September 22nd, 2014 at 10:00 am
© modscape
The scariest house yet, architectural innovation at its finest or a bit of both? The Cliff House is depicted as a direct extension of a seaside overhang and inspired by the barnacles that hang off a ship’s hull. Designed by Australian architectural firm Modscape, the house is still just a concept.
The project was designed specifically for a couple exploring options for a holiday home. Residents would enter through a carport and an elevator would connect each level. The design includes three bedrooms, a living room and kitchen.
Living in this home would offer 180-degree views of the ocean while enjoying a cup of tea in your living room. See the full design layout and learn more about the house at http://modscape.com.au/cliff-house-by-modscape-concept/.
September 19th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
About an hour east of San Diego, at about 4,200 feet in the beautiful Cuyamaca Mountains, is the quaint village of Julian. If you haven’t made a trip this way, now is the time. Julian is a historic gold mining town with the ability to transport you back to the 1870s. Get away from the coast and head to the mountains for a day of apple picking and, of course, apple pie eating. Now through the end of October (or whenever the apples are gone), Julian celebrates the annual fall harvest.
For the full Julian experience, visit during the Julian Apple Days Festival October 4h and 5h. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under age 12.
For more information about Julian and its apple orchards, visit www.julianca.com/Orchards.html.
September 19th, 2014 at 10:30 am
Post by: Marsha Shepard
When my husband got ready to retire, we checked out several different West Coast spots. We are from Oregon and wanted warm weather. Although we could get a well-priced townhome in Las Vegas or a casita on the golf course in Arizona, we chose to retire in downtown San Diego. It is true that cost per square foot is more, but do you really need as much space? We sold our Oregon home furnished and hit the road. We’ve never looked back. Here are just some of the reasons we’re retiring in downtown San Diego.
10. Walkability
We wanted to be able to ditch the car. If needed, we could live quite well here without a vehicle. There are four grocery stores downtown as well as a multitude of restaurant delivery services. We walk to get our hair cut, teeth cleaned, to the doctor’s office, optometrist, jewelry repair, notary and office-supply store. Downtown San Diego has everything you need within a short walk.
9. Bike-ability
When you’re retired, you’ll find biking an easy-on-the-joints exercise that is sure to please. Downtown San Diego offers some of the most scenic paved, off-road bike trails anywhere. There’s even talk of constructing a hanging bike path under the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
8. Low energy bills
Because the temperature is constantly in the 70s, we find we seldom need air conditioning and never need heating. Open the windows and feel the breeze.
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September 18th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
In decades past, suburbs were the place to be. Affluent residents moved out of the cities to settle down and start families. Today, we’re seeing the reverse. As poverty levels rise in the suburbs, more well-educated and affluent residents are choosing to stay in cities across America in favor of shorter commutes, walkable communities and urban amenities.
According to a recent report by the Brookings Institution, in a survey of the 100 largest metro areas all but three saw the number of poor living in high-poverty or distressed neighborhoods in suburban areas grow during the 2000s. While poverty has worsened in neighborhoods throughout the Unites States, it’s growing in the nation’s suburbs. “Suburbs now have nearly as many poor residents in high-poverty neighborhoods as cities,” the study says.
Read the full study and see how it’s affected your city at www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/2014/concentrated-poverty#/M10420.
September 18th, 2014 at 11:00 am
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, your relationship with your real estate agent is more than just a business relationship. Its foundation should be built on trust and confidence. Sometimes the relationship might not be working as you expected, and you and your agent just aren’t a good match. It’s OK to terminate the relationship if you believe you could be better served elsewhere.
As a buyer, you should only be working with one real estate agent. Although you may not have signed a contract, real estate agents put in long hours, often based on good faith. If you are working with more than one agent, you should break off ties and only work with one. The newer a relationship is, the easier it will be to end. If you’ve been with an agent for a long time but don’t think things are going well, start by being honest with that person. Give your agent feedback about what is and isn’t working for you. If the agent can work to remedy the situation, let him or her know. However, if you are ready to move on, make that clear to the agent.
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