la boheme

[NotCranky]

“Just to get serious for a minute, I think these neighborhoods are likely, through lurches and many ups-and-downs, to end up on the improved side of the scale.”

That is what I said in 91 when I bought my first house there. I previously rented “north of Adams” and in Talmage and bought “south of Adams”.I bought my second house a few blocks down the street. I got really excited when the 39th Street Park went in, then I had children and wanted to move, the irony. When we have long errand days we still take them the Kensington park or 39th St. Park for a break. Anyway it had gotten progressively better. That is actually a huge understatement. The location, geographically speaking, has always been incredible.
I think development of higher density bldgs. will be a continuing trend along the EL Cajon corridor. The area is zoned “commercial in transition” through the first block or two of houses of El Cajon. I have seen a master plan for the area between Adams elementary and the 15 along Madison. There are supposed to be many more eminent domain project and even residential redevelopment. I remember mostly “row homes” for the residences. Perhaps you would like to look into planning and see what might be coming around other streets. I was always hoping for a Trader Joe’s myself.

When ever we joke about it or when other posters are derisive about Normal Heights and North Park I can imagine people saying. Hey what about Kensington, N. Mountain View, Panorama, Redwood, South Park ect. To me those areas have always been just fine. With the exception of some spill over criminal element. Lack of schools many people would consider suitable for their kids is and issue. I notice you didn’t include growing families in you demographic description.

“Ironically, this process has been set on its ear by the horrid roll-up of prices, which priced out the natural buyers (first timers, married with baby, single urbanites, young childless couples, hipsters, gays…)”

I am not sure what you mean by set on its ear. The area is still basking in a renaissance glow from my perspective,even if gothic seems to be more the trend.
I think the demographics you mention make up the buyers actually participating in the run up along with flippers . There are some stuck flippers there but many of them sold to these very people you describe.

What you probably want to hope for is that the natural demographic is not rentals to the extent that it was before. It is inevitable that there will be more renters than there are currently.Maybe the renters will be better neighbors on average than they were 8-10 years ago. I tend to think you will be correct about the quality of the neighborhoods in the long run.

I like to think(hope) the negative impacts of the downturn will be mitigated by the improvements that have occurred in the last decade. I will believe that prices will get hit pretty hard until I see proof otherwise. I think in the frenzy the quality of the housing stock kind of got overlooked in some cases. I am not a housing snob,many of my friend live in those hosues and my first house was one, but it is true that many of those houses are basically shacks. I also am aware that the money is in the dirt but many lots are tiny and the appreciation was absurd regardless of what the value is applied to.

What caught me off guard was that houses there and even in 92113 and 92114 approximated the prices the prices of much newer(60’s&70’s), bigger and better houses in Poway.Part of this was because more educated and wealthier people moved in during the gentrifiaction wave.I think much of this is also because of who was targeted for and/or would take crazy loans and I will leave that at that.

[drunkle]

location wise, the area is great. close to everything, easy access via 4 freeways, not the center of the action so you dont have the constant college parties or beach bums or downtown cruisers, but you’re not stuck out in the boonies in some sterile suburb. the people that were moving in were getting hip to the basics; location, cost, commute time.

it’s funny how you can go one block and be in the ghetto, next block is old folks, next is a quiet cul de sac, next is bar hopping… like kensington, it’s only some 4 blocks of really nice, really expensive homes, but just south as you get closer and closer to mead, you transition through a socio-economic vortex and end up in south central…

[drunkle]

location wise, the area is great. close to everything, easy access via 4 freeways, not the center of the action so you dont have the constant college parties or beach bums or downtown cruisers, but you’re not stuck out in the boonies in some sterile suburb. the people that were moving in were getting hip to the basics; location, cost, commute time.

it’s funny how you can go one block and be in the ghetto, next block is old folks, next is a quiet cul de sac, next is bar hopping… like kensington, it’s only some 4 blocks of really nice, really expensive homes, but just south as you get closer and closer to mead, you transition through a socio-economic vortex and end up in south central…

[drunkle]

location wise, the area is great. close to everything, easy access via 4 freeways, not the center of the action so you dont have the constant college parties or beach bums or downtown cruisers, but you’re not stuck out in the boonies in some sterile suburb. the people that were moving in were getting hip to the basics; location, cost, commute time.

it’s funny how you can go one block and be in the ghetto, next block is old folks, next is a quiet cul de sac, next is bar hopping… like kensington, it’s only some 4 blocks of really nice, really expensive homes, but just south as you get closer and closer to mead, you transition through a socio-economic vortex and end up in south central…

[drunkle]

location wise, the area is great. close to everything, easy access via 4 freeways, not the center of the action so you dont have the constant college parties or beach bums or downtown cruisers, but you’re not stuck out in the boonies in some sterile suburb. the people that were moving in were getting hip to the basics; location, cost, commute time.

it’s funny how you can go one block and be in the ghetto, next block is old folks, next is a quiet cul de sac, next is bar hopping… like kensington, it’s only some 4 blocks of really nice, really expensive homes, but just south as you get closer and closer to mead, you transition through a socio-economic vortex and end up in south central…

[drunkle]

location wise, the area is great. close to everything, easy access via 4 freeways, not the center of the action so you dont have the constant college parties or beach bums or downtown cruisers, but you’re not stuck out in the boonies in some sterile suburb. the people that were moving in were getting hip to the basics; location, cost, commute time.

it’s funny how you can go one block and be in the ghetto, next block is old folks, next is a quiet cul de sac, next is bar hopping… like kensington, it’s only some 4 blocks of really nice, really expensive homes, but just south as you get closer and closer to mead, you transition through a socio-economic vortex and end up in south central…

[DCRogers]

@Rustico:

When ever we joke about it or when other posters are derisive about Normal Heights and North Park I can imagine people saying. Hey what about Kensington, N. Mountain View, Panorama, Redwood, South Park ect. To me those areas have always been just fine. With the exception of some spill over criminal element.

Yeah, I just had my car rifled last night… arghhh

Lack of schools many people would consider suitable for their kids is and issue. I notice you didn’t include growing families in you demographic description.

Intentional. That’s the point where the families move on from here (or, those with too many younger kids for the smaller sizes of the homes). C’est la vie.

I am not sure what you mean by set on its ear. The area is still basking in a renaissance glow from my perspective,even if gothic seems to be more the trend.
I think the demographics you mention make up the buyers actually participating in the run up along with flippers . There are some stuck flippers there but many of them sold to these very people you describe.

Yeah, but many got in over-their-heads, and will be doomed by the ARM adjustments. I have a nice military couple near me that bought for 600K, and have put a lot a great improvements into their place; but I fear they will get burned if they’re into some funky ARM. In the past, with 30-year-fixeds, as long as they could afford the entry point, they stood a good chance of staying.

What you probably want to hope for is that the natural demographic is not rentals to the extent that it was before.

Maybe my next, next-door-neighbor, will not feel compelled to park his muscle car on the lawn…

I will believe that prices will get hit pretty hard until I see proof otherwise.

Agreed.

I think in the frenzy the quality of the housing stock kind of got overlooked in some cases. I am not a housing snob,many of my friend live in those hosues and my first house was one, but it is true that many of those houses are basically shacks. I also am aware that the money is in the dirt but many lots are tiny and the appreciation was absurd regardless of what the value is applied to.

Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

[DCRogers]

@Rustico:

When ever we joke about it or when other posters are derisive about Normal Heights and North Park I can imagine people saying. Hey what about Kensington, N. Mountain View, Panorama, Redwood, South Park ect. To me those areas have always been just fine. With the exception of some spill over criminal element.

Yeah, I just had my car rifled last night… arghhh

Lack of schools many people would consider suitable for their kids is and issue. I notice you didn’t include growing families in you demographic description.

Intentional. That’s the point where the families move on from here (or, those with too many younger kids for the smaller sizes of the homes). C’est la vie.

I am not sure what you mean by set on its ear. The area is still basking in a renaissance glow from my perspective,even if gothic seems to be more the trend.
I think the demographics you mention make up the buyers actually participating in the run up along with flippers . There are some stuck flippers there but many of them sold to these very people you describe.

Yeah, but many got in over-their-heads, and will be doomed by the ARM adjustments. I have a nice military couple near me that bought for 600K, and have put a lot a great improvements into their place; but I fear they will get burned if they’re into some funky ARM. In the past, with 30-year-fixeds, as long as they could afford the entry point, they stood a good chance of staying.

What you probably want to hope for is that the natural demographic is not rentals to the extent that it was before.

Maybe my next, next-door-neighbor, will not feel compelled to park his muscle car on the lawn…

I will believe that prices will get hit pretty hard until I see proof otherwise.

Agreed.

I think in the frenzy the quality of the housing stock kind of got overlooked in some cases. I am not a housing snob,many of my friend live in those hosues and my first house was one, but it is true that many of those houses are basically shacks. I also am aware that the money is in the dirt but many lots are tiny and the appreciation was absurd regardless of what the value is applied to.

Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

[DCRogers]

@Rustico:

When ever we joke about it or when other posters are derisive about Normal Heights and North Park I can imagine people saying. Hey what about Kensington, N. Mountain View, Panorama, Redwood, South Park ect. To me those areas have always been just fine. With the exception of some spill over criminal element.

Yeah, I just had my car rifled last night… arghhh

Lack of schools many people would consider suitable for their kids is and issue. I notice you didn’t include growing families in you demographic description.

Intentional. That’s the point where the families move on from here (or, those with too many younger kids for the smaller sizes of the homes). C’est la vie.

I am not sure what you mean by set on its ear. The area is still basking in a renaissance glow from my perspective,even if gothic seems to be more the trend.
I think the demographics you mention make up the buyers actually participating in the run up along with flippers . There are some stuck flippers there but many of them sold to these very people you describe.

Yeah, but many got in over-their-heads, and will be doomed by the ARM adjustments. I have a nice military couple near me that bought for 600K, and have put a lot a great improvements into their place; but I fear they will get burned if they’re into some funky ARM. In the past, with 30-year-fixeds, as long as they could afford the entry point, they stood a good chance of staying.

What you probably want to hope for is that the natural demographic is not rentals to the extent that it was before.

Maybe my next, next-door-neighbor, will not feel compelled to park his muscle car on the lawn…

I will believe that prices will get hit pretty hard until I see proof otherwise.

Agreed.

I think in the frenzy the quality of the housing stock kind of got overlooked in some cases. I am not a housing snob,many of my friend live in those hosues and my first house was one, but it is true that many of those houses are basically shacks. I also am aware that the money is in the dirt but many lots are tiny and the appreciation was absurd regardless of what the value is applied to.

Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

[DCRogers]

@Rustico:

When ever we joke about it or when other posters are derisive about Normal Heights and North Park I can imagine people saying. Hey what about Kensington, N. Mountain View, Panorama, Redwood, South Park ect. To me those areas have always been just fine. With the exception of some spill over criminal element.

Yeah, I just had my car rifled last night… arghhh

Lack of schools many people would consider suitable for their kids is and issue. I notice you didn’t include growing families in you demographic description.

Intentional. That’s the point where the families move on from here (or, those with too many younger kids for the smaller sizes of the homes). C’est la vie.

I am not sure what you mean by set on its ear. The area is still basking in a renaissance glow from my perspective,even if gothic seems to be more the trend.
I think the demographics you mention make up the buyers actually participating in the run up along with flippers . There are some stuck flippers there but many of them sold to these very people you describe.

Yeah, but many got in over-their-heads, and will be doomed by the ARM adjustments. I have a nice military couple near me that bought for 600K, and have put a lot a great improvements into their place; but I fear they will get burned if they’re into some funky ARM. In the past, with 30-year-fixeds, as long as they could afford the entry point, they stood a good chance of staying.

What you probably want to hope for is that the natural demographic is not rentals to the extent that it was before.

Maybe my next, next-door-neighbor, will not feel compelled to park his muscle car on the lawn…

I will believe that prices will get hit pretty hard until I see proof otherwise.

Agreed.

I think in the frenzy the quality of the housing stock kind of got overlooked in some cases. I am not a housing snob,many of my friend live in those hosues and my first house was one, but it is true that many of those houses are basically shacks. I also am aware that the money is in the dirt but many lots are tiny and the appreciation was absurd regardless of what the value is applied to.

Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

[DCRogers]

@Rustico:

When ever we joke about it or when other posters are derisive about Normal Heights and North Park I can imagine people saying. Hey what about Kensington, N. Mountain View, Panorama, Redwood, South Park ect. To me those areas have always been just fine. With the exception of some spill over criminal element.

Yeah, I just had my car rifled last night… arghhh

Lack of schools many people would consider suitable for their kids is and issue. I notice you didn’t include growing families in you demographic description.

Intentional. That’s the point where the families move on from here (or, those with too many younger kids for the smaller sizes of the homes). C’est la vie.

I am not sure what you mean by set on its ear. The area is still basking in a renaissance glow from my perspective,even if gothic seems to be more the trend.
I think the demographics you mention make up the buyers actually participating in the run up along with flippers . There are some stuck flippers there but many of them sold to these very people you describe.

Yeah, but many got in over-their-heads, and will be doomed by the ARM adjustments. I have a nice military couple near me that bought for 600K, and have put a lot a great improvements into their place; but I fear they will get burned if they’re into some funky ARM. In the past, with 30-year-fixeds, as long as they could afford the entry point, they stood a good chance of staying.

What you probably want to hope for is that the natural demographic is not rentals to the extent that it was before.

Maybe my next, next-door-neighbor, will not feel compelled to park his muscle car on the lawn…

I will believe that prices will get hit pretty hard until I see proof otherwise.

Agreed.

I think in the frenzy the quality of the housing stock kind of got overlooked in some cases. I am not a housing snob,many of my friend live in those hosues and my first house was one, but it is true that many of those houses are basically shacks. I also am aware that the money is in the dirt but many lots are tiny and the appreciation was absurd regardless of what the value is applied to.

Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

[NotCranky]

DC.
Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

Actually I sort of agree. Remember I am also a contractor? I worked in the neighborhood a little and snooped out other peoples work and houses in general. I think it depends on the house and the contractor who did repairs and remodels. The houses were built in so many different eras and for widely different ranges of purchasing power for the respective times. In the $600k range you mention, and above, they should be pretty decent on both accounts. In the lower but still too high priced houses, like $350-$500k, it could really vary. Another side of the same coin is …how well does your house need to be built in an area of 75 degree mean temperatures almost year round?10 inches of average annual rainfall and very infrequent winds. The houses are light so they are pretty earthquake safe but certain foundation types are more vulnerable as are those nice antique fire places.
I also agree on the “cuteness” factor and the pukeness factor of the suburban type houses you mentioned.

[NotCranky]

DC.
Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

Actually I sort of agree. Remember I am also a contractor? I worked in the neighborhood a little and snooped out other peoples work and houses in general. I think it depends on the house and the contractor who did repairs and remodels. The houses were built in so many different eras and for widely different ranges of purchasing power for the respective times. In the $600k range you mention, and above, they should be pretty decent on both accounts. In the lower but still too high priced houses, like $350-$500k, it could really vary. Another side of the same coin is …how well does your house need to be built in an area of 75 degree mean temperatures almost year round?10 inches of average annual rainfall and very infrequent winds. The houses are light so they are pretty earthquake safe but certain foundation types are more vulnerable as are those nice antique fire places.
I also agree on the “cuteness” factor and the pukeness factor of the suburban type houses you mentioned.

[NotCranky]

DC.
Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

Actually I sort of agree. Remember I am also a contractor? I worked in the neighborhood a little and snooped out other peoples work and houses in general. I think it depends on the house and the contractor who did repairs and remodels. The houses were built in so many different eras and for widely different ranges of purchasing power for the respective times. In the $600k range you mention, and above, they should be pretty decent on both accounts. In the lower but still too high priced houses, like $350-$500k, it could really vary. Another side of the same coin is …how well does your house need to be built in an area of 75 degree mean temperatures almost year round?10 inches of average annual rainfall and very infrequent winds. The houses are light so they are pretty earthquake safe but certain foundation types are more vulnerable as are those nice antique fire places.
I also agree on the “cuteness” factor and the pukeness factor of the suburban type houses you mentioned.

[NotCranky]

DC.
Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!

Actually I sort of agree. Remember I am also a contractor? I worked in the neighborhood a little and snooped out other peoples work and houses in general. I think it depends on the house and the contractor who did repairs and remodels. The houses were built in so many different eras and for widely different ranges of purchasing power for the respective times. In the $600k range you mention, and above, they should be pretty decent on both accounts. In the lower but still too high priced houses, like $350-$500k, it could really vary. Another side of the same coin is …how well does your house need to be built in an area of 75 degree mean temperatures almost year round?10 inches of average annual rainfall and very infrequent winds. The houses are light so they are pretty earthquake safe but certain foundation types are more vulnerable as are those nice antique fire places.
I also agree on the “cuteness” factor and the pukeness factor of the suburban type houses you mentioned.

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