When many people think of California they think of the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles or the high-tech supremacy of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Strangely, people often overlook San Deigo, which is just two hours south of Los Angeles and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It should come as no surprise that San Diego has a lot to offer those looking for investment property in California. And here are some of the things that make it so appealing.
Great Weather Year-Round
The city’s ideal weather is one of the things that draw people to it. Whether you’re into surfing, boating, or just lying on the beach all day, San Diego is the perfect city for those who worship the sun. It’s estimated that San Diego gets about 270 sunny days a year, well above the national average. And it never drops below freezing there.
In fact, San Diego’s average high and low temperatures in January are about 65 and 50 degrees, respectively. Actually, San Diego is one of those places that never gets too hot or too cold regardless of the time of year. In terms of climate, the city is cooler than Los Angeles because it’s closer to the Pacific Ocean.
Population Growth
San Diego is also a great spot for investing in rental property because it’s experiencing growth. It’s been estimated to be one of the fastest-growing cities in California and even makes the list as one of the fastest-growing cities in America. The city of San Diego has a population of about 1.4 million people, while the county stands at about 3.3 million.
It’s interesting that people sometimes don’t think of San Diego as a big city, even though it’s the eighth-largest city in the country. But those who are fortunate enough to live there have access to big-city diversions, such as national sporting events, music concerts featuring top artists, and performances by the city’s opera company and symphony.
Quality of Life
The cumulative cost of living in San Diego is lower than it is in Los Angeles, San Franciso, and San Jose, the only other cities in California with a population of more than 800,000 people. And at $820,000, the median price of a single-family home in San Diego is also cheaper than the median prices of homes in L.A., San Francisco, and San Jose.
Another thing that San Diego has going for it is its reputation as a quiet, family town that just happens to have over a million people living in it. Compared to the rest of the country, crime is relatively low. And there are many theme parks and museums to visit and outdoor activities to take part in. They don’t call San Diego “America’s Finest City” for nothing.
Proximity to Mexico
Another selling point of San Diego is its close proximity to beautiful Mexico, as the Mexican border is only about 20 miles away. Tijuana is the closest city and is only a half-hour drive from downtown. Tijuana itself is great for day excursions and a chance for “gringos” to get a sampling of the city’s colorful character.
As would be expected of a city so close to Mexico, San Diego has a rich Hispanic heritage, and San Diego County is about 40 percent Latino. San Diego’s racial and cultural diversity are additional qualities that make it desirable to renters. Cultural festivals and events are popular in the city throughout the year.
If you’re looking for investment property in California, San Diego is a good bet for many reasons. The city enjoys nice weather year-round, is within close proximity to Mexico, is continuing to grow, and offers its residents a good quality of life. Although San Diego doesn’t get as much national attention as its flashier cousins to the north, it more than holds its own. Indeed, the more people find out about what a great city San Diego is the more people will want to move there.
