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Moving from Seattle to San Diego

San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities, known for its sunny weather and beautiful beaches. This Southern California beach town, nestled along the Pacific coast, is the eighth-largest city in the United States. Aside from its beautiful beaches, it is densely packed with parks and hiking trails, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. When you combine that with a thriving culinary and craft beer scene, a vibrant nightlife, and proximity to incredible locations, it's easy to see why San Diegans are said to have the best quality of life in the country. As you prepare to leave Seattle, consider some of the highlights of this fantastic city.

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The Advantages of Relocating from Seattle to San Diego

Almost Perfect Weather

You can never remember the rain clouds and gloomy haze that have descended on Seattle. One of the reasons San Diego attracts so many residents is that it has the most temperate weather in the entire country. This ideal location provides the perfect coastal breeze, preventing San Diego from becoming overly hot. You'll feel like you've arrived in paradise with year-round temperatures around 70 degrees and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Also See: 8 Most Eco-friendly Cities in the US

Beaches of International Renown

San Diego has a few of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Coronado, Torrey Pines, and La Jolla Cove are three of the city's most well-known beaches, each with its distinct personality and offering everything right from scenic hikes to seals. The Pacific Ocean, located off the coast of San Diego, has excellent surfing waves and calm areas for kayaking and paddleboarding. Whether you love surfing or family packing shovels and pails, you will find the beach that is perfect for you. It is like enjoying a vacation every day in San Diego, with access to beautiful beaches and water activities right outside your door.

A Foodie's Paradise

Without a doubt, the San Diego food scene is among the best. Its proximity to Mexico is reflected in the city's cuisine. San Diego has many fantastic Mexican dining options, including some of the best carne asada burritos and fish tacos. Apart from its ethnic restaurants, San Diego has many excellent independent restaurants, such as Mamma Mia, The Patio, and Alexander's on 30th. San Diego's food scene has it all, whether you want to grab an In-and-Out Burger, eat a street taco, or dine at a 5-star restaurant.

Craft Beer Culture

Seattleites drink coffee, but San Diegans drink craft beer. This craft beer scene in San Diego is one of the best globally, with over 100 licensed craft beer producers. This culture has resulted in the establishment of several distinctive brewpubs, including the prestigious Stone Brewing Company and a plethora of other casual hangouts.

Excellent Family Attractions

In San Diego, there is no shortage of family-friendly activities. If you prefer amusement parks, you can visit Legoland, SeaWorld, or Disneyworld, only a short drive away. Your family could also spend the day at the San Diego Safari Park, which houses rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, and other animals in massive enclosures.

Weekend Getaways and Fun Day Trips

Although living in San Diego is a vacation in and of itself, it is still nice to get away from time to time. Fortunately, San Diego's location makes it simple to visit various fantastic destinations. In the winter, drive two hours north to Big Bear Mountain for skiing or east to Julian for fall flavors. If you are searching for something even more exotic, you're only 25 miles from Mexico, so you're never far from adventure.

What is the state of the economy in San Diego?

The San Diego economy has been largely unaffected by the 2008 recession, and it has continued to grow at an unexpected rate. While the economy is diverse, the military, tourism, international trade, and, in recent years, research and technology have historically been the area's economic backbone. Because of San Diego's naturally deep harbor, the US Military has used the city as a major naval base and defense center. Along with military uses, the cruise ship industry has used the city, bringing in an estimated $100 million per year.

San Diego has also become a hub for research, technology, and the information industry since establishing the University of California and the associated medical center (UCSD Medical Center). In comparison to Seattle, San Diego has remained surprisingly robust, if not growing, in the aftermath of the 2008 recession. On the other hand, Seattle took a significant hit and still struggles to regain economic stability daily. Given its size, San Diego has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with an estimated unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in December 2013, compared to the national average of 8.7 percent.

Also See: 10 Most Expensive Cities in the US

Moving from Seattle to San Diego: How Much Does It Cost?

Moving can be stressful and expensive, so it's critical to hire a professional moving company you can rely on. Although long-distance moving can be costly, the average cost of moving from Seattle to San Diego with packers and movers is approximately $2,436.86. Of course, many factors will influence the final price, including the distance of the move, the number of items being moved, and services such as packing and unpacking. 

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Also See: Best Long Distance Moving Companies in the America

How Do Seattle and San Diego Compare?

Costs Of Living

One thing you may notice after moving from Seattle is that things are generally less expensive in San Diego. San Diego's housing market is slightly less costly than that of Seattle. A three-bedroom apartment in Seattle's city center costs around $3,890 per month. The rent for a three-bedroom apartment in San Diego is approximately $3,700.

If you are looking to buy real estate in San Diego, you will be pleased to learn that an apartment in the city center costs around $673 per square foot.

While the difference is small, it can grow over time. San Diego has lower entertainment, transportation, healthcare, and food prices than Seattle. As a result, expect a lower overall cost of living. A 1-kg tomato, for example, costs $5.80 in Seattle but only $4.11 in San Diego. Great news for all of you tomato fans out there!

Transportation In Public

Though both of these cities have a bike-sharing system that makes it more environmentally friendly, San Diego's standard mode of public transportation is the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bus service, which has a one-way ticket price of $2.50 compared to $2.75 in Seattle. It also has a trolley service that covers 50+ miles of the city.

A Regional Adult 30-Day Pass costs $99 in Seattle. Fares are lower in San Diego because a monthly pass for the MTS Bus service costs only $72.

Weather

Summers in San Diego are hotter than those in Seattle. Its ideal location provides the perfect coastal breeze that keeps San Diego from becoming overly hot. You'll feel like you've arrived in paradise with year-round temperatures around 70 degrees and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Why Is Summer the Busiest Moving Season?

Moving is made easier by the warm weather and long nights. It's no surprise that summer is the peak moving season, with June being by far the most popular month to relocate.

In contrast, less activity occurs during the colder months. They're even referred to as the Seattle freeze. That doesn't mean it'll be cheaper; federal and local holidays can still cause price increases. Below, we'll look at which months you should keep an eye out for.

Also Read: Moving During The Peak Season

San Diego's Best Neighborhoods

Whether you're relocating to San Diego for business, education, or its highly regarded medical services, it's a good idea to have a good idea of the best neighborhoods in the area:

Little Italy

Little Italy, located near downtown San Diego, is at the heart of the city's hustle and bustle. It presents easy access to the city's best amenities and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. The Little Italy Association looks after the area's historical buildings, promotes local businesses, and professionally handles municipal issues like broken streetlights. It is one of the city's only communities with a community board.

Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley is a newer neighborhood with a sizable population of young professionals. It's an affluent neighborhood with a per-capita income in the six figures, ensuring high safety, cleanliness, and rental or resale property value marks. However, it comes with the high cost of living and inconvenient public transportation.

Ocean Beach

This charming suburb provides the best beach life that isn't available in upstate Washington. Its population is a mix of young professionals, new-age hippies, and surfers. It has a local farmer's market, ideal for people who prefer fresh produce to supermarket imports. It's also suitable for nearby activities, as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are nearby.

Old Town

If you enjoy historical architecture and culture, this is the place to be. It has 17 museums, award-winning restaurants, and hundreds of shops and boutiques in the heart of San Diego. It's ideal for young professionals, but it's not the best option for families who prefer peace and excellent local childcare.

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Also See: Top Neighborhoods in San Diego for Singles and Young Professionals

Conclusion

San Diego is a wonderful place to live because of its beautiful weather, exciting landscape, growing economy, and highly rated education system. You will undoubtedly enjoy your new surroundings! After moving to San Diego, you'll never miss Seattle's cold and damp city.

FAQ

How much is the distance between Seattle and San Diego?

There are 1,255 miles between Seattle and San Diego. This journey takes approximately 21 hours and 13 minutes to complete by car. 

How much does it cost to move from Seattle to San Diego on average?

Moving long distances can be both inconvenient and expensive at times. However, planning ahead of time will make a move easier and less hassle. The journey from Seattle to San Diego costs between $2899 and $8284, averaging $5592.

Should I change my location from Seattle to San Diego?

This move may be a source of concern for some, but there are numerous advantages to relocating to San Diego. San Diego has the mildest weather in the entire country, so forget about the rain clouds and grey haze that loom over Seattle.

Also Read: Moving from Seattle to Atlanta | Moving from Seattle to Chicago | Moving from Seattle to Austin