Greetings from SoCal!
Fortunately the move went pretty smoothly last weekend and I’ve been busy unpacking and getting things in order. Even though we’re living a good 45 minutes north from where we resided last time we lived in the area (for reference for any locals, we lived in Mission Valley before and just moved into Oceanside), I’m already starting to feel at home and am glad to be back!
Harley ready for the car ride down to San Diego
I didn’t know many people in the Bay Area and am enjoying having friends again! The first day we were here, a couple of our friends came over to help us unpack and see our place. We drank some wine and caught up, and it was a nice break from the madness of moving. Last night, I got together and had some Greek food with one of the first friends I made when I initially moved to San Diego. Her Marine just got stationed in Texas and she’s moving there in a few days. I wish she was staying here but am glad I got to see her before she left.
So, let’s talk about my new home! This is the first time my hubby and I have bought instead of rented, so it’s obviously all very exciting and new to us. The house is a one-story place with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
I thought I’d share a few pictures that were taken when the previous owners lived here. Full disclosure: my house looks nowhere near as pretty as these images right now. The current scene is boxes galore with no decor up yet! We’ll get there in the next few weeks though.
My favorite parts of the house are the kitchen, which is a wide open space and, very appropriately, wine themed….
…and the backyard, which has a pool, fire pit and cabana to relax under.
I definitely see us spending a lot of time back there! I plan on planting some herbs and produce back there sometime soon. We’ve always had a little patio, so I think that Harley is enjoying having a backyard for the first time ever.
The house is located 6 miles from the beach, and you better believe that we’ll be spending a lot of time with our feet in the sand! š
This next chapter of my life has begun, and I’m excited for SoCal living again! I hope that you all will continue to join me as I chronicle my eats, recipes, workouts, and life in general as I pursue a happy, healthy life in the San Diego area.
Question: What’s most important to you in a home?
For me, a really crappy kitchen is a dealbreaker. I also can’t deal with tiny closets!
I can’t even Nicole! Your place is where I want to go on vacation lol. Soooo whenever you want to extend the invite, I’m ready to come!
Well, if you’re coming to San Fran in Nov you mine as well make a detour down to SoCal, right?! š
Oh.my.gosh! I think my whole apartment could fit in your kitchen!!! It’s crazy! I love love love your pool and fire pit and cabana. Soooo jealous! And you are only six miles from the beach! This sounds like heaven to me!
Unfortunately we have always lived in a city so we have yet to get our dream home and I have to make a lot of compromises on space and things like washer/dryers (ours are in the basement of the building). But, if I were selecting my dream home, it would have to have a lot of great light and an open floor plan.
Thanks girl! Yea, living in the middle of a city usually comes with some compromises. We’re living a bit north because everything gets pricier the closer you get into the city. It just all depends on your preferences ya know? I think at certain times in our lives we want to be in the middle of the city, and then other times we’d rather have the space and be farther away.
One word to describe your house: Gorgeous!!
Thanks so much!
I am so jealous of you right now! That pool, the cabana, the fire pit. You’ve got one awesome house girly! I’m happy for Harley and her new yard too.
We’ve been looking for a new place to rent since the landlord is selling our current place and we’re not sure that we’re going to stay here permanently, so renting it is! But we want to buy a house so bad. I’m with you though- kitchens are definitely a deal breaker. And bathrooms. I have to have a spacious bathroom.
Thank you Sarah! I hear you, we wanted to buy the last several years but weren’t sure if we’d be staying either. Truth be told, we probably won’t live here forever or even more than 5 years…but we didn’t feel like dumping more $$ down on rent anymore either! You guys will buy a house when the time is right š
Glad the move went well! I’m a little jealous you’re in SD – I miss it! I grew up in Encinitas just down the coast from where you are now š
Ah yes, LOVE Encinitas! So many cute restaurants and shops around.
Wow wow wow. I’m glad you had a good move. I know you will love the new home.
Thanks Bill! You’ll get to see it when you visit š
Gorgeous place, Nicole. You better be expecting many guests! Does Harley have her own room?
We certainly are, and for the first time we have a guest room that doesn’t also double as the office! Ha. Harley has a bed next to ours but I’m pretty sure she thinks the whole room is hers!
We’re going to miss you here in the Bay Area but owning your own home seems a lot more grown-up and fun! (and it’s pretty hard to be able to afford a house up here!)
I can’t wait to see how you decorate everything, don’t leave us hanging!
Oh my gosh yes – the Bay Area is so damn expensive! Not that San Diego is cheap, but compared to up there it’s definitely more affordable. Thanks Tara!
Wow! These pics are much better than the ones dad showed me- absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to see it!