Moving to San Diego: A Complete Guide

Laid back vibes, sunny beaches, and incredible fish tacos, all make San Diego a year-round paradise. Aside from its beach town charm, San Diego is known for its military presence, recreational attractions, and STEM industries. 

The thought of living in San Diego is a daydream for many people, but if you’re serious about making the move, there’s a lot to consider. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! U-Haul has been helping people relocate locally and cross-country since the 1940s, and we’ve learned a thing or two about planning a move. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know for your move to San Diego.

San Diego’s Cost of Living

Like most coastal cities, San Diego has a high cost of living. That being said, San Diego’s median salary is higher than the national average, which helps alleviate high expenses.

Housing: Housing costs vary greatly depending on what area of San Diego you’re in. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, housing in San Diego typically costs more the closer you are to the beach. The median rent price in SD is $2,223 per month, and the median home value is around $850,000. 

Utilities & Food: Monthly utilities for 1 person in San Diego cost about $350, while food is about $375. 

Transportation: Most people in the San Diego area drive, though some neighborhoods are extremely walkable. There is public transportation available in SD, but it’s not very efficient compared with most major cities. 

Finding the Right Neighborhood

San Diego has an abundance of neighborhoods to choose from, each with a unique atmosphere. We’ve narrowed down the best neighborhoods to move to depending on your lifestyle. 

Young professionals: If you want to embrace the beach lifestyle, Pacific Beach (aka. PB) and Ocean Beach (OB) are great options to consider. The two neighborhoods are similar with beach access, high walkability, and comparable housing costs. Ocean Beach is the more laid back of the two, while PB is higher energy with a younger demographic.

If you’re looking for a more urban experience, Little Italy is an area of downtown SD with lots of charm. It’s one of the more expensive areas to live in San Diego, but Little Italy’s walkability and central location makes the cost worthwhile.

Military: The San Diego area’s military presence is integral to the local economy and culture. With over 100,000 active-duty service members and 10+ Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard military installations, San Diego is one of the largest military concentrations in the country. 

Whether you’re stationed up at Camp Pendleton or closer to the city in Coronado, U-Haul Military Moves is uniquely designed to support your relocation. Military Moves provides affordable, nationwide moving and storage solutions for service members and their families. 

Families: South Park and Normal Heights are perfect for families who want a central location and reasonable costs. Both areas are walkable with good schools, quaint craftsman homes, and a strong sense of community. There are also tons of suburban communities on the outskirts of San Diego that families love. 

Students: Most college students live near their campus, since SDSU and UCSD are on the outer parts of San Diego. If you’re willing to commute, check out Hillcrest, a vibrant, central neighborhood just north of Balboa Park. 

Retirees: La Jolla and Torrey Pines, bordering neighborhoods in northern San Diego are ideal for retirees. These areas have a quieter suburban feel, with easy access to outdoor recreation, restaurants, shops, and of course, beaches. 

The SD Housing Market

San Diego has a wide variety of housing styles to fit all different lifestyles and budgets. However, the housing market is competitive, so it may take some time to find everything you’re looking for. 

Application Process: The San Diego market tends to move quickly, so be prepared to take action as soon as you apply for a rental or make an offer on a home.

Renting vs. Buying: The main drawback of buying a home in San Diego is high real estate costs, which make buying a bigger commitment than elsewhere in the U.S. Ultimately, whether you decide to rent or buy will depend largely on your financial situation. 

Planning Your Move

Months Before: It’s a good idea to visit San Diego a few months in advance to explore different neighborhoods and tour homes to rent or buy. This time is also ideal for pre-move decluttering. 

A Few Weeks Before:

• Reserve moving rentals like U-Haul trucks or U-Box Containers.
• Order packing supplies or pick them up at a local U-Haul center. 
• Notify your current and future property managers about your move.
• Set up mail forwarding with the postal service, change your address (with your bank etc.), and transfer utilities. 

U-Haul equipment suggestions:

• Studios or 1 Bedrooms: A 10’ moving truck should do the trick.
• Larger Apartments: Use a 15’ or 20’ moving truck.
• Homes (3-5 bedrooms): Get extra room with a 26’ moving truck. 
• Transport your vehicle: Auto transport services.
• If you need more flexibility: Try U-Box moving containers for a stress-free alternative!

Local Considerations: Luckily San Diego’s endless summer weather makes moving year round easy. You may want to avoid moving during peak tourist season–the summer months, to save money and steer clear of crowds. 

Need an extra hand with your move? Moving Help® connects you with local movers to load and unload your belongings.

Life After the Move 

San Diego is known for its high quality of life and amazing work-life balance. No matter what your interests are, SD has so much to offer!

Change of Pace

San Diego’s easy-going way of life is a big adjustment for some people. Get ready to dress casually and see people wearing flip flops year-round. Despite San Diego’s chill energy, there’s never a shortage of things to do. 

Social Life

Whether you’re into watersports, trying new restaurants and bars, or wellness you can find community in San Diego. People in SD tend to be quite welcoming. With relaxed attitudes and lots of transplants, it’s relatively easy to strike up a conversation and make new friends. 

Commuting 

Most areas in central SD are walkable, but if you work in another neighborhood or travel often you’ll want a car. The average commute time in the area is 26 minutes, similar to the national average.

Make Moving to San Diego a Breeze with U-Haul!

Relocating to a big city like San Diego can be overwhelming, but proper planning and tools makes moving a breeze. U-Haul has you covered with solutions for all your moving and storage needs.

Moving Truck Rentals: With different truck sizes and convenient pickup locations all over the country, U-Haul moving trucks make moving on your own easy. 

Self-Storage: Need extra space during or after the move? U-Haul’s self-storage facilities allow you to store items short or long-term.

U-Box Containers: Simplify your move even more with U-Box portable moving containers. We deliver and you load at your own pace. Then we’ll ship your U-Box containers to your new home or store them until you're ready.

Moving Supplies: From moving boxes to mattress bags – we’ve got everything you need. Order online or visit a nearby U-Haul center.

Moving Help: Save your time and energy with Moving Help, which connects you with local labor services whether you need packing or loading support.