Are you dreaming about moving to San Diego without a job? Perhaps you are escaping the seemingly endless winters or just want a change, and you’re ready to move to San Diego.
You’ve dreamed of living in San Diego, enjoying the best climate in the world. You enjoy outdoor activities or want to learn to surf. And, you can’t face another winter, starting your day shoveling snow from your driveway.
You long for the sunny southern California coast, and you know that the sun-kissed San Diego beaches (La Jolla, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Carlsbad!) fit the bill.
But, the question remains, “Can I move to San Diego without money?”
How much should you save before moving to San Diego?
You should save at least $15,000 before moving to San Diego. Even if you live in an affordable neighborhood, San Diego is an expensive city. And, you can expect to spend about $2,500 each month after moving to San Diego. So, if you have saved $15,000, you should have enough money for six months. Of course, if you have more money saved, you can reduce the stress of moving, but you really shouldn’t move unless you can support yourself for at least six months.
Of course, that amount can be lower if you relocate with a job offer. But, still, you should always have at least six months’ worth of living expenses saved, just in case.
Many people moved to San Diego without any money. But it’s risky to move anywhere, let alone an expensive city like San Diego, California. What if you can’t find a job? What if you get sick and you can’t work?
Related posts:
Is it hard to find work in San Diego?
It can be hard to find work in San Diego. Every year thousands of people move to San Diego trying to escape subzero weather. The job market in San Diego is competitive, and even in high-demand IT jobs, it could take you months just to get a job interview.
So, yes, it’s hard to find work in San Diego. A resume that would get you job offers in any other part of the country may get you nowhere in San Diego.
The bar is set much higher in San Diego than in other parts of the U.S. The reason is simple; there are so many people who want to move to San Diego. And many of them have “excellent skillsets.”
Before moving to San Diego, you should add new skillsets and make yourself more marketable. Add new in-demand skills, get certificates, etc.
And once you get a job offer in San Diego, expect a pay cut. Employers are aware of the oversupply of labor in the area, and they will pay you less than in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or other top-tier cities.
Can I move to San Diego with no money?
You can move to San Diego with no money, but it’s a bad idea unless you have friends or family to support you until you get a job. If you are alone, it’s doable to move to San Diego with no money. You might have to sleep in your car, which isn’t so bad due to the mild climate. If showering at your gym sounds appealing to you and washing your clothes at the laundromat sounds like fun, you could move to America’s Finest City with no money.
But, realistically, DO NOT MOVE TO SAN DIEGO WITH NO MONEY! If you don’t have friends or family in San Diego, where you can stay until you can support yourself, you will be homeless.
Always get a job offer, or two, before relocating. It’s a lot less stressful to find a job before moving to San Diego. Thousands of people have done it before you, and so can you.
How to move to San Diego with no money?
You can move to San Diego with no money. But, you have to have the right plan to make your move a success. First of all, you have to be pretty daring; other people might use another word starting with an “S” to describe someone moving to one of the most expensive cities with no money.
Moving to San Diego with no money can be scary and messy, but it can be done. You can’t compromise on two things when moving with no money.
First, you need reliable transportation. In San Diego, that’s a car because you can’t rely on public transportation to get you to work in a reasonable amount of time. If you don’t mind spending two hours commuting to work (each way) with public transportation, you might be able to pull it off, but I didn’t think so. One alternative is to ride a bike. Many people do it, but you can’t sleep on a bike. (please don’t even try 🙂 And if you want to move to San Diego with no money, you might have to sleep in your car for a while.
Second, you have to be in good health. You shouldn’t even try moving anywhere with no money unless you are in good shape. As a fit and healthy person, you can sleep in your car, shower at the gym or on the beach, and do your laundry at the laundromat. It will be tough, but it’s doable. But, if you are out of shape or ill, you won’t make it, and you shouldn’t even try.
What are the pros of moving to San Diego?
I have lived in San Diego for over 30-years, and I can tell you there are more pros than cons to living here. Before moving to San Diego, you should know the pros of relocating to America’s Finest City. The pros of moving to San Diego have to do more with your personality, career choices and preferences than anything else.
What is the biggest pro of moving to San Diego?
In my opinion, the biggest pro of moving to San Diego is the weather. Yes, there are other places with sunshine like Florida. And there are many other cities with beaches like Miami, but you won’t find weather like in San Diego, California. If you move to San Diego, you’ll find the weather is pure bliss.
Move to San Diego for the food
If you move to San Diego, you’ll have access to great food. San Diego is famous for its wonderful Mexican food options. But it doesn’t end there. San Diego’s food scene is one of the most diverse in the United States. For example, the city offers a wide variety of Asian food options, from pho to ramen. And if you’re hungry for some finger licking good smoky barbeque, it’s waiting for you in San Diego.
Moving to San Diego for outdoor living
After more than 30-years of living in San Diego, I am still amazed at how predictably good the weather is here. So if you plan an outdoor activity, you know that the weather won’t cancel it for you.
Every day of the year, you can surf, hike, bike, walk, run, play tennis, volley ball, pickleball, golf, do yoga on the beach or choose any outdoor activity. You can start or end your day with fun outdoor activities.
Moving to San Diego for the beach culture
Many people move to San Diego for the beach. The beach culture is a huge advantage of moving to San Diego. Even if you move with no money, you know that going to the beach is free.
Moving to San Diego for the laid back culture
I love the laid-back culture of San Diego. If you want to live in an easy-going city, you should consider moving to San Diego. The slower place makes this city extra special in my book. So, if you’re looking to slow down and enjoy your life in a city with perfect weather, moving to San Diego might just be the smartest decision you’ll ever make.
What are the cons of moving to San Diego?
There are some cons to consider before moving to this sprawling coastal city. San Diego is an iconic travel destination and home to more than 3 million people. People moving to San Diego can experience its pleasant Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches, but the city is not without its faults.
Consider San Diego traffic before moving
Living in San Diego, for most people, means driving everywhere. Although the traffic issues in San Diego aren’t as legendary as in Los Angeles, it’s rough. Especially during the summer months, expect bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Freeways. The bad traffic situation in San Diego is a serious quality of life consideration. However, you can turn this disadvantage into an advantage by moving close to work. And, if you have a bike, you could ride to work. It’s a great way to stay away from horrible traffic and stay healthy.
Consider the competitive job market before moving to San Diego
Although the employment market in San Diego is strong relative to many other parts of the country, finding the right opportunity can be tricky. The San Diego job market is unusual because of the level of competition for jobs. Skills that would land you many job offers in many other major cities in the United States might not impress employers in San Diego.
There are many jobs in virtually all professions but expect a lot of competition for those jobs. And to make it worse, you can expect lower wages than in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Chicago, and many other cities. So, if you consider the high cost of living and the competitive job situation, moving to San Diego might not seem such a great idea after all.
Consider the high cost of living before moving to San Diego
San Diego is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Housing is outrageously expensive in San Diego. But, everything costs more in San Diego, including gas, restaurants, groceries, insurance, and services. So a salary that would be considered high in other parts of the country might not be enough to live comfortably in San Diego.