the two that has the best public transportation options in Vista or San Marcos to the coast and in general without a car ? Will get one eventually but don’t have one at the moment .

Also does anyone have any highly recommended furnished rentals in these areas outside of Airbnb and hotel that are clean safe and good area of town that may be more affordable than those ? Closer to public transportation as well would be extra helpful . Starting more of this fine tune research now ! I need to be at the ocean as much as I can , but need to be a bit more inland to help financially till I figure out if I’ll be moving there and then likely finding a roommate and narrow down where exactly I’d like to live once exploring there . Thanks so much !

Hi y'all. My partner and I (both in mid 20s) are planning to move to San Diego from San Francisco, but we're having trouble finding a good place that suits us. We're looking for a 2br apartment with a budget of $4,000 per month and under. So far, we've toured a few apartment complexes, like Pinnacle on the Park and Marisol. We really liked an apartment in Pinnacle on the Park (it was a 2br with a den, perfect for two offices), but I've seen several posts here that heavily discourage choosing it, which has made us hesitant.

We also explored North Park and liked the area, though we haven’t found the right apartment there yet. We're hoping to find something modern-ish, ideally safe, and with things around—although that's not a dealbreaker since we work from home and don’t go out much. We’re leaning towards apartment complexes but are open to other housing options as well. In terms of areas, we are not sure yet. We're split between outside the city or in suburbs close to downtown. What neighborhoods / apartment complexes would you recommend?

Hi all! It looks like my job may be relocating my family and I down that way so I am looking for your help in many ways!

1. I'm looking for ideas of neighborhoods that are somewhat walkable, safe, diverse, good for families.

Will be working downtown. Ideally a 2-3 bedroom house or townhome under $3500

2. pre-school recommendations for my 2.5 year old.

He's in a Montessori now and doing well but he does not do so well with change. It will be important to find a school that will embrace him through that and with plenty of play/opportunity to get his wiggles out.

3. bonus on job recommendations for my partner.

He's worked in youth athletics, parks and rec, and window manufacturing.

Thanks in advance for any advice you all have!

Hey everyone I'm 20 M, exiting out of the Army next year in August but I am looking to go to school in San Diego. What is the real cost of living there and what can I be looking to pay realistically a month for Rent, Food, Utilities, etc? I will be moving there with my partner if so. We will both be attending College and likely working part-time. What would you recommend we go about this?

I’m moving from NY to CA for about a year, but I intend to move back to NY afterward. My car is registered in NY, and I have a NY driver’s license.

Do I need to switch to CA plates and get a CA driver’s license for just a year? Also, do I need to do a CA smog check or anything else car-related when moving there?

Basically, moving to SD and I have a few questions:

• I don't have a car and I don't intend to get one. How good is the transit system for getting around the city?

• How bikeable is the city?

• My job is near the UCSD campus and I would like to be reasonably close, but I understand that area is expensive. Can you recommend a more affordable neighborhood ($2500 or less) that is within biking distance of the campus?

• Related to the above, how much should I expect to pay for a studio apartment? What services/websites do you recommend for finding apartments?

• Any particular areas to avoid?

Hi everyone, I'm 32M (non-US citizen) and I'll be moving to SD from Boston in November for work as a researcher at UCSD. I'll be staying for at least a couple of years (with a possibility of staying longer).

I'm looking for a studio or a 1 BR apartment (not shared) up to a maximum of $2200/month. I don't have a car (haven't driven in over 10 years and not planning on getting one at this point), so I'd love suggestions on neighborhoods with good public transit access to UCSD please!

So far, I've been in touch with property owners of an apartment on C street opp City College, one on Grand Avenue next to Mission Bay High, and another one in North Clairemont (I didn't want to give the exact addresses so that's why I'm being vague). They're close to the Blue line, but I want to know if these neighborhoods are considered 'safe' in general?

I couldn't really find anything closer to UCSD (around UTC for example), so if anyone knows of any other apartment complexes/neighborhoods that'd be relevant for me, I'd love to hear some suggestions.

Thank you for your help!

Hi all! I’m a travel nurse and will be working at UC San Diego East Campus. I’m trying to decide between moving to a studio in Old Town or a shared 2b apartment in Hillcrest where I’d have a private room and bathroom. Both would be the same cost. I do like the idea of no roommates a lot but Hillcrest seems like a nicer neighborhood. Pros/cons of both? Where do you think is better to move to?

I’m trying to lock down a 2-bedroom apartment in San Diego that’s renting for around $2,100 a month. I’ve saved up a decent chunk of cash, and recently I got a lucky break—a $3,500 win from a bet on Stake, which helped boost my funds. But when I went to sign the lease, the agency told me they need 5 months' rent upfront plus a 2-month security deposit.

I’ve rented in the past and usually it’s 2 months in advance and a 1-month deposit, so I was not expecting to be asked for close to $13,000 upfront. This seems excessive, even for San Diego. I’m really excited about the place, but this is making me second-guess the deal.

Is this kind of thing normal here, or should I try negotiating? I’d love to hear from others who have rented in San Diego—has anyone else dealt with this, or is this just the current market? I’m not sure whether to go forward or keep looking.

I found a perfect apartment that checked most of the boxes I need. However, I would like the rent to be $100 - $150/mo lower. Is it wise to offer to the landlord immediate lease sign and 3 month rent up front in cash in exchange for a lower rent. The landlord seems like a well off person so I'm wondering if this would help him cash flow wise.

Hi I grew up surfing and living in Santa Cruz but want to try somewhere new and love everything San Diego has to offer. I’m 30 single M and looking to optimize for surf but also want to maintain some semblance of a social life. I’m 100% wfh.

Thanks in advance for your advice !

Planning to move to SD in November - Grew up in North Bay Area and lived in Austin for last 10 years. Need to get back to the ocean and better mexican food.

What are some of the better neighborhoods in SD now?

Remote work. I like a little slower paced lifestyle, walkable to places, if possible. Neighborhood dive bar. Dog parks. Willing to drive to hike or go to Padres games. Recently looked at Encinitas / Pacific Beach / La Jolla. Ideally a small house w/ outdoor space. Top budget being $4k for rent (at the very most). I'm flexible and know it's impossible to check all the boxes. Thanks in advance!

Hey, my name is Josh and I am moving to San Diego sometime around Oct 1-10.

I am hoping to find a room for $1500 or less ideally within about a 5 mile bike ride from the marinas as I am a captain and will be working on boats. I could live farther and do some Ubering or half bike half transit, etc.

I did live on a boat for a year in San Diego in 2018 but have not lived on land so any advice or tips would be helpful.

I'm a 35 year old male and a former Delta gate agent turned flight attendant. I now have my Merchant Mariner Credential which is US Coast Guard certified master captain credential and will be working on boats in San Diego. I was born in Woodland, CA but grew up and lived in Minneapolis, MN until 2018 when I moved onto a sailboat.

I lived on a 35 foot sailboat 2018-2019 in San Diego and commuted to Salt Lake City to work as a flight attendant with Delta at the time. I purchased a Catalina 350 sailboat in October of 2019 in Saint Pete, Florida and sailed 5000 miles all the way to NY and back down to the Bahamas from 2019-2023.

I've been doing city life for a bit in Chicago this year to get my captain credential and start my maritime career.

I will be moving to San Diego this fall with my 35lb lab mix Luna and will be working on a yacht as a mate with a captain I met when I previously lived there. I'll also be working as a captain with various charter companies I have connections with.

I am a working professional who is tidy and does not drink much ever. I can't use drugs of any kind due to my captain credential and I'm in a regular drug testing program. I have no issue with others who use cannabis or drink alcohol.

My dog is a 4.5 year old, 35lb mini lab mix and she is extremely sweet with people and other dogs but she does not like cats. She has sailed on a boat for a year with me being mostly off leash in the Bahamas for 3 months. She's also lived in an apartment with me in Chicago for the last year.

Ideally I'm looking for a private room and either a shared or private bath that is dog friendly. I plan to move around Oct 1 but that is a bit flexible. A month to month or 6-12 month lease with a month to month option at the end of the lease would be nice. I'd like to spend as little as possible on housing but ideally $1500/month is the max I'm looking to spend.

I enjoy building PC's and playing some PC games like city builders and Baldur's Gate. I also enjoy board games. Hiking and camping are other favorite activities of mine and I'm excited to visit the museums there in San Diego again.

I'm a very hard worker and always punctual/reliable. I enjoy a nice gathering/dinner party/game night with friends but I'm not a routy party kind of guy.

If you have any advice or questions please let me know.