There are so many factors that go into determining if a certain place might be a good place for you and your family to live. We find that reviewing statistics, such as safety, employment, cost of living and schools is helpful for decision making.
Of course, there are other factors that go into your own personal decision making such as access to cultural activities, political climate, outdoor opportunities, or public transit. In this article we give a brief overview of how San Diego rates on several quality of life factors.
Safety in San Diego, CA
According to 2011 data, San Diego had a violent crime rate of 387 per 100,000 people. Compared to other cities in California with population over 250,000, only two other cities, Anaheim and San Jose, had a lower rate. While crime has increased in San Diego over the last year, the rate is still among the lowest in 30 years.
Employment in San Diego
The employment base in San Diego is shifting from one that was primarily military and defense to one that is fueled by high-technology and biotechnology firms that play at an international level.
The four key sectors of employment in San Diego are the military, tourism, international trade and manufacturing.
The largest public sector employers in San Diego include UC San Diego, County of San Diego, the US Navy, City of San Diego and the San Diego Unified School District. The largest private sector employers include Sharp Healthcare, Scripps Health, Qualcomm and the Kaiser Foundation Hospital.
San Diego has an unemployment rate of 8%, the lowest figure in nearly five years.
San Diego’s Cost of Living
According to Sperling’s Best Places, San Diego is well above the national average for cost of living. San Diego has a composite index of 143.30, where 100 is the national average. High housing costs are what really swing the high index number.
In fact, U.S. News & World Report recently identified San Diego as one of the ten least favorable cities for retirees due to the housing costs. Having said that, many people stretch to make ends meet so they can enjoy the great year-round weather and proximity to the beaches.
Education and School Quality in San Diego
San Diego has a wealth of educational resources for all age groups. For public K-12 schools there are a variety of formats available, including charter and magnet schools. The San Diego Unified School District is among the top large school districts in the nation. In addition to public schools, are also several private and parochial schools for the K-12 level.
Higher education opportunities abound in the San Diego area and include undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Key higher education institutions include the University of San Diego, UC San Diego, and San Diego State University. There are also eight community colleges plus private business and vocational schools.
San Diego’s Parks and Open Space
The City of San Diego has over 40,000 acres of developed and undeveloped open space, extensive shoreline as well as 340 parks. Whether you are looking for a beach- or bay-side location, a quiet canyon experience or an inland playground, there are many recreational opportunities.
San Diego is a short drive from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park[S8] , the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, the Cleveland National Forest and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for camping and hiking opportunities. San Diego’s mild climate makes it a year-round recreation paradise.
Image Source: Flickr User JoeInSouthernCA
