City Slickers
by Ingrid Hoffmeister
Aerial photography by Corporate Helicopters of San Diego.
Portraits by Vincent Knakal.

“Men came together in cities in order to live. They remain together in order to enjoy the good life.”
— Aristotle, Politics, 4th century BC

What vision of the good life does the word “city” conjure? A market place bustling with activity, a financial district with workers in business suits, a city park, high rise apartments, late night bars, art galleries, restaurants, or perhaps something else? Over the centuries, poets and songwriters have been illustrating their own images, like in the lyrics of the ’70s song Downtown sung by Petula Clark.

Are the lyrics true? Aristotle suggests we remain in the city to live the good life, but what constitutes the good life? We know that home is more than just bricks and mortar because it also includes an emotional response to our surroundings and the way we want to live. Some people even believe that our domestic environment is a reflection of our character. I approached some recent urbanites to explore the good life in our flourishing and ever-changing city environment.

Walt Warner is a single entrepreneur and business executive in his late 40s. A former La Jolla resident, Warner relocated to City Front Terraces near the convention center in 1998. Warner reveals that this is his first urban living experience. He grew up in Illinois accustomed to open spaces and suburban life, but moving his business to downtown San Diego gave him a sense of the city as a work location. When he decided to launch a second business, he began to consider the convenience — including easy access to the airport for business travel — and lifestyle attached to not just working, but also residing in downtown.

“Living downtown has exceeded all my expectations,” he says. “Originally I bought the property for investment purposes but loved it so much, I decided to stay.” Warner describes this “city phase” as one of the most enjoyable of his life. He takes advantage of close community relationships with neighbors, restaurants, galleries, and shops. “I never saw myself as urban,” he laughs, “but I’ve surprised myself, I love the energy, convenience, and entertainment options.” I ask about common criticisms like the homeless, late night noise, and sound of construction. “My walking and driving patterns make the negative invisible to me,” he says.

Reinventing San Diego around lively communities and neighborhoods requires a shift in attitude for both developer and resident. The loft, for some residents represents the ultimate urban home with a high degree of flexibility and inner city charm. Robin White flexed muscle and attitude last October and moved into Park Lofts in the East Village close to the ballpark, after 15 years in the same house in Carmel Valley.

Single and 40, she is a retired tennis professional who twice won the Ladies and Mixed Doubles titles at the US Open in 1988 and 1989. She now commutes back to Carmel Valley where she works as a tennis pro at a local athletic club. How is the commute I ask? “So far so good,” she comments, “I just wish the Coaster ran later in the evening so I could use it more.”

For 11 years, she toured as a tennis player visiting most of the major cities in the world but never lived in one. So why downtown San Diego and why now? “I came downtown to get it out of my system,” she laughs as we walk through her sunny loft space. Four large double doors open onto a balcony that overlooks a landscape bristling with construction in various stages of development. White excitedly points toward the historic Gaslamp Quarter two blocks away and then to the skyline. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asks rhetorically, filled with the pride of new ownership. “Coming across this building was a happy accident,” she confides. “I took a wrong turn in my car and found myself outside Park Lofts. When I walked into this apartment I knew this was where I wanted to live.”

White loves that San Diego is not a big city. “I don’t need a gigantic city like New York. I know I couldn’t live there. Here I have everything I want without giving up the ocean.” White admits that earlier in her intense career on the tennis circuit she needed home to be more of a retreat environment, but not anymore. Today I watch her breath to the heartbeat of an expanding city. “I love the diversity and cultural stimulation offered to me here and I am ready to be part of it,” she says.

On her doorstep is the new ballpark. Due to open in April, it is one of the leading downtown attractions and riding high on its wave is a building boom of housing, retail, restaurants, and businesses. White will be one resident to experience firsthand, the dynamic changes it brings.

Embracing the dynamic tension of a changing city can be both fascinating and daunting. Some might be dissuaded by perceived disadvantages, the stereotypes of urban living, or grow impatient waiting for completion of the ultimate vision of what the city should be, while others will rejoice in the changing urban environment. The question is which environment makes us feel at home?

For Becky Brown and her husband, home is both a 70-foot boat moored at the Marriott Marina next to Seaport Village and a condo located close to the Convention Center. As a single woman living in North County, Brown had only experienced suburban living until she bought a boat downtown and began dividing her time between the marina and Del Mar. Three years ago, she met her husband at the marina and fell in love with both the man and her urban life. Brown sold her Del Mar home, purchased a condo near the convention center and moved her two businesses into the East Village. “I didn’t want to leave,” she says. “I’ve met tons of people of all different ages, single and married. This is a small city and you meet people easily.” Rocking on the waves or pounding the concrete, Brown utilizes and appreciates what she describes as San Diego’s best assets. City, sea, and sun offer the best of all worlds and provide for all her needs. Currently, Brown is polishing her business shoes and considering selling her condo to buy two rental properties. “With the April opening of Petco Park, I believe property prices will soar,” she grins.

I get directions from Brown to W. Harbor Drive and my next appointment to meet Deanne and Dan McGinnis, a retired and attractive couple; she in her early 50s, he in his early 60s. The parking attendant is expecting me at Park Place (178 condos). I press the elevator button in the foyer but no doors open. A concierge approaches, “You need a special key,” she says. I explain I am a visitor and give her my contact name. She opens the elevator and I begin my journey up, up, and up, alighting to wondrous views of the bay where I spy the aircraft carrier Midway resting on the blue Pacific.

The McGinnis apartment is magnificent and perched high above the rooftops with 300-degree panoramic views overlooking the bay and downtown. I ask about the size and layout of their home and find they purchased the footprint for two apartments early enough to design the space into one. The private McGinnis world reveals sophistication and style woven into an urban setting where relishing anonymity is a choice. The views from all decks and windows are the most spectacular I’ve encountered. A telescope stands on one deck with a ship book to help identify the numbers and names of passing vessels as they enter the harbor.

After working in the city and living for many years in Carmel Valley, the couple traveled and explored both coasts looking for the “right nesting place.” They agreed New York and San Francisco were just too big and then like Goldilocks, found San Diego to be just right. With the completion of their home, Dan and Deanne look forward to entertaining under the twinkling harbor and city lights. They also plan to meander to fine restaurants, the waterfront, and shop in the neighborhood. Dan, an ardent golfer, has joined the San Diego Golf Club located only 15 minutes south, and both agree they live in an ideal setting where entertainment and activities abound.

For the urbanites I met, the decision to buy a home and move downtown, embraced their personal vision of the good life in an urban setting. The future of our ever-changing city co-exists with its ever-changing urbanites who will help shape the city of their dreams – San Diego.