Little Italy has been one of San Diego’s most recognizable ethnic neighborhoods for a long time, but recently it’s become a housing hotspot for young professionals and families. If you want to live in a metropolitan neighborhood that combines an ultra-modern art scene with old-world charm, then look no further than this charming community.
Many people buying a house in San Diego want to live in a neighborhood that’s steeped in the city’s vibrant, multifaceted culture, and Little Italy has that by the truckloads. As its name implies, the community is chock full of awesome Italian restaurants and shops, and due to recent gentrification you can also find high-end retail stores and art galleries mixed in with these more traditional businesses.
Despite the wave of renovations that Little Italy has undergone, the place still has that old country feel – lots of outdoor dining, huge archways and vegetation climbing the lattices and bursting forth from artisan planters. This combination of old and new has compelled many of the neighborhood’s thousand-plus residents to proclaim Little Italy one of the the best places for San Diego real estate out there right now.
But don’t let the quaintness fool you, because like everything Italian, Little Italy knows how to celebrate. In addition to weekly farmers markets and art walks, the community hosts a street painting festival, Mardis Gras parties and a neighborhood-wide stickball tournament every year.
Since more and more affluent investors are taking notice of Little Italy, the quality of housing has gone up considerably. A reasonably sized three-bedroom home will likely run you around $300,000, and it only gets more expensive from there. Due to the economic climate, though, it’s possible to find foreclosures on the market if you look hard enough.
If you want to settle in an up-and-coming community with a lot of old country charm, Little Italy should be at the top of your list. Its passion for life, the arts and great Italian food make it one of the best places to live in the country.
