4 Reasons Why Oceanside San Diego is a Great Place to Live in 2023 | 2024

San Diego County is a wonderful place to live. A combination of lovely weather, incredible beaches, and beautiful sea can make us feel sorry for those who don’t live here. But the county is more than just the city of San Diego. Some towns and cities dot the map, and each one can give several reasons why you should live there. One of those places in Oceanside. 

Oceanside is part of a tri-city that includes Carlsbad and Vista. This is no small town, and the population is close to 170,000 people. We believe it has what it takes to be your next hometown and we will give some reasons why. All statistics in this article are as of this writing.

Here's a quick rundown of our list:

Reason 1 - The Positives 

We know we are a tad biased, so we will let a third party share the good news. Niche.com does independent ratings of municipalities of all kinds, and Oceanside has some very decent figures. Oceanside is ranked #5 in Most Diverse Suburbs in both the San Diego Area and San Diego County. Furthermore, it ranks #10 in Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in the San Diego Area and in San Diego County. The residents speak highly of their piece of the California coast, and Niche.com has noted these local opinions:

“Oceanside is a cute little beach town that has had many upgrades over the years. Clean beaches, shops near the water, and an overall connected community.”

“I really enjoy Oceanside because of the weather. It has good temperatures throughout the year being nearby the ocean, and it has nice beaches and live events you can attend like surf contests, farmers markets, art shows, museums, live concerts and more…”

“Born and raised, has everything you could need. Just far enough away from the business of San Diego and close enough where you can visit whenever you want. The same goes for Disneyland and Los Angeles. It’s the perfect middle.”

“Oceanside is a great laid back beach town with so many great places to eat and see. The people who live here are wonderful. I love all of our local businesses.”

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Niche.com analyzed considerable data and handed out grades of various elements of living in Oceanside. Here are where Oceanside truly shines:

• Public Schools: B+
• Nightlife: B+
• Health & Fitness: A-
• Outdoor Activities: A
• Weather: A+
• Diversity: A+

These scores are excellent when you consider this is the third-largest city in San Diego County.

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Reason 2 - The Fantastic Demographics 

Well, what is so special about those who live in Oceanside? It’s a good question, and we are happy to answer. The fundamental statistics paint a revealing picture.

Male residents account for 24.23% of the total population; women make up the remaining 50.77% of the city’s people. There is not much migration into Oceanside at all. 83.24% of the population live in the same residence as they did last year. White-Collar jobs make up 80% of all employment and worker, blue color, positions comprise 20% of the jobs. Employment overall breaks down into the following categories: Self-employed, 11.66%; Private Company Employment, 69.51%; Government Workers, 12.6%; and Non-Profit Employers, 6.22%.

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Oceanside is not an academic town at all. Only 19.42% have a baccalaureate degree. Percentage-wise, there are as many with a high school education only as there are those who have spent time in college academia (27.84% opposed to 27.83%). An interesting piece of data involves households. 67.64 % of these are family households. Oceanside is the kind of community where you can raise your kids with all sorts of opportunities for the family.

Niche.com asked residents to give the one word or phrase that best describes the people living in the area. The responses were Casual (41%), Laidback (15%), and Peaceful (11%). These are not the kind of folks that will cause trouble for anyone.

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Reason 3 - Lots of Great Things to Do!

There are opportunities to do many things in Oceanside, and it can be difficult deciding what to do first and what to do next. Here are some places and events you should consider.

• Meeting New People

You have a chance to meet your future neighbors and make some new friends at the Oceanside markets. The Oceanside Sunset Market is a family occasion for savoring new foods, lovely merchandise, and live entertainment all year long. Oceanside Farmer’s Market is all about the fresh produce that is grown in San Diego County. There are many organic selections and baked goods, and many vendors are waiting to show you their crafts, soaps, and lotions.

• Museums to Enjoy

The Oceanside Museum of Art is relatively new and is a busy center for art. There are approximately fifteen contemporary art exhibitions per year and numerous concerts taking place at the Museum. The California Surf Museum is for the surfer dude in all of us. You should think of this as a resource center not just about the sport, but the lifestyle and culture that grew up in the last sixty years as surfing swept our nation.

• Nature Beckons

Oceanside may be in a very urbanized county, but it doesn’t mean nature and the environment have no place here. Guajome County Park has more than 4.5 miles of trails you can wander to enjoy the birds and two ponds for you to fish in. Buena Vista Audubon Society & Nature Center is at the northern edge of the Buena Vista Lagoon. This happens to be a celebration of the habitat found in San Diego County, with exhibits of plant life and wildlife.

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• Have a Cold One in Oceanside

Craft and specialty beers are popular in southern California, and Oceanside has them for you. Legacy Brewing Company has twelve specialty beers for you to enjoy in an establishment that includes live music. Breakwater is near the Oceanside pier and offers 18 house-made craft beers. They also offer the wares of 25 other breweries, so you can truly indulge your taste for hops. If you are inclined to vino (and who isn’t in California?), the Beach House Winery offers award-winning vintages and a breathtaking view. Vigna Al Mae is known all over the world for the wines it produces.

• Eat By the Beach

There are a variety of restaurants for you to enjoy. Fratelli’s Italian Kitchen is Tuscan cuisine that includes hand-made pizza, meat lasagna to die for, and fantastic organic salads. What is the seashore without fish? Hello Betty Fish House has the oysters, fish tacos, and ceviche you crave.

• Take in the History

The Old Mission San Luis Rey is one of the Franciscan missions that introduced Hispanic culture to California. It still has facilities for spiritual retreat and renewal. Heritage Park Village and Museum is close to the Mission. It was once part of the stagecoach route from San Diego to Los Angeles.

The most noteworthy Oceanside attraction is the Oceanside Pier. This is a 1600-foot pier that you can fish from, enjoy the amazing scenery, or do both. You may fall in love as you and your special friend gaze into the sunset from the Oceanside Pier. Who knows?

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Reason 4 - The Beaches  

If you can live without beaches, then you really should not live in southern California. Those are more than just sand dunes, dude. They are a part of life for almost everyone, and beaches convince many people to put down roots and live in coastal cities. Oceanside has some of the very best beaches.

Oceanside Harbor Beach is the biggest in the vicinity. It is a well-known surfing area, but there is even more to do here than ride the wave. Whale watching and sport fishing tours originate here that will permit you to appreciate the marine environment.

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Oceanside City Beach is the best place for kids and the California Surf Museum is not far away.

Buccaneer Beach is not very wide, but it has an ambiance that attracts sun worshippers and families alike.

You do not have to limit your beach adventure to these three. The Oceanside gallery of beaches includes Breakwater Beach, Cassidy Street Beach, Oceanside Boulevard Beach, Pier View North, Pier View South, Tyson Street Beach, and Wisconsin Beach. Please feel free to choose the one you like.

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The Housing Scene

All the nice things about Oceanside might convince you to get out your Google maps and start hunting for a great place to live. Although we think that’s a wonderful idea, we suggest that you make haste cautiously. House hunting in San Diego is entirely different than looking for a home in Cincinnati. You are facing a real estate market that can charge a high price for a modest house.

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The Median Sales Price of an Oceanside residential property is $720, 500, which is considerably less than the $1,710,000 Median Sales Price of La Jolla. Median Days on the Market is 11 days. And Redfin.com rates the Oceanside Housing Market as Very Competitive. The Median Rent in Oceanside is $1,753.00. That is not bad by San Diego standards. Here is a thought. What you might pay in annual rent comes close to the mortgage interest payment of an Oceanside house. The rent increases in the San Diego area are expected to go up approximately 9.1% in 2022, and rent is not tax-deductible, whereas mortgage interest is tax-deductible. Maybe buying a house is a better idea?

It’s no exaggeration that buying a house be your most significant financial decision. You should make it the best deal possible. Many times, more than one buyer is bidding on the same property. Whoever is ready to strike a deal in quick time is going to be the winner.

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Furthermore, a buyer can be taken to the cleaners and not just in the closing costs. Somebody who does not understand structural damage or code violations can be persuaded to buy a house that will acquire considerable work. The seller usually handles much of that, but only if those arrangements are part of the final deal. You forget something like a utility budget, and you are faced with some expenses after you take possession. You proceed cautiously, hoping that you get a great deal without any side issues.

Another thought deals with getting the right mortgage. Time is a thief when it comes to the San Diego real estate market. A buyer is pitted against others when trying to offer the accepted bid. Whoever gets there first with the most will win, and it is a race against time.

Oceanside is no exception. As we mentioned earlier, the median days on the market are 11 days. That is less than two weeks to come up with the best offer. You need to have the financing ready, knowing the seller might back out before closing. A novice in this arena risks losing.

Contact us if you have specific questions about Oceanside

It pays to have a real estate professional on your side. This person understands the nuances of property and what a buyer needs to look for in a home. The agent can offer helpful advice about securing a mortgage and the pre-approval letter that is so important in a fast-paced housing market. Negotiations are a part of the process, and the agent acts on behalf of the buyer. The professional expertise guarantees that a buyer will get a fair deal.

We provide the type of assistance you are looking for in an excellent real estate agent. We represent people looking for a house in Oceanside, and we know this market very well. Once we know what your needs are and your price range, we get to work. We will deliver the result as quickly as practicable.

Financing is the rough part of buying. We will help you get the mortgage you afford at rates that will not destroy your family budget. We are experienced negotiators, and we can get the right deal for you at the best possible price.

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Oceanside is a fabulous community, and you will enjoy living there. We are here to make your house hunting dreams come true. Why not contact us at your earliest convenience and find out all we can do for you? We would welcome the chance to talk with you and answer all your questions.

We look forward to meeting you.

I would love to help assist you with your home purchase, home sale, or home loan - please feel free to give me a call, text, or use the form below. 

Your Oceanside Insider,

Scott

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