San Diego is known for being "America’s finest city". It has something for everybody, a unique charm, and Pandas. San Diego Zoo has hosted Pandas since 1996, currently housing three of them. If you've ever been here you've probably fallen in love too.
So here goes 10 things you should know about San Diego if you are planning on joining one of our amazing communities:
1. Weather
There is no such thing as “too good to be true” when talking about San Diego weather. You can totally pack, sell, or give to that distant aunt that only visits the family in the Christmas your winter clothing, you won’t need it here. With an annual average of 63.65 Fº, you can watch the sunset at the beach year-round.
2. Safety First
Even paradise hides its perils. Water in the ocean can be tricky, so it’s important to always pay attention to the various signs indicating where’s safe to swim and where’s not. It’s a good idea to always have someone with you when doing something in nature and check for lifeguards in the area. Check out Beach Amenities and Regulations here.
Also, if you’re into surfing, pay attention to the rules. There are flags to help you guide in the water and avoid accidents. And if you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask.
3. Farmers market
Be it for love or to save some money, cooking is part of the life of many people. Although the city has some of the greatest restaurants in the USA, it also has a lot of great products produced by nearby farmers. With such top quality food in the Farmers Market, you can be your own chef whenever you want to.
4. Transportation
San Diego has an extensive public transportation system. Buses, trolleys, light rails, and others can take you from north to south at any time. Biking is always a good option to move through the city too. And for those who prefer cars, it is advisable to plan ahead to avoid the rush hour and pay attention to the parking signs.
5. Closeness to Mexico
You can visit Mexico and come back on the same day. Tijuana, for example, is a good city to visit and with a great international airport. But if you don’t feel like crossing the border, the cultural proximity makes San Diego full of Mexican restaurants and bars where you can enjoy that famous spicy food without leaving your neighborhood.
6. Living Costs
We ain’t gonna lie, San Diego isn’t exactly cheap. With a living cost higher than the national average, higher transportation costs, higher groceries and utility costs, and even higher average healthcare costs. However, that’s the price to pay for the perfect lifestyle, even though it's a bit expensive, all the pros you have are definitely worth the money. You may pay a bit more, but you’ll live a lot better.
7. Be Aware of Water Usage
This is another important tip to pay attention to. It is marvelous weather, but it’s also very dry. If you come from a wetter part of the world it might take a little while to get used to San Diego’s lack of moisture. Stay tuned to your water usage, make little changes, don’t leave the water running if you ain’t using it, save all the water you can, because you are gonna need it.
8. Wildlife
There’s no need to talk about this topic if you’ve seen any nature pic of the city. It’s pure gold. Beaches, caves, parks, you can go whale watching or make a picnic by the sea with WILD SEALS. Yeah, you don’t even have to go to the zoo to find amazing animals, which, by the way, is one of the greatest zoos in the world. Just be sure to follow the rules, collect your trash, and protect nature, you don’t want them to disappear.
9. Education
From Elementary Schools to Universities, both private and public, San Diego’s education is top-ranked in the country. It’s easy to find information about schools in your neighborhood online, you’ll probably be in doubt, not knowing which school to put your child on. Perks of living in one of the most educated cities in the country.
10. Big City but Chill
San Diego is the best of two worlds, with a chill vibe coming from the great nature, pristine beaches, and surf culture, and a big city vibe, coming from the biotech industrial hot spot, the agitated nightlife, and the big number of tourists. Life in San Diego is never boring, but still, it is always cool and relaxed. It is also one of the places with the lowest crime rates in the country. It’s a perfect place to be happy.
If you want to make a home here in San Diego, we can help you find beautiful houses in all of the best neighborhoods. Get in touch!!
