cabal- no idea if you are active, what you like to do, but since you asked about Missions Hills and North Park, i’ll list the perks and some downsides. its going to be tough to find newer construction unless you go with a townhome or condo, or happen to find that house that has been remodeled from the ground up or a rebuild for 700k. the privacy from neighbors bit is going to be tough too as lots tend to be smaller. also inventory is really constrained right now, and finding a 3 bedroom under 700k is going to be tough. but a townhome isn’t such a bad option – no yard or lot to maintain, downside is privacy and HOA.
i know several people who’ve retired in south MH/ BH, my 2 neighbors included. from these 2 neighborhoods, you can within 1-2 miles or less, walk to BH, MH, Little Italy, Hillcrest. why they chose these neighborhoods- they don’t care about schools, they want to be in an area with a lot of activities, they like the proximity to the airport where they frequently go on vacations, or to visit kids, grandkids, etc. they also like being able to walk to restaurants, bars, grocery stores, multiple farmers markets, the park and a lot of cultural activities. they love that they can walk down to little italy for artfest, kettner nights, etc. walk over to balboa park for a myriad of activities.
they don’t spend much time driving unless its to head up to NC, rather they walk, bike, and take cabs downtown for dinner, theater, ball games, etc. biking downtown on a nice sunday, along harbour to the bike path that takes you into coronado, jump on the ferry back. on the slower side, join the lawn bowling club or bridge club both at balboa park. go sailing along the harbor.
there is proximity to a number of hospitals and doctors in hillcrest.
NP has the proximity to restaurants, bars, and morley field if you are closer to it, as well as the SP neighborhood, but i tend to prefer west side of the park for reasons listed above.
