Having lived in Seattle, No Cal, and now San Diego, I’ve noticed how transient San Diego is. Personally, I’ve been here 3 years and will probably go back to Seattle in a few more years. I chose to come down here for the “lifestyle” and accepted the fact that I wouldn’t make as much money and probably wouldn’t be able to afford a home. Since I’ve been here, a majority of the people I’ve met seem to be only “passing through”. In fact, it seems there’s a pipeline from Boston out here, where people make the trip out and stay for a few years and then return to Boston to live for good. I couldn’t believe how many Bostonians I’ve met. There’s a whole community of them out here. People have accepted the fact that they will make less money for the few years they’re here. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the lack of major employers. I just think that San Diego is such a temporary stop for so many people it helps contribute to the low pay. I agree with BostonandOc that most people back east grow up in the same place and never leave, sometimes even the same neighborhood.
