There is no other neighborhood in San Diego County that offers the diversity of venues and level of activities as downtown San Diego. The San Diego Padres are in full swing for 2012, at least they are in in spirit, ComicCon will unleash hordes in a couple months, the number of restaurant choices is unmatched, and a sense of San Diego’s past history is ever present in the Gaslamp Quarter. The new library (pictured below) designed by architect Rob Quigley, is literally re-shaping the East Village skyline, and is scheduled for completion in about a year. The inventory for buyers is thin, the competition for renters is strong, and prices in both categories, for sale and for lease, are increasing. What is it about downtown that attracts so many people? Along with Balboa Park, the area is the central unifying market for every resident, all 3 million of us. As we continue to grow, downtown will surely be ready to handle the expansion of people and buildings.

Opening day at Petco Park for the San Diego Padres triggers many events in motion. Even with a loss yesterday against the Dodgers, the mood remains the same: Upbeat, Hopeful, Competitive, Youthful.  It is just now Spring, but with major league baseball back in town, it feels like summer already.   In 2004, when Petco first opened, downtown San Diego was experiencing a renaissance in the real estate market as thousands of brand new condos were being delivered. You had the feeling  that living downtown was the future, where everything about you was fun and new and it was all walkable and innovative.  Opening day 2012 signals a different kind of start than 2004, this time around it’s more cautious but upbeat still. Our real estate has changed – fewer units for sale & not a single new residential building under construction – it is likely this downtown market will be a seller’s market again, sooner than we think. Record low interest rates combined with the strong spring/summer sales will impact new inventory as it comes to market. If you are going to a Padres game this season, give me a call and I’ll set up a condo tour.

It’s back. Every year on this last Tuesday of the month of February, the streets of downtown San Diego shut down to accommodate the bands and the crowds for Mardis Gras and the big parade.  If you live downtown, you either love it because the event is in your back yard, or, you hate it because it’s inconvenient for you. My office is located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter on Fifth Avenue, so we pretty much are shut down for the day.  Mardis Gras is one of the many events that make up a year round calendar of fun offerings for San Diegans. 

By tonight, this scene will definitely change……(photo taken at 11 am 02/21/12 at Fifth Avenue at K Street)

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