Yep. I totally agree with you. I specifically mentioned the “funkiness” of the job market here in San Diego because a LOT of people have big misconceptions about the market here.
Back in THEIR city they lived before they moved here they might have been something special. But many find here there is such a pent up demand from all the people that want to live here. San Diego is such a desirable place to live and everyone and their brother wants to move here.
I can’t tell you how many “hot shots” that moved here to San Diego expecting that they would easily find a great job get disappointed here. Some end up taking something totally NOT in their field or something that they wouldn’t consider in another city but they are forced to here in San Diego.
CAR, as you mentioned, in many major metropolitan cities, a good track record, experience, history of achievement and a decent network base will almost assure you a good job. But that isn’t always the case in San Diego. Or if they do get a job in the field they want, it’s a fraction of the price they could make in a less desirable city.
I know some people that work in HR and they tell me they routinely get people with a Master’s degree applying for fairly low level jobs. Also, just go around to retail and restaurant places and see how many people are working these type of low pay jobs with a college degree. LOTS.
Very few people come to San Diego and are pleasantly surprised with the job market. Most are negatively surprised how difficult it is here.
Again, I’m not saying that will be the case for everyone. As mentioned, Engineers, Biotech, and some C-Suite people probably won’t have too difficult of a time finding jobs but salary levels are much lower than other cities for the most part.
It’s amazing how much better the LA market is vs. San Diego but that will always be the case.
I just think people buying that don’t have a VERY stable job or lots of savings have to be a bit careful in this kind of market. San Diego is a wonderful place to live but not the best place to climb the corporate ladder and make a lot of money, at least how I see it compared to other cities.
I often joke with my friends that if I moved out here after college like many of my college buddies did… I’d probably have a fairly mediocre net worth (like they do). Most of them moved out for the great weather, sun, beach but then they woke up one day… 40 something year olds with kids and figured out that there is no way they can retire someday, live in a good school district, save up for their kids college fund and live the type of lifestyle they want to live in San Diego and almost all of them have moved out.
