General Cycling Discussion - San Diego good for riding??

I am looking at possibly relocating to somewhere around San Diego before next winter. I presently ride in Chicago, and I am just wondering what it will be like further west? I'm not a competitive rider but I just like to get on the bike as much as possible to run errands and get exercise and whatnot.

-Jason

The best place I have been for riding, though it has some pretty steep hills. I am sure the locals who are members will be piping in soon.

Ohmygosh-

I am a fellow Chicagoan, but I've been to San Diego and lived in LA for a bit. It's great riding over there- and riding along the coast is the best. I think San Diego is one of the most bike friendly places I've been. To me, it looked like there were no problems. I would also love to ride my bike one day down into Mexico- that just looked like an awesome alternative to taking the trolley or fighting traffic, especially on New Year's Day, when it's totally congested.

I just don't see where you can go wrong if you want good riding in the States. And warm too in the winter, so you'd be happy to get out of Chicago and get to a climate where you can ride year round.

Koffee

Hey Jason, shoot me an email at j@blakkat.zzn.com because I plan on relocating myself to San Diego sometime in June this year.

I been there last December as a scouting/vacationing trip and San Diego is beautiful!!!

Where are you thinking of living specifically? Rent is pricey so I am afraid that I will most likely have to find a roomie maybe...that roomie can be you???

Miyataphile

Oh yeah,

Any members out there who currently live in San Diego now, can you help me find Apartments or any roommates??? I prefer to find a studio apartment for about $650, but it'll do the roommate this if I have too.

I haven't even found work yet in San Diego!!! But I'm working on it. I just can't bear to stay in New Jersey for another year.

I'm thinking of working for the UpperDeck company. I'm a graphic designer and I think it would be a good fit for since I also use to collect bb cards too. Anyone out there work there or know anyone who works there???

Thanks for any help.

Miyataphile

You can ride 24/7/365....

I was out in SD a couple of winters ago, and I talked to some students who lived out at Mission Beach. They had one bedrooms from $650, and they were complaining the rent was too high... sheesh, I pay a lot more than that for my studio, although I'm in a high rise overlooking the lake and the river and I have some sweet views of downtown Chicago too.... still, though. The rent can be pricy, but I really think you can look around and find something reasonable. Check by where the Navy dudes are. Maybe the rent is cheaper out that way.

Koffee

My brother lives at Pacific Beach right next door to Mission Beach. Koffee is right you can find decent rent in that neighborhood. The trick is move there before summer the rent goes up in the summer time back down in winter. Ifr you find a yearly place in th ewinter they usually don't do the seasonal rent increase. That is also by far the best area in SD to live lots of water lots of night life lots on fun! I'll be down there for a week in April!

I guess I'm the first San Diego native to reply.

There are lots, and lots, and lots of places to ride!!!!!!! Plenty of clubs to join up with on weekend rides. We also have the legendary Swami's ride on Saturday morning's---they go faaaaaast! Lots of talent. Or if you prefer, there is a slower group as well.

If you want to MTB, there's lots of places for that around here, too!

That and perfect riding weather for most of the year...what else can you ask for?

There are also good LBSs around...

Welcome Jason..You will find San Diego a very bicycle friendly city.At least in terms of bike lanes, bus access and things of that sort. They do not lie to you.YOu can ride pretty much 365 days a year. Rarely is the day time temp. under 60. Not every day is sunny..Coastal fog. Ride inland and that will get you away from some of the coastal fog.
Also ride inland and you can find great hills and or moutains upon which to train...At 650 that kind of rent sounds pretty reasonable..Out in the suburbs it gets much higher. BIke paths lead everywhere..You will not be disappointed. Traffic is pretty rough...It is wise to learn the better locations to ride.

I am looking at possibly relocating to somewhere around San Diego before next winter. I presently ride in Chicago, and I am just wondering what it will be like further west? I'm not a competitive rider but I just like to get on the bike as much as possible to run errands and get exercise and whatnot.

-Jason

As a bicycle commuting San Diegan, I can assure you that the area is fine for cycling almost all the time. Sometimes I'd be biking around 10 o'clock or 11 from Hillcrest to Golden Hill and it would be very chilly, but the day time temps continue to surprise me, and I'm a native Southern Californian. Yesterday, I moved out of my house and the sun was bright and warm. That is fairly consistent in January and February.

There are jobs downtown for bike taxis BTW, although I'm sure their income is very low. You can get good exercise on the hills in central and South San Diego county. Despite what some other posters say, though, I don't think the roads are particularly friendly at all times for cyclists. Most drivers are well-intentioned but ignorant of the safety of cyclists, so you have to develop some good defensive riding skills in traffic. That's probably true of many areas, but it would be a mistake to think a few bicycle routes have made it any safer. If you're like me and you actually commute to all different areas of town, nut just planned recreational riding in the safest stretches, you have to be cautious, especially at night.

SD has one of the 18 velodromes in the nation, and they have a big swap meet there each November. You might be interested in getting a fixie and taking it there for some exercise. There are a number of local shops that are truly fantastic, too, and some of their employees form a core of dedicated bicyclists.

One other thing: San Diego has been named the nation's most unaffordable housing market, because of the indexing of actual incomes with real estate prices. Most people would find it prohibitively expensive to buy a home. Renting may be your only option for the long run, unless you have some real money tucked away. If you find a roommate, you can find a few deals paying $400-$500, but expect to pay $800 for a single or studio in most of the popular areas.

Check out North SD county! I live in Carlsbad (about 30 miles north of SD proper) and love it here. Most all of San Diego is very fitness minded and you will certainly find plenty of events, charity rides, triathlons, etc to keep you cranking. Coastal rides on a sunny Saturday morning cannot be beat.

North County is a fast growing area, and home prices are ridiculous, but rents aren't too bad. If you can swing $650 a month, you could get a decent apartment in a decent area. Factor in a roomate, and you could get much more apartment for the money. In my particular area, there are many 'low income' apartment complexes in really nice neighborhoods. When my wife and I were still in college, we got into a complex paying $550 for a three bedroom apt in La Costa (fancy-shmancy area). We still live here 8 years later and even though they have raised out rent, and we have to 're-qualify' every year we still pay a stupidly low $690 for the same apartment in a nice area. There are deals to be found, but you gotta do your research.