“Living In the City” is the San Diego Sun‘s feature Q&A with downtown San Diego residents. It’s a way to get to know the city by meeting the people who live here. This is an ongoing series.
Name: Claudine Scott
Location: The Continental in Little Italy. A Jonathan Segal project. The units are all micro apartments. They have a modern/industrial look that I love, and are deceptively larger than they appear.
Personal deets: Lived downtown 19 years, 15 of those in East Village. I’m from Pasadena. My ex-husband’s job brought me–reluctantly–to San Diego. Now, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to live where I live.
Work deets: Realtor, with a focus on Downtown San Diego. My license is with Keller Williams SD Metro.
The Continental in Little Italy. |
Passions: My passion is community activism and service. I am one of the founders and currently board president of the East Village Association. I’m also a strong proponent of social justice. Voting rights and agency over one’s person are paramount to me.
Home, sweet home: My location is golden. I’m in the center of Little Italy. I can walk to the corner market, meeting friends for Happy Hour or grab a delicious pizza to-go all within a few blocks.
Best reason to live downtown: I love the diversity of people and experiences. Most bars and restaurants are unique. It’s wonderful to support small businesses.
Worst part about living downtown: The unhoused population has become a major issue–not only for San Diego, but nationally. It’s heartbreaking to see the mentally ill, addicted and people struggling to make it on the streets. I know the city and the county are pouring tons of money into the problem. It’s going to take several years before we see a difference.
A Circuit/FRED (Free Ride Everywhere Downtown) shuttle. |
Walking/biking/driving: I don’t have a vehicle and I love that about my life! I walk, take the trolly, Lyft and use Circuit (free downtown shuttles).
Scooters: I’m in favor of them. Wish the rules were better enforced.
Shows, movies, streaming series: I just finished Season 2 of Tehran on Apple TV+. Just starting watching The Bear on Hulu.
Podcasts: NPR’s Code Switch, Dark History, This American Life, Reveal.
Go-to coffee shop: Pappalecco is conveniently a block away. Lofty Coffee is my favorite. It’s open and inviting.
Dinner spot: I’m never disappointed at Isola Pizza. They have one of the best Happy Hours in downtown.
Lofty Coffee in Little Italy. |
Parking advice: Ditch your car! Take the trolley or Lyft.
Safety: Overall I feel safe downtown. However, sometimes I’ll come across a mentally ill person and I’m just not sure how he/she will react. Keep in mind, this is in every neighborhood.
Cost of living: As a renter, it’s very expensive. Partly because of the quality of life downtown has to offer. Many people who lived in the suburbs have chosen to move downtown. Vacancy rate is less than 8 percent, so landlords have all the power right now.
Final insider tip: Take time to walk from neighborhood to neighborhood. You’ll discover so much that you don’t see when you’re driving. SDSun
MORE STORIES FROM THIS SERIES:
- LIVING IN THE CITY: This Former Civil Servant’s Now a Downtown Shutterbug
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Lights, Camera, Action for Laura Fink
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Percolating Black Empowerment
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Meet the Mysterious “Queen of the Gaslamp”
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Little Italy Exudes the Walkable Urban Lifestyle
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Wedding KISS Amplified His Downtown San Diego Bliss
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Getting a New Lease on Life in a Brand-New Condo
- LIVING IN THE CITY: New Mom Sarah Piha Savors Life on Cortez Hill
- LIVING IN THE CITY: “Homelessness is the ONLY Horrible Thing”
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Shay Priyadarshi’s Marina Park Oasis
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Myrnra Marston in CityFront Terrace
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Kaushal Patel in East Village
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Danny Rolls in the Marina District
- LIVING IN THE CITY: Emily Mason in Metrome
