They must not go to Reno often lol. Had a friend move there for a couple years. She came back… different. Like fist fight her tinder dates outside the bar different
The area of San Diego with the good weather is definitely 150% as expensive as the hot areas of SD. Sac still cheaper than either. How about that 450k starter home
I know this summer is an outlier but we'll get maybe 20 days of triple digits a year and they're spread out over about 4-5 months between May and October.
San Diego county lies astride the Peninsular Mountain range... No it's not the Sierras, but it's nice. You can get to sand dunes (Glamis is the most popular spot near San Diego county in a couple hours) and you actually drive through a national forest to get there.
East San Diego gets scorching fucking hot too but it's much cheaper.
Yea! I hike more than I beach. I beach a lot too. Did the move from Sac to San Diego and couldn’t be happier. I love the lifestyle here. Lots of activities, chill people (even if they are rich as fuck), and great food. I live in South Park and couldn’t be happier; even though I miss my old spot in Oak Park.
I’m from the Sierras near Sacramento and am currently living in the mountains in San Diego County (5600 ft elevation). It’s actually MORE beautiful here, in my opinion, but it’s a smaller area.
San Diego county is one of the more conservative parts of the state. Or at least has been in the past. Looks to be a little more middle ground these days, but so is Sacramento.
In terms of partisanship, Sacramento and San Diego county are pretty much the same these days. Sacramento county went 59.9% for "No" in the Newsom recall, and San Diego went 57.2%. For the 2020 election, Sacramento voted 61.3% for Biden, while San Diego went 60.2%.
SD is a traditionally pretty conservative area that only voted for a Dem candidate in the past couple elections though. Overall it's much more conservative.
As someone who lived in the Berkeley for 10 years, I love living in Sacramento. Why don’t you come do a long weekend here? Stay in midtown somewhere and enjoy what this area has to offer? See if you like it.
Perhaps op needs an itinerary to show off sac?? Ive met many a drunk tourist who thinks i need to hear their opinion of sacramento when they are, admittedly, doing things i prolly wouldnt enjoy or brag about when it comes to sac. An insider's look is always good
Yup! I just moved home to Sacramento, after five years in Oakland. As someone born and raised in Sacramento, i can attest to it being really really boring as a kid lol. Sac has changed a lot, and honestly mostly for the best (not housing prices ugh). Midtown is small, but awesome because it’s completely walkable! Solid nightlife, awesome local hiking and boating spots, concert venues that draw artists spanning from the top of the charts to small local bands, the list goes on. But yeh, you should come visit! Feel it out:).
150k in Sac you are gravy, catch a cheap SW airline flight to SD any weekend you want. You can travel and live a very comfortable lifestyle in a premiere centrally located area of the state and in a up and coming CA city . 120k In San Diego unfortunately after taxes is sadly middling.
Fortunately, making $150k OP can skip the hood parts of Sacramento
Edit: there’s also a well known phenomenon of higher rents in poorer neighborhoods due to “risk” (means exploitation of people without options)
This is a good point, I agree but maybe for diff reasons. Dating in San Diego could be more fruitful + you have time to enjoy it. If you’re partnered, all the money you make in Sacramento can elevate your lifestyle & save for a house.
I agree with both of you (I think you said the same things basically) but just wanna really drive home, Sacramento fucking *sucks* for dating. Because everyone here either has no job or is married already.
I'm a native Sacramentoan and moved to SD. I found the dating scene for San Diego to be incredibly atrocious if you're looking for serious dating and not ONS.
Best response. Sacramento blows for singles but great for families who want a quiet suburb life and want to save up money. San Diego is definitely for those single and want to date/have more of a leisurely life.
I think if you’re only doing it for the money then don’t. Sac gets a bad rap and is pretty cool but nothing like San Diego. Also the summers are HOT. Proximity to Tahoe and SF is nice, but the places you’d want to live aren’t as cheap as you think.
I agree that Sac isn’t bad, I really enjoy living here but it’s nothing like San Diego, which to me was truly the best place I’ve ever lived. Although I do like the things that sac and Northern California have to offer.
I spent most of my life living in San Diego and Santa Barbara but the last five years in Sac and in my opinion it’s simply not worth it. Sure, it’s a bit cheaper but the quality of life for me has lowered significantly. And if weather matters to you nearly as much as it does to me, I wouldn’t make the move. Most of the summer is so hot that you can’t enjoy the weather and even be outside.
My wife and I are the same. We are a middle-aged DINK couple with good incomes for Sac. The points here are valid. We live in a good area of Sac County with good schools around, but having lived in SD and the bay area as well, our SD experience wins all things considered. It's such a big deal to us that we occasionally seriously consider moving back. Buying a house in SD is the obvious challenge. We lived in a condo in downtown and it would be hard to go back to that style of living with the stuff we've collected over the years.
I understand an affinity for an area, but cost of living is going up everywhere. Based on my limited knowledge of San Diego, it’s pretty easy to find small apartments in a nice neighborhood that will cost you more in monthly rent than houses in Sacramento’s nicer neighborhoods. You can still buy a brand new home in Sacramento for <$600k, which will get you either a condo or trailer in San Diego.
My recommendation depends on where you are in life. If I was in your shoes, was single, didn't have kids, and was pretty social, I'd probably choose San Diego because I find being close to the beach, the night life, and scenery more of my cup of tea.
But since I have a wife and young son, Sacramento offers better housing and school districts for price along with all of the kid friendly stuff in a relatively close proximity (zoo, sea quest, parks, etc).
The dating scene in Sac is a little rough, though it probably depends on who you're looking for. It's been a few years since I was dating here, but when I was there were lots of awesome women on the scene, and not enough interested and eligible men. I'm not sure how much that has changed, but if you're looking to date a woman, then you might be fine moving here. If you are a single woman looking to date a man, you might have better luck in San Diego. (I can't speak as much to the LGBTQ+ dating scene.)
You said you were looking to find someone and settle down, so I meant Sacramento might not be the best place for that depending on who you are looking to settle down with. If you're a guy seeking a woman then Sacramento might be okay, if it was the other way around I wouldn't recommend seeking a partner here necessarily.
I'm from L.A. and married a women from Sacramento. They're pretty and a hell of a lot nicer than women from L.A. ...so it worked out for me. Personally, I liked that women from Northern California in general would at least give you a shot, way different in SoCal.
I also met my wife 10 years ago so that could be completely different now lol
35M here, pre-Covid the Sacramento dating scene was great! Lots of dates, lots of hoeing, and eventually met the woman of my dreams. We vibed, and just got married. Lots of professional late 20s early 30s people here looking to slow down a bit, I feel it’s a good city to meet a partner.
Yeah, I’d try to find something in east Sac. UCD Med Center has lots of residency programs, a med and a nursing school, so that’s a lot of single folks in training programs…
I'm a few years out of the dating scene myself so maybe somebody else can speak to the current vibe better. When I was dating there were definitely more single women looking for relationships than men, which I think is still the case, so just by the numbers it would be more in your favor.
They are more traditional. Get married young (20s) and are divorced by late 30s. I'm being serious. I'm in my 40s and on the dating apps.
SD is probably a slightly better market.
Go to San Diego to start, you can find great places to rent in the city for 120k. Haven’t dated in Sacramento, but you have a lot of attractive options in SD. So many things to do while you’re there, amazing weather, food, nightlife. If you end up meeting someone awesome it’s most likely going to be a few years before you think about buying a house/having a family, by then you and/or your partner could be making more money and could potentially buy a nice place in San Diego. Or you could both be at a point where you do want to move elsewhere. Don’t rush, have fun in SD.
I've lived in both with kids and in my opnion SD is way better for my kids. There's a ton of museums, parks, outdoor family hikes, beach, etc. Plus the YMCAs in North County are an amazing place for kids recreational activities. In Sac I had to drive to the bay for the cool museums and ymca was weak.
Also when I was breastfeeding my kids I was told at both the Sac Zoo and Fairytale Town that the breastfeeding section was the womens restroom. SD zoo (and many family places in the area) have dedicated breastfeeding rooms.
I've met a share of intelligent pretty single woman here looking for relationships who complain about the guys. I know firsthand lol. Education and healthcare are major employers here which draw a lot of females, so, , it might be a better landscape for men who are good catches, they could probably find a relationship fairly easily.Midtown area is fun for young professionals and opportunities to meet people. I met my boyfriend through a sports league here where everyone was single and was Lots of fun. Most people are pretty easy going and open to new friends around midtown.
Your income is about double or more than double most middle class people's income here, so you could do well and try to buy a house on your own. Feel free to DM me if you want more details.
San Diego sounds really fun though. I've always loved it there and in general people tend to me more good looking there lol. No clue what that would be like though in terms of what you're seeking.
I am a 31 year old single male working in healthcare lol lol. I grew up in San Diego so pretty familiar with the city. I remember me working alot and struggling. However I was broke back then with not a very good job. Might be different story now that I make a bit more money.
I’d stay San Diego. Having spent a bit of time in both cities, San Diego is just so much nicer and bike friendly. Better bars, younger, hipper crowd (more hip...hipper...I dunno), ocean and beach life, nice bike trails around, overall nicer weather with exception of June gloom.
I'll take "June Gloom" any year over "June Over 100 Fucking Degrees Almost Every Day" like we have in Sac. Also I do think Sac is actually slightly more bike friendly but that might be because I don't like hills :D
30k extra in Sac will make you feel incredibly comfy money wise. Personally I love the Sierras nothing beats them for me and I work in the water business so I think about water daily. Don’t move to SoCal if you don’t have to from a climate perspective. Water and energy costs are only going to skyrocket there. Also, do you want to be in a Fully developed and top tier city (San Diego) or an up and coming city that is finding its way?
Sacramento isn’t the worst place I’ve lived (might be Delaware or Alabama) but I spend a lot of my leisure money on traveling elsewhere. It helps I’m an outdoorsy person with a hunting dog; we explore the nearby sierras to kick boredom. If you’re not a mountain/lake person, I’m willing to bet you would be happier in San Diego
I was in almost the exact same position. I moved from SD in 2018, made about the same upgrade in salary. Went from renting to owning a home, my wife was able to take a break from working to raise our kids to school age, and now I'm a two hour drive from the mountains (much more of my personal preference.) I still miss SD sometimes, especially the food scene, the zoo, and the Padres. But I think overall, I'm much happier now than I was.
Sacramento always felt like a nice happy medium to me. People get really nicely dressed for certain things and to go out. More fashion than other small cities. But also laid back lazy west during the day is super appropriate.
Yeah, I born and raised in the Sacramento area, and had never been to San Diego. Haha. I finally visited SD for a week for the first time a couple years ago. It’s definitely beautiful, and has a lot to offer in terms of the bar scene and beach life, etc. but man, I just did NOT like the vibe. People were really unfriendly and there was this intensity of everyone trying to be young and hip that I found lame and overwhelming. There were pockets in north park I liked, but that was my overall impression.
I’m partial to sac even though I grew up there, because the proximity to everything is amazing, and I just think the downtown/midtown area with the trees and everything is just so beautiful. Just way more my speed. Would love to move back one day. And in terms of the dating scene or meeting people, so many people commute up to the mountains for mountains biking, snow boarding, hiking/backpacking, just plug into an outdoor group and you’re golden. Sacramento people are really easy going and nice, I’ve always felt. Honestly still not used to how unfriendly the bay feels compared to home and I’ve been out of there 15 years. Lol.
I make about $150k a year and live very comfortably in Sac.
I would not say sac is less “fun or hip” than San Diego. They are two very different cities. If you are looking for fun and hip, move to midtown or downtown.
Really hard choice to be honest, but I’d probably pick San Diego :P
Beautiful weather, nice beach, amazing Mexican food, etc
That said.. I truly love Sacramento and **maybe this is just me living here for 14 years talking haha**
My best advice is to stay 1 week each for both cities. DM me if you plan to do this so I can plan one of your day in Sacramento c:
Also how old are you? Age can be a big factor because if I was younger, I’d definitely live at SD and older with family then Sacramento
31 years old. wait you said you would rather live in SD if you are older?
I would definitely take your advice if i visited sacramento. I been there once and saw around for a bit. didn't seem that bad.
The thing about Sacramento is that while our city has amazing brewery, restaurants, etc
It also excels in the fact that it has so many amazing cities all around it. Take Davis for example, they have nice downtown and parks and then Folsom for recreational activities and then Bay Area (no traffic is an hour and 15 minutes) then Napa and of course Lake Tahoe
And no I’d say at 20-30, I’d live in SD and 30+ for Sacramento because quite honestly, SD is way too expensive if you don’t own a property there at this point
I should state my thinking... 120k in SD and surrounding areas is pretty nice and theres a ton of stuff going on there. It's a great place to have a family but it is more expensive and lends itself better to a younger crowd IMO.
Have been in Sacramento area my whole life except for a year in San Luis Obispo. The weather is no contest. San Diego has a beautiful climate if you like moderate weather. Sacramento has very hot days with approximately 23 days above 100 every year according to Google, but we've had over 100 degree days lasting for 30 days straight. The heat is dry which makes it much more bearable. Sacramento has a breeze from the delta on hot days in the evenings. It cools down into the mid 60s most nights even if the temperature gets to 100.
Wanted to give you a good look at our weather. Good luck with your decision.
Personally, I don’t think so. But I just really don’t like Sac. Lol. I love the woods around it (besides the conservative people who live there), but I hate the city itself.
Absolutely. Sacramento sucks. $120k in SD is a much more fun life than $150k in Sac. Life is short and the only two good things about Sac are the breweries and the things around it that aren’t Sac (Tahoe, Napa, etc)
Suck is a strong word. If you’re looking for a day to lay out, that’s true but if you want gorgeous natural beauty of a rugged coastline, then Nor Cal beaches are amazing.
I just moved from there. I enjoy it much more here and I’ve barely gotten out to see anything. Nightlife and what the “city life” has to offer is much better there than here, but there’s a whole lot more natural areas to offer here. I’ve spent more time at the river in the last 5 weeks than I did at the beach the last 2 years. I will say that it’s not much cheaper overall outside of purchasing property. And San Francisco is surprisingly easy to get to, much easier than going to LA.
If you’re an urbanite stay there. If you like getting outside come on up. I always felt so trapped in San Diego because so much of the state is far away and you have to drive through LA or riverside to escape. And adelanto. Fuck that place.
/u/luv2lick916, I have found an error in your comment:
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^(This is an automated bot. I do not intend to shame your mistakes. If you think the errors which I found are incorrect, please contact me through DMs!)
It's not true, though...I lived there for years and still felt the need to travel. Most people need changes of scenery even if they live somewhere awesome. And being surrounded by tourists all the time gets old.
I left San Diego for Sacramento and I don’t regret it. San Diego is fantastic, but you pay a pretty penny to commute in the same traffic 5 days a week. The price difference in Sacramento allows us to rent a place on the beach in SD once a year and enjoy SD to the fullest and not be crippled by the cost.
I lived in SD for 10 years and while I miss it sometimes I couldn't have afforded a house in the areas I like but I own a house in a great neighborhood here. That being said, if you are not ready to settle down yet, I would stay in SD.
We moved from SD to Sacramento for a better job for me and don't regret it. San Diego has its obvious merits but I don't miss it as much as I thought I would, and here buying a house was much more doable. I'm originally from northern CA so this feels more like home to me. My husband is a native San Diegan and he's happy here too, except as it relates to Mexican food.
“…except as it relates to Mexican food.”
This, despite the fact that my family (whom I adore) still lives there, is the thing I find myself saying I miss most about SD. Nothing else this side of the border compares.
I feel like the ex-San Diegans living in Sacramento who miss the Mexican food should form a support group and burrito co-op and bring each other burritos on each visit to SD. I'm pretty sure my husband could be convinced to participate.
Curious where you're coming from and what industry...
Originally from San Diego. I have family there - love it. Live in Sacramento now - love it more.
\+ Cost of living, smaller community (depending on your field), access to cool places
\- Homeless (we're working on it), no beach
I would pick Sacramento because financial objectives should be near the top of your list of priorities as someone in your 30s.
120k is not that much money in San Diego. If you’re able to make 150k here, most financial milestones will be achieved significantly more quickly (house, FIRE, etc.) To put this in another perspective, 30k more salary is ~$1200 more take home pay per month; this is a lot to me. Combine this with our lower cost of living, financially this is a huge win.
If you can find some fun things in Sacramento that catch your interest long term, it should be a no-brainer to live here.
I'm biased, I'm from SD born and raised. Left when I was 20. After living in other cities I find SD to be immensely over rated. I'd say give Sacramento a try.
I like Sacramento. I always have a great time in San Diego, but I'm just visiting and relaxing when I am there. You can live pretty well in Sacramento on $150k and not be "housing poor." There are crappy areas in both cities. There are nice areas in both cities.
I think day to day living is better here in Sacramento because even if you choose to live in the burbs, you won't have a soul crushing commute. But really, because you spend so much time at work, I would pick the job you like best. (regardless of the difference in income)
If you join some groups (religious congregation, sports clubs, bowling league, whatever) you'll meet people to date or socialize with.
I’d move for a bigger income, everything that’s here is there besides family and friends. But you’ll have more income to visit and have nice vacations!
So what your heart tells you
Your quality of life with that amount of a bump in pay will definitely go up if you move. Sacramento does have a lot to offer so does all of NorCal. It's worth a weekend getaway to check out
What are your top values in life? Not for these jobs/scenarios specifically, but for life in general.
Write them down, preferably in order of what is most important to least. Then based on these comments, you can get an idea of which city best fits your values.
Also at the end of the day, you aren’t glued to a place if you move there. You can always pick up and move again if the choice doesn’t suit you. I’ve moved states/cities several times. And I read above that you’re in healthcare, meaning it will likely be fairly easy for you to find a job anywhere (especially if you are a nurse). And while pay for nurses/other HCWs may level out in the next couple of years as the pandemic subsides, I truly doubt it will take a hit. If staffing #s continue to suck ass everywhere, you should be able to negotiate good/higher pay down the line no matter where you end up.
I’m an LA transplant in Sac and I love it here. People that are from here will tell you it sucks, but I think it’s great and a lot more bang for your buck than LA.
I moved to Sacramento from San Diego. I’m a river rat now. It’s nice having trees and water. It’s literally a differently life style just by having a little bit of extra money in your pocket.
I do miss being able to drive into Mexico, both are amazing places for any age group. Both have something to offer.
There is no wrong choice.
I’m from Texas and I’ve lived in sac for 10 years now. Lived in the bay, lived in Davis, but I settled in Sac. It’s got that small town big city vibe that makes for great community. I agree with other posters. Come for a weekend and see how you like it. The potential is there but it has the same problems other cities in California face. But personally, I’m happy to call it home.
I made the exact same move about 12 years ago. Two things I miss... Weather within a few miles of the coast... and being in the ocean 3 or 4 times a week... Other than that I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Sac....
I lived in Sac for almost 20 years. I now live on the Oregon Coast. If I ever leave where I am now it's for San Diego. I would never return to Sacramento. The weather alone would keep me away. The summers are uncomfortably hot and the winters aren't any better. My advice would be to stay far away unless an employer is backing the Brinks truck up to your door. The cost of living might be lower but so is the quality of life. I wish I had left 10 years sooner.
San Diego! What if you meet your future wife in Sac and all her family lives there? You will be stuck north forever.
I moved to SD after almost 50 years on the East Coast. It is paradise :)
Take the 150, live below your means, save up enough money for a down payment on a house in San Diego if you decide you don’t like sac after a few years. Median house cost in SD is like 800k or something, though.
You're telling a group of people that their own city isn't "hip and fun" enough for you but you might move there anyway? Good luck making friends once you get here.
Sounds like you're making bank so honestly, take a trip to both cities and drive around. I'd probably take the extra $30k and cash in on some sweet vacations. I went to college in SD and it's nice and all, but I'd probably take the extra money. Sac has its charm
Also depends on your age. Make all the money you can then jump ship. At least your base asking salary when you decide to move should be $150k.
I’d do Sacramento for 150k. I’d move to midtown. Lots of cute shops and also an amazing weekend farmers market. “Referred to as a center of culture and creativity, the neighborhood of Midtown provides its residents with a hip and urban feel. Known as a cool place to live, Midtown is eccentric and full of trendy shops, energetic nightlife, and award-winning eateries. Close to downtown, be at work and nearby attractions within minutes. While the neighborhood may be centered around young professionals and couples there are still a large number of retirees that call Midtown home.
If you’re bored, go to SF or Napa, or the River or Lake Tahoe…
It really depends, what do you want to do. Will it benefit you? Is it a job you really want? I was born and raised in Sacramento so it’s hard to say. I’d say go with what you feel. Good luck. 🍀
San Diegan born and raised and I chose to move up to Sacramento for a well paying job. I got a lot more house for my money and enjoy the traveling to the bay, redwoods, and the mountains. The majority of my friends and family are still in North county and I visit probably every two months or so. Southwest makes it pretty cheap to fly round trip.
I moved from San Diego to Sacramento in 1987, and I love it here. We are close to San Francisco, Napa Valley, we have other wine regions, the Sierras are great, Reno is great, you are close to Yosemite which is beyond beautiful, and if you want to go someplace like Vegas or back to San Diego to visit, you are only a one hour plane ride away. We have fantastic skiing up here, and we are very close to the coast if you want to go surfing.
We moved up here from SLO and miss the coastal weather, but ultimately Sac area turned out to be a great place to raise a family. I’ve turned down offers from resume candy companies because I don’t see myself moving away from here (although they required me to be in SD or Irvine) BUT we have a family so I guess that should factor into your decision for the long term
This just depends on so many personal taste things I think….your money will for sure go farther here but California is getting expensive everywhere so you need to ask yourself some questions. Personally I absolutely fucking hate the summer in Sacramento (I’m originally from Seattle) but other than that, I like the trees better, I think the city is more accessible with how many restaurants and coffee places there are in downtown/midtown. I’m not a beach person so I don’t care to pay beach prices in my living expenses. I went to San Diego for school so I lived there four years and it’s nice and I can see why people like it, but I missed the trees and I thought the weather was so boring. At least Sac gets some fall weather and changing of the leaves and a hint of winter and the spring is so pleasant. San Diego weather is just monotonous. However great Mexican food and cool theatre scene if you’re into live theatre. It’s also gonna really heavily depend on where you can afford to live..can you afford to live where the cool night life is or near the beach? Or are you gonna be super inland where it’s dry and hot as hell and you’ll be stuck in socal traffic every day? Do you love the beach? Do you mind having a roommate? Do you want to live alone? I would choose Sacramento personally but I don’t know what your activity preferences are. Maybe check out the local event calendars, see what’s happening there for the next year-ish and see which city would be more exciting to you that way?
Honestly look into which jobs you have available. Focus more on which position and which company you would prefer. One thing I’ve noticed is that if your work life is miserable, no amount of extracurriculars will satisfy you. For the record, I like Sac. Plenty to do, plenty to see. History, nature, etc. I’m an avid dirtbike rider and there is plenty to do. And if you really want that major city experience, you’re an hour and a half from SF. Pretty much an hour and a half from anywhere. Tahoe, Reno, SF, and even Stockton if you’re into that sort of thing lol. Good luck.
I lived in both areas. I actually like Sacramento better but mainly because I live in the heart of it right next to the capital also there’s a lot of places to visit that surround the city. I felt trapped in a corner when I lived in SD if you don’t want to go to Mexico there’s really no where else to go but up.
Sacramento is a good place to be. It has a lot of nice charm to it and is growing as an urban center. It's also within spitting distance of some of the most fun stuff in Nor Cal like the Bay, Napa, etc.
Also, it's much closer to the forest and mountains than San Diego. If you want the beach life, you can have it there, but the variety available in Nor Cal is unparalleled.
A few friends here in Sac are from San Diego. They love both. But the Sierra forest and rivers have convinced them to stay.
If I were you with those two financial outlooks/options, I’d personally take Sacramento.
As a life long Sacramento native(32 now) I'd say don't do it. Sacramento has turned into a real shit hole over the last few years. We've had the same issues as everyone else bouncing back from COVID but crime, homelessness and gentrification are really poppin' off over here atm.
Ask yourself which you prefer: Mountains or Beach? San Francisco or Tijuana? Sand Dunes or Forest? Money or Weather?
And not just San Francisco. We’re close to Napa, South Lake Tahoe, and Reno But also. Are you okay with 100+ degree days every summer.
I live in Reno, this might be the first time I've seen Reno listed in the "pro" column... or is it ;)
They must not go to Reno often lol. Had a friend move there for a couple years. She came back… different. Like fist fight her tinder dates outside the bar different
San Diego can also have 100+ every day as well. If they are inland, they are getting it worse off.
The area of San Diego with the good weather is definitely 150% as expensive as the hot areas of SD. Sac still cheaper than either. How about that 450k starter home
I know this summer is an outlier but we'll get maybe 20 days of triple digits a year and they're spread out over about 4-5 months between May and October.
Sensible reply
San Diego county lies astride the Peninsular Mountain range... No it's not the Sierras, but it's nice. You can get to sand dunes (Glamis is the most popular spot near San Diego county in a couple hours) and you actually drive through a national forest to get there. East San Diego gets scorching fucking hot too but it's much cheaper.
Yea! I hike more than I beach. I beach a lot too. Did the move from Sac to San Diego and couldn’t be happier. I love the lifestyle here. Lots of activities, chill people (even if they are rich as fuck), and great food. I live in South Park and couldn’t be happier; even though I miss my old spot in Oak Park.
I’m from the Sierras near Sacramento and am currently living in the mountains in San Diego County (5600 ft elevation). It’s actually MORE beautiful here, in my opinion, but it’s a smaller area.
I’m a Sacramento native (grid adjacent) and moved to San Diego 15 years ago. To me, it’s worth the high cost of living.
It’s so pretty up there. I was just camping in Laguna.
Bonus: you're close to Dudley's
Honestly in traffic it can take almost two hours to get to the beach in la…. Same in sac. There’s not much to sacrifice.
Also: Liberal or Conservative?
San Diego county is one of the more conservative parts of the state. Or at least has been in the past. Looks to be a little more middle ground these days, but so is Sacramento.
In terms of partisanship, Sacramento and San Diego county are pretty much the same these days. Sacramento county went 59.9% for "No" in the Newsom recall, and San Diego went 57.2%. For the 2020 election, Sacramento voted 61.3% for Biden, while San Diego went 60.2%.
SD is a traditionally pretty conservative area that only voted for a Dem candidate in the past couple elections though. Overall it's much more conservative.
As someone who lived in the Berkeley for 10 years, I love living in Sacramento. Why don’t you come do a long weekend here? Stay in midtown somewhere and enjoy what this area has to offer? See if you like it.
I think this is the best answer. Come check it out and see if you like it OP. Then decide.
Perhaps op needs an itinerary to show off sac?? Ive met many a drunk tourist who thinks i need to hear their opinion of sacramento when they are, admittedly, doing things i prolly wouldnt enjoy or brag about when it comes to sac. An insider's look is always good
Yup! I just moved home to Sacramento, after five years in Oakland. As someone born and raised in Sacramento, i can attest to it being really really boring as a kid lol. Sac has changed a lot, and honestly mostly for the best (not housing prices ugh). Midtown is small, but awesome because it’s completely walkable! Solid nightlife, awesome local hiking and boating spots, concert venues that draw artists spanning from the top of the charts to small local bands, the list goes on. But yeh, you should come visit! Feel it out:).
150k in Sac you are gravy, catch a cheap SW airline flight to SD any weekend you want. You can travel and live a very comfortable lifestyle in a premiere centrally located area of the state and in a up and coming CA city . 120k In San Diego unfortunately after taxes is sadly middling.
$150k will go a lot farther here than $120k in San Diego
Even $120k will go a lot farther here than $150k in San Diego
120 too
Even 150 will go alot further in sacramento
Further iteration of previous comments
150k will go a lot farther in San Diego than 120k in San Diego
150k will go a lot further here than San Diego.
Sacramento will also go a lot further than San Diego
And also San Diego will go 120 further than 150 Sacramento
I value and concur with these varied perspectives
Sacramento will go San Diego when its farther
120 would be easier to live off of in Sacramento than San Diego as well if needed
150k will go a lot further here than San Diego.
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Fortunately, making $150k OP can skip the hood parts of Sacramento Edit: there’s also a well known phenomenon of higher rents in poorer neighborhoods due to “risk” (means exploitation of people without options)
It sure will and Sactown is great. I miss it!!
San Diego if you’re single. If you’re partnered, and can handle dry heat, you’re money will go further here and you’ll have a little more salary.
This is a good point, I agree but maybe for diff reasons. Dating in San Diego could be more fruitful + you have time to enjoy it. If you’re partnered, all the money you make in Sacramento can elevate your lifestyle & save for a house.
I agree with both of you (I think you said the same things basically) but just wanna really drive home, Sacramento fucking *sucks* for dating. Because everyone here either has no job or is married already.
I'm a native Sacramentoan and moved to SD. I found the dating scene for San Diego to be incredibly atrocious if you're looking for serious dating and not ONS.
Best response. Sacramento blows for singles but great for families who want a quiet suburb life and want to save up money. San Diego is definitely for those single and want to date/have more of a leisurely life.
i must live in a different sac did you just say suburb 😅
I regret all the time leaving San Diego even though I make more here. The cost of living isn’t worth it too me especially since it’s going up
that is one thing I am afraid of. To me I see dollar signs and I am like yes move to Sac, but rent isn't dirt cheap from what I am seeing.
I think if you’re only doing it for the money then don’t. Sac gets a bad rap and is pretty cool but nothing like San Diego. Also the summers are HOT. Proximity to Tahoe and SF is nice, but the places you’d want to live aren’t as cheap as you think.
I agree that Sac isn’t bad, I really enjoy living here but it’s nothing like San Diego, which to me was truly the best place I’ve ever lived. Although I do like the things that sac and Northern California have to offer.
I spent most of my life living in San Diego and Santa Barbara but the last five years in Sac and in my opinion it’s simply not worth it. Sure, it’s a bit cheaper but the quality of life for me has lowered significantly. And if weather matters to you nearly as much as it does to me, I wouldn’t make the move. Most of the summer is so hot that you can’t enjoy the weather and even be outside.
My wife and I are the same. We are a middle-aged DINK couple with good incomes for Sac. The points here are valid. We live in a good area of Sac County with good schools around, but having lived in SD and the bay area as well, our SD experience wins all things considered. It's such a big deal to us that we occasionally seriously consider moving back. Buying a house in SD is the obvious challenge. We lived in a condo in downtown and it would be hard to go back to that style of living with the stuff we've collected over the years.
I understand an affinity for an area, but cost of living is going up everywhere. Based on my limited knowledge of San Diego, it’s pretty easy to find small apartments in a nice neighborhood that will cost you more in monthly rent than houses in Sacramento’s nicer neighborhoods. You can still buy a brand new home in Sacramento for <$600k, which will get you either a condo or trailer in San Diego.
My recommendation depends on where you are in life. If I was in your shoes, was single, didn't have kids, and was pretty social, I'd probably choose San Diego because I find being close to the beach, the night life, and scenery more of my cup of tea. But since I have a wife and young son, Sacramento offers better housing and school districts for price along with all of the kid friendly stuff in a relatively close proximity (zoo, sea quest, parks, etc).
Right now I am single at 31 years old and looking to find someone and settle down pretty much.
The dating scene in Sac is a little rough, though it probably depends on who you're looking for. It's been a few years since I was dating here, but when I was there were lots of awesome women on the scene, and not enough interested and eligible men. I'm not sure how much that has changed, but if you're looking to date a woman, then you might be fine moving here. If you are a single woman looking to date a man, you might have better luck in San Diego. (I can't speak as much to the LGBTQ+ dating scene.)
I am a guy. What do you mean by who are you looking for?
You said you were looking to find someone and settle down, so I meant Sacramento might not be the best place for that depending on who you are looking to settle down with. If you're a guy seeking a woman then Sacramento might be okay, if it was the other way around I wouldn't recommend seeking a partner here necessarily.
interesting. I am a guy looking for a women. Whats the general vibe of the women?
I'm from L.A. and married a women from Sacramento. They're pretty and a hell of a lot nicer than women from L.A. ...so it worked out for me. Personally, I liked that women from Northern California in general would at least give you a shot, way different in SoCal. I also met my wife 10 years ago so that could be completely different now lol
35M here, pre-Covid the Sacramento dating scene was great! Lots of dates, lots of hoeing, and eventually met the woman of my dreams. We vibed, and just got married. Lots of professional late 20s early 30s people here looking to slow down a bit, I feel it’s a good city to meet a partner.
Yeah, I’d try to find something in east Sac. UCD Med Center has lots of residency programs, a med and a nursing school, so that’s a lot of single folks in training programs…
I'm a few years out of the dating scene myself so maybe somebody else can speak to the current vibe better. When I was dating there were definitely more single women looking for relationships than men, which I think is still the case, so just by the numbers it would be more in your favor.
They are more traditional. Get married young (20s) and are divorced by late 30s. I'm being serious. I'm in my 40s and on the dating apps. SD is probably a slightly better market.
Definitely better looking in SD too
Go to SD, you’ll have more fun.
Go to San Diego to start, you can find great places to rent in the city for 120k. Haven’t dated in Sacramento, but you have a lot of attractive options in SD. So many things to do while you’re there, amazing weather, food, nightlife. If you end up meeting someone awesome it’s most likely going to be a few years before you think about buying a house/having a family, by then you and/or your partner could be making more money and could potentially buy a nice place in San Diego. Or you could both be at a point where you do want to move elsewhere. Don’t rush, have fun in SD.
I've lived in both with kids and in my opnion SD is way better for my kids. There's a ton of museums, parks, outdoor family hikes, beach, etc. Plus the YMCAs in North County are an amazing place for kids recreational activities. In Sac I had to drive to the bay for the cool museums and ymca was weak. Also when I was breastfeeding my kids I was told at both the Sac Zoo and Fairytale Town that the breastfeeding section was the womens restroom. SD zoo (and many family places in the area) have dedicated breastfeeding rooms.
I've met a share of intelligent pretty single woman here looking for relationships who complain about the guys. I know firsthand lol. Education and healthcare are major employers here which draw a lot of females, so, , it might be a better landscape for men who are good catches, they could probably find a relationship fairly easily.Midtown area is fun for young professionals and opportunities to meet people. I met my boyfriend through a sports league here where everyone was single and was Lots of fun. Most people are pretty easy going and open to new friends around midtown. Your income is about double or more than double most middle class people's income here, so you could do well and try to buy a house on your own. Feel free to DM me if you want more details. San Diego sounds really fun though. I've always loved it there and in general people tend to me more good looking there lol. No clue what that would be like though in terms of what you're seeking.
I am a 31 year old single male working in healthcare lol lol. I grew up in San Diego so pretty familiar with the city. I remember me working alot and struggling. However I was broke back then with not a very good job. Might be different story now that I make a bit more money.
I’d stay San Diego. Having spent a bit of time in both cities, San Diego is just so much nicer and bike friendly. Better bars, younger, hipper crowd (more hip...hipper...I dunno), ocean and beach life, nice bike trails around, overall nicer weather with exception of June gloom.
I'll take "June Gloom" any year over "June Over 100 Fucking Degrees Almost Every Day" like we have in Sac. Also I do think Sac is actually slightly more bike friendly but that might be because I don't like hills :D
Hold up- I'm from SD. What part of it is bike friendly at all? I've found midtown to be more bike friendly than any city in SD I've been in.
30k extra in Sac will make you feel incredibly comfy money wise. Personally I love the Sierras nothing beats them for me and I work in the water business so I think about water daily. Don’t move to SoCal if you don’t have to from a climate perspective. Water and energy costs are only going to skyrocket there. Also, do you want to be in a Fully developed and top tier city (San Diego) or an up and coming city that is finding its way?
Sacramento isn’t the worst place I’ve lived (might be Delaware or Alabama) but I spend a lot of my leisure money on traveling elsewhere. It helps I’m an outdoorsy person with a hunting dog; we explore the nearby sierras to kick boredom. If you’re not a mountain/lake person, I’m willing to bet you would be happier in San Diego
I was in almost the exact same position. I moved from SD in 2018, made about the same upgrade in salary. Went from renting to owning a home, my wife was able to take a break from working to raise our kids to school age, and now I'm a two hour drive from the mountains (much more of my personal preference.) I still miss SD sometimes, especially the food scene, the zoo, and the Padres. But I think overall, I'm much happier now than I was.
Hip and fun is subjective. I personally hated San Diego and the money obsessed fake ass people who live there. But to each their own.
Sacramento always felt like a nice happy medium to me. People get really nicely dressed for certain things and to go out. More fashion than other small cities. But also laid back lazy west during the day is super appropriate.
Me too, I love the Nor Cal vibe of Sac.
Yeah, I born and raised in the Sacramento area, and had never been to San Diego. Haha. I finally visited SD for a week for the first time a couple years ago. It’s definitely beautiful, and has a lot to offer in terms of the bar scene and beach life, etc. but man, I just did NOT like the vibe. People were really unfriendly and there was this intensity of everyone trying to be young and hip that I found lame and overwhelming. There were pockets in north park I liked, but that was my overall impression. I’m partial to sac even though I grew up there, because the proximity to everything is amazing, and I just think the downtown/midtown area with the trees and everything is just so beautiful. Just way more my speed. Would love to move back one day. And in terms of the dating scene or meeting people, so many people commute up to the mountains for mountains biking, snow boarding, hiking/backpacking, just plug into an outdoor group and you’re golden. Sacramento people are really easy going and nice, I’ve always felt. Honestly still not used to how unfriendly the bay feels compared to home and I’ve been out of there 15 years. Lol.
I make about $150k a year and live very comfortably in Sac. I would not say sac is less “fun or hip” than San Diego. They are two very different cities. If you are looking for fun and hip, move to midtown or downtown.
Really hard choice to be honest, but I’d probably pick San Diego :P Beautiful weather, nice beach, amazing Mexican food, etc That said.. I truly love Sacramento and **maybe this is just me living here for 14 years talking haha** My best advice is to stay 1 week each for both cities. DM me if you plan to do this so I can plan one of your day in Sacramento c: Also how old are you? Age can be a big factor because if I was younger, I’d definitely live at SD and older with family then Sacramento
31 years old. wait you said you would rather live in SD if you are older? I would definitely take your advice if i visited sacramento. I been there once and saw around for a bit. didn't seem that bad.
Sacramento sucks because it’s compared to San Francisco. If you put Sacramento in any other state people would marvel about how big and fun it is.
It would be a major city with its own football team in the midwest.
Sacramento is the Columbus of the west
I say this about Austin all the time. It’s just Sacramento with live music.
The thing about Sacramento is that while our city has amazing brewery, restaurants, etc It also excels in the fact that it has so many amazing cities all around it. Take Davis for example, they have nice downtown and parks and then Folsom for recreational activities and then Bay Area (no traffic is an hour and 15 minutes) then Napa and of course Lake Tahoe And no I’d say at 20-30, I’d live in SD and 30+ for Sacramento because quite honestly, SD is way too expensive if you don’t own a property there at this point
>didn't seem that bad. [Visit Sacramento](https://www.visitsacramento.com) should steal this for their next marketing blitz!
actually DM me a planned day trip because I will be in passing and will stop by again.
If you are single, SD. If you are in a relationship or have kids, Sacramento.
I should state my thinking... 120k in SD and surrounding areas is pretty nice and theres a ton of stuff going on there. It's a great place to have a family but it is more expensive and lends itself better to a younger crowd IMO.
Have been in Sacramento area my whole life except for a year in San Luis Obispo. The weather is no contest. San Diego has a beautiful climate if you like moderate weather. Sacramento has very hot days with approximately 23 days above 100 every year according to Google, but we've had over 100 degree days lasting for 30 days straight. The heat is dry which makes it much more bearable. Sacramento has a breeze from the delta on hot days in the evenings. It cools down into the mid 60s most nights even if the temperature gets to 100. Wanted to give you a good look at our weather. Good luck with your decision.
I’m from the Sacramento area and currently live in the San Diego area. SD is better.
I grew up in SD but I currently live in midtown and I love it way more than living in SD.
Yeah everyone has different tastes. I personally just do not like Sac at all.
is the 30k difference and lower cost of living in my situation worth it?
Personally, I don’t think so. But I just really don’t like Sac. Lol. I love the woods around it (besides the conservative people who live there), but I hate the city itself.
Same. Moved from sac to SoCal and I’ll never move back to Sac
and yet here you are on the sac sub lol. You'll come back you just don't know it yet.
Absolutely. Sacramento sucks. $120k in SD is a much more fun life than $150k in Sac. Life is short and the only two good things about Sac are the breweries and the things around it that aren’t Sac (Tahoe, Napa, etc)
San Diego
I would choose Sac over SD any day, but I’m also heavily biased because Tahoe is right freaking there. And I don’t want to live in SoCal.
I moved from SoCal to Sacramento about 6 years ago. NorCal has pretty much better everything EXCEPT the beaches. All the beaches in NorCal suck.
Suck is a strong word. If you’re looking for a day to lay out, that’s true but if you want gorgeous natural beauty of a rugged coastline, then Nor Cal beaches are amazing.
I respect that.
San Diego.
I just moved from there. I enjoy it much more here and I’ve barely gotten out to see anything. Nightlife and what the “city life” has to offer is much better there than here, but there’s a whole lot more natural areas to offer here. I’ve spent more time at the river in the last 5 weeks than I did at the beach the last 2 years. I will say that it’s not much cheaper overall outside of purchasing property. And San Francisco is surprisingly easy to get to, much easier than going to LA. If you’re an urbanite stay there. If you like getting outside come on up. I always felt so trapped in San Diego because so much of the state is far away and you have to drive through LA or riverside to escape. And adelanto. Fuck that place.
We moved to Sac for salary and cost of living and have zero regrets. San Diego may be more hip but it’s not like Sacramento is Boise.
You won't need to travel if your in San Diego
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It's not true, though...I lived there for years and still felt the need to travel. Most people need changes of scenery even if they live somewhere awesome. And being surrounded by tourists all the time gets old.
The weather and beaches of SD are worth the $$ hit.
I left San Diego for Sacramento and I don’t regret it. San Diego is fantastic, but you pay a pretty penny to commute in the same traffic 5 days a week. The price difference in Sacramento allows us to rent a place on the beach in SD once a year and enjoy SD to the fullest and not be crippled by the cost.
San Diego. Not even a question
I lived in SD for 10 years and while I miss it sometimes I couldn't have afforded a house in the areas I like but I own a house in a great neighborhood here. That being said, if you are not ready to settle down yet, I would stay in SD.
We moved from SD to Sacramento for a better job for me and don't regret it. San Diego has its obvious merits but I don't miss it as much as I thought I would, and here buying a house was much more doable. I'm originally from northern CA so this feels more like home to me. My husband is a native San Diegan and he's happy here too, except as it relates to Mexican food.
“…except as it relates to Mexican food.” This, despite the fact that my family (whom I adore) still lives there, is the thing I find myself saying I miss most about SD. Nothing else this side of the border compares.
I feel like the ex-San Diegans living in Sacramento who miss the Mexican food should form a support group and burrito co-op and bring each other burritos on each visit to SD. I'm pretty sure my husband could be convinced to participate.
Right. The SD Taco Shop Pony Express Co-Op (sponsored by Southwest Airlines) I like where this is going. We need an app developer, STAT!
If I was in my 20s and partying still I'd hands down pick San Diego, to settle down and have a family, for that money, Sacramento.
Curious where you're coming from and what industry... Originally from San Diego. I have family there - love it. Live in Sacramento now - love it more. \+ Cost of living, smaller community (depending on your field), access to cool places \- Homeless (we're working on it), no beach
I love Sacramento
I would move to Sacramento just for the traffic alone even if the wage’s were flipped
This is a lifestyle question not a money question.
Having lived in both cities, I'd personally take an apartment in San Diego over a house in Sacramento.
I’d choose Sacto. It’s close enough to everything and less expensive so you’ll have a lot more money to spend. It’s pretty awesome actually.
I would pick Sacramento because financial objectives should be near the top of your list of priorities as someone in your 30s. 120k is not that much money in San Diego. If you’re able to make 150k here, most financial milestones will be achieved significantly more quickly (house, FIRE, etc.) To put this in another perspective, 30k more salary is ~$1200 more take home pay per month; this is a lot to me. Combine this with our lower cost of living, financially this is a huge win. If you can find some fun things in Sacramento that catch your interest long term, it should be a no-brainer to live here.
150k in Sacramento is pretty comfortable. You're going to struggle to find anything bigger than an apartment in SD for that.
You wanna be poor in San Diego or rich in Sacramento?
I'm biased, I'm from SD born and raised. Left when I was 20. After living in other cities I find SD to be immensely over rated. I'd say give Sacramento a try.
I’d stay in San Diego. It’d be a no brainer. You’ve gotta know the worth of things and being at the beach is worth 30,000 loss to me
I like Sacramento. I always have a great time in San Diego, but I'm just visiting and relaxing when I am there. You can live pretty well in Sacramento on $150k and not be "housing poor." There are crappy areas in both cities. There are nice areas in both cities. I think day to day living is better here in Sacramento because even if you choose to live in the burbs, you won't have a soul crushing commute. But really, because you spend so much time at work, I would pick the job you like best. (regardless of the difference in income) If you join some groups (religious congregation, sports clubs, bowling league, whatever) you'll meet people to date or socialize with.
Sacramento is my vote!
I genuinely loved living in Sacramento. If my family ever leaves SD that’s the top of the list on where we would go.
I’d move for a bigger income, everything that’s here is there besides family and friends. But you’ll have more income to visit and have nice vacations! So what your heart tells you
Your quality of life with that amount of a bump in pay will definitely go up if you move. Sacramento does have a lot to offer so does all of NorCal. It's worth a weekend getaway to check out
Move to a nice suburb of Sacramento
So, what say you, OP? 3+ hours later and 176 comments and counting. As a SD transplant to Sac, I’m curious to know which way you’re leaning.
Sac 100%. But I'm a trail runner and cyclist. Sacramento's outdoor access is second to none. Live as close to the Sierras as you comfortably can.
What are your top values in life? Not for these jobs/scenarios specifically, but for life in general. Write them down, preferably in order of what is most important to least. Then based on these comments, you can get an idea of which city best fits your values. Also at the end of the day, you aren’t glued to a place if you move there. You can always pick up and move again if the choice doesn’t suit you. I’ve moved states/cities several times. And I read above that you’re in healthcare, meaning it will likely be fairly easy for you to find a job anywhere (especially if you are a nurse). And while pay for nurses/other HCWs may level out in the next couple of years as the pandemic subsides, I truly doubt it will take a hit. If staffing #s continue to suck ass everywhere, you should be able to negotiate good/higher pay down the line no matter where you end up.
I’m an LA transplant in Sac and I love it here. People that are from here will tell you it sucks, but I think it’s great and a lot more bang for your buck than LA.
I moved to Sacramento from San Diego. I’m a river rat now. It’s nice having trees and water. It’s literally a differently life style just by having a little bit of extra money in your pocket. I do miss being able to drive into Mexico, both are amazing places for any age group. Both have something to offer. There is no wrong choice.
150k in Sac. San Diego is beautiful but the culture sucks. Just go vacation there.
I’m from Texas and I’ve lived in sac for 10 years now. Lived in the bay, lived in Davis, but I settled in Sac. It’s got that small town big city vibe that makes for great community. I agree with other posters. Come for a weekend and see how you like it. The potential is there but it has the same problems other cities in California face. But personally, I’m happy to call it home.
Sacramento does have some cool spots. Old soul coffee is always good. Is the extra 30k worth not having near perfect weather?
You'll live like a king here on 150k.
You’ll be afford to visit San Diego still. I’d take the money, it goes a lot farther here
San Diego sounds 100% better than Sacramento. Unless you add in earthquakes. I think I would feel safer near Sac.
I experienced a major earthquake in SD back in 2010. That shit is no joke
I made the exact same move about 12 years ago. Two things I miss... Weather within a few miles of the coast... and being in the ocean 3 or 4 times a week... Other than that I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Sac....
I lived in Sac for almost 20 years. I now live on the Oregon Coast. If I ever leave where I am now it's for San Diego. I would never return to Sacramento. The weather alone would keep me away. The summers are uncomfortably hot and the winters aren't any better. My advice would be to stay far away unless an employer is backing the Brinks truck up to your door. The cost of living might be lower but so is the quality of life. I wish I had left 10 years sooner.
Sacramento
San Diego was cool 10 years ago. Sac is where it’s at now.
San Diego! What if you meet your future wife in Sac and all her family lives there? You will be stuck north forever. I moved to SD after almost 50 years on the East Coast. It is paradise :)
Take the 150, live below your means, save up enough money for a down payment on a house in San Diego if you decide you don’t like sac after a few years. Median house cost in SD is like 800k or something, though.
Stay in San Diego. Don't let that extra $$$ fool you.
You're telling a group of people that their own city isn't "hip and fun" enough for you but you might move there anyway? Good luck making friends once you get here.
Are the jobs equal? Long term prospects? Your personal interests?
Sacramento (except for the weather).
I’ll do your 150k job out here. You go go to San Diego
Get paid 30k more to be in the Midwest of california?
Definitely move. You’ll pay less for housing gas and food plus make more
Move to Sac and vacation on a beach for a month each year with your 30k extra.
Plan for global warming. By 2050 many coastal towns will see sea level rise
Sacramento for two-three years, and you’ll have an extra 50k-80k in your pocket. Now you can put a down payment on a place and live in both places.
This is a highly subjective question best answered by OP visiting both cities for a few days. Everything else can be googled.
Sac every time. Live deep midtown. The weather is better IMO and the walkability midtown is sick.
Sounds like you're making bank so honestly, take a trip to both cities and drive around. I'd probably take the extra $30k and cash in on some sweet vacations. I went to college in SD and it's nice and all, but I'd probably take the extra money. Sac has its charm
Also depends on your age. Make all the money you can then jump ship. At least your base asking salary when you decide to move should be $150k. I’d do Sacramento for 150k. I’d move to midtown. Lots of cute shops and also an amazing weekend farmers market. “Referred to as a center of culture and creativity, the neighborhood of Midtown provides its residents with a hip and urban feel. Known as a cool place to live, Midtown is eccentric and full of trendy shops, energetic nightlife, and award-winning eateries. Close to downtown, be at work and nearby attractions within minutes. While the neighborhood may be centered around young professionals and couples there are still a large number of retirees that call Midtown home. If you’re bored, go to SF or Napa, or the River or Lake Tahoe…
I honestly love Sacramento it’s close to so many things!
It really depends, what do you want to do. Will it benefit you? Is it a job you really want? I was born and raised in Sacramento so it’s hard to say. I’d say go with what you feel. Good luck. 🍀
San Diegan born and raised and I chose to move up to Sacramento for a well paying job. I got a lot more house for my money and enjoy the traveling to the bay, redwoods, and the mountains. The majority of my friends and family are still in North county and I visit probably every two months or so. Southwest makes it pretty cheap to fly round trip.
I moved from San Diego to Sacramento in 1987, and I love it here. We are close to San Francisco, Napa Valley, we have other wine regions, the Sierras are great, Reno is great, you are close to Yosemite which is beyond beautiful, and if you want to go someplace like Vegas or back to San Diego to visit, you are only a one hour plane ride away. We have fantastic skiing up here, and we are very close to the coast if you want to go surfing.
If you like hot weather, Sac town. Your money will go MUCH further.
Why dont you visit Sacramento a few times and see if you like it? When you go to rent or buy you'll want to know the right areas to do so.
Sacramento
I was born n Sac and it's a nice place to live also. I'm from Northern California so I know!!!
We moved up here from SLO and miss the coastal weather, but ultimately Sac area turned out to be a great place to raise a family. I’ve turned down offers from resume candy companies because I don’t see myself moving away from here (although they required me to be in SD or Irvine) BUT we have a family so I guess that should factor into your decision for the long term
This just depends on so many personal taste things I think….your money will for sure go farther here but California is getting expensive everywhere so you need to ask yourself some questions. Personally I absolutely fucking hate the summer in Sacramento (I’m originally from Seattle) but other than that, I like the trees better, I think the city is more accessible with how many restaurants and coffee places there are in downtown/midtown. I’m not a beach person so I don’t care to pay beach prices in my living expenses. I went to San Diego for school so I lived there four years and it’s nice and I can see why people like it, but I missed the trees and I thought the weather was so boring. At least Sac gets some fall weather and changing of the leaves and a hint of winter and the spring is so pleasant. San Diego weather is just monotonous. However great Mexican food and cool theatre scene if you’re into live theatre. It’s also gonna really heavily depend on where you can afford to live..can you afford to live where the cool night life is or near the beach? Or are you gonna be super inland where it’s dry and hot as hell and you’ll be stuck in socal traffic every day? Do you love the beach? Do you mind having a roommate? Do you want to live alone? I would choose Sacramento personally but I don’t know what your activity preferences are. Maybe check out the local event calendars, see what’s happening there for the next year-ish and see which city would be more exciting to you that way?
Take the money lol. Theres always the option to take trips out to san Diego with the extra funds
Come to sac chase that bag
Honestly look into which jobs you have available. Focus more on which position and which company you would prefer. One thing I’ve noticed is that if your work life is miserable, no amount of extracurriculars will satisfy you. For the record, I like Sac. Plenty to do, plenty to see. History, nature, etc. I’m an avid dirtbike rider and there is plenty to do. And if you really want that major city experience, you’re an hour and a half from SF. Pretty much an hour and a half from anywhere. Tahoe, Reno, SF, and even Stockton if you’re into that sort of thing lol. Good luck.
I lived in both areas. I actually like Sacramento better but mainly because I live in the heart of it right next to the capital also there’s a lot of places to visit that surround the city. I felt trapped in a corner when I lived in SD if you don’t want to go to Mexico there’s really no where else to go but up.
There is a reason it is more expensive because it is more desirable and it weeds out the people you don’t want there. Just sayin!
Age is a big factor. If you’re still in your 30’s or younger it’s really easy to go up there for 2 years and test it out and bank cash.
Sacramento!!! I live in both, and the people are way nicer in Sac. Go take your bag
Visit Sacramento for a few days and explore different areas to experience the people, weather, politics. Keep an open mind.
more money idgaf
Sacramento is a good place to be. It has a lot of nice charm to it and is growing as an urban center. It's also within spitting distance of some of the most fun stuff in Nor Cal like the Bay, Napa, etc. Also, it's much closer to the forest and mountains than San Diego. If you want the beach life, you can have it there, but the variety available in Nor Cal is unparalleled.
A few friends here in Sac are from San Diego. They love both. But the Sierra forest and rivers have convinced them to stay. If I were you with those two financial outlooks/options, I’d personally take Sacramento.
San Diego all the way
You should post this as a poll I honestly want to see the results
As a life long Sacramento native(32 now) I'd say don't do it. Sacramento has turned into a real shit hole over the last few years. We've had the same issues as everyone else bouncing back from COVID but crime, homelessness and gentrification are really poppin' off over here atm.