[quote=jstoesz]a neighborhood to me has a few defining characteristics. None of these are deal breakers, but a majority is necessary to define what I am looking for.
1) walkable to something (resaurants, gas station, movie theater, grocery store, Yatch club (I kid)).
2. Has a name (la mesa, del mar, shelter island, solana, encinitas, roseville, you know what I mean, tract names don’t count, singing meadows need not apply)
3. has side walks (I guess this buttresses on number 1)
4. Organic (this may be synonymous with custom homes and custom commercial centers but I don’t think it has to be) It just has to come about organically as in no plans.
5. Character (yup I am leaving this undefined, but it probably has to do with #4)
6. History (I want vintage photos)
7. walkable (but I repeat myself)[/quote]
jstoesz, had you ever thought of considering dtn Chula Vista/Hilltop area?? It has ALL of your criteria (organic? not sure what that is). The sidewalks are even tree-lined (some more than 80 yrs old), costing the City a FORTUNE to keep trimmed. What few 40’s/50’s tracts are here are so heavily remodeled (2nd stories, mostly) that it is difficult today to tell that they are built on tract. These small mid-century tracts are mixed with Victorians, vintage move-ons, Craftsman bungalows, Prairie-style, Spanish and customs of all ages. Lot sizes vary from 6000 sf to 4 AC; average lot size is about 8500 sf. Best of all, more than half of it is probably in your price range ;=)
Walk to everything. Bus stops everywhere. Trolley 1 mi (buses connect). You can live:
10 mi to the 6th ave I-5 exit (dtn SD, including Balboa Park West)
9 miles to SD Zoo/Balboa Park east end using Florida Cyn
12 mi to Hillcrest
12.5 mi to Lindbergh Field
8 mi to Petco Park
6 mi to NAVSTA
6.5 mi to NASSCO/Southwest Marine
8.5 mi to Int’l Border
8 mi to ampitheatre/water park
8.5 mi to Eastlake Business District (jobs)
3 mi to Pepper Park boat launch (NC)
3 mi to J Street Marina (Chula Vista)
None of these destinations are freeway dependent, however. You don’t ever have to get on a fwy to get to them and the fwy is not a shorter distance
You might compare dtn Chula Vista to Minnesota by the Bay, sans brownstones! Come check it out next time you’re in town!
