6.3 out of 10

Highlands

37.5919157891757 -122.404747475358
Great for
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Clean & Green
  • Peace & Quiet
  •  
  •  
Not great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Eating Out
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Nightlife
  • Public Transport
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
  •  

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Nice but Overpriced"

The Highlands neighborhood sprawls out from Hillcrest Blvd. As the name of the neighborhood suggests, it offers some of the best views of the Bay in all of Millbrae and is one of the most expensive areas as well.

The median home price up here is around $875 k with prices ranging from roughly $685 k to $1.25 m. On average homes here offer around 1750 sq. ft. of space with the price roughly corresponding to the size: those on the lower end offer 1500 ft. or less while the million plus dollar homes usually offer around 2500 ft.

The main street that brings people up here is Hillcrest Blvd. For a main artery it is really quite attractive, with interesting front yards and a fair amount of diversity in terms of house styles. This area also offers some of the oldest architecture in Millbrae, with some of the homes dating back to the 1930’s. Many of the homes up here have panoramic views from their back decks while others have Jacuzzis or pools. Don’t get me wrong, these are not the mansions you find in Hillsborough, but are definitely nice homes.

Of course, if we were not in the Peninsula these homes would not fetch million dollar price tags, but that should pretty much go without saying at this point.

One other thing you will notice is how relatively few homes are on sale here due to foreclosure. Only about half the homes on sale here are on the market because of foreclosure. (As compared with 2/3 or higher in other Millbrae neighborhoods.)
There is no public transportation up here so this is definitely car culture up here.

Overall this is a pretty nice neighborhood with good schools, but way overpriced.
Pros
  • Nice Homes
  • Great Views
  • Good Schools
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No Public Transportation
  • Hillside Problems
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
2yrs+

"Upper echelon of Millbrae neighborhoods"

Nestled against Highway 280 and the San Andreas Lake, Highlands is a lovely middle-class suburban neighborhood. It a densely populated city within Millbrae, California and encompasses about a dozen steep, windy roads. Many homes afford views of the distant San Francisco Bay and other Millbrae neighborhoods. Moreover, the district spans about 1 square mile of exclusive residential terrain and has a total population of about 6,000. Its racial breakdown is approximately 60% white, 30% asian and 10% hispanic.

Highlands is a somewhat isolated community situated away from the rest of Millbrae, but still close enough to feel connected. Most of the neighborhood is perched on a hillside with long suburban roads curving around the landscape. Hillcrest Boulevard is its main strip and courses through the middle of the neighborhood. Homes are pretty sizable and range in style and architecture. But for the most part, they share a clean-cut aesthetic. For numbers sake, house values range in price (typically between $750,000 and a couple million). Likewise, households typically make within $70,000 to $100,000/year. It’s most appealing homes are clumped on the southern half of the neighborhood. If you drive around the district, you’ll notice quaint, tree-lined streets, grassy front lawns and nice walkways leading up to front porches. There is also plenty of street parking, especially along Hillcrest Boulevard.

Highlands is also conveniently located to many attractive locations. In fact, its about a 5-10 minute drive of the Millbrae Caltrain, Bart Station and the San Francisco International Airport. Commuters likely take the Bart transit system up to the greater San Francisco area. It is also within close proximity to the private members-only Green Hills Country Club. Lastly, San Andreas Lake offers locals miles of forestry and hiking trails. It’s great for day hikes and beautiful vistas.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids

Travelling to Highlands?

Find Hotels

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More