Hellobee Boards

Is proximity to family a factor? San Diego is warmer though...

Such a hard and awesome decision. San Diego is gorgeous and the weather is mild. It's a great place for seafood (obviously). I've never been to Chicago but would love to visit. I don't think I could tolerate the snow full time though. So so so happy for you.

ETA: I'm obviously not a local.

@yellowbird: Where do you live now? Just to get an idea of what kind of climate you are used to.

And have you visited both places, at least?

I lived in Chicago for a couple years, but I was young and single and lived in a not great neighborhood (and worked in an awful one). My memories aren't so fond, but I also think they were really skewed. It's a very segregated city. There are parts of the city I loved, though, and I think living in one of those areas would have been really great. Sorry that's not more helpful.

San Diego!!

@yellowbird: I am from Chicago but live in San Diego so I had to reply!! There are so many factors, but a few pro/cons

Pros of San Diego:
1) it is gorgeous here year-round. I was outside every day when I had a newborn which was so good for both of us!
2) Great schools (at least in the suburbs where I live)
3) Very family friendly. There is so much to do as a young family (parks, beaches, theme parks)

Cons:
1) it's expensive here. Not sure where you're coming from but it is pricey.
2) You're in a bit of a culture desert. Yes, there are a few museums downtown, but (especially compared to Chicago) we feel like there isn't a whole lot culture-wise.
3) Lots of strip malls and chains for food in the suburbs versus unique restaurants.

Chicago Pros:
1) So much to do in the city and suburbs alike. Museums, parks, and some of the best restaurants in the country, IMO.
2) Excellent schools in the suburbs
3) Lots of cultural activities both downtown and in suburban neighborhoods

Chicago Cons:
1) Winters are hard, but I'm sure you know that
2) Traffic can be bad headed downtown, but San Diego has the same issue!

I love both places for so many reasons. I'm typing on a tablet so sorry I couldn't include more! Either way, please reach out if you have questions about neighborhoods no matter where you decide to move as I'd love to help! Good luck!

@yellowbird: Okay, well, I have never been to San Diego - just heard wonderful things about it. I have been to Chicago plenty of times and absolutely love it, but the winter weather is certainly rough. You really do have two places at opposite ends of the spectrum!

Oh, and I guess for work options, my assumption is that Chicago would probably offer more? Though I suppose it depends on your husband's line of work.

Wait, San Diego has culture! Balboa Park, The Old Globe Theater, the La Jolla Playhouse....museums at Balboa Park are free for residents the last Tuesday of every month. And there is a ton of theater. Symphony. Opera.

Also international flights do fly from San Diego, but many connect through LA...doesn't mean you have to drive up there.

I've lived in San Diego for all but 6 years of my life and I have family in Chicago so I've been to the city many times and the suburbs. I've always liked Chicago and everyone was really friendly.

San Diego is a fantastic place to live. Within two hours you have beaches, snow, mountains, desert, Mexico... Neighborhoods are mostly typical suburbs, but there are some that are beach cities and some urban areas with hipster parents and bars with kids playgrounds inside.

The weather really cannot be beat and there are great schools. Gas is expensive and so is housing, but you can research that and see if it works. Obviously not everyone in San Diego makes tons of money...and pretty much all of my friends own houses, just toward 30 rather than right when they got married. Let me know if you have any other specific questions.

Eta: San Diego is less spread out than Chicago, so truly most areas are always 20-30 minutes away. I remember it taking an hour to get to downtown Chicago from my cousin's house. In San Diego it's not over 30 unless you move pretty far north or east.

San Diego! The weather's great year-round, schools are good, beaches all around, mountains are close-by. It's a relatively safe city with a small town feel. I was raised in SD and miss it tons. There's a lot of culture, but you'll have to venture out of your immediate neighborhood and find it -- but commuting is the norm in SD. The commute is the only thing I don't miss.

You just missed restaurant week, but the next one's coming around in a few months http://www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com

@yellowbird: I live a few hours north of Chicago and my family is from Wilmette and Evanston. I think the Midwest and GL region in general have so much to offer. Wisconsin is super outdoor with tons and tons of lakes and hills and is just a couple hours north, I love "Ocean Michigan" and I genuinely love Midwest college towns (Madison, Ann Arbor, Evanston). I like the culture of the Midwest (friendly, family values- not that SD doesn't have those things, but it is just a different culture). I also like taking the L in Chicago and find it a walkable city. I am excited to see what you decide and how you like it!

I lived in Chicago in my 20's and then married and had DD1 there. I love it! We moved to Texas for the lower cost of living and to be closer to my family, but I wouldn't hesitate to live there again. I loved the beaches, parks, architecture, museums, restaurants and people. I didn't love how long winter was, but I did love the seasons and the rituals that came with them. I never felt unsafe while there, fwiw. I lived in East Lakeview and Andersonville/Edgewater, and DH's family is in Geneva/St. Charles if you have questions about specifics.

@yellowbird: http://city-crime-statistics.findthedata.com/compare/88501-89553/San-Diego-vs-Chicago

According to that site, murder rate in SD is 39 vs. 414 in Chicago; robbery is 1456 vs. 11,815.

Chicago dweller here. We live in the north suburb and had our first while living in Lakeview. Re: crime, hugely variable depending on neighborhood. I would stay on the north side and pay tons of attention to schools when looking for a place should you stay in the city, as CPS schools aren't known for being universally outstanding (understatement of the year - there are a handful of excellent choices and the easiest way is to just be zoned for them rather than going through the lottery system). If I were moving here with an almost kindergartener, I would move to Evanston or Oak Park where you are very close to the city (on the El system even) but with the convenience of suburb amenities and generally safe overall.

But as much as we live Chicago, I would teleport myself to San Diego for the month of Febraury each year. I love seasons (summer in Chicago cannot be beat and fall is beautiful) but winter is long and even the mild ones like we are having can get pretty old...

Even though San Diego is a tougher place to live because it is way more expensive I would choose it because of the weather. Chicago is also expensive so it's not like you'd be getting much of a break and the weather is terrible. The traffic is also very bad coming from the airport. And while it does have some cool restaurants I kind of feel like the city has a deserted feel most of the time. Of course I am not from either area so maybe I'm wrong but those are my 2 cents!
I recently moved out of a very expensive area (NYC) for a more affordable one (philly) but weather is the same and my family is here so the other factors didn't really matter!

@Modern Daisy: what part is deserted? I feel like the neighborhoods are so vibrant. The Loop shuts down early, but it's really a business district.

I can't speak for Chicago since I've never been, but I love love San Diego! We go there a couple times a year for short, local family trips. The beaches and weather are fantastic year-round... I think there's plenty to do - Gaslamp District, Coronado Island, Balboa, La Jolla (and downtown La Jolla), SD Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Legoland, Carlsbad (the flowers in Spring are gorgeous!) & the Carlsbad outlets. It's such a great place to raise a family!

Like others have mentioned - you can get snow, mountains, oceans, whatever... all within a short radius! It's 2 hours to LA, 1 hour to Orange County, 1 hour to Mexico, and 5 hours to Vegas. Plus if you like Mexican food, it's the best Mexican food you'll get anywhere in the U.S.! The lack of seasons does suck sometimes, but the only season I really long for is fall (it seems like spring and fall lasts such a short amount of time in most places anyway). I am happy just visiting rather than living in snow. You pretty much just get spring and summer weather all year in SD (I would say 7 months of spring and 5 months of summer weather). Plus, no humidity!

@yellowbird: YEA! OMG I am so happy for you! I think you'll love it!