As a native of SD, I can say OC, hands down. It comes down to a better quality of life. San Diego is full of grit.

Interesting insights on Orange County, and San Diego. I agree on Little Italy having some nice restaurants, with good food. Funny about what you said that Huntington Beach as a "Real Housewives of OC" experience, with high end shopping! For those housewives, I think you need to think Newport Coast, Laguna Beach, and Coto De Caza. Not long ago Huntington was nothing more than oil wells, and surfers burning tires on the beach. HB brings to mind big raised trucks, low rider beach cruisers, divey coffee and breakfast spots, miles of relatively empty beach, and surfing under a power plant. When I think luxury shopping, I think Newport Beach's Fashion Island, or maybe Southcoast plaza. Absolutely love Point Loma, one of my favorite places. The lighthouse there is a must see. It was once a tea house, and had a female lighthouse keeper. If you want to make a video, love to see one of the history of Point Loma. San Clemente is definitely great spot for restaurants, and a great community. Agreed!

I disagree, Orange County has the upsides of San Diego- beaches, trails, shopping, restaurants. Without the downside- crime, homeless.

I’m from OC, but honestly you can’t go wrong with both! 😉

I like Orange County better

Both of the weather is amazing..

I’m from OC but SD I’d move there for sure. Great place.

Sustainability is very different in OC and San Diego. There are a lot more higher paying job oprtunities in OC compared to San Diego. If you look at how many young people go to college in San Diego but then most of them leave after they graduate becuase there are a lot more good higher paying jobs in OC, Los Angeles, and the Bay area.. San Diego is a college, military, retirement, and beach town. Also San Diego has a lot more damaged people compared to OC. The people in OC are alll mostly middle to upper middle class while San Diego has tons of people who are working minimum wage jobs that they *hate* working. OC overall is a much nicer enviornment(people, neighborhoods, mental health, cleanliness, etc) compared to San Diego.

Born and raised in OC. I disagree regarding being stuck in your community. For example, I live in Westminster, work in Anaheim, go to school in Irvine, and eat everywhere else.

Orange county

I live in Riverside County and I think OC is better than SD

What OC has going for it is location. As you mentioned not only is it central to LA and San Diego. it is also close to the Inland Empire.

I live in Costa Mesa in Orange County, Newport Blvd has great night life with Goat hill tavern bar, and across the triangle square plaza, Huntington Beach Main st has a great night life too😌

I’ve lived in Denver for the last 8 years. Am moving to OC. Irvine to be specific. I was there last week house hunting. My business requires suburbs (residential remodeling). I absolutely loved Irvine & OC on my visit. I will rent for a year & my home in keeping and renting out in Denver is only slightly cheaper than what I’m renting in OC. 73 degrees be deicing twice to leave Denver in Feb. I found OC to be everything videos said about it and the main concern I have is honestly staying out of peoples way on the highways bc I drive like an old man. Oc for me! Thanks for the video!

I lived in South Orange County most of my life and my parents re-located to San Diego in La Jolla and later in Presidio Heights, and eventually retired to Tucson, AZ. When I would go to visit in San Diego I always felt like I was on vacation. I eventually moved to the Phoenix area since holidays became a hassle traveling to Tucson, and lived there for fourteen years until my parents passed away, and then I moved back to California, but in San Diego this time. I downsized into a condo once again to make life easier, and recently bought a condo between La Mesa and Lemon Heights on top of a hill, so I have a view now from La Jolla, the city, Point Loma, the Silver Strand Highway all the way south to Mexico, and can also view the ocean. I hit the right place at the right time and couldn't be happier with it, especially with the price I paid about half a year ago. Where else can your house pay you more than your annual salary did when you were working and in only half a year! San Diego also has a lot more to do than the bedroom communities of South Orange County, and is more condensed so you don't have to drive as far.

Don't forget the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Sea World, and Legoland.

I've lived in both also, currently back in O.C. where I grew up after 15 years in S.D. It all depends on where in each county. In the 80's North San Diego county was still pretty open and serene. I lived in Cardiff-by-the-sea and it was wonderful. Now? Like everywhere else the developers ruined it.

It really depends what city, neighborhood, Santa ana anaheim garden grove etc are not suburban like south oc

I’ve lived in both counties too and I totally disagree that it’s easier to get around in San Diego county! Everything is too centralized downtown which is far from the northern parts of the county. In Orange County it doesn’t feel like you have to drive that far to get to the services you need because of the different micro communities within the county being more self sustaining.

And we both don’t want to be affiliated with LA

As I mentioned in another comment and as mentioned by other commenters, I feel that this was a comparison between the city of San Diego vs the County of Orange

not too familiar with SD but what 'better' is what your way of living is it seems. i work a good job in orange but i can easily see myself settling in SD down the line.

San Diego Is better for me because I can cross into Tijuana and visit family

Now with the border crisis and homelessness, is there any city that’s safer?

I have lived in both places OC and San Diego. I would definitely choose Orange County over San Diego. San Diego people are not very friendly. I have lived in 3 different states from east coast to west coast. San Diego is probably the most unfriendly place I have ever lived. I lived in OC for 3 yrs and loved it!! I lived in San Diego for 4 yrs. and couldn't wait to leave. Huge difference between the two places. I prefer Orange County.

Great Video thanks

Thanks for this informational video Dan! Considering both South OC & SD. Will be moving from SF Bay Area. Wondering about raising kids - in particular culture wise? Looking for easy access to nature (hiking & beaches), laid back vibe. I worry that even South OC (we are not considering North OC) has a more “materialistic” vibe. Thoughts?

Looking to move to the area and build my superfood business. I'd love to learn more! Thanks, Dan.

I too have lived in both. San Diego alllll the way! San Diegans tend to be more laid back.

Thank you very much 🙏🏼👊🏼

Dan, there is a huge omission in your video. How can you compare San Diego County to Orange County and not mention Laguna Beach? Laguna has 7 miles of some of the most beautiful coastline in Southern California, including 30+ coves and beaches. Laguna has terrific restaurants, a thriving art scene and very friendly people. The town has the Pacific on one side and the San Joaquin Hills on the other. Because so many homes in Laguna are build into the side of a mountain, the majority of residents of Laguna have views of the Pacific that are to die for. There are also some excellent hiking trails in the San Joaquin Hills above Laguna and the views of the Pacific and Laguna below are truly spectacular. Other than that, not much to see in Laguna. : ) Also, when you live in Laguna Beach you have access to both LA and San Diego with each being just 60 to 75 minutes away. I've spent time in La Jolla and Del Mar they are both great places to live. But they don't have the amazing views of the Pacific like you get in Laguna. You can't go wrong with La Jolla / Del Mar or Laguna. I just prefer Laguna.

As a oc resident SD IS 100X better, at least southern oc . SD has better food, most of the time better beach’s, better downtown then any downtown in oc, the night life and public transportation is so much better in sd, 7/10 parts of oc are unwalkable and oc is boring.

1978 -79 moms friend had a house on donley st west side of Claremont best ocean /bay view I ever saw no clue what the homes cost there now my choice west Claremont

How do you compare Orange County to San Diego and not even bring Newport Beach or Laguna. Hmm I wonder why

Parts of orange county just feel like gray blocks after blocks like in Anaheim since it's built on a grid system 😅 so not for me. I think that's why people from LA feel more at home there. A little different here in SD. You can see the old neighborhoods and architecture and it definitely feels more like a Mediterranean city especially when you go into East county where all the homes are built on hills which by default also feels like parts of Mexico.

I lived in San Diego for seven years. The stealing ,the mental illness and the drug abuse was all left out of your videos . But if you can look past those things including the homeless it is beautiful

I was born and raised in Anaheim. Stayed in SD throughout my 20s. As conservative as both are, SD is more so.. to my surprise. FYI: Each has their own kkk factions. Even within police force. As a POC, both felt oppressive. However, it was in SD that a random guy on a bike yelled out to me, “run, immigrant, run!” as i attempted to catch the bus. I was so shocked, and angrily yelled back. The look on his face. He definitely did not expect a petite woman to reply, and in such a loud voice (perfect english too). I missed the bus. The transit system is definitely better in SD than OC. Hands down. In SD, I’d go on hikes throughout the county. My partner is caucasian. I’m the type of person who will look you in the eye, greet you with a smile, a wave, and a “hi” “hello” “how’s it going?” or “Good morning”. My partner now does so as well. When we greet people we pass on trail or in the street, it’s always older white people that ignore me, look at my partner, and only reply to him. (I’m currently in San Francisco Bay Area, and it’s the same here too.. being ignored) If you’re low income, it’s faster getting assistance in SD. More health clinics to choose from as well: good health system. If in the Bay Area: Avoid Alameda Hospital. Go to Oakland Highland Hospital, or UCSF Hospital. Haven’t been in the area long, so I’m not informed on the level of care throughout the county. If i had to choose between OC or SD to go back to, i would choose SD. ONLY because most of my family is in Tijuana. Jk. For the food and culture as well. Actually, if i could .. I’d live there :( However, based on job availability / pay .. there’s more demand in OC for my partner’s area of work.

Night life in the O.C. Huntington Beach on Main st has over 40 bars and restaurants or how about Down town Fullerton with over 35 bars and restaurants most have college vibe, due to Fullerton U being blocks from there. And no one that's ever been to Belboa island or split? So much night life,anyone that's lived in O.C. knows this guy a poser with no creditability just hawking his wares.

I was thinking moving from OC to either San Diego or San Francisco any advice for me👉👀🤷🏻‍♂️

Rancho Sante Fe?

What is better tot live in ?

Another benefit OC has is more led lighted street signs and more lit up at night than SD. OC also has more landscaping and more developed overall than SD

I know realtors hate dealing with rentals but I could really use some help with my move to San Diego in a few months. Are you aware of any agents that help with rentals! TIA!

Appreciate your video! In terms of quality of food/restaurants, how does OC/SD compare?

Orange county sucks!!!! I'm been in LA, Austin, San Fran, San Diego. Orange County is like a city city... its a county with suburbs. No public transportation only traffic and toll roads. There no night life unless you at Newport or Huntington. It a retirement suburban living lifestyle. I rather be in long Beach if I want to stick to something fun

Are you saying the city or county of sandiego?

what about El Cajon?

Orange County people are way too stuck up. However, there's by far less homeless in Orange County.

Both amazing! However nothing in Southern California will top OC 🌊 🍊 Balboa Peninsula, CDM, Newport Beach to mention a few . ❤️

Thumbnail is an old photo of Santa Monica.

Both are nice, but the people in SD are a little more friendly IMO. OC people seem a bit more pretentious.

Huntington Beach is high end??? 😂

The one where you sell homes amd get listings is the one you want obviously lol

Meet Kevin Paffrath Governor of California See on KZfaq.....

It all sucks!!!

Both are boring places. Hit europe, asia and you see what it is like to live in a city with good access to public transport and to live in a culture. Sorry but US is incredibly boring I feel like life just passes there to be finished. Meanwhile life outside the USA is an adventure that is meaningful

you’re obviously from South OC and have bs knowledge of both OC and SD. SD county is 10x larger than OC.