Experience in San Diego, United States by Kathy

What is it like to live in San Diego? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

San Diego is a beautiful city with the mountains, beach and desert all within a couple hours drive of wherever you are. Our beaches are lovely although on summer weekends they can be busy. There are great places to snorkel, scuba dive, boogie board, surf or just soak up rays on the sand. There's Sea World, Petco Park (for baseball), the Zoo, Legoland and Balboa Park with 50 museums! There's hiking in the mountains, wildflower blooms in the desert, and beautiful waterfalls to choose from.

What is the student lifestyle like in San Diego?

Student lifestyle is diverse. There are delicious places to eat although many are not within a student budget. Gaslamp Quarter is the hoping' place at night.

How much does it cost to live in San Diego?

San Diego has a pretty high cost of living although the further east you go from the main city, the more reasonable the cost of living is.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in San Diego? Is there any advice you can give?

Housing is expensive. The cost of a furnished apartment is about $2000 a month with $163 in utility. It is. not hard to find accommodation. Again, going east of San Diego city limits reduces the cost of housing significantly.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There are many many Mexican restaurants from to-go style to sit down and order. My favorite dish is machaca which is shredded and egg cooked with bell peppers and onions. There are also many Italian restaurants with my favorite being lasagne.

What places would you recommend visiting in San Diego?

I would recommend: the tide pools at Cabrillo; the zoo especially the Polar Bear exhibit; San Diego Zoo Safari Park (the animals free roam in large, natural enclosures); Legoland especially mini land with Lego sculptures of cities all around the world; Sea World (the Shamu show is very well done with lots of information about the orcas); Coronado both for the beach, the beautiful hotel and novelty shopping; hiking at Palm Canyon to the waterfall and oasis; Anza Borrego Desert visitor's Center hiking at Cuyamaca Mountains especially Stonewall Peak (beautiful view) and lastly enjoy the old mining town of Julian.

Is it good to eat out in San Diego? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes! There are tons of delicious restaurants from every ethnicity imaginable.
My favorite spots are Spaghetti Factory (more affordable), Fireside Inn (beautiful outside dining on Mission Bay); Marieta's Mexican (there are several locations) and Gaetano's Italian restaurant in El Cajon (affordable)

Is the nightlife good in San Diego? Where is good to go?

I am not much of a nightlife person so I can't be of much help. I do know there are lot of places in Gaslamp Quarter downtown.

What advice would you give future students heading to San Diego?

The beautiful weather can make it hard to focus on your studies. Go to a quiet place on the beach for reading where you won't be disturbed. For outings buy the Go San Diego ticket which gives admission to a number of places such as the zoo, Sea World and Legoland for a discount. Balboa Park has a Passport which gives discounts to many museums. Use the internet to pre-purchase tickets to places you want to go to get a reduced price and to save time waiting for tickets on line.