How's the neighborhood around B and 24th now? (San Diego, Corona: rentals, condo)

[Rich Cabeza]

I lived there in a studio for $115/month back in 1977 to 1979. The original owner of the house was newcaster Bonnie Haines and her husband. Is she still around? I went to city college, rode the busses all over on a monthly pass. San Diego was cheap back then. Downtown was mostly cheap restaurants and porn shops. There was this restaurant on Broadway and around 10th maybe owned by a Chinese family but made American food. The grandfather was named Gooey and the guy went back to the Alaskan Gold rush. He was around 90 back then. I used to eat the daily specials for $1.85. Then right across from the library was this little Mexican place called Elenas maybe? $2 for a meal.

[sdlife619]

Downtown is nothing like it used to be. It's very expensive and flashy today. Just ask one of the homeless living down there, and they'll tell you how it is.


I remember 12 years ago as a kid taking the trolley downtown and remember how bad it was. I mean East Market street was as ghetto as it gets, no fancy bars or restaurants, no yuppies, no condo's, just cheap rentals like you said. Personally downtown isn't as cool or grimy like it was in the past, even though the club/ party scene has improved hugely since then. This past decade San Diego really went crazy with all the new development, I wonder why it took so long for this to happen, you would think most of the redevelopment would have taken off in the late 80's-90's.

[esmith143]

24th and B isn't downtown, is it? It's either golden hill or logan heights.

[NYSD1995]

24th and B is Golden Hill, one of the nicer parts of the area. You won't find much to have changed physically, many old homes, some rehabbed and some in disrepair. Few new buildings have been constructed . My guess is any of the remaining "old money" that was there in the 70's and 80's is now long gone. These days mostly a mix of urbanite homeowners, young renters, and some marginal elements due to the abundance of halfway houses in the neighborhood. Downtown, by contrast,is going to be fairly unrecognizable from 30 years ago.

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by Rich Cabeza

I lived there in a studio for $115/month back in 1977 to 1979. The original owner of the house was newcaster Bonnie Haines and her husband. Is she still around? I went to city college, rode the busses all over on a monthly pass. San Diego was cheap back then. Downtown was mostly cheap restaurants and porn shops. There was this restaurant on Broadway and around 10th maybe owned by a Chinese family but made American food. The grandfather was named Gooey and the guy went back to the Alaskan Gold rush. He was around 90 back then. I used to eat the daily specials for $1.85. Then right across from the library was this little Mexican place called Elenas maybe? $2 for a meal.

You should post this as a sticky-old time thread...b/c so many people who want to move to SD, want to live 'near downtown'. would be interesting, also b/c even though it's flashy and pricey now, it's roots are still what you described, and it's still not a 'go to' place in SD...although they have tried, admittedly. I cannot remember the last time i went downtown on purpose, or even by accident. wait, it was the 2007 Chinese NY festival.

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by Rich Cabeza

I lived there in a studio for $115/month back in 1977 to 1979. The original owner of the house was newcaster Bonnie Haines and her husband. Is she still around? I went to city college, rode the busses all over on a monthly pass. San Diego was cheap back then. Downtown was mostly cheap restaurants and porn shops. There was this restaurant on Broadway and around 10th maybe owned by a Chinese family but made American food. The grandfather was named Gooey and the guy went back to the Alaskan Gold rush. He was around 90 back then. I used to eat the daily specials for $1.85. Then right across from the library was this little Mexican place called Elenas maybe? $2 for a meal.

About 10 years ago, a good friend of mine bought and renovated a house built in 1904, off B St. and 21st st, and I can tell you it's change alot for the better. 10 years ago, it was sorta sketchy but now, it's anything but. While there is still alot of room for improvement, it's cleaned up nicely. He's got a great view of downtown, and the sunsets he gets from his deck are awesome.

I'd be happy living in Golden Hill. Some of the most ornate houses in all of San Diego are still standing there.

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by lrmsd

You should post this as a sticky-old time thread...b/c so many people who want to move to SD, want to live 'near downtown'. would be interesting, also b/c even though it's flashy and pricey now, it's roots are still what you described, and it's still not a 'go to' place in SD...although they have tried, admittedly. I cannot remember the last time i went downtown on purpose, or even by accident. wait, it was the 2007 Chinese NY festival.

Not a "go to" place? The Padres play downtown, you can bike along the bay, take the ferry to Coronado (with you bike, too), tons or restaurants and bars scattered throughout (not all of them are touristy), ArtWalk, concert venues, theaters, holiday boat parade, fireworks celebrations, Museum of Contempary Art, Children's Museum, Little Italy, etc. I think you are overdue for a visit.