San Diego, United States 🇺🇸
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | San Diego is a coastal city located in southern California known for its beaches, parks, and warm climate. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.4 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 1 USD (local currency) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major carriers include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Chase, Wells Fargo, and digital options like Revolut |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short-term rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Vrbo, and local property management companies offer a variety of short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI San Diego Downtown Hostel - affordable lodging in the city center. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork Gaslamp - diverse workspaces and community events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Caffe Nero - great coffee and a quiet work environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups for tech, entrepreneurs, and expats. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | San Diego Networking Events on Meetup and Facebook community groups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird offer electric scooters throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Mission Beach - popular for swimming and surfing. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines - primary carrier for regional travel. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue all provide international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstate 5 and Interstate 8 provide major road connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Santa Fe Depot - connects to local and regional services. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | San Diego Metropolitan Transit System offers day passes and monthly cards. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses provide service to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | UC San Diego Health – top-rated hospital facilities. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | CorePower Yoga - multiple locations and classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | 24 Hour Fitness - various locations throughout the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Spin Laundry Lounge - laundromat and cafe. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub dominate the market. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fish tacos - a local specialty available at many eateries. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Kindred - popular vegan restaurant in South Park. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Extraordinary Desserts - famous for upscale desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Liberty Public Market - variety of food vendors and local artisans. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon for general goods and grocery delivery from local markets. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh available for grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Gaslamp Quarter - vibrant nightlife with bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Stone Brewing - popular brewery with a tasting room. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Pub - casual venue with a good selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various taco trucks and food carts throughout the city. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Little Italy features a number of high-quality Italian restaurants. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Balboa Park - home to museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The San Diego Museum of Art - showcases regional and international works. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old Town San Diego - historic area with preserved buildings. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Mission San Diego de Alcalá - first of the California missions. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | San Diego Comic-Con - major entertainment and pop culture event. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Little Italy and Historic Gaslamp Quarter offer rich cultural experiences. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Old Globe Theatre - renowned outdoor venue for plays. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market every Saturday. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | House of Blues - popular venue for concerts and events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | North Park features various murals and urban art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Resource Center offers classes and workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - features modern art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Hotel del Coronado - iconic Victorian beachfront hotel. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Kumeyaay Nation and vibrant Mexican-American culture throughout the area. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Torrey Pines State Reserve - scenic coastal trails and views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - great for camping and hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Pacific Beach Boardwalk - great for walking and cycling along the coast. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cabrillo National Monument offers panoramic views of the Pacific. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Tijuana River Estuary - a popular birdwatching site. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Mission Beach has designated fire rings for gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | UPS and FedEx available throughout the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit - local repair service for devices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Mission Valley YMCA offers tables for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language School of San Diego offering various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | San Diego Central Library - great resources and study spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | San Diego Community Center - various cultural and recreational activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Lounge San Diego - offers games and community events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Barona Resort & Casino - offers gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $500,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $20,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $400,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $16,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $650,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $39,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $30,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $800,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $48,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 8.84% state corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No federal withholding tax for qualified dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 13.3% for income over $1 million. |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT but sales tax is approximately 7.75%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 1.1% assessment ratio with local variations. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No transaction tax but a transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 for sales. |