$500k and 33years old, when is enough enough?

[ctr70]

A huge part of San Diego is very affordable. But I agree, these areas have a junky, dingy, low end feel. That is one of the interesting aspects of San Diego, it has this great weather, landscape and places like La Jolla…but SOOO much of San Diego are these dingy, dumpy, completely uninspiring places, like all that I listed. But they are very affordable.

There was a person that posted a while back about thinking about moving back to Minneapolis. See a place like MN, even the blue collar neighborhoods have character. They are tree lined streets with interesting older unique homes, grassy lawns, etc… Pleasing to the senses. But the 2nd and 3rd tier neighborhoods in San Diego are just so junky and eyesores. Central El Cajon? Spring Valley? Parts of Vista, Oceanside, etc.. They are just not aesthetically pleasing areas at all.

To me in San Diego you either have these dingy crappy neighborhoods with houses that look like Mississippi sharecropper shacks below $250k, or you have the soulless cookie cutter stuff in North Coutny with strip center shopping and zero uniqueness in the better neighborhoods (Rancho P, RB, Scripps, Eastlake…everywhere!). I think San Diego in general is just very, very un-appealing architecturally. Except for a few small pockets like Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, and maybe Kensington.

I’m personally mixed on San Diego. I’m not one of those people that are “gaa gaa” over San Diego and think it is the greatest place on earth.

Postives:
1. climate (although the lack of seasons has started to bore me terribly)
2. It is a large enough city with a lot to do and has economic diversity and ethnic diversity
3. You have the hilly topography next to ocean which is very cool and unique
4. There is some really nice hiking that is very accessible close to the urban areas of SD
5. The congestion and traffic is not bad here compared to places like Boston, LA, Bay Area, NYC, DC, Seattle, Chicago. It is super easy to get anywhere you need to go in 15-20 minutes, I love that. That is NOT the case in Boston, SF or LA…it can be a HUGE pain to get places.

Negatives:
1. It has a very, very low mentality in general and does not have an intellectual or progressive feel (that say SF, Seattle, Boston, Manhattan have). The values, personal tastes of people here, etc… are tacky and cheesy. It is very mainstream and heavily commercialized. It’s kind of a big beach “cow town”. And I don’t mean that politically (I’m in the center politically, not left or right).
2. As mentioned above it is a very architecturally UN-inspiring place. It has no quaintness or character. Lot’s of eyesore strip centers, cookie cutter stuff or the crappy 1950’s-1970’s neighborhoods. Like Clairmont for example, I think that place is just so ugly. It is a collection of these nasty 1950’s houses and eye sore strip centers. It’s so hard on the eyes and senses! And even PB, it’s just not attractive, there’s a ton of fast food places and crappy 1960’s apartment buildings.
3. It has the beach, but the water is too cold to swim in 12 mos a year
4. You can’t getaway drive to beautiful pristine mountains and skiing (like you can in say SF, Seattle, Boston, Denver). I think Julian is very, very average and even Idywild and Big Bear is just not that great. It’s NOT Vail CO, Lake Tahoe, The Cascades or Vermont. Not even close. In those cities you can have a getaway cabin or 2nd home you can drive to in 3hrs or less in a super pretty, pastoral, pristine mountain setting.
5. There are ZERO natural lakes or beautiful rivers in Southern Cal. I personally love boating in hanging out around tree lined natural lakes and rivers. There is nothing close to that here.
6. It’s fairly surface oriented and fake here, people are really into stupid s**t like the brand of their cars here. And they wash them constantly (LOL). That has been the rap on SoCal for decades, and it is really true. Not quite as bad as places like Orange County, but close.
7. There is a lot of tackiness and cheesiness here (Like the Gaslamp for example). Fine dining for people is some national chain with 27 gigantic big screen TV’s.
8. B/c it’s the desert it lacks trees, lush grass, greenery… It is very brown here. it’s amazing going back to the New England states in the summer, they are so green and lush compared to here.
9. Lack of a sense of community

So what that guy said from Minneapolis who wants to leave really connected with me. I just find my soul just feels really unfulfilled here. There is just something empty about the place. But there are very cool things about too it like the climate, hills, beach. So it’s kind of a love/hate place for me. The lack of culture and eye sore architecture just kind of “grinds” on you after a while.

[Doooh]

Awsome post above. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out. I agree with a lot of it. I kinda feel like spoiled brat in saying half of it because I grew up here and part of me knows the temperate weather is worth something.

Until I’ve spent a winter were snow sticks to the ground for a month, I don’t think I can form an educated opinion. I guess I’m afraid… What happens if i did move, and I don’t like the cold after a couple of years. I gave up a swinging job for this?

Lame excuse to stay paralyzed in SD, especially if I have the means to leave comfortably.

[Doooh]

Awsome post above. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out. I agree with a lot of it. I kinda feel like spoiled brat in saying half of it because I grew up here and part of me knows the temperate weather is worth something.

Until I’ve spent a winter were snow sticks to the ground for a month, I don’t think I can form an educated opinion. I guess I’m afraid… What happens if i did move, and I don’t like the cold after a couple of years. I gave up a swinging job for this?

Lame excuse to stay paralyzed in SD, especially if I have the means to leave comfortably.

[Doooh]

Awsome post above. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out. I agree with a lot of it. I kinda feel like spoiled brat in saying half of it because I grew up here and part of me knows the temperate weather is worth something.

Until I’ve spent a winter were snow sticks to the ground for a month, I don’t think I can form an educated opinion. I guess I’m afraid… What happens if i did move, and I don’t like the cold after a couple of years. I gave up a swinging job for this?

Lame excuse to stay paralyzed in SD, especially if I have the means to leave comfortably.

[Doooh]

Awsome post above. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out. I agree with a lot of it. I kinda feel like spoiled brat in saying half of it because I grew up here and part of me knows the temperate weather is worth something.

Until I’ve spent a winter were snow sticks to the ground for a month, I don’t think I can form an educated opinion. I guess I’m afraid… What happens if i did move, and I don’t like the cold after a couple of years. I gave up a swinging job for this?

Lame excuse to stay paralyzed in SD, especially if I have the means to leave comfortably.

[Doooh]

Awsome post above. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out. I agree with a lot of it. I kinda feel like spoiled brat in saying half of it because I grew up here and part of me knows the temperate weather is worth something.

Until I’ve spent a winter were snow sticks to the ground for a month, I don’t think I can form an educated opinion. I guess I’m afraid… What happens if i did move, and I don’t like the cold after a couple of years. I gave up a swinging job for this?

Lame excuse to stay paralyzed in SD, especially if I have the means to leave comfortably.

[joec]

I’d have a tough time getting off the treadmill with 2 kids (I assume still young kids?). There was another post about taking time off due to burnout earlier as well which you might want to review to get some ideas.

Anyhow, having done that myself and simply leaving my job some years back, there are a ton more risks if someone else is dependent on your income. 500k doesn’t go that far over the long term. Especially if you plan to help with college.

I don’t think SD is “all that” of a place (I probably like the bay area better for being closer to Tahoe), but bay area housing really is much more insane if you’re just trying to buy a SFH in a nice (top API area). Same goes for LA.

In regards to finding a place in SD, I’m starting to wonder if the folks who have lived here for a long time are the only ones who are actually more ok with living in the cities posted in the list above. Having lived in one of those areas, I can honestly agree that I’d rather have my kid playing video games than riding their bike around those towns.

My parents live in a “now” pretty crappy part of northern cal, but from living there still, they don’t seem to mind or notice it even though the area is pretty ghetto now in terms of demographics and schools. What’s interesting is ALL of the kids have moved out and to other areas so this makes me think that folks who live in these areas now see one thing while new home buyers who aren’t “forced” to live there see another.

[joec]

I’d have a tough time getting off the treadmill with 2 kids (I assume still young kids?). There was another post about taking time off due to burnout earlier as well which you might want to review to get some ideas.

Anyhow, having done that myself and simply leaving my job some years back, there are a ton more risks if someone else is dependent on your income. 500k doesn’t go that far over the long term. Especially if you plan to help with college.

I don’t think SD is “all that” of a place (I probably like the bay area better for being closer to Tahoe), but bay area housing really is much more insane if you’re just trying to buy a SFH in a nice (top API area). Same goes for LA.

In regards to finding a place in SD, I’m starting to wonder if the folks who have lived here for a long time are the only ones who are actually more ok with living in the cities posted in the list above. Having lived in one of those areas, I can honestly agree that I’d rather have my kid playing video games than riding their bike around those towns.

My parents live in a “now” pretty crappy part of northern cal, but from living there still, they don’t seem to mind or notice it even though the area is pretty ghetto now in terms of demographics and schools. What’s interesting is ALL of the kids have moved out and to other areas so this makes me think that folks who live in these areas now see one thing while new home buyers who aren’t “forced” to live there see another.

[joec]

I’d have a tough time getting off the treadmill with 2 kids (I assume still young kids?). There was another post about taking time off due to burnout earlier as well which you might want to review to get some ideas.

Anyhow, having done that myself and simply leaving my job some years back, there are a ton more risks if someone else is dependent on your income. 500k doesn’t go that far over the long term. Especially if you plan to help with college.

I don’t think SD is “all that” of a place (I probably like the bay area better for being closer to Tahoe), but bay area housing really is much more insane if you’re just trying to buy a SFH in a nice (top API area). Same goes for LA.

In regards to finding a place in SD, I’m starting to wonder if the folks who have lived here for a long time are the only ones who are actually more ok with living in the cities posted in the list above. Having lived in one of those areas, I can honestly agree that I’d rather have my kid playing video games than riding their bike around those towns.

My parents live in a “now” pretty crappy part of northern cal, but from living there still, they don’t seem to mind or notice it even though the area is pretty ghetto now in terms of demographics and schools. What’s interesting is ALL of the kids have moved out and to other areas so this makes me think that folks who live in these areas now see one thing while new home buyers who aren’t “forced” to live there see another.

[joec]

I’d have a tough time getting off the treadmill with 2 kids (I assume still young kids?). There was another post about taking time off due to burnout earlier as well which you might want to review to get some ideas.

Anyhow, having done that myself and simply leaving my job some years back, there are a ton more risks if someone else is dependent on your income. 500k doesn’t go that far over the long term. Especially if you plan to help with college.

I don’t think SD is “all that” of a place (I probably like the bay area better for being closer to Tahoe), but bay area housing really is much more insane if you’re just trying to buy a SFH in a nice (top API area). Same goes for LA.

In regards to finding a place in SD, I’m starting to wonder if the folks who have lived here for a long time are the only ones who are actually more ok with living in the cities posted in the list above. Having lived in one of those areas, I can honestly agree that I’d rather have my kid playing video games than riding their bike around those towns.

My parents live in a “now” pretty crappy part of northern cal, but from living there still, they don’t seem to mind or notice it even though the area is pretty ghetto now in terms of demographics and schools. What’s interesting is ALL of the kids have moved out and to other areas so this makes me think that folks who live in these areas now see one thing while new home buyers who aren’t “forced” to live there see another.

[joec]

I’d have a tough time getting off the treadmill with 2 kids (I assume still young kids?). There was another post about taking time off due to burnout earlier as well which you might want to review to get some ideas.

Anyhow, having done that myself and simply leaving my job some years back, there are a ton more risks if someone else is dependent on your income. 500k doesn’t go that far over the long term. Especially if you plan to help with college.

I don’t think SD is “all that” of a place (I probably like the bay area better for being closer to Tahoe), but bay area housing really is much more insane if you’re just trying to buy a SFH in a nice (top API area). Same goes for LA.

In regards to finding a place in SD, I’m starting to wonder if the folks who have lived here for a long time are the only ones who are actually more ok with living in the cities posted in the list above. Having lived in one of those areas, I can honestly agree that I’d rather have my kid playing video games than riding their bike around those towns.

My parents live in a “now” pretty crappy part of northern cal, but from living there still, they don’t seem to mind or notice it even though the area is pretty ghetto now in terms of demographics and schools. What’s interesting is ALL of the kids have moved out and to other areas so this makes me think that folks who live in these areas now see one thing while new home buyers who aren’t “forced” to live there see another.

[jstoesz]

I am the minnesota guy. I am the one that has such a hard time with SD because it pails on comparison (price wise) to every other place I have lived.

ctr and dooh, your posts make me so pleased. Sometimes when reading this thread, I feel like I am crazy. Like I am some spoiled entitlement brat (which I probably am given I live in the US). But you guys expressed exactly what I am thinking having lived in other places. ctr your analysis is spot on. I could not have said it better myself. You hit on all the highs and lows. The good life exists in SD, but you have to make so so so much more money to realize it. The job market is good, but it does not come close to yielding it. BG and sdr are probably really unhappy that you encouraged my SD scrooge-ishness…

But if I were forced to live in SD, sdr and BG would be the first I turn to for advice about where to buy. Thankfully, my hand was not forced on this matter, and Minneapolis is closer than ever. Who ever posted prior about the difficulties of hiring someone from Minneapolis, I loved it, every word.

Dooh, snow and a cold climate is nothing. You use it to your advantage. In MN I loved going to our cabin (something you can easily afford in the MN) on a -30 deg day, roaring up the wood stove, and when I got the courage and sunk in the warmth walking out onto the frozen lake and drinking in the cold. There is nothing like seasons. It makes you realize nature. You don’t fear the seasons, you adapt. It makes the sun more vibrant and the 80 deg summer lake more soothing.

Weather is easily mitigated with an opportunistic disposition.

[jstoesz]

I am the minnesota guy. I am the one that has such a hard time with SD because it pails on comparison (price wise) to every other place I have lived.

ctr and dooh, your posts make me so pleased. Sometimes when reading this thread, I feel like I am crazy. Like I am some spoiled entitlement brat (which I probably am given I live in the US). But you guys expressed exactly what I am thinking having lived in other places. ctr your analysis is spot on. I could not have said it better myself. You hit on all the highs and lows. The good life exists in SD, but you have to make so so so much more money to realize it. The job market is good, but it does not come close to yielding it. BG and sdr are probably really unhappy that you encouraged my SD scrooge-ishness…

But if I were forced to live in SD, sdr and BG would be the first I turn to for advice about where to buy. Thankfully, my hand was not forced on this matter, and Minneapolis is closer than ever. Who ever posted prior about the difficulties of hiring someone from Minneapolis, I loved it, every word.

Dooh, snow and a cold climate is nothing. You use it to your advantage. In MN I loved going to our cabin (something you can easily afford in the MN) on a -30 deg day, roaring up the wood stove, and when I got the courage and sunk in the warmth walking out onto the frozen lake and drinking in the cold. There is nothing like seasons. It makes you realize nature. You don’t fear the seasons, you adapt. It makes the sun more vibrant and the 80 deg summer lake more soothing.

Weather is easily mitigated with an opportunistic disposition.

[jstoesz]

I am the minnesota guy. I am the one that has such a hard time with SD because it pails on comparison (price wise) to every other place I have lived.

ctr and dooh, your posts make me so pleased. Sometimes when reading this thread, I feel like I am crazy. Like I am some spoiled entitlement brat (which I probably am given I live in the US). But you guys expressed exactly what I am thinking having lived in other places. ctr your analysis is spot on. I could not have said it better myself. You hit on all the highs and lows. The good life exists in SD, but you have to make so so so much more money to realize it. The job market is good, but it does not come close to yielding it. BG and sdr are probably really unhappy that you encouraged my SD scrooge-ishness…

But if I were forced to live in SD, sdr and BG would be the first I turn to for advice about where to buy. Thankfully, my hand was not forced on this matter, and Minneapolis is closer than ever. Who ever posted prior about the difficulties of hiring someone from Minneapolis, I loved it, every word.

Dooh, snow and a cold climate is nothing. You use it to your advantage. In MN I loved going to our cabin (something you can easily afford in the MN) on a -30 deg day, roaring up the wood stove, and when I got the courage and sunk in the warmth walking out onto the frozen lake and drinking in the cold. There is nothing like seasons. It makes you realize nature. You don’t fear the seasons, you adapt. It makes the sun more vibrant and the 80 deg summer lake more soothing.

Weather is easily mitigated with an opportunistic disposition.

[jstoesz]

I am the minnesota guy. I am the one that has such a hard time with SD because it pails on comparison (price wise) to every other place I have lived.

ctr and dooh, your posts make me so pleased. Sometimes when reading this thread, I feel like I am crazy. Like I am some spoiled entitlement brat (which I probably am given I live in the US). But you guys expressed exactly what I am thinking having lived in other places. ctr your analysis is spot on. I could not have said it better myself. You hit on all the highs and lows. The good life exists in SD, but you have to make so so so much more money to realize it. The job market is good, but it does not come close to yielding it. BG and sdr are probably really unhappy that you encouraged my SD scrooge-ishness…

But if I were forced to live in SD, sdr and BG would be the first I turn to for advice about where to buy. Thankfully, my hand was not forced on this matter, and Minneapolis is closer than ever. Who ever posted prior about the difficulties of hiring someone from Minneapolis, I loved it, every word.

Dooh, snow and a cold climate is nothing. You use it to your advantage. In MN I loved going to our cabin (something you can easily afford in the MN) on a -30 deg day, roaring up the wood stove, and when I got the courage and sunk in the warmth walking out onto the frozen lake and drinking in the cold. There is nothing like seasons. It makes you realize nature. You don’t fear the seasons, you adapt. It makes the sun more vibrant and the 80 deg summer lake more soothing.

Weather is easily mitigated with an opportunistic disposition.

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