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VIVIAN LEE
Real Estate Expert. Local Knowledge. Proven Results.
REAL ESTATE and the CITY BLOG
October 28, 2013
Neighborhood Spotlight #6: The Mission, SF
Average Rent - 1 br: $2,675/mo, 2 br: $3,650/mo, 3 br: $4,900/mo
Average Single-family Home Price (2-3 bedrooms) - $1,350,000
Average Condominium Price (2-3 bedrooms) - $1,000,000
Schools - Harvey Milk, McKinley, Marshall and Sanchez Elementary, Everett Middle and Mission High School, Children’s Day School, San Francisco Friends School, Immaculate Conception Academy
Local
Attractions - Where to begin? The
Mission Dolores district is often warmer and sunnier than other parts of SF. When
you are here, make sure to visit Dolores Park, one of the most popular parks,
as well as Mission Dolores, the oldest surviving structure in the city! People
flock to this part of the Mission district to enjoy mostly walkable taquerias, hip
& trendy restaurants, delis, cafes, bakeries, dive bars, craft stores, bike
shops, thrift shops and other specialty boutiques. There is a sizable Latino population here. Street murals and
paintings of Latin American culture by local artists are a common feature and
attraction in this part of town. Visit
the famous Clarion Alley at Valencia & 17th Street for a unique free
outdoor gallery if you dig graffiti art and want to check out some of the best
street art in the city. Carnaval, an annual
street parade/festival, is considered a major event and celebration and occurs each
Memorial Day
weekend in the Mission district. The
neighborhood is easily accessible by public transportation served by two BART
stations and multiple MUNI & MUNI Metro lines.
The Lowdown on My Under-the-Radar Haunts: The
Mission Dolores neighborhood has an amazing food scene. Don’t miss burritos at Pancho Villa or El
Farolito. Make sure to also check out Tartine,
Delfina, Namu Gaji, Flour + Water, Foreign Cinema, Luna Park, Picaro, Dosa,
Maverick and Cha Cha Cha. Drink, dance or lounge with cocktails at the 500 Club, Zeitgeist, Blondie’s, Elbo
Room or Trick Dog. For dessert, taste
delicious Italian Rum Cake at Dianda's
or unique ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery or Mitchell’s Ice Cream.
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO:
Artwork featured by local, urban artist/muralist, Nate Tan. Check out more of his work here: www.nate1design.com
July 18, 2013
Neighborhood Spotlight #5: Inner Richmond, SF
Local Attractions – Come to the Inner Richmond district to enjoy international cheap and good eats from Asian markets, cafes and restaurants to Irish pubs to German bakeries and Russian restaurants. This diverse neighborhood, with a sizeable Chinese and Russian population, is nestled between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. You will also find a renovated public library and two great playgrounds - Rossi Playground and Mountain Lake Park. Park Presidio Boulevard, the southern border, allows for easy access to the Peninsula or Marin. Clement St, California Street, Geary Blvd and Balboa Street are all busy streets offering an array of conveniences (public transportation, shops, restaurants) – too many to name! The Inner Richmond is also close proximity to The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, 3 hospitals (California Pacific Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, St. Mary’s Medical Center) and Laurel Village.
Artwork featured by local, urban artist/muralist, Nate Tan. Check out more of his work here: www.nate1design.com
June 13, 2013
Neighborhood Spotlight #4: West Portal, SF
Average Rent (3 bedrooms) - $3,500 - $4,000/month
Average Single-family Home Price (3 bedrooms) - $1,140,000
Schools - Aptos Middle, Commodore Sloat Elementary, Miraloma Elementary, West Portal Elementary, West Portal Lutheran, Maria Montessori, St. Brendan, St. Stephen
Local Attractions - Come to West Portal Village to enjoy great international restaurants, cafes, specialty boutiques, mom & pop stores, a movie theatre, banking, a public library and playground. The West Portal muni station is also a popular transfer point with three (K,L,M) metro lines passing outbound through to different parts of the city or inbound to downtown San Francisco. Also close proximity to 280 freeway, YMCA, Stonestown Galleria shopping and Stern Grove outdoor recreation.
The Lowdown on My Under-the-Radar Haunts: Eezy Freezy Market, Spiazzo Ristorante, Bursa Kebabs Mediterranean and Turkish Cuisine, Fresca Nouveau Peruvian, Roti Indian Bistro, El Toreador Mexican, Ambassador Toys, CineArts at the Empire Theater, Submarine Center Gourmet Sandwiches, Philsopher's Club, The Music Store (vinyl, tapes, cd's), Shaw's Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe. And I saved the best for last, Barbagelata Real Estate.
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO:
Artwork featured by local, urban artist/muralist, Nate Tan. Check out more of his work here: www.nate1design.com
May 15, 2013
Neighborhood Spotlight #3: North Beach, SF
Average Rent (2 bedrooms) - $4,000/month
Average Condominium Price (2 bedrooms) - $950,000 (few single-family homes in this area)
Schools - Garfield, Jean Parker, John Yehall Chin, Yick Wo (Elementary); Francisco (Middle); Mission Preparatory, Saints Peter & Paul School, SF Art Institute
Local Attractions - SF's Italian neighborhood, aka "Little Italy" (rich in Italian heritage) has a plethora of hip restaurants, cafes, old-world delicatessens, family-style restaurants, gelato parlors, nightclubs, bars and cool boutiques
The Lowdown on My Under-the-Radar Haunts: Washington Square Park, Saints Peter & Paul Church, Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi, City Lights Books, Mama's (breakfast), Mara's (Italian pastries), Liguria (focaccia), Rose Pistola, Tony's Napoletana Pizza, Café Greco or Café Trieste (cappuccino or espresso), Famous "Beat Bar" Vesuvio, Tosca, The Saloon (oldest bar in SF), Strip Clubs, North Beach Festival
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO:
Artwork featured by local, urban artist/muralist, Nate Tan. Check out more of his work here: www.nate1design.com
April 9, 2013
Neighborhood Spotlight #2: Inner Sunset, SF
Average Rent (3 bedrooms) - $3,500/month
Average Single-family Home Price (3 bedrooms) - $1,125,000
Schools - Jefferson Elementary, Alice Fong Yu Elementary, St. Anne School, University of California San Francisco
Local Attractions - Golden Gate Park (California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, De Young Museum, Botanical Garden), Inner Sunset Corridor (shops & restaurants)
The Lowdown on My Under-the-Radar Haunts: Inside Golden Gate Park (California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, De Young Museum, Botanical Gardens, Kezar Stadium), Inner Sunset Corridor Restaurants & Shops (Nopalito, Park Chow, Social Kitchen & Brewery, Ebisu, Patxi's, Gordo Taqueria, Tart To Tart, Arzimendi Bakery, Art’s Café, Manna, Secret Garden Tea House, San Tung, Wishbone, Crossroads Trading Company), University of California Medical Center (School and Hospital)
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO:
Artwork featured by local, urban artist/muralist, Nate Tan. Check out more of his work here: www.nate1design.com
March 26, 2013
Neighborhood Spotlight #1: Outer Sunset, SF
Average Rent (2 bedrooms) - $2400/month
Average Single-family Home Price (2 bedrooms) - $700,000
Schools - Francis Scott Key, Sunset Elementary, AP Giannini, Holy Name, St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Local Attractions - Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park
The Lowdown on My Under-the-Radar Haunts: Devil’s Teeth Bakery, Toyose, Trouble Coffee, Outerlands, Java Beach, Polly Ann's Ice Cream, Thanh Long, Noriega Pizza Place, Great Highway for a scenic stroll and of course Ocean Beach
CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO:
Artwork featured by local, urban artist/muralist, Nate Tan. Check out more of his work here: www.nate1design.com