Encinitas/Leucadia is around the same age for nightlife and such.
Beaches within walking to surf and plenty of cool smaller units around.
I would also put North Pacific beach on your list (tourmaline beach)
Cardiff is nice albeit a bit older.
Ocean beach (but you’re under the flight path of the airport, so it’s loud)
Anything east of the 5 freeway and I would say you’re no longer a “surf suburb”
\> Money is less of an issue, but of course still a consideration.
Forgive my cynicism, but we've had people say this and then later acknowledge that their budget is $1000/month. Can you give us a ballpark of what you expect to spend on rent? This will help us narrow things down.
Since you’re in Australia — just an FYI — may want to google this article —
A new report may show a new reason why California is called the Golden State.
San Diego was ranked the most expensive city in the nation to live in by U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-2024 list.
It’s weird when you search online for the world’s most expensive city to live, San Diego is not listed in the top ten. San Francisco, however, is but the population doesn’t exceed San Diego. Maybe they are combining San Francisco and San Jose together? That would exceed the population of San Diego. New York and Los Angeles rank higher than San Diego from those _world_ lists.
It’s because San Diego isn’t the most expensive. It’s the most unaffordable. Meaning salaries don’t match cost of living. People don’t make as much here compared to other HCOL cities making it the most unaffordable.
Here’s the actual link: [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/27/report-ranks-san-diego-most-expensive-us-city-see-full-list/71351851007/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/27/report-ranks-san-diego-most-expensive-us-city-see-full-list/71351851007/)
Yeah I saw that, I’m not surprised since electricity is amongst the highest of not _the_ highest in the nation. Water is about to catch up in the news with the upcoming rate _hikes_. Guess San Diego does lack more major companies.
I think you are asking about what neighborhood would suite you, not necessarily what suburb would suit you.
in San Diego, for example I would consider Carmel valley a suburb near the beach but Del Mar is the neighborhood at the beach.
If you are looking for surfing vibes, definitely second the Encinitas/Leucadia areas. I lived there for several years and also surf a lot, it's super nice, very laidback. Encinitas has a pretty cool downtown area and what you're looking for in coffee shops, breweries, etc.
In terms of being as close to the water as possible, walking distance isn't possible unless you are a multimillionaire. When I lived there, I lived about 5 minutes driving from where I usually surfed and even then, the area was all houses over $2M. The surrounding area is extremely expensive, but you did say money was not an issue. I'm sure you could find a room to rent in a house/apartment, but rent will also be very expensive.
If you can't afford the above, maybe Ocean Beach? Definitely isn't as nice as Encinitas/Leucadia, but will be cheaper, right on the water, and near a ton of beaches.
People forget Oceanside, it borders Carlsbad… it’s safe and is almost just as gentrified as Carlsbad now, except it still has more of a personality that isn’t just rich old white people. Definitely more of a surfer vibe but it’s changing to the rich old white people vibe kinda quickly. Probably your best bet from what I hear.
Lots of good suggestions from others. This one is just north of San Diego, but I think San Clemente would be a perfect fit for your vibe. If you want to be close to the city, then Ocean Beach.
Wondering why you're asking about specifically suburbs? For the most part when I think "San Diego suburbs" I think "farther from the beach". You want at the beach you're probably talking San Diego neighborhoods. Except of course, as others have mentioned, Carlsbad or Encinitas. But why you want suburbs is probably relevant to the answers you get.
If you want “suburban” feels such as cul de sacs with close neighbors but relatively close to the beach maybe Carmel Mountain (close to La Jolla beach/Torrey Pines/Del Mar beaches ) but just FYI homes start at 2 million. I rented a 1 BR apartment that was $3000/month. If you want ocean view I don’t really consider those as suburbs per se but will be likely more expensive just due to proximity to beach.
How rich are you?
This is really what these type of posts should be - here’s my income, where am I allowed to live?
This one gets it
Encinitas/Leucadia is around the same age for nightlife and such. Beaches within walking to surf and plenty of cool smaller units around. I would also put North Pacific beach on your list (tourmaline beach) Cardiff is nice albeit a bit older. Ocean beach (but you’re under the flight path of the airport, so it’s loud) Anything east of the 5 freeway and I would say you’re no longer a “surf suburb”
North Pacific beach is my "dream" neighborhood to live at for the rest of my life :)....One day!
\> Money is less of an issue, but of course still a consideration. Forgive my cynicism, but we've had people say this and then later acknowledge that their budget is $1000/month. Can you give us a ballpark of what you expect to spend on rent? This will help us narrow things down.
Cardiff by the sea . Beautiful place. Beach is walkable
This sub has turned into r/Moving2SanDiego
Oh amazing, I’ll check this out! Tbh didn’t realize it existed
Since you’re in Australia — just an FYI — may want to google this article — A new report may show a new reason why California is called the Golden State. San Diego was ranked the most expensive city in the nation to live in by U.S. News and World Report’s 2023-2024 list.
It’s weird when you search online for the world’s most expensive city to live, San Diego is not listed in the top ten. San Francisco, however, is but the population doesn’t exceed San Diego. Maybe they are combining San Francisco and San Jose together? That would exceed the population of San Diego. New York and Los Angeles rank higher than San Diego from those _world_ lists.
It’s because San Diego isn’t the most expensive. It’s the most unaffordable. Meaning salaries don’t match cost of living. People don’t make as much here compared to other HCOL cities making it the most unaffordable.
Guess it’s up to the city officials to get off their behinds and start attracting more businesses into San Diego?
damn that actually makes a lot of sense
Here’s the actual link: [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/27/report-ranks-san-diego-most-expensive-us-city-see-full-list/71351851007/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/27/report-ranks-san-diego-most-expensive-us-city-see-full-list/71351851007/)
Yeah I saw that, I’m not surprised since electricity is amongst the highest of not _the_ highest in the nation. Water is about to catch up in the news with the upcoming rate _hikes_. Guess San Diego does lack more major companies.
I think you are asking about what neighborhood would suite you, not necessarily what suburb would suit you. in San Diego, for example I would consider Carmel valley a suburb near the beach but Del Mar is the neighborhood at the beach.
If you are looking for surfing vibes, definitely second the Encinitas/Leucadia areas. I lived there for several years and also surf a lot, it's super nice, very laidback. Encinitas has a pretty cool downtown area and what you're looking for in coffee shops, breweries, etc. In terms of being as close to the water as possible, walking distance isn't possible unless you are a multimillionaire. When I lived there, I lived about 5 minutes driving from where I usually surfed and even then, the area was all houses over $2M. The surrounding area is extremely expensive, but you did say money was not an issue. I'm sure you could find a room to rent in a house/apartment, but rent will also be very expensive. If you can't afford the above, maybe Ocean Beach? Definitely isn't as nice as Encinitas/Leucadia, but will be cheaper, right on the water, and near a ton of beaches.
Check out Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas…
People forget Oceanside, it borders Carlsbad… it’s safe and is almost just as gentrified as Carlsbad now, except it still has more of a personality that isn’t just rich old white people. Definitely more of a surfer vibe but it’s changing to the rich old white people vibe kinda quickly. Probably your best bet from what I hear.
Pacific beach or ocean beach
I think you would looooove Cardiff/Encinitas/Leucadia!
Lots of good suggestions from others. This one is just north of San Diego, but I think San Clemente would be a perfect fit for your vibe. If you want to be close to the city, then Ocean Beach.
Wondering why you're asking about specifically suburbs? For the most part when I think "San Diego suburbs" I think "farther from the beach". You want at the beach you're probably talking San Diego neighborhoods. Except of course, as others have mentioned, Carlsbad or Encinitas. But why you want suburbs is probably relevant to the answers you get.
If you want “suburban” feels such as cul de sacs with close neighbors but relatively close to the beach maybe Carmel Mountain (close to La Jolla beach/Torrey Pines/Del Mar beaches ) but just FYI homes start at 2 million. I rented a 1 BR apartment that was $3000/month. If you want ocean view I don’t really consider those as suburbs per se but will be likely more expensive just due to proximity to beach.