What You Need to Know Before Moving From Dallas to San Diego 

With azure waters and hundreds of crisscrossing windsurfers along beautiful powdery beaches, San Diego looks like a paradise. As the southernmost city in California, San Diego has a chilled coastal vibe with numerous cultural events and hosts the hottest industries in today’s market. Below are the eight most essential things you should know before moving to San Diego from Dallas:

1. The cost of living in San Diego

San Diego can be quite a costly city to live in, especially when moving from Dallas. While it’s not as expensive as other tech hubs such as San Francisco, transport, utilities, housing, and grocery costs are above the national average. Square footage is quite costly; thus, houses are smaller. The advantage is that most locals spend most of their time outside. The median cost of a home in San Diego is 645,000 dollars while in Dallas is 214,700 Dollars.

2. Industrialization

San Diego is an industrialization hotpot where healthcare, tech, and biotechnology companies have set up shop. The city is a preferred destination for university graduates with great ideas and the resilience to bring them to life, unlike Dallas, where most graduates move from. The median age for people living in Dallas is 32.5, while in San Diego, it is 34.5.

3. The weather

When moving to San Diego, you need to pack light. Don’t bring your boots, coats, and everything woolen. Thanks to the low humidity and the all-year-round sunshine that keeps most people on their patios and the beach, your simple summer attire will suffice. According to BestPlaces, San Diego has 266 days of sun every year, while Dallas has 234 days.

4. Be wise when using water

California is often prone to drought, and most people who come from greener and lusher parts of the country may not know this. It may take some time before you get used to the state as it’s a little drier than Dallas. However, watching your water usage by changing some things such as turning the faucet off when washing up and brushing your teeth will go a long way to preserve water. It would be best if you also kept your showers short by setting a timer.

5. Driving in the city and public transportation

Most people in San Diego own cars; driving can be quite a hassle. If you are nervous about driving, avoid rush hour by planning your activities well ahead, and stick to the slow lane. You can also use public transportation; the city has a Metropolitan Transit System, including light rails and bus service and trolleys to help you move around. However, before using public transport, ensure that you have a Compass Card- the city’s smart card. You can also use their app on your phone to purchase tickets.

6. Navigation

According to this company in San Diego, America’s Finest City is well-planned and laid out in a grid pattern- whether you are using a bike, taking a walk, or driving around in a car, the city is easy to navigate. From the north to the South, all the roads are well numbered- remember odd-numbered roads head north, and the even-numbered ones head south. From the west to the east, the streets are alphabetically named after trees- from Ash St to Walnut St. From then on, the roads are named after the letters of the alphabet – A St, B St, etc.

7. San Diego is a large city with a chilled vibe

When it comes to size, San Diego is the second-largest city in California after Los Angeles. However, it has a remarkably approachable and relaxed vibe with lower crime rates than other major cities in America. Dallas has a crime rate of 37 out of 100, this is considerably higher than San Diego, which is 24 out of 100.

8. Earthquakes

San Diego is geographically located near some of the earth’s fault lines. While earthquakes are infrequent in this area, they could occur. It’s important to know what to do in case of an earthquake. An essential thing to do is to be aware and stay calm.