r/asksandiego

I’ve been looking for entry-level jobs in San Diego, but almost everything I find is paying around $15–16/hour, which doesn’t seem like enough to realistically live here.
Does anyone have recommendations for companies, industries, or websites where you’ve had better luck finding entry-level jobs that pay a livable wage? I’m open to different types of work—I just feel like I’m looking in the wrong places.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

How's southeast san diego nowadays? I see quite a few posts from years ago that mentions things like gangs and four corners of death. But I keep seeing homes sell for $800K or more in these neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are Alta Vista, Encanto, Emerald Hills, Paradise Hills. I've been around Normal Heights and Rolando and west La Mesa but never regularly been anywhere south of the 94.

We are visiting Oceanside and we always take our dogs to the dog beach at ocean beach. I’m seeing an advisory for the water there. Any thoughts on this? Are people still taking their dogs there? Or any other leash free beach recommendations for dogs? Wouldn’t mind leashed recommendations either.

My best friend (45F) and I (42F) are going out to celebrate a milestone. We want to go out Saturday night and we haven’t been out-out in too long so where do we go? Hillcrest? 30th? We are cocktail girlies so I’m kinda lost. Mission beach is way too young for us to have a good time but that’s where I remember partying from grad school. Where’s a space we can chill and maybe dance?

I am considering moving to San Diego, California but I know so little about the area. I’m specifically planning to move with in with a close family, and hoping to join the workforce. Could anyone help me answer some questions I am concerned and curious about?

I’m going to give you the situation. So, I already have a car in California ( It was a gift, in case I move ) but the thing is i’m worried about the monthly payment of owning a car; such as car insurance + gas + any other necessities. The family also plans to move out and wants me to pay $1000 monthly (half the rent). Downtown is 15 minutes away from the area and mostly I expect to be driving everywhere especially with going to work. The minimum wage in the area is $17.75 and I calculated it resulting to $2,840 monthly gross income. I also worry about health and dental insurance, how much do you guys usually pay for this? I calculated my supposedly income after car insurance and then rent is paid, I’d be left with $1,440 dollars. Do you guys think it’ll work out? I honestly do not think so…What other things should I worry about?

I've decided that I want to move to San Diego next year, but I'm beyond nervous about it. It'll be a cross-country move, and my biggest fear is getting all the way over there ready to start my new life, only to find that things are even more expensive than I planned for.

I've read a bunch of online articles and watched those real estate youtubers that talk about cost of living, but their estimates vary wildly without giving enough specific information as to how they got to those numbers. I really want a realistic understanding of what I'll have to shell out every month just to live.

If you rent a 2-bedroom-2-bathroom apartment or townhouse in the San Diego area, would you mind giving concrete estimates of what you pay each month for the following:

• Total base rent
• Total apartment amenities fees
  • like trash, parking, pest control, required technology package, etc
• Total electricity bill
  • including the preposterous SDG&E delivery fees i've heard so much about...
• Total water/sewer bill
• Total internet bill
• Renters insurance
• Any other recurring monthly housing costs that surprised you

It would also be helpful to know

• What neighborhood/area of San Diego you live in
• Number of people in your household
• When you started your lease

Please note that I'm asking for totals per month on everything! Not just your half if you have a roommate. The total monthly household cost.

I know everyone's situation is different, but even a rough breakdown would be so so appreciated. As a chronic type A overthinker, the more information I have, the better.

If you take the time to answer, a million thanks!

I’ve been looking into transitioning into a Park Ranger jobs in the San Diego area, but navigating the different jurisdictions is overwhelming. Between California State Parks, San Diego County Parks & Rec, and the City of San Diego, the hiring processes and requirements seem totally different.

For anyone currently working as a ranger locally or who has gone through the process, could you share some advice?

Plumbers, electricians, HVAC people and any other service you need, how are you finding them?

I’m not handy, unfortunately, and any time I need to find someone, it’s such a struggle. Low priced sponsored search results are obviously an opening for upsells. Yelp is pay to play. What’s the best way to find someone reliable who won’t rip me off while destroying my house?

Our house does not have any window screens or AC (thanks to a very cheap landlord) and we are struggling against junebugs right now. They fly through our curtains and terrorize us. Due to the lack of AC, open windows are our only option to cool the house down.

We‘ve never had this issue before and are about to bite the bullet and just purchase our own AC to keep these little freaks out. Wanted to check first if anyone has had success with a bug spray or other type of deterrent we could try?

Hi all, I'm coming down to San Diego from L.A. in 2 weeks: I love animals, and I haven't been to the SDZ since elementary school, and I want to get a visit in before I start a new job. It will probably be a 3-4 day trip, with one full day at the SDZ and a morning/afternoon in La Jolla before driving back to LA.

Any recommendations for where I should stay for 2-3 nights? I'm trying to avoid tourists/conventions/bars so I know The Gaslamp District is out. I like quirky little shops and really good food. Is Little Italy a good idea? I will have a car but don't want to be too far from the Zoo.

I also love good food but I'm on a somewhat limited budget. If anyone specifically has recs for: burritos, tacos, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, breakfast/brunch that won't break the bank I'd really appreciate it. (Ideally less than $40 per meal at absolute most.)

Its from a class action ($150) I got my wallet stolen i need to replace all my stuff I only have a pic of my passport and my CDCR ID. It has my name on it and it's legit so dont ask if Its fraud -_- $10 for whoever can help me out once I can cash it out.

My wife & I (early 20s) will be coming to San Diego in less than a month. We have flights, rental car, & hotel booked (mission bay area near 5). I was hoping to get some feedback & answers to a few last-minute questions.

Sunday- fly in around 11am; get lunch & a few groceries; evening in Old Town

Monday- Balboa Park in the morning (only visiting the free sights); concert at Petco Park that night (maybe late lunch/early dinner in Little Italy beforehand). There's a trolley station near our hotel, but we also thought about parking at Old Town or Little Italy & catching the trolley from there as it's a bit closer than our hotel. Being from an area with no public transportation, we do have some reservations about this. However, I've seen a lot of people saying that the parking downtown is outrageously expensive.

Tuesday- sleep in a bit from late concert; ride the ferry over to Coronado Island in the early afternoon; eat lunch, rent golf cart for 2 hours to explore & see some of the houses, return golf cart, shop, visit the Hotel Del, dinner, sunset on the beach, ride the ferry back after dark

Wednesday- zoo (starting with the bus tour first); any other tips for seeing it all from open to close this day are desired!

Thursday- get to Torrey Pines at open; hike Guy Fleming trail; explore La Jolla for the rest of the day

Friday- return rental car at 10:30; flight leaves at noon. is there anything we could squeeze in in the morning before we have to leave?

I'm trying to leave some room for fluidity & decision making based on what we want to do that day/how we're feeling. We want to stop in & see The Lafayette & the Point Loma Tide Pools as well as watch sunset at Sunset Cliffs & the gliderport. We're pretty picky eaters but are planning to eat at Wayfarer, La Perla #3, Ed Fernandez, & Prince Street Pizza. We were also considering doing a reservation for drinks at Mothership one night.

Any feedback & advice is seriously appreciated!

I know it may be a long shot, was hoping to find a place with $1-$3 happy hour oysters (or regular menu) like I have found in some non costal cities.

Bonus points if it’s really close to the ocean.

Thanks!

I'll be moving from NYC to SD in a few months. I plan on staying in an airbnb so I can personally check out these apartments but still would love to hear your thoughts. If anyone here lives/have lived/know anyone who lives in these apartments, can you make comments about the neighborhood, noise insulation, management, value for money. Thanks in advance!!

Our go-to for "staycation" is the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. It's got a water slide for the kids, a pool side bar, and we always get a room on a higher floor so we get an amazing view of the ocean and sunset.

But now we are looking for a different place to stay in August because they say the slide, pool, and hot tub are closed for at least the remainder of the summer.

The location in Mission Bay isn't that important, but again the view, the pool, and everything else are really nice. We like that the kids enjoy themselves but also that it doesn't feel like a place designed specifically for kids, if that makes sense.

Any suggestions on where we could stay in the area that would have a similar feel would be great. Could be anywhere in the area (from San Diego to Carlsbad).

Also open to any suggestions for inland gems.

Thank you!

Looking for a friendly, clean, not too pricey place to get a tongue piercing!

Anyone want hangout ?

Black beach?,hike,good and respectful people please

Hey all. Coming in a few weeks for a concert at snapdragon stadium. It’s 4 guys all between 30-35 years old. We get in early Friday morning and wanted to stay somewhere nice and potentially hit a beach/pool. Friday night prob do a good dinner and go out a little bit. Saturday day drink before concert.

My questions.

-where do you think we should stay? We’re wanting a hotel around things to do. What area is best?

-where should we day drink Saturday?

We like bars that are a little more casual. Not super fancy.

First trip to SD and looking for some affordable places to stay with kitchens, free parking, ac, and a nice place. Found one in barrio Logan I like quite a bit but wondering if this area is not great for a first timer to SD. My wife and I dont drink and enjoy a more quiet atmosphere, would somewhere near sunset cliffs be a better fit? We plan to spend most of our time at beaches / coves / trails rather than the typical stuff like major tourist attractions, restaurants, and museums.

Working here for the next 11 months. Where in sandiego can I find the best shop to give me a mid skin fade and beard trim?