living in north park Archives

Living In California

A man riding a bike at the beach in california — Riding a bike at the beach

Many people dream of living in California. This is especially true when the rest of the world is experiencing cold winters or sweltering summers. Yes, the cost of living in California is much higher than in most parts of the country. The beautiful sunshine and gorgeous weather in California come with a price. The cost of living is 43% higher here than the national average. The median sales price of a two-bedroom house in San Fransisco is approximately $1,440,000, while the median sales price in San Diego is approximately $621,000. If you are not ready to buy a house and instead decide you will rent, the average two-bedroom rental in San Diego is approximately $2,400. In San Fransisco, you will be looking at a studio for that price or more. But there is a reason why people continue to pack up their belongings and move to this sunny and temperate state loved by so many.

You may be thinking you will find a cheap place to rent and live on a budget when you first move to California, but this all depends. When people think of moving to California, they are looking to live in San Diego, LA or San Francisco. Although the West Coast is lovely, I am particularly biased toward San Diego. In 1998, I was living in NYC and getting tired of the sticky summers and freezing winters. I started searching for the perfect place and traveled along the West Coast. That is when I fell in love with San Diego, specifically North Park, a metro neighborhood located 10 minutes from the beach. I made my move here and never looked back.

image of boats at the San Diego Harbor — San Diego Harbor

California is known to be laid back, has beautiful beaches, lots of things to do. There are great places for hiking and other wonderful outdoor activities. You will also find few bustling cities if that is what you are searching for. While known for its agriculture and tech economies, it is also a place of paradise for many that enjoy the sunshine year-round. The Southern California coastline enjoys 70-75’s, while inland can reach over 100 degrees. It will depend on how far away from the coast you live. In contrast, the Northern California Coastline hovers over the high 50’s.

Visit the beach and surf in the morning, then enjoy a hike in the desert or mountains in the afternoon, where you’ll occasionally experience a bit of snow now and then in the winter. There is so much to see and enjoy that most people that move to California never want to leave.

While Northern California and Southern California have completely different vibes, both are beautiful and have so much to offer. Northern California is known for the different varieties of foods. At the same time, Southern California has some of the best authentic Mexican food around. The craft beer industry has become very popular in the last several years, and the West Coast is on the top of the list, with Santa Rosa coming in as the US’s microbrew capital.

Whether you are a younger Millennium, a Baby Boomer, or anything in-between, you will love living in California. If you think of buying a house in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group right away at 619-736-7003. We would love to help you find your perfect home in San Diego County.

Things To Do In San Diego

What Seniors Should Look for in a Home in San Diego When Aging in Place

Looking for a home in San Diego as a senior comes with a lot to consider, and when you’ve decided to age in place, it can be challenging to find a house that meets all your needs. You might already have a checklist in your mind, starting with price, the number of modifications you’ll need to make, and how many updates have been made to costly maintenance items like the roof or flooring. However, when it comes to buying a home post-retirement, it’s essential to make sure you add safety features to that list to avoid any issues down the road.

Knowing what to look for in a new home will not only help you figure out your budget it will allow you to plan for the next several years. For instance, the right home for you may need to include sufficient lighting, handrails for stairs, or non-slip flooring so that accessibility and fall prevention are a priority.

Below Are Some Ideas On What to Look For When Buying a Home

Get to know the San Diego Market.

Before you make any decisions, it’s crucial to get to know the market in San Diego. Contact the McT Real Estate Group right away; we can help you with this. The size of your budget has many determining factors, and it’s not easy to bump up the amount you can spend if you’re unable to find a house in San Diego in your price range. If you know what to expect, you won’t be faced with many hard decisions or surprises. Keep in mind this week, the median list price for a single-family house in San Diego, CA, is $650,000.

Look For A Home Without Needs

Unless you can afford to build a brand-new home from scratch, chances are you’ll probably be faced with some difficult decisions when you’re searching for a house in San Diego. There may be many homes that come close to meeting your needs but don’t have everything you want, or homes within your budget that need more work than you’re willing to put in. Keep in mind that the point of finding a home in which to age in place is to make things easier on yourself, so if it needs a new water heater or some roof repairs, have your Realtor negotiate this during the buying process or keep looking for a home that best suits you. If it’s in good shape but doesn’t have all the things you want, you can always make some small modifications yourself. For example, if doorknobs are too difficult to turn, you can replace them with handles or levers (which Home Depot sells for under $20).

San Diego’s Friendly Communities Can Make a Difference

You may not realize it, but the neighborhood you choose can make a big difference in your health and well-being. This is because part of aging in place is retaining a sense of community and socializing, which can prevent isolation, a major source of depression in older adults. San Diego has lots of friendly communities and is a great place to retire. Get to know the neighborhood you’re interested in and talk to the neighbors before the move. This will help you feel more at home and may even facilitate new friendships, and it will allow you to find the nearest parks and fitness opportunities. Consider searching for a home in San Diego’s metro neighborhoods. North Park, South Park, University Heights, and several others have great walkability. Being close to food shopping, pharmacies, restaurants, and coffee shops makes it super convenient for people of all ages to call home.

Consider Keeping Up With Maintenance of a Home

Post-retirement should be a time of relaxing and doing the things you enjoy, not maintaining a house. Consider the upkeep factor when looking for a new place; the lawn should be small and have easy-to-care-for landscaping, and there should be no hard-to-clean areas inside (such as a fan high up on a vaulted ceiling). Your new home should work for you, not the other way around.

Make a checklist when you’re ready to start searching for a home for your golden years. If you’re moving in with someone, keep communication open with them so you’ll both be on the same page. Remember to keep your comfort and safety in mind when making decisions, and make sure your home is within your budget before committing.

If you would like help searching for a home in San Diego, contact the McT Real Estate Group at 619-736-7003. We would love the opportunity of assisting you with this next step in your life.

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Living In North Park -Buying a House in North Park

Are you having a hard time choosing the best neighborhood in San Diego to move to? The McT Real Estate Group is ready to help you with your home search. We will find out what things you like best when considering a neighborhood to live in. Our favorite neighborhood happens to be North Park. Why? We initially bought our first house in North Park because it was an up-and-coming neighborhood at the time. Since then, it has become one of the most hipster Urban neighborhoods in San Diego with so many things to do. Living in North Park is fun and never boring. There are many neighborhoods in San Diego to choose from, but these are a few reasons to consider buying a house in North Park.

North Park Has Beautiful Real Estate To Live In And Invest In

Established in the early 1900s, North Park is considered one of San Diego’s older metro neighborhoods. Many of the historic Craftsman Style, Spanish Style, and Victorian Style Tudor homes can be seen throughout the different neighborhoods. People have restored them to maintain their true Craftsmanship, and this is beautiful to see. There are also Bungalows and Modern Style homes that have been remodeled and newly rebuilt as well. With all of the Historic Homes in North Park, the neighborhood’s character and style attract people from all over the Country.

North Park Best Restaurants

Whether you are a foodie or a fussy eater, North Park living is full of excitement with fun exploring the best restaurants that North Park has to offer. Sit down at Tamarindo Latin Kitchen & Bar for some Latin Flavor, or head over to Dunedin New Zealand Eats for some delicious New Zealand food. If you are Vegan, no worries, there is a newcomer in town, and it is a big hit. The Modern Vegan. This place is on the cusp of North Park and University Heights and is fantastic for those who love comfort food. If you prefer to go out for snacks and a few beers or wine, there are plenty of hot spots for this as well. Thorn Street Brewery is a local favorite of craft beer where you can bring your dog and family to. They typically have different food trucks on the weekends, so you can grab a bite to eat while you enjoy the local beer. Check out URBN. They have coal-fired flat and New Haven-Style pizzas that are a favorite to many in the neighborhood, along with draught beer and craft cocktails. This loft-style restaurant is loud, so it is a great place if you have a group you are hanging out with. For a more intimate style environment, there is Alexander’s for some great Italian food. There are so many different places to choose from. If you decide to live in North Park, you will never have to leave the neighborhood to experience different types of cuisines. If you would like to skip the restaurants altogether, you can head out for some coffee and snacks at Communal Coffee. There are different flavored coffee, drinks, books, and several trinkets you can pick up during your visit. Then there is the coffee-infused cocktail during happy hour at Caffe Calambra, along with pizza, desserts, and paninis.

North Park Breweries

Whether you are a beer aficionado or you enjoy a nice beer occasionally, North Park is the place for you. It has become a hotspot for local craft breweries to flock to. Some of North Park’s local breweries include Mike Hess Brewing Company, Thorn Street Brewery, The North Park Beer Company, Belching Beaver Brewery, and Pariah Brewing Company, to name a few. There are so many choices that you will never be bored with the same ole beer again.

North Park Local Shopping

North Park has many locally-owned shops for people to buy their gifts, knickknacks, bookstores, and all types of home decorations. Some local favorites include Simply Local. Here you will find homemade gifts, jewelry, souvenirs such as shirts, soaps, pictures, honey, oils created by amazing local artists. Pigment is another favorite for home decorations and gifts and, it is just a few blocks away. Nearby is Mimi & Red Boutique, a lovely gem in North Park where you can find designer clothing pieces, jewelry, and other great accessories.

Balboa Park Nearby

The acclaimed Balboa Park is located West of North Park, where visitors get to hike through miles of trails, visit 17 museums, walk through the beautiful gardens and sit by the gorgeous fountain to people watch. Feel like playing a game of golf? Sure, why not. Balboa Park Golf is the oldest public golf course in San Diego and one of the favorites. There are so many different types of events taking place year-round at Balboa Park. By living in North Park, you will always have something new to see every single day if you choose to.

North Park Is San Diego’s Most Dog-Friendly Neighborhood

You will notice in North Park that there are lots of people out and about with their dogs. North Park is one of San Diego’s most dog-friendly neighborhoods. Many of the restaurants and coffee shops are set up so you can bring your dog with you while you have a bite to eat. Many even provide treats for them. There are several pet stores in the neighborhood, but one of my favorites is The Original Paw Pleasers. You can spoil your babies by ordering homemade doggie ice cream,fresh-baked Grain-Free cakes, and more for your pet. The dog park at Morley Field is one of our favorites. Here you get to meet many of your neighbors, and their pups get to make lots of friends.

North Park Is Perfect For All Age Groups

North Park is perfect for all age groups because of its walkability. Its ample amount of shopping, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and things to do around town make it desirable for people of all ages. Younger and older aged people like not having to drive for everyday conveniences. Younger people such as Millennials love North Park because there are so many things to do and a great place to meet new people.

Move To North Park

If you are thinking of moving to North Park or already living here but are currently renting and want to buy a house or condo, reach out to the McT Real Estate Group today at 619-736-7003. We moved to North Park in 2001 from N.Y.C and have never looked back. Our office is located in the hub of North Park. We will sit down and have a conversation with you and find out your wants and needs. Together, we will figure out the best strategy for you to buy a home in the North Park area.