Looks like I'll be making a trip to San Diego early next month.  I am already conversing with a SB friend of mine there I haven't seen in years.  I'll write that up if there's anything worth writing about!  But I have one free evening on my schedule and it would be so much fun spending it BCD with a new local so-cal honey.  To that end, I've been browsing profiles and sending out DMs to likely prospects.  I actually got one quick, positive response from a cute 20yo!  She is asking for $500ppm, which I think is a bit high.  I do expect to spend more than I do at home, especially for a one time thing with a stranger.  Before I make an ass of myself talking to her about $$, I'd welcome input from you guys with more southern Cali experience.  What's a reasonable ppm rate in San Diego?

As in any market, you will see a range develop as you work through additional POT's.  

I think your strategy of budgeting 10-25% over your local area makes sense, especially for a one-time encounter.  

Next, as in LA, there are many neighborhoods in SD and they will vary in affluence. Generally the further north you get from city center the higher the affluence. So as you get to Carlsbad or La Jolla you will see asks for bigger PPM's.  

Here's a trick I've used before when travelling:  

Look up her zip code or a specific map area on Zillow.com or Zillowrents.com.  Search for rental rates for the same type of place (say a 900 sqft, 2 bedroom apartment) in each area where you have a POT and compare monthly rental rates. As a very general rule, the higher the rent, the higher the PPM ask.

 
Life is good

 
The Cat

The rental rule works pretty much everywhere. Just met a 29 yo SB in law school who is lucky enough to have a rent stabilized apartment paying below market rate in NYC. Agreed to lower half of 300-600 range typical of my market w/ only a little negotiating.

I try for 300 but 400 seems the norm. Met a smokin hot asian lady a few weeks ago for 500. She had her even hotter asian gf contact me for 500. I thought I had it made but she was firm that she wanted only 1 SD at a rate that would  lill my finances.  Oh well. Im on secret benefits, not SA. Got booted. Lol