The tidy neighborhood of Del Cerro, which means “of the hill” in Spanish, was named in 1955 when the first homes were built. Those initial homes, mostly moderate-sized single stories, were built along horseshoe-shaped streets like Ashland and Meredith, many of them coming off Del Cerro Boulevard. Most houses in Del Cerro are unique; some are wood, some stucco, others faced with brick or stone. They’re well-tended and clean, driveways sporting new and old cars, campers, and motorboats. Cacti rise high in front gardens, Seussian trees, and small palms along with them; lawns are tidy, sometimes bordered with stones or fences. The owners of these houses are mixed, some younger families that have moved to the area within the last ten years, while many houses are still occupied by the people who purchased them when they were first built. As with most neighborhoods in San Diego, new homes are all but non-existent here in Del Cerro. Prospective homeowners should keep their eye on the market and be ready to make a serious offer as Del Cerro can be a competitive housing market.