Central, Redwood City

Me and the bf checked out this place last weekend looking for some place that we might afford. We were attracted by the lower home prices. Of the 7 homes that we found here most were in the $300K to $500K range, which is sort of a sweet spot that we are looking for.

Unfortunately, the reason why these homes are so inexpensive (relative to Peninsula market prices), is because they are small and old. Most date back before WWII (some as far back as the 1920’s). In terms of size they are mostly around 1000 sq. ft. which is really little better than our current apartment.

Also, because they are old they have a rather dingy look to them. You feel sort of like you are staying in your grandparents’ house—you know the feeling, like the light seems to not quite make it to the corner of the room and everything just feels a bit dusty no matter how much you clean.

The local schools are pretty awful too, with Hawes Elementary having an API rating of 2.

One of the bright spots of the neighborhood, however, is Red Morton Community Park which has nice big fields for soccer and baseball, tennis courts and even a pool.

If you’re curious you can find studios in this neighborhood for about $1000 and 2 and 3 bedroom apartments/homes for just over $2000—so it is definitely an affordable place to live.

Nestled within the many anonymous suburban neighborhoods of Redwood City, Central is a flat, unglamorous neighborhood. It only encompasses about 0.6 square miles and is bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the west, El Camino Real to the north, Redwood Avenue to the east and Valota Road to the west. According to the 2010 US Census, the total population of Central is exceedingly dense for its land area, approaching 7,000. Moreover, it is also a largely white and hispanic community, with a small mixed race minority.

Cenral’s residential quarters are a bit run-of-the-mill. The neighborhood as a whole is organized in a grid-like formation. Homes are small (one-story), somewhat squarish and offer only mild/blemished house fronts. They are usually compacted along residential streets, making little room for side yards and large driveways. For the perspective resident, the bulk of homes are priced between $500,000 to $750,000, while the median household incomes barely caps $50,000/year. There are also a couple bland, unimpressive apartment buildings sprinkled throughout the community, but they are mostly grouped towards El Camino Real. And rents can cost you upwards of $1,200/month.

While Central doesn’t have much to offer aesthetically, it does have a couple perks. For one, the neighborhood is closely connected to the city’s downtown quarters (within walking distance). In fact, once you hit El Camino Real, you’ll come across the busy commercial strip of Redwood City. The district also encompasses Red Morton Community Park. The dog park is a great area for young families and includes such amenities as a large playground, picnic areas, sports fields, a community pool and a skate park. Elsewhere, John Gill Elementary School skirts the western corner of the neighborhood while the Sequoia Union High School District is just up the road.