Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] San Diego cost of living?

[Jonathan King <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On 11/3/05, Michael <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
> Anyone live or lived recently in the San Diego area? I'm trying to
> decide if I should accept a job offer I had there. How much is
> comfortable to have a 2 bedroom apartment or house (~1200sqft)?

You'll need to check some ads out (like Craig's list or the local
papers) for the latest on that.  Until very recently, housing prices
were going up so fast that you basically needed fresh data every month
to keep up with the market.  I'm pretty sure you can get 1200 square
feet for $2000 per month, and possibly less if you are willing to cut
corners on safe neighborhoods and amenities.  The real estate bubble
is popping in SD, but I think the average house is still like $500K to
buy.

> My price checks seem to say that rent will be about $2000/mo and utilities will
> be slightly higher than here in Las Vegas (electric about $200/mo). Any
> other things to watch out for? Crazy high taxes?

I don't think the utilities will be *that* high, but maybe they have
changed more than I know.  The only taxes that will matter to you are
(as a renter) are the sales tax, which is comparable to MO, I think,
and the income tax, which is higher than many places but not has high
as you might guess.

> If I take the job I'll be the chief tech guy for a company that sells
> hot tubs and related merchandise. The guy I'm replacing, that was no
> where near as skilled as I am, was making about $10k/mo but I'm still in
> my Missouri cost of living mindset where that much money a month seems
> like a huge amount so I keep feeling like asking for about half of that.
> Of course I won't argue if they want to offer me more than my minimum. ;)

Well.  $10K per month would be comfortable enough no matter what the
taxes are.  San Diego is also far more pleasant than most places,
although you will really and truly need to have a dependable car
unless you choose your workplace and home place very carefully.  I
never got more than $4.5K per month in SD (and that was 7 years ago),
but we did okay as a family of 4 as long as we were willing to forego
some things that some people weirdly consider mandatory.  The problem
then was that our kids were getting to school age, and the schools in
the city were horrible while we couldn't afford to live any place with
decent schools that wasn't insanely far for me to commute into La
Jolla.

jking

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