The California Department of Finance recently released information surrounding San Diego’s city center, with their village concepts, denser communities, and shorter commutes to work, as contributing factors for the growth and demographic shift to a younger population of people. The movement seen in part as a reverence for the past with a change in attitude for what-matters-most in present day life. The generation for the new millennium of dwellers, proprietors, and change-makers are migrating away from the suburban life of their parents, toward a more dynamic, diverse, and eclectic urban lifestyle.
The vintage metro neighborhoods, rising high above the valley floor—Talmadge, Kensington, Normal Heights, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Hillcrest, and Mission Hills, are feeling the effects of this change with a population explosion of the future generation, neighborhood revitalization efforts, with an emphasis on organic and sustainable foods, living, and alternative transportation, all yielding a positive movement in the beginning curve of San Diego’s local economic recovery.
In recent months the resurgence of these yesteryear neighborhoods are reflected in national press for their growth, cultural diversity, creativity, microbreweries, and epicurean contributions. The neighborhood of North Park was recently featured in Forbes Magazine as America’s Best Hipster Neighborhood, closely followed by a spread in Sunset Magazine’s day-trip for dining section, leading readers to some new and outstanding restaurants along the historic street of Adams Avenue in Normal Heights. The new boom extends beyond the reported increases of urban-dwellers, spilling out into the streets of commerce further contributing to the benefits of San Diego village living.
What do you think about the recent boom in San Diego? Does it make you want to move to one of the eight metro villages mentioned above?
Image courtesy: Flickr user eramos_ca.
Thanks for this article. Very well written.
I have mixed feelings about the boom. I enjoy the vibrant sense of community with new restaurants and shops popping up and adding to the uniqueness of each neighborhood. I enjoy seeing people out walking and getting to know their neighbors because they are out and about more.
I would appreciate more attention to the traffic flow. Some people are not used to life in the slow lane which is in direct contrast to the sense of community being created. Slow down. Pay attention to the life that is going on around you. It’s wonderful.
You make a great point – If you don’t pay attention to life, you’ll miss out on the details!
Smart, thought-provoking, relavent content. Thank you!
I love the new small urban neighborhoods. So glad we chose Normal Heights to live in again after living here in the early 1970’s. Now it’s filled with great local businesses, restaurants, and a true community feeling.
I also have to say that the evening city scape of San Diego pictured here is gorgeous.
I lived in the Normal Heights/North Park area off Adams last year and felt all of the hipster resurgence happening there as I’d lived there fifteen years prior when it was more of a just a gay ghetto with it’s own life and culture, but it’s more diversified in every way since then. Now I live in downtown Los Angeles which is seeing its own renaissance right now.
Interesting article and a good conversation starter.
Great article about our “vintage neighborhoods!” I love living in Normal Heights and most of the people who live around me have been drawn to this area for exactly the reasons you pointed out! It’s a close knit community, which also happens to be a vibrant and fun place to live and play!
Love South Park! There’s a community that embraces locals and local business for sure.
I live in Normal Heights and this article was such an accurate reflection of the love I have for this neighborhood. I’ve live here 15 years and the revitalization has been amazing! Well said!
I’ve always wanted to move to either Normal Heights or North Park, It definitely has a great artistic feel . Loved the article !
Love San Diego! the variety of foods, beautiful people, beaches etc.
I prefer a quite neighborhood but having fun on at any of the eight metro villages is always a good idea!
South Park was mentioned in Sunset Magazine too. I’ve been in this neighborhood for 17 years and have seen it revitalize into the vibrant neighborhood it is. It’s a wonderful walking neighborhood, has great restaurants and shops, feels safe, is friendly and people make an effort to know each other here. I love living here.
Well written insightful article about San Diego and its booming urban neighborhoods. I have lived in Normal Heights for over 15 years and have watched the immense change that has occurred over the recent years. I love the new life breath of life, from the people to the new businesses. I welcome the change.
What a great article – love the elegant prose! I moved to Normal Heights in the past year, so I suppose the boom did make me want to move into one of the metro villages. I must add that it has been incredible living in this urban, growing and eclectic neighborhood. Everyday in San Diego is a great day and being part of this urban resurgence has been awesome. More articles like this please!
Lively, upbeat, well written article! I envy all of my friends who live in North Park, South Park, Normal Heights, etc. These neighborhoods have such a welcoming feel, spectacular shops, restaurants and events. I would definitely move there if I had an opportunity.
Great article! Makes me want to move to one of those fun neighborhoods. Oh wait! I already live in Kensington and love it. I can’t think of a better place to live. We have fabulous neighbors, homes with tons of character, great restaurants, and we’re 20 minutes from the beach!
Wonderfully done! This is why I live here!
As a recent home purchaser in Normal Heights, this gives me a better understanding of the real estate trend in the neighborhood and even suggests a strong long term outlook. I had never really considered the migration of a younger generation bucking their parents’ suburban lifestyle. Very interesting.