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Urban Retirement
Ahh....Where?
Ahh....Where?
| 12 Cities in 12 Months - Living the Life of a Local |
| UrbanAWhere.com |
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| San Diego |
Why San Diego?
I had visited San Diego a couple of times over the past 30 years and always brought back memories of
bougainvillea, eucalyptus and beautiful ocean beaches. It actually fulfilled almost all the criteria on my list
except maybe the low cost real estate and the walkability. I thought that if I were a little creative about
neighborhoods, I could possibly overcome the real estate issue. Many friends recommended San Diego.
Seriously, it comes out on top in many polls and I did want a west coast city!
I had visited San Diego a couple of times over the past 30 years and always brought back memories of
bougainvillea, eucalyptus and beautiful ocean beaches. It actually fulfilled almost all the criteria on my list
except maybe the low cost real estate and the walkability. I thought that if I were a little creative about
neighborhoods, I could possibly overcome the real estate issue. Many friends recommended San Diego.
Seriously, it comes out on top in many polls and I did want a west coast city!
Walkability & Biking (4)
Well, Southern Californians ARE known for loving their cars! At first, I saw all these hills and thought
that me and my bike might just be parked. But, I found out two things: One, it all depends on the
neighborhood. In Hillcrest, where I stayed, it's actually pretty flat to get to all the good places
(including Whole Foods). Some of the other neighborhoods were equally good for biking; Two, the bus
pass is a life saver when you are at the bottom of the hill. Both buses and trolleys take bikes. I went
downtown, to the beach and pretty much everywhere (even to Mo's at night!)
Well, Southern Californians ARE known for loving their cars! At first, I saw all these hills and thought
that me and my bike might just be parked. But, I found out two things: One, it all depends on the
neighborhood. In Hillcrest, where I stayed, it's actually pretty flat to get to all the good places
(including Whole Foods). Some of the other neighborhoods were equally good for biking; Two, the bus
pass is a life saver when you are at the bottom of the hill. Both buses and trolleys take bikes. I went
downtown, to the beach and pretty much everywhere (even to Mo's at night!)
My Temporary Digs
I selected the Hillcrest neighborhood for my month-long home, mostly because of the proximity of
restaurants, shopping and Balboa Park. I also found a great place to live through VRBO (Vacation Rental By
Owner - http://www.vrbo.com/378097). Everything was perfect for this adventure and Max, the owner,
was great. I had a parking spot, which is not always the case, and a safe place to store my bike plus laundry
and everything else I needed. The location was fabulous.
I selected the Hillcrest neighborhood for my month-long home, mostly because of the proximity of
restaurants, shopping and Balboa Park. I also found a great place to live through VRBO (Vacation Rental By
Owner - http://www.vrbo.com/378097). Everything was perfect for this adventure and Max, the owner,
was great. I had a parking spot, which is not always the case, and a safe place to store my bike plus laundry
and everything else I needed. The location was fabulous.
Transportation (4)
The Lindberg airport (SAN) could not be more convenient. (Unfortunately, this does cause some
serious noise problems for some neighborhoods.) It's only 10 minutes from all the neighborhoods I
looked at. Although, not a major airport, like NY, San Francisco or Atlanta, it's easy and cheap enough
to get most anywhere.
The other transportation worth mentioning is the MTS trolley system, the AMTRAK Coaster and the
buses. All are very clean and convenient. A monthly pass is $72. I did buy one but I certainly would
have been better off just paying by the trip as I truly biked almost everywhere.
The Lindberg airport (SAN) could not be more convenient. (Unfortunately, this does cause some
serious noise problems for some neighborhoods.) It's only 10 minutes from all the neighborhoods I
looked at. Although, not a major airport, like NY, San Francisco or Atlanta, it's easy and cheap enough
to get most anywhere.
The other transportation worth mentioning is the MTS trolley system, the AMTRAK Coaster and the
buses. All are very clean and convenient. A monthly pass is $72. I did buy one but I certainly would
have been better off just paying by the trip as I truly biked almost everywhere.
Weather, Culture, Food & Amenities (5)
Here's where San Diego just can't be beat! The weather allows you to be outside ALL the time. It
encourages activity. It makes people happy. Enough said. There were lots of interesting restaurants
and good food. Plenty that's not even that expensive. I can't say that I took advantage of all the
traditional cultural and entertainment opportunities, but I did catch a few museums, mingled with the
theatre crowd, explored the zoo and checked out many, many outdoor activities. I kayaked on
Mission Bay. I walked the tide pools at La Jolla. I circled Coronado Island on my bike. I saw a dolphin
leap completely out of the water just sitting at a bar on Mission beach. I even wallowed in mud at
Glen Ivy. There are lots of things to do all year long. It's varied, fun, easy to access and not just for
tourists.
Here's where San Diego just can't be beat! The weather allows you to be outside ALL the time. It
encourages activity. It makes people happy. Enough said. There were lots of interesting restaurants
and good food. Plenty that's not even that expensive. I can't say that I took advantage of all the
traditional cultural and entertainment opportunities, but I did catch a few museums, mingled with the
theatre crowd, explored the zoo and checked out many, many outdoor activities. I kayaked on
Mission Bay. I walked the tide pools at La Jolla. I circled Coronado Island on my bike. I saw a dolphin
leap completely out of the water just sitting at a bar on Mission beach. I even wallowed in mud at
Glen Ivy. There are lots of things to do all year long. It's varied, fun, easy to access and not just for
tourists.
Real Estate (2)
This is the sad part about Southern California. Real Estate is disproportionately high. I can
understand that Coronado does not have a house for under a million but places like Hillcrest, Mission
Hills, South Park?? The prices in those neighborhoods were at least $600K for tiny little houses
(2BR/1BA). I don't want a condo and even those start at $350K for a 1 BR. I gave it a 2 instead of 1
because the style of houses (craftsman or adobe) that I like are plentiful and there are some really nice
neighborhoods. Frankly, this is a bummer because it may knock out San Diego as an option. I'd have
to go back to work!!
This is the sad part about Southern California. Real Estate is disproportionately high. I can
understand that Coronado does not have a house for under a million but places like Hillcrest, Mission
Hills, South Park?? The prices in those neighborhoods were at least $600K for tiny little houses
(2BR/1BA). I don't want a condo and even those start at $350K for a 1 BR. I gave it a 2 instead of 1
because the style of houses (craftsman or adobe) that I like are plentiful and there are some really nice
neighborhoods. Frankly, this is a bummer because it may knock out San Diego as an option. I'd have
to go back to work!!
The People (5)
Since San Diego was my first city, I was a bit nervous about meeting people but it was actually SO
easy. My neighbors were friendly and we had drinks and dinner a time or two. I hooked up with
Heidi's "sorta" step-brother and he was a hoot.. I neighborhood, at the coffee shop and in
restaurants. Hillcrest is primarily a gay neighborhood but they welcomed the only straight single
woman around for miles!
Since San Diego was my first city, I was a bit nervous about meeting people but it was actually SO
easy. My neighbors were friendly and we had drinks and dinner a time or two. I hooked up with
Heidi's "sorta" step-brother and he was a hoot.. I neighborhood, at the coffee shop and in
restaurants. Hillcrest is primarily a gay neighborhood but they welcomed the only straight single
woman around for miles!
