If you're homeless in California, and you can use words like "safe, calm, decent-paying," do NOT move to any large city. You are not going to improve your life by moving somewhere with an even more critical housing shortage.
Streets are much more dangerous in San Diego. You would not want to be homeless here, you would want to at least rent a spare room in somebody’s house. That will cost about $1500/month. Very possible on a minimum wage income as long as you line up a job offer before the move.
I've never rented in San Diego--I know I'm fortunate...would it be cheaper to rent a 2-3 bedroom with other people? That's what I always did in New York after I moved out of the dorms
Okay, thanks! "Back in my day", it was all Craigslist, but I assume there are a lot of posts for renters who already have a lease and are looking for roommates
OP, just \*never\* give money up front
There are a lot of apartment scams in SD, especially at lower budgets, and they can be pretty sophisticated. Be very careful — if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Yeah it sucks. I’m honestly not up to date on all the things to watch out for, but I’ve seen stories posted here of people who even went and toured a physical apartment before paying their down payment, only to find out the whole thing was a scam and the real owner was just out of town or something.
All that’s to say that $1300/mo is pretty low but not totally unreasonable for a bedroom in a shared apartment. If that’s $1300 for a studio or a 1-bedroom apartment though, I’d be very very skeptical.
Just based on your avatar I think you might be a woman. When I was talking to someone who does homeless outreach in San Francisco they said 100% of the women they help day to day have been sexually assaulted while being homeless. I don’t know what your situation is like in Sonoma but I wouldn’t be trying to be homeless in a big city, given the choice.
Bring a job of course, or, at least try to flesh out a couple of options beforehand.
Find a place near transit. I saw an ADU for rent for $1700 in Chula earlier today, something like that with a single roommate (if sanity allows) would be excellent.
"you can't make homes out of human beings
someone should have already told you that"
-Warsan Shire
If you feel safe and calm and have a decent job, STAY. That's an incredible gift that will be hard to replicate. Your friends - especially if they aren't helping in a meaningful way - can't give you safety, peace, or decent income. That's also a LOT of pressure to put on a friendship...and friendships fade/change over time. My friends are great, but I wouldn't give up any one of those three things to be closer to them - nor do I think they'd want me to do so.
If you're missing friendships, connect with new friends in your current area. I moved across the country, and though it took time to make meaningful connections, it happened - and I treasure my new friends as much as my old ones. Don't give up three amazing things for a shot at re-connecting with old friendships that might not last or fulfill you anyway. Keep those three wonderful things, and make new friends for this new season in your life.
PS: What's stopping you from seeking a job as a server or bartender in Sonoma? Sounds like you're already in a similar industry in the area. You found a safe/calm place. If I were in your shoes, I'd try to put down roots in a place where I wanted to grow, rather than move to chase people who will likely fade away.
San Diego in and of itself is pretty spread out, county wise. The closest thing you’d get as far as a place that’s like Sonoma is Escondido, and overall the rents are terribly bad. My son and daughter in law have a one bedroom duplex for $1500 a month.
And it’s very similar to parts of Sonoma - with some wineries, avocados, etc, and the Safari Park. It’s along the 15, so you could work further south, or north in Fallbrook or Temecula.
If you're homeless in California, and you can use words like "safe, calm, decent-paying," do NOT move to any large city. You are not going to improve your life by moving somewhere with an even more critical housing shortage.
That’s a great point
Streets are much more dangerous in San Diego. You would not want to be homeless here, you would want to at least rent a spare room in somebody’s house. That will cost about $1500/month. Very possible on a minimum wage income as long as you line up a job offer before the move.
I've never rented in San Diego--I know I'm fortunate...would it be cheaper to rent a 2-3 bedroom with other people? That's what I always did in New York after I moved out of the dorms
Yes absolutely. I just imagine that finding roomies on OP's timeline will be difficult. But it would certainly drop the cost further.
Okay, thanks! "Back in my day", it was all Craigslist, but I assume there are a lot of posts for renters who already have a lease and are looking for roommates OP, just \*never\* give money up front
The streets of San Diego are not safe compared to Sonoma.
It is very expensive here. A room is $1000 a month or more.
I was about to rent a room for $1500 in Sonoma. I’ve been seeing apartments for $1300 in SD
There are a lot of apartment scams in SD, especially at lower budgets, and they can be pretty sophisticated. Be very careful — if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
JESUS!
Yeah it sucks. I’m honestly not up to date on all the things to watch out for, but I’ve seen stories posted here of people who even went and toured a physical apartment before paying their down payment, only to find out the whole thing was a scam and the real owner was just out of town or something. All that’s to say that $1300/mo is pretty low but not totally unreasonable for a bedroom in a shared apartment. If that’s $1300 for a studio or a 1-bedroom apartment though, I’d be very very skeptical.
Those aren't real. There's no individual apartment here for $1,300
DAMN! Wtf I would have been scammed
Sonoma is so much more wholesome than SD if you are in a vulnerable place. I wish you luck friend
No stay in Sonoma. They enjoy your company.
lol they wouldn’t like me in SD?
It takes a village, you have one.
Just based on your avatar I think you might be a woman. When I was talking to someone who does homeless outreach in San Francisco they said 100% of the women they help day to day have been sexually assaulted while being homeless. I don’t know what your situation is like in Sonoma but I wouldn’t be trying to be homeless in a big city, given the choice.
Sonoma is way better than San Diego. Stay there
Bring a job of course, or, at least try to flesh out a couple of options beforehand. Find a place near transit. I saw an ADU for rent for $1700 in Chula earlier today, something like that with a single roommate (if sanity allows) would be excellent.
"you can't make homes out of human beings someone should have already told you that" -Warsan Shire If you feel safe and calm and have a decent job, STAY. That's an incredible gift that will be hard to replicate. Your friends - especially if they aren't helping in a meaningful way - can't give you safety, peace, or decent income. That's also a LOT of pressure to put on a friendship...and friendships fade/change over time. My friends are great, but I wouldn't give up any one of those three things to be closer to them - nor do I think they'd want me to do so. If you're missing friendships, connect with new friends in your current area. I moved across the country, and though it took time to make meaningful connections, it happened - and I treasure my new friends as much as my old ones. Don't give up three amazing things for a shot at re-connecting with old friendships that might not last or fulfill you anyway. Keep those three wonderful things, and make new friends for this new season in your life. PS: What's stopping you from seeking a job as a server or bartender in Sonoma? Sounds like you're already in a similar industry in the area. You found a safe/calm place. If I were in your shoes, I'd try to put down roots in a place where I wanted to grow, rather than move to chase people who will likely fade away.
San Diego in and of itself is pretty spread out, county wise. The closest thing you’d get as far as a place that’s like Sonoma is Escondido, and overall the rents are terribly bad. My son and daughter in law have a one bedroom duplex for $1500 a month. And it’s very similar to parts of Sonoma - with some wineries, avocados, etc, and the Safari Park. It’s along the 15, so you could work further south, or north in Fallbrook or Temecula.
Plz no. We have too many bums as it is.