I liked OB a lot when I moved here in 2006, but it has only gotten better.
The oversized vehicle law has improved the quality of life here more than any other single factor.
No more rows of tall ugly campers taking up all the street parking and blocking views. I’ve always had multiple off-street spots and it was still a nuisance for me. It is an even bigger improvement for the 1/3 of us who have to park on the street, and the even larger group without extra guest parking.
The beach alcohol and smoking bans have also made it a nicer place with less litter and noise.
We are also seeing a steady improvement in the quality of businesses here:
1. Noodle House opened, then expanded, then opened up a 2nd location.
2. Newport went from having one place with sushi when I moved here to five.
3. Warehouse is a lot nicer than Portugalia which it replaced.
4. A run down auto body shop on cable was renovated into a LEED certified office building that’s pretty and nicely landscaped.
5. Everyone wanted the old apple tree to become a new supermarket, but I have to admit the new CVS is really nice, and has a ton of free parking. Apple Tree will probably reopen on Newport later.
6. People’s is going to build a new restaurant where Tiny’s Tavern is located. Tiny’s was my 3rd favorite bar, but we have too many of them already. It will probably be something beautiful with solar panels and another jacarundi shaded parking area. The 2nd floor deli in People’s is already amazing, a bigger sit-down version could easily be the finest vegetarian restaurant in San Diego.
7. While I am not a fan of Pizza Port, it’s much nicer from the outside than the ugly, bright red, windowless place it replaced.
8. Hungary Lu’s on Voltaire is an upgrade on the old sub place that used to be there. The pizza and chocolate canoli are my favorite.
9. AZ went from a rundown bar to a fairly nice one.
10. Azucar, a cuban cafe, is really nice. I don’t remember what it replaced.
11. The middle eastern place on bacon is a nice addition with late hours. Quality is average, but portion sizes are very good.
12. Oscar’s Mexican Seafood is very good, with a nice renovation with polished hardwood everything. The old place was so dirty looking I never ate there.
We visit family in Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma quite often, and have noticed lots of changes going on near both areas. Your detailed “report” definitely shows much needed gentrification is taking place. Interesting info.
That’s all nice, but OB is still a dump. Only outstanding eating establishment is South Beach. Of course it expanded to two floors a few years ago so that is in line with your experience of things improving in OB.
I love these gentrification stories. I’m glad OB is going through it. Let’s hope we’ll see more areas throughout San Diego go through gentrification as well.
I live in Ocean Beach and quite like it. The only 3 problems I see, and they are not huge are:
1. Lots of traffic coming in/out of OB, especially in summer. I think if we could convince the Arizona tourists that OB is horrible and they should go to La Jolla or Del Mar it would help a lot.
2. A few bad apples that don’t clean up after their dogs. Not sure how to handle this one. Perhaps filming them in the act with cell phone? Other suggestions welcome!
3. I have hesitation to let the kids go exploring on their own, especially down on Newport. While I might find the whole scene amusing and not be bothered if I’m offered drugs, I’m not sure I want my kids exposed to that. Of course, that’s in all neighborhoods and perhaps an argument could be made that it’s better that it’s so obvious.
Other than that it’s quite nice. You can surf, run by the cliffs, close to downtown, PB etc. And the folks are colorful and nice.
Now if someone could just tell me the next up and coming place so I can invest in a small (tiny) house, condo or apt., I’d be much obliged.
[quote=spdrun]If you think the gentrification will continue, why not look into buying property there instead of staring jealously?[/quote]
Sorry, I’m not rich and as smart of you. I don’t have $700k in cash to throw around on just 1 property that I won’t be living in myself, especially not right now when prices have already almost doubled.
Dave: what about SESD as close to the Gaslamp as you can approach?[/quote]
Condo’s won’t double from this point on imho. And I’m maxxed out on loans I think, nor do I want to spread myself too thin… Like I said, I’m not as rich as you 🙂
