Grantville - San Diego, CA

Mission Valley's development began in the early 1950s with the first hotel on Hotel Circle. From there, the city boomed as re-zoning occurred in the late 1950s to allow construction of San Diego's first regional shopping center, now Westfield Mission Valley. Around this time, Interstate 8 was constructed, encouraging further residential developments and more shopping center construction.

While there are no museums in the direct vicinity of Grantville, Balboa Park lies just 10 minutes to the southwest. This landmark features 17 museums including the San Diego Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and San Diego Air and Space Museum. Balboa Park also has a tremendous art scene and hosts a multitude of annual events. Locals and tourists love the Ethnic Food Fair where they can taste foreign cuisines from countries around the world.

The south side of the neighborhood near the Interstate 15 and Interstate 8 intersection features a multitude of restaurants that offer nearly all types of ethnic cuisine. You can spot an authentic Mexican restaurant when the rice, refried beans, and chips and salsa taste just right. Emiliano's Mexican Restaurant has massive portions at affordable prices. The happy hour offers just about the best Spicy Bloody Mary around.

For an Italian fix, head on over to Filippi's Pizza Grotto where the pizza, pasta, and antipasti salad are just about the freshest you can find. This family-owned chain serves up big portions without robbing your wallet.

This area also houses many popular bars and pubs. Benchmark Brewing Company stands out as a popular local spot, with its chic industrial tasting room pouring a variety of beers brewed on-site. Great staples stay on tap and are joined by frequently rotated speciality brews.

If you're looking for something unique and even more lively, try the Blue Agave Nightclub, which features live bands as well as DJs who play Latin and pop music. A spacious dance floor and patio are available, and best of all, there's no cover charge. Free parking and free dance lessons are also available if you get there before 10:00 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday night.

The majority of residents use private vehicles to get to work and around town. If you plan to rely on the transportation system, choose somewhere around the south side of the neighborhood, near Friars Road and Fairmount Avenue, to avoid long walks. The trolley also goes through the southern part of the neighborhood and Uber is a viable option.

Freeways are easily accessible, as Interstate 15 and Interstate 8 intersect near the south end of the town; these freeways will efficiently get you to most other highways in the area. There is free and abundant public parking in Grantville, but this can be somewhat limited in the most dense areas when the Chargers football team has a home game. Walking and bike riding remain safe, with multiple pedestrian walkways and bike lanes for those beautiful afternoon bike rides.

There are several free-to-visit parks in the area, as well as green spaces surrounding the San Diego river that flows through the city. Grantville Neighborhood Park features fun play areas, a large open grassy space for sports, and big shady trees. When your dogs need exercise, head to Balboa Park, where you have a choice of three different off-leash areas: Grape Street Dog Park, Morley Field Dog Park and Nate's Point Dog Park.

Just north of interstate 8, near San Diego State University, is the nature reserve, Lake Murray Park. Small boat rentals are available at the popular fishing destination and a pedestrian/bike path lines the perimeter of the reservoir. Local parents often bring their children to feed the ducks, play on the playground and enjoy picnics on sunny afternoons.

The cost of living sits about 12 percent higher than the San Diego average; the median rental rate for a one-bed apartment works out at $1,516 per month. Mission Valley houses a wide range of of bars and pubs, so beer is slightly cheaper in this neighborhood. You can expect to pay $6 for a pint as standard, but be sure to catch one of the many happy hours available at any given time. Gas prices, however, remain 15.9 percent above the national average.

Mission Valley is a great place for shopping. Residents can choose either Fashion Valley or Westfield Mission Valley for major shopping trips. The former, a large mall with several upscale department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales also has smaller chain stores such as Victoria's Secret and Coach. The latter offers a sizable Nordstrom Rack and many other familiar discount chain stores such as Claire's.

A few boutiques are scattered throughout the area. For a selection of specialty stores in close proximity, head southwest to Seaport Village or west to Pacific Beach. The Blue Guitar specializes in the sale and repair of Spanish guitars and Hawaiian ukuleles. The staff, all experts, are a great resource for enthusiasts. Baby Go Round, the consignment store for babies and their mothers, buys and sells gently used baby clothes and gear as well as offering a range of maternity wear.

Von's and Farmers Outlet are the two major grocery stores that service the neighborhood. Additionally, Iowa Meat Farms, an old-fashioned butchers shop, sells premium cuts of meat as well as fish and gourmet food items. For farmer's markets, head to Camino Del Rio North on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m.