Living in San Diego as an expat
San Diego, the birthplace of California, is a city where history meets progress. Passing through Native American, Spanish, and Mexican hands before becoming part of the United States, the city has a pioneer spirit that can be felt blowing through the palm trees that line its streets and sun-baked beaches. Whether moving here for work or play, new arrivals moving to San Diego are sure to be caught up in the city's dynamic, diverse energy.
Working in San Diego
San Diego has many strong industries that newcomers can find work in, including international trade, IT, tourism, military-related activities and manufacturing. The city has also gained a reputation for its world-class healthcare facilities and cutting-edge biotechnology industry. Online platforms and job portals are the most popular and effective tools for finding work in San Diego.
Work-life balance is taken seriously in San Diego, and, depending on your employer, you're likely to benefit from an employment package that enables you to enjoy everything the area has to offer. Don't be fooled, though – San Diegans might exude a relaxed surfer vibe, but they are motivated and hardworking.
Working in San Diego
Doing Business in the USA
Lifestyle in San Diego
San Diego may be known as the 'craft beer capital of the United States', but the city offers far more than its significant number of breweries. Living in San Diego means blending an active outdoor lifestyle with an incredible assortment of entertainment, dining, and shopping options.
The city's nightlife is centred on the iconic Gaslamp district, a historic neighbourhood in the middle of downtown San Diego, where live music venues, bars, and boutique shops compete for your attention. If you're after a quieter night out, the city also boasts a variety of restaurants, ranging from fine dining to street food and everything in between.
San Diego's pleasant climate and coastal location make the city an appealing choice for outdoor enthusiasts – surfing, swimming, and snorkelling along the region's pristine beaches are enjoyable ways to stay fit and work on your tan at the same time. Hiking and camping in nearby nature reserves are also popular, while the city's many green spaces, including the famous Balboa Park, lend themselves to casual strolls and relaxed picnics.
Finding accommodation in San Diego
Thanks to its unique geography, spreading from inland valleys to the coast, San Diego offers a wide range of accommodation types that suit just about every taste and budget. Options range from beachfront mansions and rural estates to first-time-buyer condominiums and bachelor apartments closer to the city centre.
The best way to find a place to stay in San Diego is to enlist the services of your relocation company. You might be lucky enough to be with a provider that offers house hunting as part of the relocation package. Alternatively, you can hire a real estate agency or browse through listings on online property portals yourself.
Renting Accommodation in San Diego
Best (and Worst) Areas and Suburbs in San Diego
Cost of living in San Diego
The cost of living in San Diego may be well below that of its Southern California neighbour, Los Angeles, but it’s still pretty high. It’s above both the California state average and the American national average. Fortunately, depending on which industry you work in, salaries are generally high, and as a result, most San Diegans live comfortably.
Housing in outlying suburbs beyond the city limits is generally more affordable than city-centre living, giving you the opportunity to reduce living expenses. As long as you don’t splurge too much on imported products, eating out and frequenting bars, you should be able to easily navigate the relatively high cost of living.
Living in San Diego with children
San Diego is a great city for families with children, offering a range of activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained. This includes famous destinations such as the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. There are also countless hiking trails in the hills around the city and plenty of weekend camping spots. San Diego is also home to exciting annual events such as the world-famous San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con International).
Finding a school in San Diego
There is no shortage of options when it comes to finding a school for your children in San Diego. Public schools are free to attend, though it's worth noting that admission is based on catchment areas. This means you'll either need to find a place to stay in your preferred school's zone or join the School Choice Programme to have your children placed in an out-of-zone school. International schools are few and far between in San Diego, although the globally recognised International Baccalaureate is taught at select public schools.
Other options include specialised charter or magnet schools, which fall under the public school system, or private schools, which are often faith based. If your children have special educational needs, they'll be well looked after at both public and private schools in San Diego, which routinely assess children with learning disabilities and provide personalised support.
Education and Schools in San Diego
Getting around in San Diego
Getting around in San Diego is straightforward. The city boasts a well-developed public transport system and plenty of alternatives for those who prefer to drive or cycle.
Public transport is run by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which provides light rail and bus services throughout the city. Those travelling on public transport frequently will benefit from the PRONTO Card, which caps fares to keep commuting costs down. For scenic trips along the coast, the COASTER commuter train links downtown San Diego with nearby towns such as Carlsbad and Oceanside.
Taxis in San Diego are also regulated by MTS and can be hailed from the street or booked in advance. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also present in the city and are a good alternative to traditional taxis.
Expats can drive temporarily on a foreign licence in San Diego, but will need to obtain a California licence for the long term. Traffic in the city centre and along the area's main transit arteries can be heavy, but most new arrivals prefer a personal vehicle for its convenience.
Transport and Driving in San Diego
Climate in San Diego
Some see San Diego’s climate as one of the best in the world, with nearly year-round summer. Perfect for a city on the coast, it has a semi-arid climate with only slight variation in temperature between the seasons. That being said, temperatures generally peak in summer, between June and August, averaging around 72°F (24°C). Occasional heat waves are caused by the Santa Ana winds blowing in from the desert.
Newcomers and expats alike moving to San Diego are afforded a high quality of life in a family-friendly setting, plus many job opportunities in multiple industries, making it one of the best cities in the USA to call home.