70 & Sunny: Marty and Marley

Marty Pope

72, Retired and Happy, Downtown

How long have you been in San Diego?

I’ve lived here since I was three. Growing up, El Cortez was the tallest building in downtown, where I live now. That’s where we went to dinner before prom; it was very exciting to get all dressed up and ride the glass elevator.

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How has it been, living in downtown?

My wife and I downsized from a home in San Marcos, and we love it. We moved down here to be closer to the theater and the symphony, so it will be great to go to those again.

I’m sure you don’t miss the commute to San Marcos.

Definitely. But I was a local truck driver before I retired. I actually love to drive.

What do you love about it?

It’s sort of therapeutic when you don’t have to deal with the stop and go. I used to go to work at 4:30 in the morning. I’d catch the sunrise and see San Diego wake up and come to life. It was very cool.

What’s up next on your travel bucket list? We plan to go to the Christmas markets in Austria next year and to Scotland for the 150th St Andrews Open.

Marty & Marley