San Diego is a city full of hidden gems. From amazing local restaurants like Dan Diegos to surfing beaches such as Tourmaline there are places to explore for days and years. 

People who live in San Diego love living there and for good reason! If you are considering a strategic relocation then keep reading to find out what you should know before moving day rolls around.  

Relocating to San Diego

What's so great about San Diego? The list is endless. One of the best things about San Diego is that the average temperature year-round is 70 degrees. 

With a population of over 1.37 million people, it can sound intimidating to those who do not like big cities. San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and the second-largest city in California. 

However, while San Diego is a big city it does not feel like one. The property crime rate is 31.4 percent — lower than the US average of 35.4 percent. San Diego also has lower crime rates than some other cities of similar size. 

Strategic Relocation Tips

If you are wondering how to relocate strategically then there are a few things you should consider. These factors include location, schools, employment, social, and more. 

Location

When you are deciding where to move to in San Diego there are many neighborhood options. Some of your considerations might be based on schools, distance from work, or maybe just the general vibe of the neighborhood. 

There are some popular neighborhoods in San Diego you can consider. However, if your concern is safety then the following neighborhoods are ones you definitely want to consider. 

Del Mar Mesa

Del Mar Mesa is in the northern part of San Diego. This neighborhood has an A+ rating when it comes to safety. 

It is also ranked as one of the best places to live in California. In addition, if you have kids the public school system gets an A+ rating as well. 

Via de la Valle

Via de la Valle is in the northwestern part of San Diego. This community also has an A+ rating when it comes to crime and safety. 

There are highly rated A + public schools in Via de la Valle. It is also a community with many retirees. 

San Pasqual Valley

San Pasqual Valley is another northern San Diego neighborhood. This area is known for its avocado, dairy, and citrus farms. 

This community also has an A+ rating in safety and excellent A- public schools.

North City Future Urbanizing Area 

North City Future Urbanizing area is north of Carmel Valley. If you want a great safety rating and nightlife, this is the community for you. 

This community rates B+ for nightlife. However, it also has an A+ rating for safety and public schools that are highly rated. 

La Jolla

For you non Californians this northwestern neighborhood is pronounced, La HOY-a, not, La JOL-LA. It is also the home to a beautiful coastline and the Children's Pool which offers a fun glimpse of sea lions. 

This is another community that is great for those looking for nightlife mixed with safety. The rating for nightlife in La Jolla is A+ and safety comes in at an A. When it comes to public schools this area is rated A. 

Black Mountain Ranch

Black Mountain Ranch is another community in the northern part of San Diego. If you are looking for more diversity within your neighborhood this community is ranked A for diversity. 

When it comes to safety Black Mountain Ranch gets a B+ and an A+ for the public schools. 

Torrey Hills

Torrey Hills is once again another northern San Diego Community. This community feels more urban. 

The crime and safety rating for Torrey Hills is an A and the public schools have a rating of A+. 

Schools

If you are looking for a neighborhood that is safe and has excellent public schools for your children, check the list above. However, if you do not want your child to attend public school there are over 100 options in the San Diego area for private schools. 

Employment

Maybe you're moving to San Diego with a job, or maybe you will be looking for a job. Before deciding on your neighborhood consider how close you want to live to work. 

As you move to San Diego if you are in search of a job you're going to find that the biggest markets consist of manufacturing, military, tourism, and international trade.

Before COVID-19 and the rise in unemployment, San Diego had an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, which was lower than the national average of 3.5 percent. Due to the pandemic, those numbers rose to 12.3 percent. 

Even with the pandemic, the opportunity for jobs has grown and San Diego houses a couple of Fortune 500 companies. This means that there are plenty of opportunities for employment in San Diego. 

Know the Area

Before you start worrying about what comes up in reports, such as termites, make sure you know the area you're moving to. A great real estate agent that can guide you through this is essential. 

Melissa talks here about how termites are something normal within the San Diego area that worries people who are moving from out of the area. She references the fact that if termite activity does not show up on the report that she worries herself about who did the report. 

If termites are on the report of your potential San Diego home, then having someone to guide you through the process who knows when to worry and when to not worry is essential. Melissa and John have another video specifically about termites on their YouTube that gives you all the facts you need to know about termites.  

What to Expect When Relocating

Moving is stressful. If you add in starting a new job and other factors associated with the move, your stress level can get high pretty quickly. There is a reason that taking on a mortgage and a change in residence are on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. 

While not all types of stress are bad, it is important to know what to expect when it comes to your relocation so you can reduce your stress levels as much as possible. The key to handling stress is preparation. 

Start Packing Early

Packing is one of the most stressful parts of moving. Feeling like you are living your life out of boxes is never fun.

However, if you wait too long then you may underestimate the amount of time you need. This will add to your stress level and potentially cost more. When packing, only pack what you need and toss or donate what will not be coming with you. 

You don't want to have to unpack items you do not plan to keep anyways. In addition, make sure you make checklists and label everything. This will simplify the process when you go to unpack in your new home.

If you're moving from out-of-state and using a moving service, it's also going to be cheaper if you don't own as much.

Research

Research the area you will be moving into. If you do not have the opportunity to visit before you move then check out some of these 360 videos that do walkthroughs of properties. 

Understand what you will encounter in your new neighborhood and know how to budget for any cost of living changes you may encounter. 

Plan for Fido

Don't forget to plan for your pet. If you have a pet moving with you, then be sure you know what the area has to offer for them. If you have a dog, are there local dog parks or good places to walk your dog?

You will also want to plan for local veterinarians and to update ID tags. Finally, consider the moving process and how it will impact your pet. If you have an animal that will need to be in a carrier during the trip, start getting them ready for that. 

Plan Movers

Are you planning to fly to your new city? If so then you will need to plan for movers. Make sure you pick a moving company that you can trust and a good insurance policy. 

In addition, consider your car. Will you pay someone to ship your car? Or do you want to pay someone to drive your car to your new home? 

Get Involved

You have arrived at your new home! Get involved in your community and start meeting people. Meeting new people and neighbors can be a struggle. 

However, making friends and getting involved will help you feel at home faster. It'll also be easier to get local tips about the best places to shop, play, and go.  

Start Your Strategic Relocation

John and Melissa Steele are not your typical real estate agents. They are committed to impressing you with their work ethic, open communication, and top-notch service. 

If you are interested in making a strategic relocation to a diverse town that is full of endless possibilities then contact John and Melissa today!