Why is it that San Diego is so overrated? And why is it that if you criticize San Diego, people attack you!?

Question

Overrated in the sense that the cost of living is worse than the Bay Area, the traffic is as bad as Los Angeles, culture is non-existent, and people are rude and not willing to have a casual conversation.

I find the Bay Area to be much friendlier.

And again, if you criticize San Diego, people start getting crazy about the "weather" and jump down your throat.

I'm sorry, but fish tacos, surfing, Gaslamp, and "Over the Line" just don;t do it for me.

Answer 1

Hi, I think its over rated. Its too crowded, it has the rudest, most stupid, incompetent drivers in the world. The cultural scene is lacking. The beaches are often flooded with sewage. The city government is totally corrupt, the city is administered for wealthy Texas developers and not for the people who live here. I guess if people attack you for criticizing Sandy Ego its because they are shallow morons, they really aren't capable of rational thought or discourse.

Answer 2

People tend to defend San Diego because you are posting on the San Diego section. If you post on the Cleveland or the San Francisco section, you will get more agreement. There is way more here than fish tacos, gaslamp quarter, over the line and surfing. I've been here 45 years and have never done any of those things, except possibly 2 dinners in the gaslamp. Previous poster was right about the developer driven, corrupt city and county government. People are used to that I guess, look how popular Roger Hedgcock is. We do have good culture here. The best theatre scene outside of NYC, good opera, local bands, some good museums, the restaurant selection is amazing, etc.

Answer 3

This might come across as defending it...

Is it overrated? Yes. Any city that made it in a "best place to live" winds up being overrated 5 years later.

The rudeness of people... lots of Alpha types added with military and TJ drivers coming over. I remember a year ago when people didn't come over from TJ. There was a HUGE difference in traffic. The friendly factor can be a huge difference from place to place, but there is a mix, but I can say that about anywhere.

HOWEVER traffic's not as bad as LA. LA traffic is terrible day and night.

The weather is nice most of the time. Compared to falling on ice and shoveling the driveway, but when it drizzles, they need to declare a snow day. It's bad.

Gaslamp is what it is. It's nice that the ballpark's downtown but it definitely caused a lot of political heartache.

Answer 4

Lets call San Diego for what it is--the poorer stepchild and unsophisticated suburb of LA...what do you expect from a city that borders a third world country, has a large military presence, absence of large number of high paying jobs, fast growing homeless population (#4 in nation), an ocean you can only go in without a wetsuit 3 months of the year, vastly overrated and mediocre dining scene (other cities have Jean-Georges, Thomas Keller, Michael Mina, Daniel Boulud whereas SD has some schmuck named Malarkey), and poor infrastructure (especially pothole filled roads) in spite of no harsh winter elements.

The only area SD excels is in mefiocrity, bartending jobs, tatoo parlors and if you are gay...if you do not fit into those groups it is vastly overrated....even the weather is not cracked up to be what is portrayed--Dec through Mid March is chilly, can be overcast most of May and/or June and late August to late September has reached 108 in 2 of the past 5 years.

Answer 5

I have to agree with you. Other than the music scene, I prefer the bay area as well. The beautiful people of San Diego lack real warmth and sincerity. I lived there for 8 years and had many aquaintences, but no real friends. People would approach you and seem to open up and you would feel like maybe you made a connection, but then you would have them over or they would invite you to a party and you find out they just want to get you in their AmWay lifestyle.

I live in Florida now and have many strong roots in my community that simply were not possible in San Diego.

Answer 6

I agree with Dolly Vibes, as a native I have seen how screwed up SD has become. It was a beautiful Spanish style town years ago. Then all the tourists started moving here and wanted their big city to come with them. I would be more than happy if all the non-natives would go back home (leave your daughters of course). The traffic would go back to how it was, the smog would leave, all the snotty rude people would go back to New York, Frisco, Chicago or where ever. I'm not attacking, I just miss the old big small town atmosphere we used to enjoy. It's too crowded, yes, but not from San Diegans. I love it here and will probably stay here forever. Visit anytime you want, just remember to go back home when you're done! :)

Oh, if you run across someone rude, ask where they're from.

Answer 7

Well you're entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine. I've lived here about 8 years and I love it. Yes it is expensive to live here, but there are huge benefits like being able to go to the beach and go skiing the same day without too much of a drive. The beaches are nice and there are a lot of great things to do here, especially if you have a family. The zoo is incredible, the museams at Balboa, etc. I know there are a lot of people who are living her because of the military and would rather be somewhere else, but you can definitely make the most of it, if you look there is plenty to do and a lot of really nice people.

Answer 8

Yep, overrated, overpriced but hey, I don't have to shovel my driveway or warm up my car to get the ice off. That works for me - if you like LA or San Francisco better, good for you. I'd hate to have any more people moving here so I'm cool with your dislike. Have a good day.

Answer 9

Because if you were a native you would know how different San Diego used to be. I was born and raised in San Diego. Neighborhoods have changed, and traffic has DEF. changed. It was so different before. I miss it. But, that's what happens when people start to move in. : )

Answer 10

Dude!! Don't be a hater!! Its not our fault that all your teams suck!! Giants, Definitely Raiders, 49's, somewhat A's. Chill out, I would love to move back to my HOME town when I have a chance!! Until then, stay up there with all the rest of the LOSERS and stay out of San Diego. POINT-DOT-BLANK