I combined the two smaller neighborhoods of Lower Haight and Duboce Triangle and also the smaller area to the eastern slopes of Corona Heights Park.
The name “Lower Haight” derives from the significant elevation change as Haight Street climbs steeply from Scott Street to Buena Vista Park. The district is also referred to as “Pine Valley” in the 70s because of all the pine trees. The district was built up mostly in the late 19th century and fortunately was mostly outside of the 1906 Fire helping it retain much of its more ornate Victoria architecture. The main business district is along Haight St. but a couple good blocks along Divisadero and plenty of business mixed throughout the district.
Duboce Triangle – is south of Lower Haight between Market and Duboce Avenue. The area is sometimes known as Mint Hill as it hosts a US Mint Branch. Market Street is a major commercial corridor that the district is blessed to have providing many retail assets. Market hosts the bulk of in-fill in both neighborhoods and most of it is of a very high quality. Some very attractive homes along both Corona Heights and Buena Vista Park.
Both Lower Haight and Duboce Triangle are urban neighborhoods of a very high quality and walkability. The biggest downside to these districts is that it is impossible for most to be able to purchase a home here. Fortunately many rent controlled units remain in the neighborhood. The district could also use more schools, and better economic and generational diversity. Other than that, not a whole lot to complain about.
URBAN STRENGTHS:
* Like most of San Francisco great density.
* ADA infrastructure is great as sidewalks are generally comfortable everywhere. Here and there a couple intersections without modern ADA curbs and some hilly streets along the parks.
* Excellent public transit access and very convenient access to the Financial district across all modes. Also decent access to Dwtn Oakland via driving, public transit and even biking.
* Good amount of bike lanes but wonderful access to bike stations and dockless electric bikes throughout the district.
* Good racial diversity.
* Around 65-70% of units are rent controlled. In the neighborhood. Medium rents are around $2,100.
* Very good park amenities including convenient access to Buena Vista, Corona Heights Park, Almo Square, and the Panhandle. Plenty of smaller parklets as well.
* Good cultural amenities including a great array of restaurants, bars & cafes, breweries, plenty of art galleries, and a couple live music venues.
* Great neighborhood amenities including several full service supermarkets and lots of grocerias, several drug stores, hardware store, fitness centers, tons of boutiques &small retail, lots of banks, several antique and home good stores, a major hospital, and 3-4 book stores, and a decent amount of churches.
* Great tree canopy.
* Gorgeous Historic Architecture (helps that it was locate outside of the 1906 fire). Not much modern in-fill but some great buildings along Market Street.
* Several schools within or near the district but not a ton. Very walkable of course.
* Great urban form and streetscaping throughout.
URBAN WEAKNESSES:
* High income district with low poverty rates. Some income diversity but not great. Also pretty low pct of family households.
* About 30% of rentals (non-rental controlled) are astronomically high. 1-bedrooms lease for around 3K-3.5K, 2-bedrooms 3K & 4Ks, and 3-bedrooms in the 4Ks-5Ks.
* For sale prices are astronomical. Cheapest units are small 1-bedroom condos selling for 800-900K. The vast majority of for sale units are selling above 1 M and maxing out around 2.5 M.
* No theaters or cinemas, or museums within the district but several in surrounding areas.
* Some crime issues in the past but that was at least a decade ago. Feels now like a very safe place.
Evaluating our Urban Communities [with a focus on America] 