In the novel, the story takes place in the early 2000s. The movie takes place in the early 1960s.
The Bakers' house was a built set. The site where it stands was originally a park.
The street sign "Bonnie Meadow" shows up several times in the movie. The Rob and Laurie Petrie family, of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" fame, lived at 148 Bonnie Meadow Road. This appears to be a direct bit of trivial tribute paid to director Rob Reiner's father, Carl Reiner, who famously played "Alan Brady" on "The Dick Van Dyke Show."