I wanted to buy there (and still do) not because of the architecture (although it does’t hurt), or the lot sizes. I wanted to move there because of the neighborhood culture, the sailing culture. It has a unique vibe that only those who have lived there can understand I think. It is a special place, especially the shelter island area which screams a different vibe from the rest of SD. The sailing culture is thick. The superficiality of the regulars is not so in your face as the rest of the w. of the 5. The boat laborers, and fishing commerce. The Fiddlers green, old Venice, and shelter island seafood. La playa, and sunset cliffs, cabrillo and ralphs (it is a paradise of the ocean, forget the beaches). How can you beat the boating life of shelter island. I dreamed of having my kids race sabots (forget soccer). Maybe still I will buy a 40ft sailboat and raise my (planned) 5 kids on it (probably 3 kids, if my wife has her way). That way I can shun the RE prices and live the eccentric lifestyle that I crave (hopefully I can convince my wife!).
