Comments on: San Diego Versus Chicago

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:42:34 +0000

Hey, thanks for the blog. I have been living in San Diego for 8 years, California for 12 and I feel like this area has nothing to offer. The area is overpopulated with uneducated people, ghetto nightlife, and overpriced bad quality restaurants. I am looking to take a position with my company in Chicago as an escape. I REALLY need a REAL city life, but nervous about Chicago because outside of the city, the Midwest is shit. I live in downtown SD and thought that would be my “city,” but the people are backwards and closed-minded in SD, and way too laid back for me (I’m originally from the East Coast). So my question is, living in Chicago, did you feel isolated because outside of Chicago is crap unless you get on a plane and go somewhere? Thanks for letting me rant, but San Diego is not all it is cracked up to be….

By: Julie Dine

Julie Dine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:25:07 +0000

Hi Tony,
You may not get this. I am looking for jobs in SD, in the healthcare/sales/coordinator realm. do you have any contacts for that. I am born and raised chicago girl and want a lifestyle change. With chicago its eat and drink, fitness and non-drinking is not a true chicagoans passion (well in my circle). I want to run along beaches, surf, long board (yes at the riiiipe age of 31) and live a true happy healthier lifestyle. so, do you think SD is a good choice for a career in healthcare, fitness and year round comfort with weather. for a person like me?

what are the best most affordable areas in SD (city limits- on the west side of highway 5) I think its time for me to change the pace and get west, Chicago is a great place to visit for a few weeks in the summer…the taxes are outrageous and they keep hiking costs… just wanted to find out the best areas for a 31 year old swf should live. thank you in advance!

By: Tony Huynh

Tony Huynh — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:55:49 +0000

If you’re looking for quiet neighborhoods, I would recommend Carlsbad, which is just north of Del Mar. Scripps Ranch, Poway and San Marcos are nice suburbs of Northern San Diego also.

By: T Catena

T Catena — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:26:37 +0000

Hi Tony-

Thanks for your information on the diferences of the 2 cities. I would love to get some more details from you as far as crime, best family neighborhoods, ect. We are moving to San Diego from Chicago next Spring. We currently live in the suburbs of Chicago, and miss the city life, but would prefer to stay in a calm area. We were looking at northern areas of SD like Del Mar & surrounding areas. How would you compare SD’s suburbs to Chicago’s? Glad you like it here, but the winters do suck!!! Thanks.

By: Tony Huynh

Tony Huynh — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:26:32 +0000

Hi Janice,

Sorry I took so long to get back to you, but I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about San Diego. You can write to me here or e-mail me at riposte101 @ gmail [dot] com .
Thanks!

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:36:35 +0000

Hi Janice. I just stumbled onto this website today and saw your comment and thought maybe we could talk. You see, I have been in San Diego my whole life and am planning a move to Chicago this summer! E-mail me at lizardbreath789 at yahoo dot com. (Don’t judge, it’s an e-mail account from high school!) Hopefully you’ll get this and reach out. ~Liz~

By: janice rodriguez

janice rodriguez — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:41:25 +0000

Hey there! I know you published this years ago so not sure if you’ll even get this message, but if so I’d love to ask you some questions! I’m looking to move to San Diego in October but I was born and raised in Chicago so this is all I know, and would love some more insight. Any advice would help! Thanks, Janice

By: Tony Huynh

Tony Huynh — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:15:14 +0000

Hey Katie,

I know a lot of people that moved to San Diego. The transition shouldn’t be too bad there. You don’t really know a city unless you live there for a while. I think it would be a great experience to move to a new place and experience it. That way you’ll have the experience to compare the 2 like I have. Whatever you decide. Good luck!

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:19:22 +0000

Hello,
I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois. Although I do not live in Chicago, I am really familiar with Chicago and love the city. Next year I will be attending graduate school and I am deciding between a program in Illinois that gives me the option to work in Chicago in the future or a program at San Diego State University in San Diego, CA. I do not know anyone in California but I think San Diego is beautiful and it would be an awesome experience. I obviously have my support system in Chicago. The programs are comparable so it is not like one is way better than the other. How hard do you think it is for a young person to move to San Diego for a masters program not knowing anyone? Do you think the transition could be easier because there will be other students in the same program? Any advice for a new comer in her early twenties looking to do a masters in San Diego? Also my parents will be supporting me so I don’t have to worry too much about income/living cost until I graduate my masters in Speech Language Pathology.

By: Tony Huynh

Tony Huynh — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:31:21 +0000

Hi Erin,
It is a big change and you need to weigh the decision carefully. I usually make lists of pros and cons before coming to a big decision like this. I will say that you never really know a city until you’ve lived there for a while. Let me know how it goes and good luck!