[quote=sdrealtor]Driving from Downtown SD to the markets in Hillcrest or Point Loma takes at least 20 minutes with all the traffic lights. It is far from convenient to get around to all those places you mentioned and very little public transportation.
From my suburban hell I drive in 5 to 10 minutes to Albertsons, 2 Vons (formerly 3), one of 2 Henrys, one of 2 Trader Joes, Ralphs, Jimbos, mexican Mom and Pop markets, a killer farmer stand with fresh produce and they are building a Whole Foods. I’m sure I missed a few. I can also get pet food at either Petsmart or Petco or go to one of a few local owned pet stores. If I need care for my kids I can go to a hospital ER in less than 10 minutes, urgent care in less than 5 or just walk two doors down to a peditrician who lives there. I have 2 fabulous libraries within 5 to 10 minutes. I have nice wine stores/wine bars and restaurants I can walk to. There a few golf courses nearby and the beach. I can walk to Target, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Bed, Bath & Beyond or an Apple Store. I find it very difficult to find anything I need that i have to drive more than 5 or 10 minutes to get to.
It seems like my far flung suburban hell has alot more of the conveniences of urban living than Downtown San Diego urban living offers.[/quote]
There ARE nice restaurants to walk to EVERYWHERE in the urban core. Also a golf course in Balboa Park. Trolleys stops every few blocks take you to Old Town, MV and South and East Counties. The #1 bus will take you to all points in Bankers Hill/Hillcrest in 5-10 mins and that is just ONE route that is avail out of a dozen. Hospital ER’s ARE <10 mins. Farmers Market EVERY DAY dtn. Total of four libraries in the urban core, incl. the SD Main. Pet stores would be Loma Portal, a 10-15 min drive. Urgent care is SRS Clinic. Movies in Horton Plaza and Hillcrest (3d incl).
It's just different strokes . . . same County, different jurisdiction, but IMO, dtn SD has better construction, unmatched views, many exceptional lots, etc. Carlsbad, aka "Gridlocked Nirvana," (along with select "ocean view properties") also has its share of low-income housing, stores that accept WIC coupons, illegal-immigrant residents, ESL students enrolled in its schools, residents on public assistance, homeless persons, etc. NO CA CITY IS IMMUNE from any of these "travails."
"NCC" has some fine areas, just as the urban core of SD does, but I don't buy into the "hype" that it has "superior living conditions" in comparison to San Diego's urban core or other preferred points in CA. Seen it, driven it (albeit slo-o-o-owly, due to gridlock - lol) . . . been up and down and all over the state . . . numerous times. Leaving again soon, to go crush grapes 🙂 Lived in CA practically all my life and I probably win all age contests around here 🙂 All I can say is, different strokes for different folks ;=)
