The past year has seen thousands of businesses transition from in-person office and retail jobs to remote work formats. Plenty of new work-from-home employees have taken advantage of the lifestyle shift to try out life in a new locale.
Why stay in a cluttered urban center or a specific neighborhood in a rural part of the country when you now have the freedom to pack up and go, taking your remote office with you? With so many options suddenly available, remote workers are free to consider their preferences.
For lovers of beach, sun, and fun, San Diego is a clear winner. But remote workers drawn to “America’s Finest City” may find that there are still more than a few surprising attractions to discover here. Let’s take a look at 5 reasons why San Diego is the perfect new home base for remote workers.
1. Laptop-Friendly Cafes and Tons of Co-working Spaces
San Diego is particularly well-primed for welcoming remote workers. During the pandemic, almost 50% of businesses in San Diego County were able to offer their employees remote work options. Among the lasting effects of this jump in WFH and telecommuting employees is the vast number of alternative workspace available throughout the city.
Top choices among the official co-working spaces available include Downtown Works, Cross Campus San Diego, WeWork, and Novel Co-Working Gaslamp. Each of these options features thoughtful touches that any remote worker will appreciate, from the essentials, like super fast reliable Wi-fi connectivity, to the creative, like whiteboards, game rooms, and private phone booths for long business calls.
With nearly 190 laptop-friendly cafes and co-working spaces available in San Diego county, remote workers ready to take the remote office outside of the house have their fair share to choose from.
2. Sunshine By The Sea
It would be nearly impossible to talk about why someone might like to move to San Diego without mentioning the sun and the sea… or rather, the Pacific Ocean. Famous throughout the world for its miles of sandy white beaches and killer surf, San Diego is a beach lover’s paradise.
Whether you are interested in trying kite surfing, sailing, boogie boarding, or catching the waves on your surfboard, San Diego’s beaches offer a plenitude of options. Moving to a new location as a remote worker is all about taking advantage of the after-work benefits as well. And what could be better than shutting down the computer for the day and hitting the beach for a stunning sunset swim?
Plus, there is no better background for your Zoom meetings, and video chats than the serene beach vistas San Diego residents witness every day.
3. Culinary Scene
Most people may first think of Los Angeles or San Francisco as California’s culinary capital. But San Diego is a major player on the foodie scene. In fact, San Diego has got a competitive edge, thanks in part to its flourishing local craft beer scene.
Remote workers will love finishing off the day at the relaxing beer gardens of Stone Brewing Company or mingle with other locals at the breweries for those in the know, like Stumblefoot Brewing Company and Lost Abbey. Get a taster of San Diego’s famously hoppy locally brewed IPA’s and come back for more.
San Diego’s culinary offerings, meanwhile, skew more towards relaxed dining establishments with an emphasis on high quality over pretension. The combination of freshly caught fish and seafood with San Diego’s proximity to Mexico means that here you can find some of the best fish tacos in the world. Expand your palate by sampling the cuisine at a new restaurant each week, and be sure to stop by local favorites like Alexander’s on 30th , The Patio, and the world-famous Italian eatery, The Red Door. From street food to fine dining, you will never get tired of the mouthwatering options.
4. Museums and Attractions
There is never a shortage of things to do in San Diego. The city’s millions of museums, amusement parks, outdoor activities, events, and attractions make it a perfect destination for remote workers moving with their families. Spend the day at Legoland, Sea World, or the famous San Diego Zoo, or visit one of the many museums for an educational outing.
For your pirate-obsessed child (or to satisfy your own inner pirate), visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego or the USS Midway Museum. Burgeoning astronauts will enjoy the San Diego Air and Space Museum, while the Fleet Science Center has something new to teach any visitor. One of the 17 museums in Balboa Park is the Museum of Us. Formerly known as the San Diego Museum of Man, this anthropological institution has been sharing new aspects of the story of humankind with visitors for over one hundred years.
5. Laidback Lifestyle
Perhaps you worked in an office for years, braving the lengthy commute each day in your starchy collar and dry cleaned suit. If you were one of those office workers who longed for “casual Fridays,” then San Diego is the perfect place for you to live and work.
Flip flops, boat shoes, and T-shirts can be considered the uniform around town, and no one will be the least bit surprised to see you wearing your casual Friday apparel every day of the week. Aside from a few of the most high-end clubs and restaurants, you can dress casual and show up relaxed at any joint in town. The laidback lifestyle is the name of the game in San Diego; it is the ideal town for you to slow down, focus on work, and enjoy your off-hours when you are no longer “on the clock.”
Living It Up in San Diego
Perhaps it is the year-round sunshine and breezy ocean climate that keeps people in San Diego so happy all the time. Or perhaps it is the friendly, relaxed nature of this city’s residents.
Whatever the reason, San Diego offers remote workers the perfect blend of tranquil landscapes, cozy familiarity, and quintessential California good vibes. Combined with access to plenty of co-working spaces, job opportunities, and weekend recreational activities, there is nothing not to like about life in America’s Finest City. And everything to love!