San Diego, United States 🇺🇸
#58
,
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | San Diego is the second-largest city in California, known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.4 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 150 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is USD. Major banks include Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, NEMA 5-15 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Commonly used banking options include Wise and Revolut for international transfers. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Popular platforms include Airbnb and Vrbo for short-term rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Short-term rentals available via Airbnb and local vacation rental agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel on 3rd, 6th Avenue Hostel, and HI San Diego Downtown. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Gaslamp Quarter, a historic district with nightlife and dining options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Little Italy, known for its cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork (multiple locations), Downtown Works, and DeskHub. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | James Coffee Co., Better Buzz Coffee, and Moniker Coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | San Diego Startup Week, meetups for freelancers, and Tech in Motion events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | San Diego Expats Facebook group and local Meetups for networking. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird for scooters, and local bike shops for rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Pacific Beach, just 15 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to I-5, I-15, and I-805 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Santa Fe Depot |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | San Diego MTS offers day passes and monthly passes. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak and Greyhound serve the region. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | UC San Diego Health – Hillcrest |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | CorePower Yoga, Yoga Six, and The Body Shop. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | 24 Hour Fitness, Gold's Gym, and LA Fitness. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundromats include Wash & Fold and Laundry Room. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fish tacos from local taquerias. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Kindred, Cafe Gratitude, and The Cottage La Jolla. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Extraordinary Desserts, The Baked Bear. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Hillcrest Farmers Market. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Gaslamp Quarter and Pacific Beach. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Stone Brewing and Ballast Point Brewing. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Pub and 57 Degrees. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at Liberty Station. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Kearny Mesa for Asian cuisine, especially Korean and Filipino food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, and Cabrillo National Monument. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | San Diego Museum of Art, USS Midway Museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Mission San Diego de Alcalá. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | San Diego Comic-Con and the Del Mar Racetrack Season. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Barrio Logan and Little Italy. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Old Globe Theatre and San Diego Civic Theatre. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Little Italy Mercato, Point Loma Seafood Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Music venues include The Casbah and Petco Park. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Chicano Park features vibrant murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Kitchen Workshop and Sur La Table. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Art District in Liberty Station. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Gaslamp Quarter showcases Victorian-era buildings. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Kumeyaay culture is significant to the region. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Mission Bay Park has scenic cycling and walking trails. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | San Elijo Lagoon. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Mission Beach has designated bonfire pits. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | FedEx, UPS, and USPS locations throughout the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Best Buy, local repair shops like Tech Stop. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Paddle-ology and local community centers. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language Exchange San Diego and Instituto de Lengua Española. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | San Diego Public Library, Hillcrest Branch. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The San Diego Community College District offers various activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Nerdy by Nature gaming lounge. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Sycuan Casino and Barona Resort Casino. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $550,000 per studio (e.g., 500 sq. ft.) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $400,000 per studio (e.g., 500 sq. ft.) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $650,000 per 1-bedroom (e.g., 700 sq. ft.) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500,000 per 1-bedroom (e.g., 700 sq. ft.) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $850,000 per 2-bedroom (e.g., 1,000 sq. ft.) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600,000 per 2-bedroom (e.g., 1,000 sq. ft.) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 8.84% for corporations |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No withholding tax in CA |
| 🏦 Tax System | Permission based; varies for residents and non-residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 13.3% for California state tax |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT but a sales tax of 7.25% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, stricter rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 1% based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Transfer tax is typically around 0.1% to 0.2% of the sale price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No tax on foreign income, favorable for non-resident digital nomads. |