As the cost of living in California continues to escalate, many residents of San Diego are grappling with the question of whether living in America’s Finest City is worth the economic strain.
According to a recent report from realtor.com, San Diego ranks as the fourth most expensive housing market in the United States.
To afford a median-priced home here, individuals need to earn over $258,000 annually, a stark deviation from the traditional rule of spending no more than 30% of income on housing while putting 20% down.
Moreover, childcare expenses are also surging in the region.
A report from Lending Tree highlights that raising a child in California can cost nearly $300,000 over 18 years, putting it among the top eight most expensive states for child-rearing in the country.
Last year, CBS 8 shared the story of Andrew and Lauren Rowley, a couple originally from Southern California, who relocated to a suburb outside Denver, Colorado, after realizing their budget of around $700,000 was insufficient for the San Diego housing market.
“San Diego is obviously where we wanted to stay. But the prices are just outrageous,” Andrew Rowley mentioned in the interview.
In the face of these financial pressures, many residents are pondering what keeps them in San Diego.
A now-deleted post on Reddit sparked a lively discussion, asking San Diegans to share reasons for remaining in the city beyond the well-known pleasant weather.
Over 600 responses poured in, illustrating a variety of motivations, from strong ties to family and long-term residency to career opportunities in the military.
One user expressed a mixed sentiment, stating, “I was born here. I LOVE SD but sometimes I wish I was brought up somewhere else because of my unrealistic expectations.”
They also noted the challenges of raising children in such a costly environment, saying, “Now that I have a kid, I want so badly to give him the life I had growing up, but I know deep down that that’s not realistic. I just can’t come to terms with leaving.”
Cultural experiences and culinary delights also emerged as significant reasons for staying in San Diego.
Interestingly, many users highlighted that while they aimed to avoid mentioning the weather, it remained a core part of their experience.
A user remarked how local architecture seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the living experience: “When people are visiting, I always point out how the restaurant or bar we are in has an entire wall that is just totally open to the outside.”
This connection to the outdoors is part of what makes living in San Diego desirable, despite the hefty price tag.
As the city’s residents continue to navigate the complexities of affordability and quality of life, the conversation around why they want to stay in San Diego remains vibrant.
San Diego locals are encouraged to share their reasons for living in the city through social media engagement.
image source from：https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/why-do-you-live-in-san-diego/509-6b9d329f-642c-41dd-9a44-62324a1d7b3c
