A well known comedian has joked that the easiest job in the United States is that as weatherman in San Diego, California. The joke is that since the weather is seventy-two degrees and sunny all the time, a meteorologist could get away with just saying every day that the weather is "nice." There is more to the Southern California city, however, than just pleasant weather. With an estimated population of about 1.2 million, San Diego is the eighth largest city in the country and sits as the economic center of a major metropolitan area. Like many parts of California, the economy of San Diego is largely technology-based, especially in biotechnology and computer sciences.

The mild climate and well-paying technology jobs, along with a crime rate that is among the lowest in the country and has been declining for over a decade, make San Diego a great place to live and raise a family. For those raising a family in the area and needing childcare, one useful resource to use in the search is San Diego Craigslist (http://sandiego.craigslist.org).

In case you are not familiar, Craigslist is a network of site for communities throughout the United States and around the globe. Initially, it was founded as a resource for the San Francisco Bay Area in 1995. By 2006, there was a Craigslist site representing each of 450 cities worldwide. With a few exceptions, advertising on Craigslist is free, and postings can be placed in myriad sections, all organized into major categories.

In the community section of Craigslist, one can find and post bulletins about local activities, news, and rideshare programs. In large cities, such as San Diego, boards like these can help make the community feel smaller by putting residents in touch with one another. For both the forgetful and the benevolent, the lost & found area can be quite useful, helping to reunite people and their possessions. And for the San Diego resident in need of childcare, this is the board to visit.

A quick browse of the childcare section yields dozens and dozens of advertisements from licensed caregivers looking for charges. Care is available in a variety of settings and environments, from home-based care, to a preschool-like setting, to nannies, to simple babysitting. With this variety of settings and a range of prices for everyone, it ought to be easy to find the kind of caregiver you are seeking for your child.

Of course, with so many listings in one city, there are bound to be some from sources which are less reputable than others. You have plenty of options, so don't be tempted to automatically go with the first person who returns your phone call or e-mail. Shop around, get plenty of price quotes, and do some research. When it comes to who cares for a child, it is important to be as careful and thorough as possible.

San Diego is a great place to live with plenty to do and lots of opportunity for employment. If, after finding one of these opportunities, you need someone to watch after your little ones, a great first step is San Diego Craigslist.