I live in Paradise Hills - The next best thing to "Paradise", but that depends on who you ask. It's the most amazing, most beautiful and picturesque, serene place in San Diego. And, it's also one of the ugliest, most dangerous and dirtiest places in the city at the same time, but I love it.

A small neighborhood where trees and greenery abound. There are many gorgeous public parks and community centers that offer loads of family activities. A stone's throw away from Westfield - Plaza Bonita shopping center you can get lost in the fun. The shopping mall contains a new movie theatre, tons of shopping for the ladies, toy stores for the kids and gaming for you guys. There are also several excellent eateries that are right on the border of Paradise Hills and National City - Try the Golden Chopstick for some amazing Chinese cuisine.

On the other hand there are some areas that are crying for attention. The corner of Paradise Valley Road and Deep Dell Road for example. Residents of the Meadow Brook apartments are subjected to violence, gangs and killings that are all too frequent. No one is safe, young and old alike (A newspaper delivery man lost his life in an attempted car jacking not long ago, as well as a young boy who was killed just outside of the apartments in a gang related shooting). The area is littered with trash, alcohol bottles and is dirty and dank. The city really needs to take the time to restore this area that interjects chaos into an otherwise wonderful paradise.

It can be scary sometimes as we venture out on family outings, to have dinner or just to fill up on gas. But then again, it's home and that's where my heart lives - My Paradise.