Essentials
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-250 Mbps (Fiber available via AT&T and Google Fiber)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though many residents prefer filtered due to mineral taste
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile (approx. $50/mo for unlimited), Verizon, AT&T, or Mint Mobile ($15/mo)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut (US version), Wise, or Charles Schwab for no-fee ATM withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Zillow, Apartments.com, and Blueground for furnished corporate housing
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Apple Pay and credit cards are standard everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Hello Landing (membership-based flexible leases)
- Budget Accommodation
- HI San Diego Downtown Hostel ($45-60/night), California Dreams Hostel ($55/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Gaslamp Quarter for nightlife, La Jolla for luxury/views
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- North Park (walkable, trendy) or Pacific Beach (social, beach access)
- City
- San Diego, California, United States
- Population
- 1,385,000
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Downtown Works ($30/day, $300/mo), WeWork B Street ($290/mo)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Lestat's on Adams (Open 24/7, high-speed Wi-Fi, 3343 Adams Ave)
- Networking Events
- San Diego Tech Hub, CreativeMornings San Diego at various locations
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations San Diego, San Diego Digital Nomads Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft (very active 24/7)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Lime, Bird, and Spin e-scooters (per minute pricing)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Coronado Beach (wide, flat sand) or Windansea Beach (scenic cliffs)
- Top Regional Airline
- Southwest Airlines (Terminal 1)
- Top International Airline
- British Airways, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines (Terminal 2)
- Highway Access
- I-5 (North/South), I-8 (East/West), and I-15 (Inland)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Santa Fe Depot (N. Kettner Blvd) for Amtrak and Coaster
- Public Transport Passes
- Pronto Card/App ($6.00 for a Day Pass)
- Regional Travel
- Pacific Surfliner to LA ($35), Coaster to Oceanside ($6.50)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- UCSD Medical Center (Hillcrest/La Jolla), Scripps Memorial Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- CorePower Yoga (Multiple locations, $30/class), Pilgrimage Yoga (North Park)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fit Athletic Club ($120+/mo), 24 Hour Fitness ($40/mo)
- Laundry Services
- Freshly Folded (Pick-up/Delivery, $1.85/lb)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- California Burrito (Carne asada with fries) at Lucha Libre Taco Shop
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kindred (South Park), Donna Jean (Bankers Hill)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Extraordinary Desserts (Bankers Hill), Salt & Straw (Little Italy/North Park)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Trader Joe's, ALDI, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Same-day delivery available), Walmart.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Amazon Fresh
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Gaslamp Quarter (Clubs), North Park (Craft Beer), Pacific Beach (College/Beach bars)
- Local Brewery
- Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (Liberty Station), Modern Times
- Wine Bars
- The Rose Wine Bar (South Park), Vino Carta (Little Italy)
- Street Food Stalls
- Liberty Public Market (Food Hall with 30+ vendors)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Menya Ultra (Ramen), Born & Raised (Steakhouse - Little Italy)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Balboa Park (1,200 acres), USS Midway Museum, Old Town San Diego
- Museums & Art Venues
- San Diego Museum of Art, MCA San Diego ($25 entry)
- Historical Sites
- Hotel del Coronado (Built 1888), Cabrillo National Monument
- Religious Sites
- Mission San Diego de Alcala (first California mission)
- Annual Events
- San Diego Comic-Con (July), KAABOO Festival (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio Logan (Chicano art/culture), Little Italy
- Theater Venues
- The Old Globe (Balboa Park), San Diego Civic Theatre
- Local Markets
- Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market (Saturdays 8am-2pm)
- Music Scene
- Music Box (Little Italy), Belly Up Tavern (Solana Beach)
- Street Art
- Chicano Park Murals (under Coronado Bridge)
- Cooking Classes
- Sur La Table (Fashion Valley), Hipcooks (North Park)
- Art Galleries
- Sparks Gallery (Gaslamp), Quint Gallery (La Jolla)
- Historic Buildings
- The Marston House, Villa Montezuma
- Local Heritage
- Kumeyaay Native American heritage and Mexican-American border culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Mission Trails Regional Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Joshua Tree National Park (2.5 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Mission Bay Bike Path (12 miles), Silver Strand Bikeway
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mount Soledad for 360-degree views, Sunset Cliffs for sunsets
- Birdwatching Locations
- San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, Famosa Slough
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Mission Bay (designated fire rings), La Jolla Shores
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx Office, UPS Store, USPS (widely available)
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Store (Fashion Valley/UTC), San Diego Computer Help
- Table Tennis Spots
- San Diego Table Tennis Association (Balboa Park Activity Center)
- Language Classes
- SDSU Global Campus (English), Spanish Institute of San Diego
- Libraries & Study Spots
- San Diego Central Library (9th-floor reading room with bay views)
- Community Centers
- Lawrence Family JCC, North Park Recreation Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Battleground Junkies (Esports), Coin-Op Game Room (Arcade bar)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Sycuan Casino, Jamul Casino (approx. 30 mins drive)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $440,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $300,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $630,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $408,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $760,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $496,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Federal) + 8.84% (California State)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0-30% depending on treaty and residency status
- Tax System
- Residence-based and worldwide income for US citizens/Green Card holders
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal) + 13.3% (California State)
- VAT
- 7.75% Sales Tax (No VAT in the US)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'Subpart F' and GILTI rules apply
- Property Tax
- Approx. 1.2% of assessed value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Documentary Transfer Tax (Approx. $1.10 per $1,000)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None; California has high income taxes and no specific nomad visa