by Roberta Murphy Construction of new luxury homes has been at a near-standstill for the last five years, but might we be seeing a resurgence of luxury apartment building in the most unlikely place: The suburbs? In the past year, we have watched and quietly commented on the construction of what appeared to be upscale condominiums in La Costa, located in south Carlsbad and just north of San Diego proper….
Where to FInd Luxury Homes Under $1 Million?
Where to Find Luxury Homes Under $1 Million? How far can $1 million go in today’s real estate market? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for and WHERE you’re looking. And now could be a better time than ever to shop for a luxury home. The price range of $1 million market is where affordability and luxury living meet. There are places where your $1 million can give you…
The Luxury of…SNOW!
by Roberta Murphy Readers and friends, just for fun type the words LET IT SNOW into Google and enjoy the fun. And be sure to stick around long enough to get “frosted!” I live in the coastal San Diego area and miss the magic of snowflakes. This doesn’t take the place of that magic, but I love the creativity (even if there are a few nagging doubts about Google “getting”…
Luxury Holiday Villas
We welcome guest writers from time to time, and today Nisha Sharma shares her expertise in another type of luxury travel: Luxury villas around the world that might be rented on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This is perfect for families, groups or simply those who treasure their privacy. Luxury Holiday Villas Around the World Luxury holiday villas offer unique access to some of the most beautiful sights in…
Luxury Retailers Uneasy with Wall Street?
by Roberta Murphy They say you can never be too thin or too rich, but belt-tightening is sending a cold chill through Wall Street that could well spread to Main Street and beyond, according to various reports. Luxury stocks may be taking a hit, but the recession hits home hardest for employees facing layoffs at Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and many other financial institutions that occupy…
The Luxury of Multi-Generational Living
by Roberta Murphy More and more, we are receiving requests for homes in San Diego that will accommodate all living generations in a family. It’s an emerging trend and one which might grab the attention of builders in years to come. Much of the recent regrouping of families, thanks to a dismal economy, comes from boomerang kids. There are estimates that over 50 percent of recent college grads are returning…
25 Most Expensive Zip Codes
by Roberta Murphy There may be lots of dismal news about the real estate economy, but there is still lots of interest in the luxury home market–and curiosity about the most expensive zip codes for median home prices. Ever on top of these things, Forbes.com has compiled a list of the top 500 zip codes in the country and which certainly reach beyond the dominating states of California and New…
The Luxury of a $170.00 Sandwich
Years ago, Chef Madelyn in Big Bear Lake offered a $99 peanut butter and jelly sandwich picnic–paired with a bottle of Dom Perignon. It was a relative bargain, considering cost of the wine. It also caused more than a few chuckles among pilots who flew in and out of the little Big Bear Airport, where her restaurant was located. In London, though, BBC TV chef Martin Blunos has crafted a…
How About a Free MIT Education?
by Roberta Murphy Sometimes we stumble across unexpected treasures, including articles written a couple of years ago. This one is too rich not to share again: A Free MIT Education. Thanks to a web-based electronic publishing initiative, this incredible opportunity from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is being generously funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and MIT with support of the Ab Initio…
Wine Barrel Flooring: The Luxury of Recycling
by Roberta Murphy Most of us appreciate the earthy luxury of a true wine cellar and also see the value of repurposed materials emerging as elements in our homes. But how about a slice from the best of both worlds and have rich wood flooring crafted from old California wine barrels? I’ve seen serving trays and other novelties emerge from wine barrel tops, but hardwood flooring from the actual wine…
