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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 here are a few reasons to consider buying a house in North Park.

North Park, San Diego, is one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods. From its diverse food options to its unique shops, the neighborhood is popular with locals looking for an urban, walkable community.

What is North Park known for?

North Park is known for being one of the best neighborhoods in the country for craft beer seekers. It’s also known for its impressive live music scene and some of the city’s most popular annual festivals.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes living in North Park, San Diego, not only a good time but so desirable for many San Diegans.

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

The commercial heart of North Park is at the intersection of 30th Street and University Avenue, but the neighborhood looked much different when it was just starting out.

The land that encompasses North Park today was purchased in 1893 by local real estate and insurance agent James Monroe Hartley. He wanted to turn the land into a lemon grove but changed his mind when he found the necessary irrigation too challenging for proper lemons. The neighborhood, then known as “Hartley’s North Park,” became one of the city’s first commercial districts instead. It took just 10 years for North Park, the new and improved shortened version of Hartley’s original name, to become a shopping hub for locals.

The architecture reflects North Park’s eccentric beginnings. You’ll find Craftsman bungalows, former commercial buildings converted into single-family homes and apartment buildings, and special historic districts like the North Park Dryden Historic District. Many of the Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes in this area were built by important architect David Owen Dryden.

North Park today is one of San Diego’s liveliest neighborhoods and is often nationally recognized for its hipster status and unique vibe compared to the rest of the city.

Things to Do in North Park, San Diego

Many of the best things to do in the North Park, San Diego, neighborhood are about taking advantage of the food and craft beer scene here. While parking can be challenging around special events and weekends, North Park is highly walkable. Enjoy these activities on your feet, especially if you’re taking part in the neighborhood’s best craft breweries.

Go on a brewery crawl.

There are more than a dozen breweries and tasting rooms in North Park for craft beer seekers. Belching Beaver is almost as well-known for its beer as the San Diego postcard-style mural on its exterior facade. The vast North Park Beer Company is popular for large groups and after-work happy hours. Fall Brewing Company feels a little quirkier thanks to the Humpty Dumpty plush at the front door.

The best part is you can walk to and from one brewery to the next while in North Park, although you’ll likely see (and hear) a pedal pub tour or two if you’re here on the weekends.

Attend a local event.

North Park has no shortage of special events that bring people in from well outside the neighborhood. Start with the North Park Thursday Market, a weekly farmers market with fresh fruits and veggies, artisanal products, and live music.

The two-day North Park Music Fest is an annual springtime event with three different stages of live music across genres. Expect some of the city’s best food trucks in attendance. If you really want a taste of the best of the neighborhood, plan to attend the Taste of North Park. The annual event is a self-guided tour of the best of North Park’s food and drink scene. Wristbands for patrons 21 and over make this one a family-friendly event, too.

See a show at The Observatory North Park.

While this historic music hall is now under new ownership after a buyout from Live Nation, that acquisition has allowed North Park to continue to thrive as a destination for live music in the city. See some of the most in-demand touring acts in a venue that has been in the neighborhood since 1939.

The West Coast Tavern next door to the landmark venue is a popular spot for a pre-show drink or a nosh. The kitchen is open until midnight for snacks after, while the bar stays open even later.

North Park Best Restaurants

Whether you are a foodie or a fussy eater, North Park living is full of excitement and fun exploring the best restaurants North Park offers with a wide variety of food options at any budget. 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 an amazing plant-based restaurant in town, and it is a big hit. The SD Village. This place is on El Cajon blvd, has plenty of parking, and is fantastic for those who love Japanese and Mexican food.

Here are a few other local eateries you shouldn’t miss if hunger strikes while in North Park:

Alexander’s on 30th: This Italian eatery competes with anything you’ll find in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy. Enjoy specialty pizzas and fresh plates of pink penne pasta, lobster ravioli, and the most indulgent walnut and gorgonzola linguine. Reservations are recommended as this one is a popular date night spot.
Cantina Mayahuel: This mezcaleria and tequileria is known for exactly that. You’ll find over 200 varieties of the spirits when you visit. Daily food specials are what keep locals coming back. Arrive on a Saturday for their Yucatan seafood stew or slow-cooked beef chili on Thursdays. Expect discounted taco plates on Taco Tuesdays.
SukhoThai Extraordinaire: This Thai eatery is known for leaning pescaterian. Their signature dish is crispy fried catfish fillet in a Thai red curry sauce. That said, there are plenty of options on the menu no matter how your diet leans. Try their marinated BBQ pork or beef curries for entrees you don’t always see at Thai restaurants.
Tribute Pizza: The “tributes” at this North Park pizzeria come from pizzas the owners have been inspired by or pop culture references they love. The Kevin McCallister, for example, is a nod to the Home Alone character’s favorite: “a lovely cheese pizza just for me.” For some added fun, the eatery operates out of an old post office.
URBN. They have coal-fired flat and New Haven-Style pizzas, a favorite to many in the neighborhood, and 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. 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 gifts, knickknacks, bookstores, and all types of home decorations. Some local favorites include Simply Local. Here you will find homemade gifts, jewelry, and souvenirs such as shirts, soaps, pictures, honey, and 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. So many different types of events occur 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.

North Park & Beyond

North Park is a great spot for any newcomer who’d like to be in the middle of some of the best neighborhoods of San Diego. Here are a few reasons you may want to leave North Park, even if it’s just for a few hours:

South Park: This idyllic neighborhood south of North Park is hyper-local and a hub for San Diego’s best boutique shopping. Easy access to Balboa Park and the city’s best dog parks make the neighborhood a popular destination for dog owners.
Kensington: The close-knit community of Kensington is a short trip north of North Park and worth a visit for local staples like Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant. Outside of the small commercial district, the vibe here is much more residential.

Hillcrest: One of the city’s most bustling neighborhoods is just west of North Park. Visit for a weekend brunch if you don’t mind crowds. Hash House a Go Go is a go-to for their large portions. While there are more locations today, the original is here in San Diego.

North Park is ideal for anyone who wants a walkable community with so much at their fingertips. If you’re already interested in North Park properties, the McT Real Estate Group can help you make North Park your new home.

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. Together, we will figure out the best strategy for you to buy a home in the North Park area.

If you own a home in North Park and would like to stay on top of the current market value each and every month, check out this instant home value tool here.

View North Park Homes For Sale

Fun Things to do In North Park

North Park is one of San Diego’s most entertaining neighborhoods. There is something here for everyone between micro-breweries, art academies, funky coffee shops, and chic clothing boutiques. To make it even better, many of these great shops are within walking distance of each other. With a seemingly endless amount of fun things to do in North Park, you’ll have to make an effort to leave!

Where is North Park, San Diego?

North Park is an urban neighborhood in the Metro area of San Diego, just South East of Downtown San Diego. North Park has several sub-neighborhoods, such as Morley Field, Altadena, Burlingame, and others. These neighborhoods are sought after by people searching to buy a home in a walkable neighborhood of San Diego. Most of the homes in these neighborhoods are Craftsman Style Homes, Spanish Style Homes, Tudor Style homes, California Bungalows, and a few Modern Style homes are now being introduced by investor-builders that turn around and sell for a profit.

North Park Shops

There are tons of places to shop in North Park that are as diverse and unique as the neighborhood. Whether you are looking to get a new tattoo, a haircut, camera equipment, graphic design work, a real estate office, or vintage clothing, North Park has this and a lot more. There is no need to go to the mall anymore when you can find everything you need in North Park. Hunt and Gather is an exciting shop with all kinds of vibrant clothes, funky sunglasses, and funky accessories. Pick up a few items, and you’ll feel like a million bucks! Also, cross the street is Rae Boutique, if you’re feeling a little shopping spree. Located at the corner of University Ave and Granada, It’s within walking distance of Pigment, a fantastic shop with everything you can think of to turn your home into a warm, welcoming sanctuary. Indoor and outdoor furniture, pretty planter boxes, candles, planter boxes, and the list go on. They even have a fun photo booth to snapshots near the cool wrap-around white couch.

North Park Art Festival

It is a great local North Park tradition that takes place every year. Come and enjoy live music along with local food and live street art demonstrations. Some of the best things in life are FREE, which is one of them, so don’t miss out. San Diego’s hippest neighborhood brings you entertainment day and night on May 11th from 11 am through 10 pm. If you want to engage in the Beer Block Tasting, get your tickets here.

North Park Farmer’s Market

From 3-7:30 pm, every Thursday is the farmers market on North Park Way, beginning at 30th Street and extending as far as Utah Street. There you’ll find vendor booths ranging from Hawaiian Food to locally produced honey. The Mediterranean food is great, as well as the organic coffee tent. I like to do a bit of shopping here, getting some avocados and grapefruit. The produce is simply amazing. With 80 tents of vendors and farmers, you’re bound to stumble across something that catches your eye or your nose!

Enjoy the music coming from the booths set up by local musicians while you shop for your produce and amazing cooked food displayed throughout the vendors.

Don’t worry about parking, as there is a multi-story, 340 parking spot garage right next to the market!

Also, you have a chance to meet the talented Chefs from Waypoint Public, Cardamom Cafe, the West Coast Tavern, and many more right in person.

Book Stores in North Park

Verbatim Books

Verbatim Books is a fantastic bookstore in North Park. The owner has a huge selection of used and rare books organized very well and priced to sell. On the shelves, you’ll find books from over 60 different local writers. I recently purchased “Old Gods Almost Dead,” a very interesting biography on the Rolling Stones, for just 8 dollars. In the back, there is a mini-library with small tables for your kids to read and play while you’re browsing or trading in your old books for new ones.

Coffee Shops in North Park and South Park

Communal Coffee is based out of a vintage trailer in South Park on Fern Street. It’s a haven for people of all walks of life and has quickly become one of South Park’s hot spots for a quick bite and a cup of espresso coffee.

Cafe Madeline

Not too far from Rebecca’s is Cafe Madeleine, a French Cafe with scrumptious crepes and classic European espresso. There are ham, apple, and bleu cheese crepe to die for! Both indoor and outdoor and a good wifi connection gives you plenty of choices whether you want to relax and chat or focus and work. They also have a location on El Cajon Blvd.

Dark Horse Coffee is a fresh coffee shop in North Park that roasts its coffee beans in-house daily. It’s definitely on the cozier side, with only 4 small tables inside, but more than enough room for a date! Their cold brew coffee is delicious, so grab a cup to go to keep you cool in the beautiful sunshine. I’m more of a tea drinker, so I like to go for the Irish Cream tea.

Young Hickory

Young Hickory is great if you’re looking for more space to spread out and get some work done. Located on 30th Street north of University Avenue, Young Hickory has plenty of table benches to set up your laptop, with a sufficient amount of outlets to keep you charged up. The huge windows are open to a street to let in the lovely California breeze. With refreshing breakfast choices, yummy bagels, delicious lunch sandwiches, and good coffee, tons of craft beer, you can’t go wrong at Young Hickory.

Best Breweries in North Park

In the last several years, craft beer has become the hot new thing in every part of the country and breweries in North Park have been popping up everywhere. Local brews can be found throughout some of the best local restaurants and watering holes in the neighborhood. Some restaurants with great choices include the Waypoint Public, URBN Coal Fired Pizza; The Brewers Association has data which recently shows an increase of 18% in volume with small and independent craft brewing and 22% in sales. It seems like more and more people are learning and searching for places that provide an array of craft beer selections. If you prefer to go out for some craft beer tasting, check out Mike Hess Brewing–North Park or Thorn Street Brewery for a great local neighborhood experience with high-quality beer that is innovative.

More Things to Do in North Park and South Park

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Best Restaurants in North Park and South Park

Finding a great restaurant throughout San Diego isn’t all that difficult. There are several excellent options for all different types of cuisine. Here’s a quick look at some of the top best restaurants in the North Park and South Park areas of San Diego.

Best Restaurants in North Park

A popular area for foodies, North Park, is full of great restaurants. The following are some of the top choices throughout the area.

Living in North Park — North Park Neon Sign

Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Café – 3930 30^th Street

100% Vegetarian and Vegan restaurant that delivers Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese delicious dishes. If you eat here, don’t forget to have some dessert. They are entirely Vegan and scrumptious. This comes in at our #1 best restaurant in North Park.

The Mission – 2801 University Avenue

Specializing in healthy, simple, and delicious meals, The Mission provides one of the San Diego area’s best choices. They take food seriously here and create tasty dishes and artful displays on every plate.

The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch with a gluten-free menu and plenty of great options. The Mission also has two additional locations in Mission Beach and another in the SoMa East Village area.

The Smoking Goat Restaurant – 3408 30th Street

The Smoking Goat, a French bistro with an extensive wine list, provides plenty of great menu options. It’s a farm-to-table restaurant and has become known as one of the most adored restaurants in the entire city.

Carnitas Snack Shack – 2632 University Avenue

A unique, casual restaurant with plenty to offer, the Carnitas Snack Shack provides slowly cooked food with plenty of flavors. It’s the place to go if you love meat with many great options on the menu.

Other top restaurant choices in North Park include:

Best Restaurants in South Park

If you live in the South Park area of San Diego and you want to enjoy a great restaurant, your options are certainly not limited. Here are some of the top choices you should try in South Park.

Kindred – 1503 30th Street

Kindred is our #1 best restaurant in South Park. It’s a unique spot full of creations you won’t find elsewhere; Kindred provides all types of vegetarian dishes on the menu with a gourmet touch. While this restaurant may be better known for the cocktails, it’s a prevalent choice for those looking to enjoy vegan creations with plenty of flavors. We have brought many people that are not Vegan, and they are completely blown away by how delicious their meals are. Kindred is our #1 best restaurant in South Park, for sure.

Buona Forchetta – 3001 Beech Street

A restaurant that began in 2011, Buona Forchetta provides Italian cuisine to the South Park area. It’s one of the finest choices for authentic Italian cuisine with simple recipes. The authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza is what they are known for. This is one of the reasons many come to enjoy dining at this restaurant. However, this isn’t just any old pizzeria. The restaurant provides some very unique choices, along with antipasti, salads, and an extensive wine list.

Piacere Mio – 1947 Fern Street

It used to be known as just a coffee shop, but this beautiful restaurant has become a Euro cafe in South Park. Piacere Mio is a cozy place with a full menu featuring Italian trattoria fare and plenty of seafood. Those looking for something unique will enjoy dining at Piacere Mio.

Other top restaurants found in South Park include:

Station Tavern
South Park Brewing Company
The South Park Abbey
Big Kitchen Cafe
Del Sur Mexican Cantina
Mariscos Nine Seas Seafood

While these may be known as some of the top restaurants in the North Park and South Park areas of San Diego, there are plenty of other great choices, too. Once you are done eating, there are so many other things to do in these areas of San Diego in general.