7.1 out of 10

Shearwater

37.5410339634688 -122.247473924406
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Schools
  • Parks & Recreation
Not great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Nightlife
  • Shopping Options
  • Childcare
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Retirees

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Great Now But For How Long?"

Shearwater is a pretty new area. The school that is here, for example, was only constructed in 2010, so it barely has 2 years under its belt. (Despite this, Redwood Shores Elementary is getting exemplary scores and has an API of 10. Basically, it has hit the ground running.)

The homes in this area mostly date to the 1990s and have that bright high ceilinged look to them that you find in many home from that decade. Because of the bay side location, the price tag on these homes is mostly over $1 million.

As I mentioned in the review of the Marlin, the neighborhood just to the east, one of the concerns I would have buying a home here has to do with predicted effects of climate change on the area—namely that this place may be underwater before the 21st Century is out. I guess the worst of these fears are still pretty far off, but I would still worry that as the effects of climate change become more pronounced places like this will have their real estate prices plummet as others start to see them as risky bets. (Am I too soon to worry about this?)
Pros
  • Beautiful New Homes
  • Bay Side
  • Great Schools
Cons
  • Possible Flooding Woorries
  • Very Expensive
  • Bit Out of the Way
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"Communal living spaces abound"

One of the newest communities in Redwood City, Shearwater is a very isolated, upscale neighborhood nestled within the many sloughs along the city’s bayside. For the most part, it is saturated with nice, new housing developments and condominiums built within communal spaces. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood is very small (0.3 square miles), encompasses only a half dozen neighborhood blocks but provides a very well-groomed community landscape. One of the district’s biggest perks is its proximity to miles of San Francisco shoreline.

Shearwater’s residential quarters is a gated community for the economical. In fact, the area is actually clustered into separate housing developments and condominiums, making for communities within communities. They are usually sealed off by quaint waterways and concrete walls, but offer great communal aesthetics. For numbers sake, the community is rather wealthy, with a median household income circling around $110,000/year. Renters are likely to pay upwards of 2,4000/month for their modern-looking apartments while the average estimated house prices are around $1.3 million.

As a whole, Shearwater is a flat, open-spaced community within the northern confines of Redwood City. The neighborhood is very safe and offers a great family-friendly environment for all residents. In fact, it encompasses Redwood Shores Elementary School, a rather well-regarded school within the community. It is located along Shearwater Parkway, which so happens to be the district’s main strip that arcs around the greater Redwood Shores neighborhood. If you keep driving along the main road, you’ll hit Shearwater’s community park. The are boasts a large soccer field, two outdoor basketball courts and a large playground.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers

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