Welcome to San Diego, CA!
Located right by the border of Mexico, San Diego has for years enjoyed the reputation of being a city rife with culture. Not only is San Diego the second largest city in California, it is the eight largest city in the country, and has the distinction of being one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. This isn’t surprising considering the perfect year-round climate, ideal for spending the weekend at one of the city’s pristine beaches. The birthplace of California remains one of the most sought after places to live due to its natural beauty, culture and social scene.
The Lifestyle: A Perfect Balance of Relaxation and Recreation
There’s so much to do in the city of San Diego that it may seem like there’s no time to relax. Thankfully, the perfect climate makes it much easier to take a day off and just enjoy the weather. Because San Diego is right on the coast, it’s not difficult to find a gorgeous beach to spend a quiet afternoon in perfect relaxation. Be sure to try and visit the Mission Beach, the Imperial Beach, Oceanside and Del Mar.
Residents looking for recreational opportunities won’t have to look far. In fact, they can participate in numerous recreational activities on the beaches, from going for a swim or scuba diving to going boating or riding the waves with hundreds of other surfers. There are also hundreds of trails for hiking and biking as well as over 90 golf courses for those who like spending their day on the green.
San Diego, CA’s Real Estate Market
Like most bigger cities, more residents tend to rent than own. Roughly 51.5 percent of the homes in San Diego are occupied by their owners, while 48.5 percent of the homes in the city are renter occupied. The average value of a home occupied by its owner is $503,700, which is slightly higher than the $448,669 state average. However, San Diego homeowners do pay an average of $2,440 in property taxes a year, which is lower than the state’s average of $2,550.
Featured Neighborhoods in San Diego, CA
- Carlsbad – Located in northern San Diego, the neighborhood of Carlsbad is known for being one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Perfect for families, Carlsbad is very much a community. It also boasts plenty of beautiful homes as well as easy access to the beach and to the I-5 – not to mention the nearby location of the gorgeous strawberry fields, Legoland and the city’s golf industry.
- Mission Hills – Those looking for a more peaceful and quiet neighborhood to live in should check out the real estate available in Mission Hills. The neighborhood is known for being one of the safest areas of the city as well as one of the cleanest.
- Old Town – This historic neighborhood is known as the birthplace of San Diego. It’s perfect for those who want instant access to many of the amenities of the city, meaning that the neighborhood has access to great public transportation, plenty of shopping and dining options and more.
- Balboa Park – People who love the amenities of the city but still want to retain the peaceful environment of a family neighborhood should take a look at Balboa Park. Balboa Park is a beautiful neighborhood with easy access to everything from downtown to the beaches.
You’ll Enjoy: Hundreds of Attractions
Being one of the biggest cities in the country means that there are literally hundreds of amazing attractions to enjoy.
- The gorgeous weather lends itself well to outdoor activities, which means that residents will be able to enjoy hundreds of street festivals all year round. A few of the street festivals, which boast food, music, dance, fun activities and more, include the Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Village Farmers’ Market and the Adams Avenue Street Festival.
- Anyone with kids, or that still has a little bit of kid in them, should visit the 128-acre Legoland. Legoland features over 40 interactive exhibits, 5,000 different models using 30 million different Legos and more.
- The San Diego Zoo is an absolute must-visit location. The zoo boasts over 4,000 different mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world. Anyone that decides to visit the zoo should be sure to check out the SBC Giant Panda Research Center as well as the Safari Park, which consists of more than 2,000 acres.
Distinguished Schools in San Diego, CA
- Mt. Everest Academy | Grades K-12 | 4350 Mt Everest Blvd
- La Jolla Elementary | Grades K-5 | 1111 Marine Street
- Edward L. Hardy Elementary | Grades K-5 | 5420 Montezuma Road
- Health Sciences Middle and High | Grades 6-12 | 3910 University Ave
San Diego, CA Utilities
- SDGE | Gas and Electric | http://www.sdge.com/
- City of San Diego Water | Water | http://www.sandiego.gov/water/rates/
- Time Warner | Internet | http://www.timewarnercable.com/
The Workforce: Stability and Opportunity
The unemployment rate has been relatively stable, not to mention respectable, in San Diego over the last four years. In 2010, the unemployment rate was 7.3 percent, well below the state average of 12.3 percent. In 2013, the unemployment rate in San Diego stayed pretty much the same at 7.4 percent, still respectable compared to the state’s 8.9 percent rate. This means that the economy in San Diego is pretty stable. The income per capita in San Diego is $32,553, which is higher than the state’s income per capita of $30,367.
Some of the bigger industries in San Diego include professional, scientific and technical services, educational services and public administration.