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Situated just off Stanford’s northeast campus, Old Palo Alto is a somewhat affluent, pedestrian-friendly Palo Alto community. It is bounded by Alma Street, Oregon Expressway, Middlefield Road and Embarcadero Road, extending about 0.7 square miles of quiet residential terrain. The area is mostly filled with owner-occupied residents and young professions who feed into the San Jose job market. Demographically speaking, the area is a pretty dense and largely white community (over 80%) with a population of around 3,500.

Old Palo Alto’s residential terrain spans from the middle-class to the upper-class. As a result, the neighborhood has a wide range of house sizes and architectural styles. Its wealthier homes are typically situated within the center of the community. They offer some beautiful homes which attract young professionals and young families with deep pockets. These homes can exceed 4,000 square feet of living space, which can sometimes barely fit on its designated lot. Other homes, which tend to occupy the fringe of the neighborhood, are rather old, built during the post World War II era. Many of these homes maintain its architectural integrity and traditional (or dated?) look. As a whole, median house prices are closing in on a wealthy $1.8 million, but can reach up to $6 million. Many of these residents can afford it though, raking a yearly household income of $200,000/year.

Old Palo Alto as a whole has much larger properties than its neighbors. Lots usually afford manicured lawns and front gardens with lush green foliage elegantly placed within the yard. These properties usually yield long, wide and orderly streets with trees shading the sidewalks. The area also doesn’t get much through traffic, which harbors a safe environment for young children playing in their yards.

One of the district’s main perks is that it is so convenient to Stanford University. In fact, the neighborhood is known for housing a couple faculty members and old Stanford students. As a result, the neighborhood tends to share the same spirit and liveliness during big events and game days. Other perks include the district’s school system. Students usually attend Palo Alto High School, which has garnered high praise and rivals the high scoring Gunn High School on the other part of town. Also, California Avenue Caltrain skirts the southern end of the neighborhood and provides access to both San Francisco and San Jose.

Framed by San Antonio Road, Alma Street, Arastradero Road and West El Camino Real, Monroe Park is a pleasant and affordable, middle-class Palo Alto community. The neighborhood is fairly small, spanning about 0.3 square miles of exclusively residential terrain. The district’s proximity to commercial zones and the prestigious Stanford University make for an attractive residential experience. And while a couple apartment buildings dot the district, the area gives you a variety of living options that get you more bang for your buck than other Palo Alto communities.

Monroe Park’s residential ambiance is a quiet and safe neighborhood nestled deep into the San Francisco peninsula. And comparative to other Palo Alto neighborhoods, the community enjoys a cheaper option for potential residents and young families. If you drive through the neighborhood, you’ll notice the long, tree lined streets and quaint communal spaces. Properties are mixed between the attractive and the dull. They offer old style bungalows and 1950‘s California ranch homes on these lots while a couple waves of more modern, two-story homes have slowly crept into the neighborhood the past decade or so. These luxury homes are mostly concentrated towards Wilkie Way. If you’re looking for something cheaper, there are also a couple fresh-looking, recently built and multi-colored apartment facilities clumped around El Camino Real.

While situated along the southern fringe of Palo Alto, the area does offer a lot of amenities. For one, the the San Antonio Shopping Center sits along San Antonio Road. The shopping plaza is outfitted with a Walmart, Trader Joe’s, a 24-hour Fitness and a couple neighborhood eateries and chain restaraurants. Also, the San Antonio Caltrain station skirts the eastern end of the neighborhood and connects residents to both San Jose and San Francisco. There is also convenience to local bus lines that trek along the neighborhood’s border. But even with these option, traffic remains a problem, due in large part to the district’s department store haven. For young families, Monroe Park is served by the Los Altos school district rather than the more esteemed Palo Alto school district.

Bounded by Oregon Expressway, US Route 101, Alma Street and Loma Verde Avenue, Midtown is a relatively safe and family-friendly Palo Alto community. It is relatively large in size, stretching about 1.5 square miles of dense residential terrain (almost 10,000 residents). From the accounts of many realtors, the neighborhood offers some of the best places to call home due to its relative convenience to all things Palo Alto. It is also firmly gripped in the middle-class blanking...

Midtown is an exclusively residential, firmly middle-class community. Most homes are rather old, built during California’s staggering population boom in the 1950’s. As a result, there are still a plethora of single-story Eichler homes or what’s described as “California modern.” However, some homes have been torn down in favor of larger, two-story homes (situated along/close to Rosewood Drive). In the recent past, many older residents have feared that the neighborhood’s original character and traditional elements have been neglected over a newer, larger homes which give a certain modern, younger appeal.

As a whole, the neighborhood offers some quaint neighborhood aesthetics with fresh green foliage situated on almost every property. While properties vary in size, as do the homes themselves. That’s why housing prices are estimated between $750,000 to $2 million in price while condominiums tend to be sold for around $500,000. If you anticipate living here, median household incomes are around a lofty $110,000/year. And-according to the 2010 US Census, the neighborhood’s racial makeup is largely white (70%), with a sizable asian minority (25%).

For your commercial needs, there is a small shopping center (Midtown Shopping Center) situated along Middlefield Road. The area offers your neighborhood amenities including a Walgreens, a CVS pharmacy, a Round Table Pizza, a couple cafes and coffee shops. The neighborhood also encompasses two neighborhood parks, Greer Park and Henry Seale Park. Both offer a large soccer surface while Greer has a youth baseball field. Elsewhere, US Route 101 skirts the northern edge of the neighborhood which can make for some congested traffic around the district’s perimeter. There are also a plethora of churches with different denominations located around the eastern side of Middlefield.

Meadow Park, also known as Adobe Meadow, is a flat and very traditional-looking neighborhood nestled at the eastern end of Palo Alto. Many residents choose to move here because of the city’s excellent public school system, while others leave for greener pastures (or at least a more modern ambiance). For the perspective resident, the district offers a variety of overpriced homes which are under stringent maximum floor plan. As a result, this has inhibited its recent growth and prosperity as it relates to closer Mountain View communities.

Although a little less desirable than most Palo Alto neighborhoods, Meadow Parks does have a 1950‘s charm that hasn’t been lost on some. The area is saturated with mid-century ranch homes and two-story Eichlers. Some are plotted on some small, drab and uninteresting properties with those old, self-pull garage doors or long driveways that lead into side lots. Other properties can be shallow, but usually provide well-kept front yards that might keep retirees busy. In either case, don’t expect much bang for your buck here. Median house listings in the area are priced at around $1.1 million, while some have sold north of $2 million. The richer homes tend to congregate around Ortega Court, where a new housing development has originated.

All in all, there is nothing too glamorous about Meadow Park. Its common spaces remind you of an outdated, mid-century design, but offer clean and orderly streets. The district has a couple neighborhood perks as well, all of which are due to its location. First, the neighborhood is within minutes of the vast San Francisco Bay. Second, US Route 101 skirts the northern corner and gives quick access to commuters traveling up and down the San Francisco peninsula. And finally, the heavily-touted Google campus is just down the road from the neighborhood’s limits.

Framed by Middlefield Road, Oregon Expressway, Embarcadero Road and Louis Road, Leland Manor is an upscale, exclusively residential community set within a quiet, affluent rancher ambiance. Also, its convenience and location within Palo Alto make it a prime example of how neighborhoods can flourish given just the right chance. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood spans about 0.4 square miles with a total population just under 2,000 (fairly dense). Its residential makeup is predominately white (about 75%), while its next largest racial group is asian (20%).

To try to describe Leland Manor’s residential aesthetic would be difficult due to its wide range of house styles. For the perspective resident, homes are rather old, built between 1940-60. They afford such styles as post World War II tract homes, single-story traditional ranch homes and a handful of two-story east coast style homes that fill within pockets of the community. Residences here are no less than 18000+ feet and sit on rather sizable properties. Some are elegantly groomed, while others are fairly unattended to. For numbers sake, average estimated house values are a wealthy $1.4 million (while some can exceed $3 million). Also, the median household income is around a surprising $150,000/year.

Leland Manor is a great location amidst a busy Palo Alto city. For one, its just down the street from US Route 101. Secondly, its within minutes of the prestigious Stanford University. And finally, its recently paved streets and quaint, green community aesthetics put it within the upper echelon of Palo Alto communities. For recreation, there is a small youth sports field situated along North California Avenue. The area offers a baseball diamond and plenty of space for a couple soccer fields.

Although old fashioned, Greenmeadow is a quaint, family-friendly neighborhood that has succeeded in maintaining its historic order of the 1950’s. For perspective residents, most homes are owner-occupied, built just after World War II. They are the upward move (in price), mainly due to the public school district’s rising acclaim. The neighborhood itself spans about 0.5 square miles of dense residential terrain (total population exceeds 2,000). It is also relatively safe, on par with most other Palo Alto communities. Demographically speaking, the racial makeup is predominately white (over 65%), with a relatively sizable asian minority (20%).

Greenmeadow’s residential aesthetic mostly concerns itself with keeping with its mid-century charm. For the most part, the neighborhood is saturated with an eclectic mix of house styles from Eichler homes to long, single-story ranch houses. A couple of these homes have gone under renovation in the past couple of years, trying to elicit a more modern aesthetic to appeal to younger families. Properties are somewhat adequate, but can have shallow (sometimes garage-less) driveways with only mildly attractive front yards. Communal spaces are nothing more than orderly roads, healthy sidewalks and bushy trees popping up in every lot. If you’re looking to own a home, you’ll likely pay upwards of $1.1 million for an Eichler while condominiums are listed, on average, at $750,000.

Greenmeadow is a firmly middle-class community, only holding high praise because of the local school district. In fact, the neighborhood is served by the Palo Alto Unified School District, an area which has fostered a number of students into the UC school system and the prestigious Stanford University. For your commercial needs, a small shopping plaza is situated at the corner of Middlefield Road and East Charleston Road. The area is outfitted with a hair salon, ice cream parlor and a small food market (basically your neighborhood essentials). There is also a communal pool and park within every community clubhouse.

Stretching from El Camino Real to the Foothill Expressway, Green Acres is a calmer, more low-key community than its neighbors and just so happens to be close to downtown Palo Alto. Its residential aesthetics consist of a newer trend of homes set against a traditional, mid-century California theme. As a result, there have been a recent influx of many younger families, which has pumped some liveliness into an otherwise drab neighborhood. Geographically speaking, the area is a skinny slice of land spanning about 0.7 square miles with a high capacity of residents (2,600 total). Its racial makeup is largely white (over 60%), with a rather sizable asian minority (20%)

Green Acres residential quarters are a clash between the old and the new. For starters, the neighborhood is mixed between two-story, high-end starter homes and traditional one-story ranch homes (with a few spanish-style manors tucked away within the community). Most homes were built between the 1950‘s and 1970’s. But like I stated earlier, there have been an stream of new renovations or complete demolitions of homes, which have torn away at Green Acres’ traditional, albeit out-dated character. These renovated homes seem like luxury homes in comparison and tend to be situated on and around Pena Court. For cheaper living, there are also a couple lively and attractive condominiums around Maybell Avenue and Thain Way. For the perspective homeowner, house listings tend to circle around $1.5 million while condominiums can sell for a much cheaper $500,000. And according to the 2010 US Census, median household incomes are a wealthy $130,000/year.

Green Acres has two big perks, its convenience to commercial real-estate and its family-friendly aesthetics. First, the district is within close proximity to Downtown Palo Alto and the commercial strip of El Camino Real that skirts the easterly border. The area provides a myriad of different restaurants, small businesses and other anonymous commercial buildings. Secondly, the neighborhood is relatively safe and encompasses part of the Henry Gunn High School. The prep school is notorious for feeding a large number of students into the prestigious Stanford University. The rest of the Palo Alto Unified School District is conveniently within walking distance of Green Acres. Its one drawback is the dense amount of school zone traffic that continues to discourage the local community and perspective residents.

While keeping a kind of rural feel of isolation, Greater Miranda is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Palo Alto. In fact, it only encompasses about four residential streets (that end in cul-de-sacs) as well as part of the Alta Mesa Cemetery. Its best attribute is its proximity to the Palo Alto Unified School District (and Stanford University) which ranks as one of the best along the San Francisco peninsula. As a result, the school system has raised the price in real-estate dramatically, but has done little in actually improving the aesthetic nature of the neighborhood.

Greater Miranda’s residential terrain has a bit of a muddled Palo Alto feel to it. Though in the past couple of years an influx of young families have slowly crept into the neighborhood, filling elementary and middle school classrooms to the brim. For numbers sake, the average house prices are estimated at an expensive $1.3 million while some homes have sold for about $3 million (little bang for a lot of buck). Geographically speaking, Greater Miranda is situated along Arastadero Road and Foothill expressway, adjacent to the Henry Gunn High School. The prep school is known for feeding the largest number of students into Stanford University.

Greater Miranda isn’t really known for much. That might be because the Alta Mesa Cemetery takes up most of the land area. The non-denominational cemetery is somewhat isolated from the public, hidden behind a fence and heavy foliage. The area itself spans 72 acres and is the location where Steve Jobs was laid to rest. Elsewhere, the neighborhood is situated just down the block of a Palo Alto satellite hospital.

Situated between Alma Street and Middlefield Road, Fairmeadow is a less than glamorous middle to lower middle-class Palo Alto community. It spans about 0.25 square miles of a densely populated neighborhood (population: 1,000). As a whole, the district has an old, traditional appeal to it, which can be off putting to some young professionals and families, but still maintains that sort of mid-century charm. Demographically speaking, the racial makeup is largely white (almost 75%), with a rather sizable asian minority.

Fairmeadow’s residential quarters are blended between owner-occupied residences and rental friendly condos and apartment buildings. Its overarching theme seems to be imbedded in the high-design of the 1950’s suburban development model of California ranch homes and Eichlers. But unlike most old neighborhoods, Fairmeadow residences have undergone a lack of redevelopment, eliciting an aged and decaying sense of style. Moreover, most of these homes are situated on ignored and unkempt properties. As for its communal spaces, the neighborhood’s roads are designed in concentric circles with lush, green bushes lining each block. In turn, this provides a quiet and safe area for children to play outdoors.

For young families, Fairmeadow has a great public school system. In fact, Fairmeadow Elementary School has garnered a 5-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org. Moreover, the neighborhood encompasses Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Herbert Hoover Elementary School, both under the leadership of the praised Palo Alto Unified School District. For your commercial needs, the mid-town shopping area is within walking distance and provides a small market, a coffee shop, a couple local businesses and some smaller stores for your household essentials.

Framed by Alma Street, Page Mill Road, El Camino Real and Park Avenue, Evergreen Park is split between a modest, strictly middle-class community and a small commercial hub. It spans 0.3 square miles of busy/dense residential terrain, but does share its western border with the prestigious Stanford University. For perspective residents, homes were built from the 1950’s to the most recent developments popping up within the last two decades. There is also your choice of condominium and apartment complex living. And not that anyone notices, but the neighborhood is the epicenter of Palo Alto’s local government.

Evergreen Park’s residential aesthetics are somewhat unglamorous. For the most part, the neighborhood is outfitted with either small, single-story cottages or bland two-story condominiums, both with little family-friendly appeal. They usually sit on long, narrow properties that afford little to no space rather than a shallow driveway and a small grassy yard. There are a couple larger homes sprinkled throughout, but they’re few and far between while condominiums are only concentrated along Sheridan and Grant Avenue. Prices for these residences tend to circle around $1.5 million for homeowners and $550,000 for a typical condo.

For your commercial needs, there is a small shopping strip that lines South California Avenue that elicits a kind of small-town feeling. Here you can find a number of different eateries, sandwich shops, small cafes and a few places for lodging. There are also a couple mildly attractive, anonymous, mid-rise office buildings that dot the area. If you’re looking for local transportation, a bus line travels down California Avenue and connects residents to destinations around town. Elsewhere, the California Avenue Caltrain station skirts the district’s northern limits for more long-distance travel. These options might help considering street parking can be a bit hard to come by (especially the closer you get to downtown).

Esther Clark Park is a ritzy, secluded neighborhood nestled deep into the Palo Alto countryside. It is also very small, spanning about 0.4 square miles of leafy residential terrain. The neighborhood itself is somewhat spread out, with luxurious dream homes (and their elaborate properties) dotting the neighborhood that stretches along Palo Alto’s rolling hills. In fact, many homes are either separated by acres of lush green foliage or situated along cul-de-sacs, making for a quiet, serene environment that’s hard to find in the city.

Cornered into Arastradero Road and Foothill Expressway, Esther Clark Park is an upper middle-class, exclusively residential neighborhood. It consists of a blend of starter homes and large, staggering mansions. Styles for these residences include mid-century ranch homes, mediterranean mansions and modern (arc deco) houses. They tend to be situated on enormous properties, some stretching for 20+ acres. With so much space (and money), homeowners have a lot of options to beautify their lots. Some homes have deep, elaborate front yards with tasteful gardening and three-car garages, while others have half circle driveways and maybe a private tennis court/pool in the backyard. Yet, homes like these don’t come cheap. Median house listings are from $2 million to $5.5 million.

For young families, Esther Clark Park is connected to one of the best public school districts along the San Francisco peninsula. The neighborhood is served by the Palo Alto Unified School District which includes Nixon Elementary School, Terman Middle School and Gunn High School. All of these schools have tested high on IP tests and come heavily regarded by the local community. Elsewhere, the district is surrounded by a satellite Palo Alto hospital, the local high school, a large grassy knoll that includes a soccer field and the Alta Mesa Cemetary.

Duveneck, also known as St. Francis, is a lush green, middle-class Palo Alto community nestled against US Route 101. It stretches about 0.5 square miles of highly dense residential terrain, but it is within minutes of the San Francisco peninsula. For the most part, the neighborhood is saturated with quiet neighborhood streets, single-story homes and leafy residential aesthetics. Demographically speaking, the community is largely white (over 75%) with a total population of over 2,500.

Duveneck’s residential quarters offer some slightly more affordable residences than most other Palo Alto communities. For the perspective resident, there are a couple modern-looking homes tucked away between the more traditional, ranch-style homes. But even the older homes have been revamped with a second story or extended to the edge of its properties. These homes tend to be situated towards the northern end of the community. As for their properties, they are mostly shallow, but are usually elegantly maintained with trimmed lawns and primped bushes. For numbers sake, median house listings are around $1.3 million, slightly below average for Palo Alto. Moreover, the typical household income is an unassuming $185,000/year.

If you’re looking to live within Palo Alto, you can’t really go wrong with Duveneck. The area is saturated with orderly streets, pleasant greenery/foliage and bushy oak trees lining the street. Its also one of the more convenient city neighborhoods with US Route 101 edging the neighborhood. The highway makes commuting to San Jose and parts of San Francisco of relative ease. And for the young families, St. Francis students have a variety of outstanding private and public schools to work with.

Framed by Middlefield Road, University Avenue, Alma Street and Palo Alto Avenue, Downtown North is a very dense, pedestrian-friendly Palo Alto community. It is almost exclusively residential and spans about 0.25 square miles. For the perspective resident, the district is one of the most urban neighborhood’s of Palo Alto and, as a result, is one of the most economically diverse. Median household incomes are around $82,000/year, but vary drastically in range as seen by the variety of housing options. Demographically speaking, the community holds about 2,500 residents, most of which are of a white background.

Downtown North’s residential aesthetics are a mix between a number of condominiums, mid-rise studio apartments and charming bungalows. If you’re looking to become a homeowner, the area is mixed between one and two-story homes, usually fitted on tight lots with shallow, not too glamorous front yards and old front porches reminding you of more traditional times. Estimated house prices are up to a pricey $1.3 million, which doesn’t really make sense to me. For renters, there are a handful of condominiums priced around $650,000 while rents tend to be in the range of $1,200 to $1,600/month (for the large number of modest duplex apartment buildings). In the last two decades, however, there have been a couple newly built, high density homes with a nice modern appeal to them.

Downtown North has a sense of small town feel to it. For one, the neighborhood deals with pesky traffic issues and lack of street parking. But on the other hand, the area is pretty convenient to Stanford University and downtown Palo Alto. There is also a small commercial strip that lines University Avenue that provides the neighborhood essentials (i.e. drug store, coffee shop, hardware store, banks, a couple neighborhood eateries, the Stanford Theatre and a large parking structure). And for commuters, Palo Alto Caltrain station anchors the southern end of the neighborhood.

Crescent Park is a quiet, comfortable and family-friendly Palo Alto community situated between US Route 101 and Middlefield Road. It stretches about 0.7 square miles with a population just under 4,000, making for a pretty dense, urban sprawl. However, the community is known for its pricey living quarters, mostly because the Palo Alto school’s system has garnered high academic achievements in the last decade. And finally, its proximity to downtown Palo Alto, US Route 101 and Stanford University make for a great location for many young families and professionals.

While exclusively residential, realtors contend that Crescent Park is the hottest real-estate market in the city. The district itself boasts a balance between old and new homes and a variety of house styles. These include everything from Mediterranean, Early Californian, Monterey Colonial and Victorian style homes. There are also larger, more two-story homes sprinkled throughout the district than other Palo Alto communities. For perspective residents, houses tend to be situated on some attractive 20,000 square foot properties with either a two-car garage or a driveway that runs deep into side yards. They’re usually listed in the low $2 million, while rents can set you back a not-so-cheap $2,000/month. However, most families can afford the high prices, usually raking in a annual household salary of $185,000.

Crescent Park is outfitted with a lot of amenities. Its flat living quarters, orderly sidewalks and heavy foliage (that line the street) all exude a sense of calmness and tranquility that usually eludes most Palo Alto communities. For your commercial needs, a large retail shopping plaza is located just adjacent to US Route 101. The area is outfitted with an IKEA, a Nordstrom, a sporting goods store and a couple neighborhood restaurants.

College Terrace is an exclusively residential, pedestrian friendly community at the foot of the prestigious Stanford University. As a result, it is an enormously convenient location for both students and young families who like to stay connected to the university’s rich culture and campus events. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood spans about twelve blocks lengthwise and two blocks widthwise, stretching from Alma Street all the way to Junipero Serra Boulevard (1.2 square miles). Moreover, the streets are named after prominent Ivy League universities, which include Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth and Columbia. College Terrace also has a sprawling population of about 5,000 residents. Its racial makeup consists of mostly white residents (75%), but with a sizable asian minority (23%).

College Terrace is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Palo Alto, and has garnered a rich history and tradition. For the perspective resident, the district is mixed between relatively small one and two story homes. They usually range in age and style as well, with a plethora of small, single-story cottages built after World War II to other (larger) beautiful Victorian homes constructed up to the late 1980’s. However, these newer developments have been a concern for older residents, who wish to keep the traditional prestige and visual character intact. Properties also very in size and aesthetic. Most homes are situated on small, but tidy properties with either two-car garages or long driveways that run deep into side lots. For numbers sake, median house values are estimated at about $1.2 million, but can climb to as much as $2.5 million. There are also a good number of condominiums and apartment buildings, usually set aside for students. Rents are typically in the range of $1,300/month.

While not the nicest looking neighborhood, College Terrace is a pretty busy area. It has everything from flat, tree-lined streets that shade sidewalks to a downplayed religious fervor. In fact, there are three churches within the neighborhood’s limits. These include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Sains, The Chabad House and the University Church (Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry). Elsewhere, you can find three small parks within the area: Donaldina Cameron Park, William Werry Park and Frederick Weisshaar Park.

Cornered into Middlefield Road and Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto’s Community Center is a close-knit, middle-class community with a family-friendly appeal. It spans about 0.4 square miles of dense residential terrain with a total population approaching 2,000. Its few perks include its proximity to the community-based attractions, its central location in Palo Alto and its reasonable distance to the many happenings of Stanford University. Demographically speaking, the racial makeup of the neighborhood is overwhelmingly white (over 80%), while the minority is mixed between asian and hispanic residents.

Although a bit drab, Community Center’s residential aesthetics are a step above most Palo Alto communities. If you’re driving through the neighborhood, you’ll find it’s a clean and quiet neighborhood with wide, orderly streets and leafy properties. In fact, its bushy trees tend to overhang onto streets making for a relatively shady neighborhood. For the perspective resident, most homes are rather old, built between 1930 and 1960. They are also mixed between one and two-story homes, with relatively attractive house fronts (although there are a fair share of shabby looking residences). Residences usually sit on somewhat sizable lots (for Palo Alto) with trimmed lawns and primped bushes. They tend to sell around a pricey $1.5 million, but homes have sold for over $4 million before. As for the typical resident, he or she lives in a household that rakes in around a wealthy $175,000/year.

While it might be a little unexpected, Community Center sits within a desirable real-estate market, mostly due to Palo alto’s fine public school system (Palo Alto Unified School District). The district includes such schools as Walter Hays or Duveneck Elementary School, Jordan Middle School and Palo Alto High School. Also, the district offers the Children’s Theater, Walter Hays Kids’ Club and Art Center all within the community’s recreation center. And finally, the neighborhood is within walking distance to Downtown Palo Alto (coffee shops and retail stores) and close proximity to US Route 101. As a result from all these amenities, Community Center has become an attractive option for young families.

Bounded by El Camino Real, West Charleston Road and Alma Street, Charleston Meadows is a pleasant, somewhat family-oriented community situated within the dense residential makeup of Palo Alto. It boasts a somewhat traditional, mild-mannered theme with bushy residential aesthetics, orderly roads and clean sidewalks. The area roughly spans about 0.4 square miles with a total population just exceeding over 2,000. Demographically speaking, the community is largely white (70%) with a somewhat sizable asian minority (25%)

Charleston Meadows is firmly gripped in middle-class monotony. The area is saturated with old, mid-century homes and tends to take pride in its unglamorous, historic roots. There are also a couple ordinary and modest-looking apartment buildings/complexes that dot the area (especially around James Road). And while there have been tempered discussions about future redevelopment, there have been other homes that have been added onto or replaced completely with Mediterranean-style residences. But this still doesn’t make up for the lack of character and identity. For numbers sake, median house values are a pricey $1 million, while condominiums can run you a cheaper $500,000. Rents tend to be in the range of $1,400 to $1,600/month. And according to the 2010 US Census, the typical household rakes in an unexpected $100,000/year.

Although not the most glamorous place to live, Charleston Meadows is a somewhat desirable location for young couples and new families. For one, the district is within walking distance to Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Herbert Hoover Elementary School. Both schools have been awarded high honors for their academic achievements and are well-received by the local community. For local commuters, a bus line treks through both West Charleston Road and El Camino Real every so often. Also, the neighborhood is about equidistant to US Route 101 and Highway 280. There are also a couple neighborhood eateries that line the busy El Camino Real, the central commercial strip of Palo Alto. But again, nothing too glamorous.

Framed by East Charleston Road, Middlefield Road and San Antonio Road, Charleston Gardens is a small, flat and modest residential space in the heart of Palo Alto. There’s not much to know about this community, except for its middle-class roots which include an old residential aesthetic with wide, orderly roads and underwhelming homes. It is, however, convenient to a lot of things, including US Route 101, Costco and the many schools that make up the Palo Alto Unified School District.

Charleston Gardens is an all residential neighborhood fitted within three residential streets. In fact, its one of the smallest neighborhoods (if you can even call it that) in all of Palo Alto. While the community can be a bit off-putting for some (as if it was still stuck in the 1950’s), most homes are small and try to retain the character and charm of its mid-century past. But as a result, many of these homes can require an enormous amount of maintenance and upkeep. Properties are nothing glamorous too. There can be a bit of a raggedy feel for some, but most lots have manicured lawns and keep their spaces tidy. For numbers sake, the typical house listing is within the $900,000 to $1.5 million range while median prices for a condominium are a reasonable $700,000.

Charleston Gardens’ most desirable characteristic lies within its public school system--the Palo Alto Unified School District. The school system holds a top-tier educational program for its young families and has been routinely recognized as one of the best along the San Francisco peninsula. These schools include Herbert Hoover Elementary School, Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Gunn High School. And with the University of Stanford just up the way, its no wonder these schools maintain such high academic esteem. For commuters, the district is convenient to local transportation as bus routes run through Middlefield Road and East Charleston Road. Elsewhere there is a small shopping plaza that lies adjacent to the neighborhood’s limits. The small neighborhood plaza includes an ice cream shack, a small market, a hair salon and a coffee shop.

There’s nothing too interesting about Barron Park. For the most part, it’s your typical run-of-the-mill, middle-class community with old-fashioned residential accommodations and not much else. Geographically speaking, the district stretches about 0.75 square miles of fairly dense residential terrain. But this is to be expected with the neighborhood situated along El Camino Real, the main commercial zone of Palo Alto. And with its convenience to popular job hubs of San Jose and Mountain View, the area has garnered attention from young professionals looking to upstart their career.

If you’re just passing through, Barron Park’s residential aesthetics are somewhat dull and unappealing. Residences are mostly single story residences with shallow front yards and mildly charming house fronts. Most homes were built during the mid 20th century and still maintain an old-fashioned (somewhat outdated) aesthetic. However, newer, more attractive starter homes and/or remodeled houses have been popping up in the neighborhood in recent years combatting that traditional look that has plagued the area for so long. For parking, properties usually accommodate two-car garages and enough driveway space to hold two more cars. And lots are usually well-maintained, with small front lawns and bushy common areas. For the perspective resident, median house prices are estimated at around $1.2 million, but can sell for as high as $2.8 million. Those who can afford it typically rake in an annual household income of $115,000.

Barron Park offers a more rural way of life compared to most Palo Alto communities. While its proximity to Stanford University does provide a wealth of fun activities, the district maintains a pretty quiet and calm sense of lifestyle. For young families, Barron Park is within walking distance to all four local public schools, especially with the re-opening of Terron Middle School in 2006. For older students, the Henry M. Gunn High School skirts the southern border and has gained some positive notoriety with the local community.

Formerly the grounds of the Tobin Clark Family Estate, this district is an affluent, well-connected neighborhood located within the southern reaches of the Hillsborough community. To be blunt, it is close to everything, from Aragon High School, to the College of San Mateo to the Peninsula Golf Course and Country Club. And it also consists of large homes and quaint residential terrain. Geographically speaking, the area stretches about 0.75 square miles of very scare residential terrain. In fact, the total population barely exceeds 1,000 residents (split evenly between white and asian backgrounds).

Although next to nearly everything you need, Tobin Clark Estate is an exclusively residential neighborhood. Homes are pretty enormous, typically offering somewhere around 4,500 square feet of living area which usually includes 10+ rooms. Most of these homes were built after the 1970’s, the approximate time when the Tobin Clark Estate was broken up into segments and sold as separate properties. As a result, the district’s homes are a bit newer than the typically Hillsborough community. Some of these homes were built along the hillside, affording beautiful views of the woodsy canyons down below. Others just have that well-to-do country charm that Hillsborough is candidly known for. As for perspective residents, homes tend to follow one specific rule: if it looks newer, chances are its bigger and more expensive. Median house prices are estimated at around $1.7 million, but its not uncommon for homes to sell for as much as $5 million. Furthermore, the typical household rakes in a wealthy $200,000/year.

Tobin Clark Estate is one of the most well-connected Hillsborough communities. I say this because the US Route 92‘s on-ramp is situated within a block away and runs north and south. The highway connects residents to the more frequented Highway 280 and US Route 101. Also, Downtown San Mateo is also within reach and provides all your shopping and dining needs. For young families, both Aragon High School and College of San Mateo skirt the neighborhood’s borders. The latter of which is a 2-year community college that serves San Mateo County residents. And finally, Peninsula Golf Course and Country Club is within the district’s limits and is a traditional, family-oriented, full-service club with a handful of tennis courts.

Situated in the southern reaches of Hillsborough, Skyfarm is an affluent, family-friendly neighborhood that just has that ritzy, secluded feeling about it. It might be because of the quiet/orderly streets, large/elegant homes or maybe the enormous properties. It might also be because of the manicured communal spaces with lush green rolling hills and scattered woodlands. Either way, perspective residents will be glad they visited. For numbers sake, the neighborhood measures about 1.3 square miles with a very sparse population (1,300), which can make for a certain level of neighborly disconnect.

Framed by Highway 280, Chateau Drive and the Burlingame Country Club, Skyfarm is a hilly and exclusively residential neighborhood. It consists of about a dozen long, country lanes coursing through a fairly leafy topography. Skyfarm’s residential real-estate is relatively new, usually dating back no later than the 1970’s. And more often than not, these older, more modest-looking homes have been replaced by neo-traditional Tudors or Mediterraneans. There have also been a couple mansion-sized homes popping up in recent years with a much more modern appeal. These residences usually include relatively complex and elaborate front yards with large grass areas, bushy trees, and/or small gardens. Driveways usually run deep into properties, sometimes inclining or declining into house fronts from the hilly geography.

The typical resident is a wealthy white or asian (split 50/50) resident with a household income of about $190,000. He or she might have overpaid for his house, considering most residences sell between $3 million to $5 million. But many aren’t just paying for the house and property. They’re paying for the thriving Hillsborough way of life, which might consist of a country club membership and a close location equidistant to Highway 280 and Downtown Burlingame. Also, the Nueva School is within the district’s bounds and has been gaining significant popularity among the local community.

Located within lower Hillsborough, Ryan Tract is a high-end, firmly upper-class community with grand estates and massive properties. It is, however, a very small district, stretching about 0.3 square miles of sparse residential terrain. The area is also within close proximity to both Downtown Burlingame and El Camino Real, making it one of the most desirable neighborhoods of Hillsborough. And demographically speaking, the racial makeup of Ryan Tract is predominately white (about 75%), with a pretty sizable asian minority (20%).

Ryan Tract’s residential aesthetics come with everything you would want in a neighborhood. For starters, the district has plenty of house styles to choose from. In the 1950’s, the first California-style homes were being built just as the community itself was in development. Many of these homes still exist today, although many have been upgraded or added onto. In the years that follow, there have been waves of redevelopment, which include a number of 1970 and 1980 neo-traditional homes that come with a larger price tag. These larger, more luxurious homes are concentrated towards the center of the neighborhood (and closer to the country club). For the perspective resident, homes can run you up to $7 million, although the average listing price is just above $2 million. But I would suggest emptying your bank account for such luxurious accommodations.

Not only are homes eloquent in design, but so is just about the rest of Ryan Tract. As a whole, the neighborhood is pretty flat, with fairly leafy and lush residential quarters. The district also turns into a more woodsy neighborhood towards the westerly limits. Homes are usually situated on large, estate-like properties and sometimes protected by metal gates or thick walls. They tend to yield big grassy yards, elaborate gardens and driveways that run deep into lots.

If you’re looking into purchasing one of these luxury homes, I suggest you save up or have a well-paying job. The typical resident rakes in an annual income of $200,000, just above the city’s average. But it could be worth it considering you’ll be living the blissful country club life. In fact, the neighborhood itself curls around the prestigious Burlingame Country Club. The private club is ranked one of the top country clubs along the San Francisco peninsula. Also, you’ll be interested to know that you are minutes away from the San Francisco Bay and both Caltrain stations (Broadway and Burlingame). I don’t see it getting much better than this.

Although a somewhat affluent neighborhood, Parrot Drive Area doesn’t include much. It is situated right off Chrystal Springs Road and encompasses about 0.4 square miles of sparse residential terrain. In fact, it is one of the least populated neighborhoods in Hillsborough, with just under 500 residents calling Parrott Drive Area home. And demographically speaking, the community is largely of a white background (over 70%), with a somewhat sizable asian minority.

Parrott Drive Area is a pretty reclusive and exclusively residential neighborhood within the deep confines of the Hillsborough rolling hills. Homes are mixed between one and two stories, but maintain that mild luxury appeal. They are mostly in the style of 1950’s California ranch homes and Mission revivals, but vary in age (from 1940-1980). Houses also can afford about 9+ rooms of interior living space which calculates between 3,000-4,000 square feet. According to the 2010 US Census, median house values are upwards of $1.6 million, making them somewhat affordable as compared to other Hillsborough communities. Those that live within its quarters typically rake in about a $185,000 annual salary.

Aesthetically speaking, Parrott Drive Area sits on a pretty high elevation with some homes affording views of the rolling valleys that make up most of Hillsborough. If you drive along the few country lanes that the community actually has, you’ll find some expansive spaces of green foliage and brush land. But within the few pockets, you can find the sizable, gated-off properties (with beautiful landscaping) that the community actually consists of. As for its location, the district resides within close proximity to both Downtown San Mateo and the College of San Mateo.

Although a model of luxury, Lakeview is a somewhat inexpensive Hillsborough option fit for the bargain home buyer. In fact, it is the only Hillsborough neighborhood with sub-2 million dollar homes, while still maintaining that (Hillsborough) charm and strong community cohesion. For perspective residents, the area is saturated with narrow lanes that gently curve around the bushy, but well-balanced landscape and end in abrupt cul-de-sacs. They lay ground to beautiful homes fit for the upper middle to upper-class. And although somewhat secluded, its closest commercial real-estate is just a 10-minute drive from Downtown San Mateo.

Lakeview’s residential aesthetic is almost unsurpassable. If you drive around the area, you’ll come across a wide variety of homes that were built within a 60 year span dating back from 1950. In fact, the neighborhood’s most influential development happened during the 1950’s, when California ranch homes (long, single story homes stretching along the roadside) were becoming a staple among San Francisco peninsula communities. As time passed, the next couple waves of development were dominated by neo-traditional, two-story homes. These residences tend to expand as much as 3,000-4,000 square feet of living space, with as much as four to five bedrooms apiece. Homes were (and still are) situated on large, hilly lots that afford canyon views of the far-reaching San Francisco Bay. And many have been upgraded (especially along Joyce Road) in recent years, with beautiful front yards setting aside room for small gardens, large lawn spaces or half circle driveways.

While nestled along Highway 280, Lakeview is one of the more convenient commuter options among Hillsborough communities. It is also within minutes of the College of San Mateo, a 2-year community college that serves San Mateo County residents. For recreation, the district is also within a short walk to the Crystal Springs Reservoir, commonly known for its isolated escape from the busy hustle and tussle of suburban life. The large forestland and lake offer beautiful green scenery and tough hiking trails. Also, the Baywood Park Tennis Courts, situated along Joyce Road, are a couple well-kept tennis courts for local community use.

Situated west of San Mateo Park, Homeplace is an elegant community with a diverse housing stock and classy residential aesthetics. The neighborhood spans about 0.6 square miles of leafy hillside terrain with a very sparse population (just under 900). As a result, residences can be few and far between, either because houses and properties are enormous or because the community’s dense green foliage. In any respect though, it is a quiet community space that is very rarely visited by the general public.

Homeplace is an affluent and exclusively residential neighborhood set in one of the nicest district’s around--Hillsborough. Homes are gorgeous with great, and usually trendy, house fronts. They tend to be of the 1950’s ranch home variety owning the same shape and style as it was when it was built. But for those with deeper pockets, you can find some grand, pre-war estates in the style of Tudors and Cheateaus that dot the area. These newer homes, which have been built within the past decade, rival the more traditional homes, affording 6,000 square feet of interior living space and four to five bedrooms. So I’m sure you’ll have enough room for all your house guests. Also, these residences tend to be situated on large, sometimes multi-acre estate-like properties. And although divergent in style and shape, properties have many similarities including large driveways with two and sometimes three-car garages (with nice, luxurious cars parked outside). They also lay ground to perfectly landscaped gardens with vines lapping over fences as if intentionally arranged that way.

According to the 2010 US Census, the demographic of Homeplace is largely white. Its average household income is above $230,000/year while homes can vary from $2 million to as much as $8 million. For young families, Crocker Middle School sits along Chateau Drive and is considered one of the best of the best by the local community. Elsewhere, Burlingame Country Club straddles the northern border and is one of the most luxurious country clubs in the San Francisco peninsula. The community is also equidistant to El Camino Real (downtown San Mateo) and Highway 280, which makes for convenient shopping/dining and commuter friendly territory.

Burrowed deep into Hillsborough’s woodlands, Hillsborough Park is a neighborhood set aside for the rich and upper-class. Most of us 99%, maybe 98%, only dream of living within this community. But for those who can afford it, you’d be living in luxury. It has everything from multi-million dollar homes to gated and roughly secluded properties. As a whole, the district spans about 0.7 square miles of leafy residential terrain. And according to the 2010 US Census, the population is relatively sparse, circling around 1,000. Demographically speaking, the community is largely white with a somewhat sizable asian minority.

If you drive into Hillsborough Park’s residential space, you’ll get a glimpse of a quiet, blissful existence. Homes tend to vary in size and shape. There are a collection of 1920 and 1930 Tudors and Mediterranean-style residences that make up the foundation of the community. These are considered more modest looking homes, as compared to other Hillsborough homes. But in the last 25 years, newer developments (that reflect more modern times) have been popping up in every nook and cranny of Hillsborough Park. As a result, these chic homes have drastically ascended the local real-estate market. But either or, residences grant about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of interior living space and lots that stretch up to one square acre. And as you might expect, residential listings are few and far between. Of those that do make it to market, expect house values to be in the vicinity of $2-3 million dollars.

Hillsborough Park’s communal residential space is one of the nicer things about the neighborhood. The community is very sparse, with homes sometimes separated by acres. Properties are usually protected by attractive metal gates, white picket fences or walls patterned by vines as if it was intentional. They lay ground to narrow streets winding through the bushy terrain. It is also nestled along Crystal Springs Road which makes for a secluded area, but also has the convenient connectivity to both Highway 280 and downtown San Mateo. And for recreation, Vista Park has undergone a facelift in the past couple years and offers a fresh grown youth baseball field, a playground and newly constructed picnic areas.

Hillsborough Oaks is an elite, rarely visited community fairly protected from the outside world. Its aesthetic inventory consists of graceful neighborhood quarters, small estates, polished house fronts and thick green foliage overhanging long residential lanes. It is also a relatively small community, only spanning about 0.4 square miles with a sparse population totaling 800. Demographically speaking, the community is overwhelmingly white (about 80%), with a mixed race minority population.

Although exclusively residential, Hillsborough Oaks has everything you want in a community. For starters, perspective residents have a variety of homes to choose from, all built within different decades (1930-1980). There are a cluster of elaborate English Country homes and Spanish-style villas that are sort of atypical of other Hillsborough communities. Also, you can find your fair share of pre-war homes which tend to sell lower than the city’s pricey median average. The typical resident has enough space for up to 5 bedrooms, (ranging from 3,000 to 4,000) which can nicely accommodate a large family and maybe a couple more house guests. But if you’re looking to live here, median house listings are typically around the $2 million dollar range while its priciest house can rise to $7 million. I hope you can afford it.

Aesthetically speaking, lots tend to offer crisp landscaping with sizable front lawns/little gardens and driveways that run deep into properties. These large lots are, however, hidden from the general public, whether that be behind bushy trees or protected by large walls and tasteful steel fencing. And you also won’t hear much from your neighbors. Homes can be separated by thick foliage and large stretches of woodsy terrain, but scan still maintain that ritzy aesthetic charm.

Although you might not think there’s much to do in Hillsborough Oaks, you have more than enough at your disposal. First, the prestigious Burlingame Country Club is just up the road from its community quarters. Although pricey, many residents can afford its $50,000 initiation fee because they themselves rake in a median household income of $200,000/year. Also, the neighborhood is within walking distance to both El Camino Real and the Burlingame Broadway Downtown district. Both of which grant you easy access to great shopping, dining and entertainment.

Huddled deep within the Hillsborough savannah countryside Hillsborough Knolls is a secluded, safe and incredibly affluent neighborhood. It is, however, very small and only stretches about 4 or 5 long, leafy blocks (spanning about 0.4 square miles) ending in abrupt, but attractive cul-de-sacs. As for the housing inventory, the district is saturated with enormous dream homes with spacious 10+ rooms of interior living space. It’s easily enough to get your mouth watering. And demographically speaking, the community is very sparse and populated by a large number of white residents (over 80%).

Like many Hillsborough communities, Hillsborough Knolls is steadily fixed in the upper limits of high society. The perspective resident has an assorted mix of both old and new homes, not to mention style (Tudors to Mediterraneans to California Mission designs). Some are of the long, 1950‘s, one-story ranch home kind while others are a bit more modern, affording a more neo-traditional, two-story aesthetic. Of these older homes, many have gone under reconstruction to keep up with the graceful/luxurious Hillsborough theme.

The common household has plenty of living space (3,000 to 4,000 sq ft) with enough room to accommodate 3 to 5 bedrooms. Homes are usually situated on small estate properties, sometimes spanning as much as an acre. These properties are usually very secluded, and can be separated by large stretches of dense greenery. It could be said that you can get lost in the many majestic oak and redwood trees that saturate the in-between spaces as well as hide homes from plain view. Hillsborough Knolls is also relatively flat, but turns hilly towards the west end. As a result, many of these hillside homes afford views of the beautiful Hillsborough countryside.

The typical resident is extremely wealthy. In fact, median household incomes are well over $200,000/year. They might need that dough considering most homes circle around $2 million, while others can sell for as steep as $5 million. For resident’s amusement, the pricey Burlingame Country Club is just down the road from Hillsborough Knolls’ limits. And although very secluded, Highway 280 is within minutes of the neighborhood. The freeway plays a convenient and crucial roll in many residents’ commuting options.

Hillsborough Hills is a somewhat secluded, ultra-wealthy community nestled deep into Hillsborough’s bushy savannah grasslands. It is in fact one of the smallest neighborhoods within the city consisting of about a half dozen long, winding roads. And as you might expect, the community is very sparse, with a total population of just around 1,300. Also, its demographic is largely white, but still maintains a somewhat sizable asian population. If you drive through the district, the area is saturated with some grand homes, widespread greenery and neatly trimmed landscaping (which tends to be a staple among Hillsborough communities).

There are a wide range of housing options that vary in size and shape for the perspective resident. Some residences are considered sprawling single-story, 1950’s California ranch homes that sit on long properties. But many have added onto and/or rebuilt to make for much pricier homes. These residences usually yield enough space for half circle driveways and beautifully landscaped front yards. Those who can afford it typically rake in a whopping $165,000/year.

For those with deeper pockets, there are some more modern looking luxury homes dotting the neighborhood. These residences usually have 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of living space, not to mention its attached two to-three car garages. If you’re lucky enough, some driveways climb the hillside and venture up to properties that afford views of the San Francisco Bay. For numbers sake, median house values are upwards of $3 million, which pits it right in the middle of Hillsborough residences.

Geographically speaking, Hillsborough Hills is a skinny, winding strip of land nestled up against Highway 280. As a result, the district makes for convenient commuting up and down the San Francisco peninsula. For recreation, the vast San Francisco State Fish and Game Refuge (which includes Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir) is just on the other side of the freeway. The area is a great woodsy terrain with stretches of large, majestic oak and redwood trees making it perfect for the hiker in you.

Burrowed deep into the Hillsborough countryside, Hillsborough Heights is an affluent, exclusively residential and heavily shaded neighborhood. It spans about 0.6 square miles of leafy residential terrain and often hidden properties. And one of the district’s biggest perks is its proximity to both Downtown Burlingame and Downtown San Mateo, which make for convenient shopping and entertainment. The district also has access to Hillsborough’s public school systems which continually ranks among the best in California. Demographically speaking, the community is predominately white (over 80%) with a total population approaching 2,000.

Hillborough Heights’ residential terrain is a ritzy, upper-class community sharing the same tree-lined, bushy residential aesthetic that so many Hillsborough neighborhoods often do. For the perspective resident, homes are mixed between one and two stories and vary drastically in style. Some homes predate World War II and include such styles as Mediterranean, Tudor, French and Beaux Arts. Others have been a bit more modernized, either having been replaced, remodeled or built onto. These homes usually offer 9+ rooms (which usually accumulate to 4,000 square feet) of living space. And even better yet, residences are often plotted on some rather large properties (usually gated off) with beautifully manicured front yards with plenty of driveway parking. Listing prices for these luxury homes are tabbed between $2 to $4 million, well above each city’s neighboring quarters. And those that live within the neighborhood rake in an affluent $130,000/year.

For an escape, Hillsborough Heights is within walking distance to the pricey Burlingame Country Club. The area is outfitted with a beautiful 18-hole golf course, driving range, tennis courts, swimming pool and a lodge to host any of your assorted parties. And although public transportation is a bit limited within community, bus stops line El Camino Real while the San Mateo Caltrain is just a couple minutes away.

If you’re living in Country Club Manor, you’re living in the land of luxury. The community is a quiet and enormously affluent Hillsborough neighborhood saturated with long, single story homes and new, bulky two-story homes. The area spans about 0.7 square miles, most of which is taken up by the Burlingame Country Club, (which serves as the district’s epicenter) and green, leafy communal spaces. As a result, only a few residential streets are inhabited, making for a total population of just under 600. Demographically speaking, the district is a largely white population with a pretty sizable asian minority.

For the perspective resident, most homes were built in the mid 20th century with a mix between traditional, California ranch homes and larger, post modern homes. In fact, many older homes have been revamped or added on to in recent years, constructing beautiful house fronts and 9+ rooms of living space (or 4,000-to 5,000 square feet). These residences are usually situated on enormous properties with well-manicured lawns which are sometimes hidden beneath the woodsy terrain. For numbers sake, average house values upwards of $2 million, while median household incomes are a whopping $215,000/year.

If you’re looking for recreation, the Burlingame Country Club is the place to be. The private association offers a fantastic 18-hole golf course, a driving range, a handful of tennis courts and a great swimming pool for young families. But don’t get too excited. Last I checked, the initiation fee is a steep $50,000, while the monthly rate is a whopping $800 per month. Elsewhere, the neighborhood is convenient to North Elementary School, which so happens to be one of Hillsborough’s three acclaimed school programs.

Situated along the southwestern fringe of Hillsborough, Carolands is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the area. As a result, the median resident’s age is around 47 and has a deep bank account. For those looking to become such, you have quite a variety of homes to choose from. There is everything from more traditional, mid-20th century homes, to a fewer new and larger homes (that share little of its old-style theme) that have popped up in recent years. But both share one crucial characteristic...money. And these residences are separated by leafy, communal spaces and long, thin country roads curving around the landscape, which makes for a relatively sparse community population.

If you trek through the district, you’ll find it to be a very polished Hillsborough neighborhood. The district is outfitted with older, more traditional ranch style homes saturating the area. But many of these original homes have been upgraded and expanded since their development in the 1950 and 60’s. Properties also vary in size and shape. There are some large, usually of the half-acre type and offer well-groomed front yards and half circle driveways. They are usually either hidden beneath the tree-line or protected by elegant metal fencing. Older homes, however, have some bushy properties which tend to overcrowd front yards, but still have some quaint house fronts. These house values in Carolands deviate drastically in price. Some homes come in just under $2 million while others are priced up to eight figures.

As you might expect from this wealthy community, its school system is of the highest caliber. West Elementary School, which is situated within walking distance, has scored a 9-out-of-10 on greatschools.net. Elsewhere, Burlingame Country Club skirts the northern edge and provides all the essentials a private, high-class country club should have. The district is also situated relatively close to Highway 280, which makes for a convenient commuter option.

Brewer Subdivision is a mix between affluent seclusion and commercial convenience. The neighborhood is situated within the rich, rolling hills of Hillsborough, but still the closest to downtown San Mateo and the many restaurants and shops that clump along El Camino Real. The area has everything from a top notch school system, to substantial properties, and from leafy sidewalks, to recently paved roads that curl off into the distance. In fact, it is situated just off the long, windy road of Crystal Springs Road and of which is made up of less than a dozen neighborhood streets.

Formerly mid-century California ranch-style homes, Brewer Subdivision residences have gone under a drastic facelift in the past 50 years. Most homes are beautiful two-story dream homes with leafy and private estate-like properties with plenty of room for a garden or front lawn (and usually perfectly landscaped). Moreover, its a community with luxury cars in the driveway and maybe a private tennis court in the backyard. And they can be sometimes obscured from view by the bushy residential aesthetics that fill the neighborhood. For the perspective resident, house values can be enormously steep. The average house listings vary between $2 to 3 million in price, which is somewhat normal to the many other Hillsborough residents.

For young families, Brewer Subdivision has a great public school system. It is the Crystal Springs School system that serves as the centerpiece of the exclusive Crystal Springs Upland School System. And the South Elementary School is just off the community’s borderlines, but is just one of the Hillsborough’s three acclaimed public elementary schools. And you’ll be glad to know that, Mills-Peninsula Health Services and the San Mateo Caltrain are both just a couple blocks east of the neighborhood’s limits.

Western Hills is an affluent, exclusively residential and highly leafy neighborhood set within the vast savannah grasslands that saturate the city of Belmont. The community’s aesthetic inventory comes with old, but still charming house fronts, rolling hills, orderly streets and modest, bushy communal spaces. It is a pretty spacious community stretching from Ralston Avenue to Club Drive and spans about 1.2 square miles. Demographically speaking, the total population (about 4,000) is a largely white community with a small asian and hispanic minority.

Most homes are rather old, built between the 1960 and 1970’s, and mixed between one and two-story homes. If you visit the area, you’ll find an abundance of nice, country style manors saturating the neighborhood, some coming complete with attached three-car garages. And since public transportation is virtually non-existent, people’s luxury cars parked in their driveways will just have to suffice. But with such expenses, these residents can easily afford it since median household incomes are estimated at $95,000 (just on par with the city’s average). And its nice to have some deep pockets, considering average estimated house values are upwards of $1.2 million. For renters, there are some older condominiums lining Continentals Way and Carlmont Drive with some beautiful landscaping surrounding each residence. Market prices for these rentals are circling around $1,300/month.

Western Hills is also a very secluded neighborhood, to which crime is of little concern. This makes it easy on young families because Fox Elementary School (a very reputable institution) skirts the western edge of the neighborhood. For recreation, Water Dog Lake is situated within the heart of the community. The grasslands comes with a couple woodsy hiking trails and ridges overlooking the small, serene lake. And while the area is a bit isolated, it is within minutes of the Highway 280/US Route 92 junction which connects commuters in all directions.

Sterling Downs is a flat, modest looking neighborhood cornered at the northeastern side of Belmont, California. The district is mostly overrun with a couple rag-tag blocks of adequate residences, bushy communal spaces and unremarkable residential aesthetics. The area is, however, a bit more affordable than other communities that lie in the heart of the city and within minutes of the San Francisco Bay. And, there is Belmont Plaza, a small shopping area on the other side of El Camino Real which offers the basic commercial needs. The community also has a somewhat dense population circling around 4,000 within an area spanning 0.5 square miles. Of that, there is a large white demographic with a somewhat sizable asian and hispanic minority.

Sterling Downs’s residential quarters are a bit too bland and old to really garner enough attention. For one, the community is saturated with early 1950 rancher homes with a couple eye sores dotting the area. Properties are a bit too squarish with shallow, but relatively well-maintained front yards. They yield enough space for a two-car garage, two cars in the driveway and plenty of street parking. As for the price, most homes usually sell between $500,000 to $750,000, a bit lower than the average Belmont community. Also, rents are upwards of $1,300/month (some nice-looking apartment buildings lining Old County Road) while median household incomes are estimated at $80,000.

If you travel along Old County Road, you’ll hit a bland commercial space that includes a couple automotive repair depots and ugly, unmarked warehouses....nothing too spectacular. For commuters, Sterling Downs is huddled between US Route 101 and El Camino Real, both of which are convenient to travel up and down the San Francisco peninsula. Elsewhere, the Belmont Caltrain station anchors the southern edge of the community. And for young families, children will most likely attend--in order--Nesbit Elementary School, Ralston middle School and Carlmont High School, the latter two have garnered a 9-out-of-10 on greatschools.net.

Although a somewhat boring residential aesthetic, Plateau Skymont is a Belmont community that offers a spectrum of middle-class housing. It almost reminds you of an older community with its bushy communal spaces and archaic 1950’s ranch homes. Geographically speaking, the district settles on the rolling savannah grasslands where many parts of the community have views of the grassy valleys below. It is also exclusively residential and made up of about a dozen long, country roads that fit between Ralston Avenue and US Route 92.

For the perspective resident, there is a wide range of house sizes--both one and two-stories. Most of these homes are rather old and relatively boxy in shape, fitting in with the same theme of most Belmont communities. Some are larger, two-story homes with charming house fronts while others have a boxy and sometimes antique-ish house fronts that can turn you off if you’re a young homebuyer. Properties vary in many ways. Some afford shallow front yards with mundane house fronts while others are situated on a bit of an incline or cling to the hillside. Of the latter, it can make a landscaping a bit more difficult/unpopular and, as a result, have cluttered bushes saturating the area.

While somewhat secluded, Plateau Skymont is still well-connected to the community with US Route 92 skirting its western border. For recreation, Laurelwood Park straddles the northern edge of the neighborhood. It is a very peaceful and secluded spot that has undergone a face-lift in the last couple years with its new playground and handful of picnic tables. For young families, Fox Elementary School lies within the southern boundaries of the district. The small institution has garnered a 4-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org.

McDougla is a somewhat traditional and all-too-ordinary residential community within the leafy quarters of Belmont, California. The neighborhood rests on a couple steep rolling hills that encapsulates much of the neighboring districts and spans about 0.7 square miles of middle-class terrain. Its total population is approaching 2,000, most of which are of white decent (over 75%). Aesthetically speaking, homes can be a bit old and plain-looking, but offer some very quaint and comfortable communal spaces.

Mcdougal’s is an almost exclusively residential neighborhood wedged between El Camino Real and Alameda De Las Pulgas. It tends to have a very friendly suburban feel to it. For one, homes can have some nice, charming house fronts that yield to long, orderly roads. Properties are usually petite and well kept with the occasional primped bushes sometimes cluttering front yards. And if you’re lucky enough, some hillside homes have beautiful views of the distant countryside (suburban-land). But those who can afford it are typically raking in an annual salary of $100,000.

McDougal reminds you of an old and probably boring community. For your shopping needs, locals head towards the busy intersection of Ralston Avenue and Alameda De Las Pulgas. The area offers a Safeway, a smaller food market and a couple neighborhoods restaurants, but that’s about it. Elsewhere, Belmont and San Carlos Caltrain stations are within minutes of the neighborhood’s limits while the US Route 101 onramp is just a couple blocks away.

The area also encompasses Notre Dame de Namur University, an independent Catholic institution. It is, however, so small that many people compare it to a high school culture with its small campus and few students. Also, Tierra Linda Middle School lies within the neighborhood’s limits. It’s a bland, uninteresting, but still above average educational institution that has gained the respect of the local community.

While not known for much, Homeview is a bland, relatively uninteresting Belmont community. Its flat and very skinny slice of land lies between El Camino Real and US Route 101. In fact, the neighborhood’s quarters only spans about 0.2 square miles with a total population less than 400. But the district is a lot more affordable than other such Belmont communities and offers a top notch school system in Ralston Middle School and Carlmont High School. Demographically speaking, it is a largely white community with a small hispanic and asian minority.

For the perspective resident, the community is relatively safe with some modest and some surprisingly attractive residential aesthetics. Homes are fairly small (one-story in size) and typically in the style of some early 1950’s ranchers. They are usually situated on block-like properties and squeezed tightly along the roadside. As a result, front yards are pretty shallow, but can afford a well-groomed front yard with a single car garage. And there have been a couple new and/or remodeled homes popping up in the last couple years. On average, homes tend to circle around $650,000, which is a drastic drop from the city’s median house price. Moreover, most residents rake in around $90,000/year to afford such accommodations. If you’re looking to rent, you’ll pay upwards of $1,300/month, but you’ll only be paying for a couple eye sore apartment complexes that line Old County Road.

For your commercial needs, you might have to look elsewhere than the district’s main commercial hub that runs along Ralston Avenue. This shopping zone only affords dilapidated options with a few restaurants, coffee shops and anonymous outlets. However, the US 101 is very convenient while Belmont Caltrain anchors the western corner of the neighborhood. Both transit options are great for long distance commuters traveling down to San Jose or up to San Francisco.

Part of Belmont, Farallon is both a small commercial neighborhood and an eclectic mix of middle-class communities. For the resident, the district is split between two very different housing areas: one of older and less-glamorous aesthetics while the other is of newly-constructed housing complexes. Geographically speaking, the area is a skinny strip of land that follows US Route 101’s eastern side and is within the vast canals and slough system that makes up other bayside communities. It is also made up of a very sparse community (total population of 300) with the demographic split evenly between white and asian residents.

While firmly gripped in the middle-class, Farallon’s residential quarters are concentrated within the small, northern tip of the neighborhood. And this is split into two distinct sections. One area is saturated with old, relatively boxy and not-too-glamorous homes with mildly attractive properties, while the other is made up of finely tuned (although tightly-packed) and newly-built housing complex clustered around Clipper Drive. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but the latter of which I would recommend. These modern-looking apartment buildings come with charming, two-story house fronts (but little garage space) and a more modernistic living experience. According to the 2010 US Census, typical housing prices are anywhere from $700,000 to $1 million. Moreover, the average resident rakes in an unexpected $100,000/year.

Farallon isn’t much of a traditional neighborhood. The district has everything from a Mercedes Dealership to a beautiful Hyatt Suites hotel to a large sports facility. The Hyatt Suites lodge is a well-groomed hotel with a scenic pond in front and usually hosts businessmen and women from the adjacent Oracle headquarters. Also, the Belmont Sports Complex, situated along Island Parkway, offers a couple baseball diamonds, stadium seating and batting cages, all of which fall under stadium lighting. And for commuters, US Route 101 and the Belmont Caltrain are within minutes of the district and both connect residents up and down the San Francisco peninsula.

Central is an affluent, upper middle-class (Belmont) community conveniently nestled between Highway 280, US Route 101 and El Camino Real. The neighborhood spans about 1.3 square miles of leafy residential terrain with just over 7,000 residents living within its limits. Homes vary drastically in shape and style, which can make it hard to singularly define the district’s living quarters. And if you head towards the eastern edge, you’ll hit an uninteresting commercial strip along El Camino Real. Demographically speaking, the district is largely white (about 75%), while the small minority is mixed between asian and hispanic residents.

For the perspective resident, homes are rather old (built within the 1950‘s and 1960‘s) and mixed between one and two-stories. They tend to sit on somewhat atypical properties, with some homes clinging to the hillside while others untraditional gardens and other bushy aesthetics. One thing to note is that nicer homes are clumped around the southern end of the neighborhood. And if you’re driving around the neighborhood, you’ll notice the thick trees hanging over the long, winding country roads. According to the 2010 US Census, the the bulk of house prices are between $500,000 to $750,000. Moreover, estimated median household incomes are around $105,000/year.

Although somewhat desolate, Central does have its own commercial strip that’s situated along El Camino Real. Here you can find some random shopping real-estate which includes a storage facility, hardware store, a couple fast food chains and a couple small, bland shopping plazas that host your usual neighborhood outlets and boutique shops. And for commuters, both Belmont and Hillsdale Caltrain are convenient options for traveling up and down the San Francisco peninsula.

The Belmont neighborhood is the heart of the city (which so happens to be called Belmont). The district is a well-polished, predominately white community that is rarely visited by the outside community. It is also a skinny strip of exclusively residential land that boasts a somewhat quaint and yet bushy suburban aesthetics. However, the neighborhood is somewhat disconnected from any commercial real-estate, hindering any sense of close dining or entertainment.

If you’re looking into moving here, you won’t be disappointed. Belmont’s homes are usually perfect upper middle-class residences that tend to be plotted on somewhat sizable properties. They grant charming house fronts, nicely manicured front lawns and attached two-car garages. Properties are usually situated on a bit of an incline with orderly roads climbing some moderately steep hills. For numbers sake, the median house values are just below $1 million, while residents here rake in around $100,000/year. Also, there is a communal living space/apartment housing complex situated along Saint James Road. The commons are all of the same style and shape (dark brown with garage space), which offer a cheaper option, but less seclusion.

Like many San Mateo County cities, Belmont is a very reclusive neighborhood. The district hugs the rolling savannah grasslands to the west that incorporate Highway 280, which make it a far drive from any commercial quarters. The district is also nestled next to Water Dog Lake, a small body of water that offers a plethora of walking trails (for your dog) and bike paths. Elsewhere, the Fox Elementary School is squeezed between Ralston Avenue and the vast easterly grasslands and has garnered a 4-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org.

College isn’t really known for much. Its middle to upper middle-class community quarters can be appealing for some, while others think its rather dreary isolation make it the model of suburban anonymity. Aesthetically speaking, the neighborhood is somewhat leafy with houses hidden by the bushy landscape and roads swerving around throngs of oak trees. The district is also exclusively residential, which can make for a long drive into downtown Redwood City for of your shopping needs. But its one big plus is that the district grants quick access to Highway 280, a perfect sacrifice for long distance commuters.

There is nothing too exciting about the neighborhood of College. For one, the district is a fairly isolated. It sits along the vast rolling savannah grasslands that tend to dominate the northern limits of Emerald Lake Hills. As a result, homes are situated on a number of different inclines with all different variations of style and size. Properties are, however, pretty sizable while nicer, more luxurious residences are situated closer to Edgewood Road. Many of these homes are priced above $1 million. But if you trek towards the southern end of the neighborhood, you can have your pick of cheaper, but more drab, suburban homes with only mildly aesthetic street side landscaping.

For the outdoorsy type, the district is patly within the vast natural preserves that hug Highway 280. Its closest natural preserve is that of Edwood County Park. Some see it as a wonderful hiking and site seeing spot, while others see it as a deserted grassland that you were only forced to visit as part of a class field trip. In any case, the grassland is readily accessible to the local community.

Woodside Hills is a wealthy, well-connected neighborhood located in the shallow foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is for the truly rich, mostly upper middle to upper-class residents who love the great outdoors and the open ranch lands that it comes with. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood is fitted between Woodside Road and Highway 280, the latter of which gives residents a quick and convenient commuting option up and down the San Francisco peninsula. Moreover, the neighborhood is close enough to the busy goings-on of Stanford University, but still far enough to keep its peaceful residential bubble intact.

Woodside Hills is not really known for much within the city because it shares the same woodsy terrain and residential aesthetic that Woodside is so unwaveringly known for. But for those who don’t know, the district is made up of long, country roads, beautiful dream homes and secluded and sometimes gated properties. And although it offers a divergent style of homes, most are extremely pricey, costing upwards of a couple million (and that’s on the low end). If you travel through the area, you’ll notice some nice, luxury cars parked in driveways, enormous (countryside) properties, a couple half circle driveways and a few picture-perfect front yards. You also might come across the small Woodside Plaza Shopping Center, the neighborhood’s commercial pit-stop for household essentials.

For young families, Woodside Hills is adjacent to Woodside High School, the communities primary educational institution. Elsewhere, Canada College lies at the western fringe of the neighborhood, while John F. Kennedy Middle School skirts the northern end. With all of these schools nearby, the district tends to cater to the local school spirit and all the activities it brings with it. Also, if you like to enjoy the outdoors, the Menlo Country Club offers a beautiful 18-hole golf course, a couple tennis courts, a swimming pool and a lodge fit for all things dining.

Emerald Lake Hills is an affluent, extremely leafy hillside community nestled next to the vast natural preserves of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is rather large and predominately white with most residents raking in a pretty penny. If you drive through the district, you’ll notice everything from winding streets to some gorgeous dream homes clinging to the steep slopes that are so abundant within the area. The district is also reasonably isolated, with the only semblance of commercial real-estate a good drive into town.

Emerald Lake Hills is a thriving and exclusively residential neighborhood. For the perspective resident, there are a divergent style of homes built along the woodsy countryside. It is more often than not split into two different demographs. The district’s more luxurious homes are situated towards the northern, hilly end of the neighborhood while more garden-variety residences are concentrated near Highway 280. In some cases, garages are built at street level while their houses are actually perched atop a hill, and only connected by a long staircase. As a result, many homes have a remarkable view of the countryside from their back door. To afford these places, you might have to break the bank. The bulk of house values are just above $2 million with estimated household incomes averaging about $140,000/year.

For recreation, the vast Edgewood County Park lies adjacent to the neighborhood’s quarters. Elsewhere, Emerald Lake Country Club and Golf Course skirt the outer edges of the neighborhood. Also, Roy Cloud Elementary School sits along Jefferson Avenue. The institution offers a fine program and great teachers for your young ones.

Although extremely small, Woodside Heights is for the very wealthy with its luxury style homes and abundantly leafy properties. In fact, it is home to a community that’s somewhere between the upper middle and upper-class. The district is also exclusively residential and offers a bushy residential aesthetic that most surrounding communities tend to evoke. It’s biggest luxury is its close to downtown and about a 10 minute drive to the prestigious Stanford University.

Woodside Heights shouldn’t necessarily qualify as its own neighborhood, but only because it encompasses just about two residential streets. For the perspective resident, the community has everything from wealthy, secluded dream homes to some long country roads, with no sidewalks. Homes are rather hard to define, considering most are obscured from street view. But of the ones you can see, they are rather large (some two-story colonials here and there) and sparse. In essence, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets to afford these places. Also, they are usually situated on enormous ranch-like properties, sometimes fenced in and sometimes perfectly manicured. They tend to lay ground to long, deep driveways with luxury cars parked out front (almost like a car commercial). To get to this area, you’ll have to travel through an abundance of woodsy, uninhabited real-estate and climb some very steep hills...so don’t get too attached just yet.

For those with teenagers, Woodside High School (along with Menlo Country Club) lies adjacent to the community’s quarters. The institution is part of the Sequoia Union High School District and has scored a perfect 10 on California’s similar school rankings in both 2009 and 2010. Elsewhere, Bear Gulch Reservoir is just down the hill from the neighborhood and acts as a nice secluded escape. For those commuting, you’ll be situated right next to Highway 280, which tends to make life a lot easier for long distance travel.

Woodside Glen is a democratically leaning, upper middle-class community situated within the shallower woodlands of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Aesthetically speaking, you’re living in the land of luxury. The neighborhood is saturated with some long and narrow country roads, ranch-like homes and elegantly gated properties. And although exclusively residential, Woodside Glen isn’t that far from some commercial real-estate, like many other Woodside communities. As such, the neighborhood offers a perfect balance of independence and connection with its city and its neighboring Menlo Park community (not to mention Stanford University).

For the perspective resident, the community offers a wide range of housing options. Some homes are nestled along the hillside, while others are hidden beneath the brushy residential terrain. For the most part, homes are beautifully large (some gorgeous California Ranch homes). They are commonly single storied with charming house fronts and a peaceful escape from the rigors of downtown. These homes usually lay ground to some very enormous and well-groomed properties with driveways curling up/down into the street. With all these luxuries, you should probably have some deep pockets in order to live here. In fact, the city’s average annual income is above $215,000, with homes estimated somewhere around $1.5 million.

For young families, Woodside is very much in-tune with its public school system and the kind of reputation one might evoke. Almost all students within the area attend Woodside High School, which just so happens to be up the road. The school provides a great academic student life garnering a 4-out-of-5 on greatschools.org. Elsewhere, Canada College (two-year program) skirts the northern edge of the community and helps its students advance into four-year universities (like Stanford University that’s just across the way). And for commuters, Highway 280 is quick option to connect residents up and down the San Francisco peninsula.

Skywood, also called Skylonda, is a sparse and hidden Woodside community nestled deep into the Santa Cruz Mountains. In fact, you should probably be of the mountain man type if you choose to live here because you are far from anything commercial. As a result, the neighborhood is completely isolated with very few residences and a total population of less than 200. For commuters, public transportation is non-existent while Highway 280 is still a good 20-30 minute drive.

While a relatively large land area, Skywood’s residential quarters are hard to define. Probably because most residences are hidden beneath the dense, green shrubbery and tall oak trees. Homes and/or cabins are somewhat large (usually two-stories in size) and dotted throughout the community. They tend to be painted brown and camouflaged against its wooden backdrop. To get to these homes, you’ll have to swerve around the long, sometimes hidden country roads. In fact, you might not want to travel here when it gets dark.

Skywood is so secluded that it is surrounded by acres of national preserves. These include Thornewood Open Space Preserve, Wunderlich County Park and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. All of which provide tons of serene mountain vistas, abundant wildlife and acres of hiking trails. If you get lost, there is a Forestry and Fire Protection unit located along Skyline Boulevard. Skywood’s downtown quarters are pretty grim. It unofficially has just one restaurant in Alice’s Restaurant (burger joint) while the rest of its quarters are what you might find at a truck stop on a cross-country tour.

Located on the eastern side of Woodside Road, Selby is a boring, middle-class suburb with nothing really special to offer. At first glance, you can tell the neighborhood is somewhat crowded with homes tightly packed along its flat residential terrain. Also, the district’s high concentration of ordinary community aesthetics make it difficult to talk it up. However, it’s two biggest perks are its proximity to Stanford University and the private Menlo Country Club.

If I haven’t made it abundantly clear, Selby brims with suburban anonymity. Most homes are older with many eyesores in the bunch. They are usually mixed between one and two-story homes (but mostly one-story). Moreover, the district is saturated with garden-variety homes, mildly groomed properties with shallow front yards and maybe an attached one or two-car garage. But unfortunately, there’s nothing else that really pops out at you when you trek through the area.

For young families, the neighborhood incorporates Woodside High School. It is part of the Sequoia Union High School District and bolsters an above average reputation. Younger students usually attend John F. Kennedy Middle School, which is a couple blocks north. Elsewhere, the Woodside Plaza Shopping Center skirts the western edge of the community. Yet, the plaza really only provides the neighborhood essentials (i.e. supermarket, drug store, beauty salon and a couple chains restaurants).

Mountain Home Road is less a Woodside neighborhood than it is just one street that trails off into acres of little inhabited farmland. It is, in fact, located on the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the vast rolling savannah grasslands. So you can image that this place is a fairly isolated and deserted (total population less than 100 people) community. The area is outfitted with long country roads, bushy neighborhood aesthetics and sparse, but somewhat large homes. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the luxury of owning a sizable vineyard in your backyard.

For recreation, Mountain Home Road is nestled between Wunderlich Country Park, Teague Hill Open Space Preserve and the Horse Park at Woodside. All these secluded national preserves offer acres of natural terrain, serene escapes and a vast array of wildlife. Elsewhere, Sharon Heights is just past Highway 280 (5-minute drive), opposite Stanford University. The private club offers a beautifully maintained course (18-holes) and country club for those who can afford it. And finally, Searsville Lake is located just south of the neighborhood’s limits. If you’re into fishing, hiking and/or camping, this is a great spot for you.

Family Farm Hidden Valley is exactly how it sounds...a mix between sparse farmland and secluded rolling savannas that can bore you just thinking about it. Its one thing that can throw you is that the neighborhood is rather wealthy. In fact, there are a couple mansion-like homes plotted on far-reaching properties. Demographically speaking, the neighborhood is a small strip of country land (about four roads) devoted to the large ranches, bushy roadside aesthetics and open grassy spaces that reach into the northern limits of the neighborhood. Its main drag (i.e. long country road) is considered Farm Road and serves as the trunk to the couple other roads that branch off of it.

Family Farm Hidden Valley’s residential aesthetic is a mix between leafy neighborhood quarters, long driveways, small ranch fences, a couple scattered vineyards and hard to find residences. For the perspective resident, homes are separated by acres of farmland and/or rolling savannah hills with tall, bushy trees obscuring your view. But if you look close enough, homes can be rather large. I’d say you’d be paying a pretty penny (a couple million on the low end) to live within these quarters. Just ask your typical upper-class, multi-million dollar neighbors.

While somewhat sparse, Family Farm Hidden Valley has a pretty active religious life. Or it just may seem that way considering there are a handful of churches that line Portola Road. These include Valley Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of the Wayside Roman Catholic Church, Christ Episcopal Church and its adjacent Carillon Preschool-Christ Church. For recreation, there’s a couple tennis courts that anchor the southern end of the neighborhood and are open to the public. After you work up a sweat, you can head to Parkside Grille, the local neighborhood joint. In fact, it just might be the only restaurant in town.

Woodside Highlands is a relatively affluent and extremely secluded Portola Valley community. The district is almost too hidden. It only encompasses about three long, winding country roads bare grasslands (i.e. nothingness) that branch off of Portola Road. To be frank, there’s nothing too exciting about this neighborhood. Homes are rarely seen from the street and any commercial activity is left to a couple churches lining Portola Road.

Woodside Highlands is an upper middle-class community with a very woodsy aesthetic. In fact, the whole neighborhood seems to be blanketed with bushy trees and dense shrubbery. If you visit here, you’ll come across roads that look more like skinny trails that carve into the hilly landscape. And if you look close enough, you can find the few expensive, brown and gray homes that hide into the background (they’re rarely seen from the street). To which point, you might think to yourself if anyone really lives here. But for those interested, most likely you’re of the ranch hand variety or a true mountain man.

For your commercial needs, you’re in for a long car ride. The nearest shopping real-estate is on the far side of Highway 280 (a good 15-20 minute drive). There is, however, the neighborhood family restaurant in Parkside Grille situated on Portola Road. And if you keep on the street, you’ll come across a variety of churches, including Christ Episcopal Church and Valley Presbyterian Church. For outdoor recreation, there are a couple woodsy trails that run through the area. Also, Thornewood Open Space Preserve is within close proximity. Both are great options for a hike or walk your dog.

There really isn’t much to Westridge. It’s just a reasonably wealthy ranch land that hugs Central Portola Valley, but offers nothing you want in a secluded getaway. Unless...all you want is seclusion. But for those perspective home buyers, you’ll be living in a virtually desolate savannah grassland occupied by no more than 100 people. In fact, the neighborhood only encompasses about a half dozen long, country roads of which are made up of hidden residences and dense ranch land. So you must truly be a recluse, if you’re thinking about living here.

Although you wouldn’t think it, Westridge’s homes are pretty pricey. Maybe because properties (or ranches) can stretch for miles, or that they own a small little orchard/vineyard in their backyard. It’s hard to say considering most homes are concealed by either the bushy trees that line the country roads or the long driveways that carve up into the hillside. But in both cases, you’ll have to pay a steep price.

Westridge, which is part of the greater San Mateo County, follows Westridge Drive and extends from Alpine Road to Portola Road. It is most definitely part of the secluded countryside that Portola Valley is so adamantly known for. And to prove my point, the neighborhood is surrounded by national preserves that saturate Santa Cruz’s eastern slope. Its one fortunate luxury is its proximity to Searsville Lake. Many locals tend to go camping, hiking and fishing at this hot spot during summer days.

Portola Valley Ranch is a small, affluent neighborhood huddled within the many foothills and national preserves of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is exclusively residential and unappealingly desolate. In fact, its total population is under 200. For the perspective resident, you must be an introvert. One who spends his or her time in total seclusion and blocks out the rest of the world. Yet, you might have to have deep pockets to afford such head-scratching-ly large (and camouflaged) ranch homes that are so rarely seen from the street.

As a whole, Portola Valley is situated in the vast rolling savannah grasslands, saturated with bushy trees and dirt paths/walking trails that follow long, winding country roads. As barren as it seems, the neighborhood does have some good characteristics. For one, homes are rather large/long and perched along the many brushy rolling hills. And in some respects, homes barely cling to the hill by old, wood support structures. For the perspective resident, these homes are somewhat pricey, mostly because the city as a whole is the 6th wealthiest all of California. Or maybe it has something to do with its serene hilltop vistas at their back porch. But whatever the case is, its still nowhere near civilization.

For young families, Corte Madera School anchors the western half of the community and serves grades 4-8. The middle school is well-regarded amongst the sparse population of Portola Valley Ranch and has garnered a 4-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org. Others don’t usually have much else to look forward to in the area. For your commercial needs, you’re a long way from just the bare essentials. If you head down Alpine road, you’ll only come across a food market, deli and automotive center. Otherwise, you’re in for a 20-30 drive.

Ladera is a rather leafy, upper middle-class Portola Valley community nestled on the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz foothills. It is truly for the secluded, so much so that these woodsy homes come secondary to the natural environment. Moreover, the district is surrounded by acres of rolling savannah grasslands and empty valleys, making it seem like you are on the edge of civilization. And there is hardly anything commercial, except for the small Ladera Shopping Center skirting the neighborhood’s limits and offering the household essentials.

Although a part of southern San Mateo County, Ladera is a rarely visited, almost exclusively residential community. Homes are mostly old and mixed between one and two-stories. In some areas, homes scale the hillside and offer some jaw-dropping views of the countryside and the distant San Francisco Bay. Other residences tend to be situated on moderately-sized properties with ill-groomed hedges and lessor maintained aesthetics. As a whole, Ladera evokes a sparse community space with homes largely separated, sometimes by acres, and hidden beneath the bushy landscape. If you drive through the neighborhood, you’ll notice the long, country roads curving up the steep foothills, but don’t miss the couple scenic views along the way.

For commuters, San Francisco is located just 35 miles south of the neighborhood. Highway 280, which is just a short distance away, will get you there. However, everything else is a good distance away. And you’ll have to get there by car because public transportation is virtually none existent. Elsewhere, Woodland School and Felt Lake are situated close to the neighborhood’s limits. The latter of which is a very secluded spot for fishing and camping.

Bounded by Alpine Road to the east, Westridge Drive to the north and west and Portola Road to the south, Central Portola Valley is not really that central. In fact, the district is huddled deep within the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The area is mostly known for its reclusive, woodsy aesthetic and old, but sizable homes hidden beneath the leafy landscape. But with this comes its lack of community and any semblance of a good time. Demographically speaking, the area is a predominately white community (over 80%) and is largely democratic.

Central Portola Valley is an exclusively residential, very affluent community who loves a somewhat isolated life. Homes are rather large, usually two stories in size with an attached three-car garage. However, they are extremely hard to get to. Residents have to trek through the windy country roads swerving around the brushy environment only to have to trek up their steep driveways. But these residences are usually well worth it. First, many homes straddling the hillside have a great view of the suburban countryside and the San Francisco Bay that lies in the distance. Moreover, properties are rather abundant and offer a quiet aesthetic that’s hard to find. In fact, most homes can’t even be viewed from the street and are isolated even from their closest neighbor (homes tend to be separated by acres of uninhabited woodlands). For the perspective resident, you’ll need deep pockets. According to the 2010 US Census, median household incomes are estimated at around a wealthy $170,000/year.

Central Portola Valley is one of the most natural escapes you can live in. Streets are organized like veins in the body, starting big but trailing off into skinny countryside roads and ending in spontaneous col-de-sacs. If you like the great outdoors, you’re in for a treat. The Pearson-Arastadero Preserve is just down from Arastradero Road and turns into the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club. The preserve is the perfect mixture of rolling savannah grassland for the outdoor adventurer. But with this comes its main pitfall...connection. While exposing its very intimate lifestyle, its hard to ignore its sense of community, or lack thereof. While driving through the area, you’ll immediately notice that there is no sense of public transportation, nightlife and commercial real-estate within miles (if that). Even Highway 280, your main means of transportation, is a good distance from the neighborhood.

Nestled deep into Portola Valley, Brookside Park is a very wealthy, secluded community fit for the recluse. As a result, the neighborhood’s community quarters are pretty bare, with only large woodsy properties popping up every couple acres or so. However, homes are pretty expensive and some offer great vistas of the surrounding suburbs. The district as a whole is largely residential, except a small commercial plaza centered along Portola Road. But its true reputation lies in its isolated hillside theme that Portola Valley is so adamantly known for.

Brookside Park is a very small, countryside neighborhood that is rarely visited amongst the general public. For the perspective resident, the district offers pretty of sizable homes (mixed between one and two story residences) hidden beneath the leafy residential landscape. Properties are also on the large side and rarely visible from the street. If you drive through the narrow roads, you’ll start to notice the quiet, serene landscape, but might be put off by the fact that there is really no sense of tight-knit community.

For the young family, the school of Corte Madera skirts the eastern side of the community and serves grades 4 through 8. Elsewhere, the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve lies just a couple blocks off the neighborhood’s limits. The grassland provides some challenging hills and amazing 360 panoramic views of the countryside. Its downsides are rooted in its location. As you might expect, its pretty boring, public transportation is fairly limited (the Caltrain and US Route 280 are a good 10 minute drive) and its commercial quarters are limited. In fact, the corner plaza only offers a hardware store, hair salon, small market and an automotive center.

Nestled deep into the Atherton suburban-side, West of Alameda is for the 1%. Its wealthy and leafy residential aesthetic (that is ever so prevalent within the city) remains one of the true staples of the neighborhood. Moreover, the area is exclusively residential, with dazzling homes and reclusive residential terrain. In fact, with their long countryside roads and sparse community quarters, residents might have too much quiet for their own good.

West of Alameda’s residential quarters are strictly designed for the upper-class. The neighborhood is saturated with large square-footage homes (most of which sit on a bit of an incline) and are largely styled as Old Colonials or Mission Revivals. They provide enormous properties with long driveways that curve into the hillside and/or space for a frontside garden. For numbers sake, the bulk of these homes are priced well above a couple million, which is typical for Atherton. If you travel through the area, you don’t have to look far to get a glimpse of a large estate or two. They might be hidden beneath the thickets and heavily wooded environment, but they’re thoroughly peppered throughout the neighborhood.

Altough West of Alameda is rarely visited by the local community, it might be by design. Located within the far reaching woodlands of Atherton, the district is one of the most isolated neighborhoods in the city. Even more, properties are usually protected by gates and/or attractive cement walls leaving just enough space for the wealthy recluse. For recreation, the Menlo Country Club and Bear Gulch Reservoir are convenient options, both of which are great for exercising outdoors.

West Atherton is a very secluded, rich and well-connected Atherton community nestled deep into the wooded suburban-side. In fact, the district enjoys the many grand, dazzling homes that are ever so present within the city. Its biggest luxury is its proximity to Stanford University. While still situated far enough away from the hectic jumbled campus, the neighborhood is still close enough to entertain yourself with the countless activities they have going on throughout the week.

For those looking to live here, you must have made it big in the dot com era or you have a rich uncle, but either way...you’re living the lifestyle of the 1%. Like many Atherton communities, West Atherton is thriving with its many huge homes plotted on estate-like properties. These residences are usually protected by cement walls or large, charming gates that prevent you from getting a good glimpse from the street. They, of course, come with a hefty price tag (think a couple million on the low end). West Atherton is also fairly sparse (mostly because of the many enormous properties), so much so that running into your neighbor would be a rarity. As a whole, the neighborhood enjoys its bushy, secluded landscape, especially the tree-lined street of Atherton Avenue.

West Atherton is also one of the biggest neighborhoods in all the city and is almost exclusively made up of residential terrain. For commuters, both Atherton and Menlo Park Caltrain stations are just a block north of the community. Furthermore, the district is located directly between Highway 280 and US Route 101, both of which venture up and down the San Francisco Bay. Elsewhere, Sacred Heart Preparatory and Menlo School are located within the community’s quarters, the earlier of which has great sporting amenities (new baseball field, new gym, etc.). And for those striving for the best, Stanford University is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

To paint you a clear picture about Menlo Oaks, the typical resident here ventures through the thin roads weaving around the leafy residential terrain to get to his or her multi-million dollar residence. It is also a rather safe, and as you might expect, affluent neighborhood placed within the many sparse community quarters of Atherton. The neighborhood is a pretty small community, spanning about 0.6 square miles of exclusive residential but awfully expensive terrain. Demographically speaking, the population just exceeds 1,500, most of whom are of white decent (although there is a bit of diversity making up 1/4th the population).

It’s safe to say that Menlo Oak’s residential quarters are firmly gripped in the upper middle-class. For the perspective resident, there are everything from long one-story ranch homes to two-story, estate-like residences. To put it lightly, you have your selection of large, beautiful, dream homes, some of which were even built within the 1990’s. Most properties within the community are pretty astounding. They usually feature well-manicured aesthetics which include deep front gardens, half circle driveways and a couple gates that keep it pretty isolated. Price tags for these homes are pretty steep. In fact, the median household income is around $1.75 million, while typical household incomes circle around a rich $150,000/year. For those with deeper pockets, pricier homes are situated closer to the Menlo-Atherton High School.

For young families, Menlo-Atherton High School is situated along the perimeter of the neighborhood. The institution is considered one of the best secondary schools in the nation and, in turn, has garnered the respect of the community. It is also a relatively safe community, posting a low crime rate for the past decade. For those who wish to commute, the neighborhood is split between US Route 101 and Middlefield Road. Both are convenient options to travel up and down the San Francisco peninsula. Menlo Oaks is also situated just a handful of blocks from the vast San Francisco Bay (just, you know, one of the many other perks of the neighborhood).

Although easy to miss, Lloyden Park is an exclusively residential, family-friendly community lodged within the outskirts of Atherton. The area is one of the smallest neighborhoods within the city, encompassing just about 4 blocks. And as you might expect, the neighborhood’s population is somewhat low/sparse, with homes nicely separated by the dense trees and shrubbery that so often surround each residence. It is also a somewhat well-connected to its neighboring parts, with downtown Atherton only just a 5-10 minute drive away.

Lloyden Park is a somewhat affluent suburban area thats rarely visited amongst the general public. For the perspective resident, the neighborhood has a very leafy/bushy residential aesthetic. It tends to cover the somewhat lengthy properties and long, single story homes that saturate the community. Properties are often occupied by the usual essentials, decent sized driveways, attached two-car garages and a variable degree of lawn space. There are also a couple modern looking (Art Deco and Early California Ranch homes) residences scattered throughout the neighborhood, especially along Rittenhouse Avenue.

For young families, Lloyden Park is within close proximity to both Menlo School and Sacred Heart Preparatory. The latter of which is a private, four-year high school with a great student-to-teacher ratio. For commuters, the Atherton Caltrain anchors the western corner of the neighborhood and conveniently connects residents to the popular job hubs of San Jose and San Francisco. However, the Caltrain can be a bit loud when it ventures through the community every half an hour or so.

Lindenwood is an affluent, firmly upper middle-class Atherton community. For the perspective resident, the neighborhood offers some pretty polished residences and large square footage properties. It’s biggest allurement is its proximity to the vast San Francisco Bay (about a 5-10 minute drive). The district, however, is uncomfortably close to sketchy East Palo Alto and its reputation of crime and suspicious behavior. Geographically speaking, the district is somewhat large, ranging about 1.25 square miles of exclusive residential terrain. Its also a largely white community (over 85%) and is sparsely populated with about 1,500 residents occupying the neighborhood’s limits.

Lindenwood’s residential terrain is heavily woodsy and thriving community. While most homes were built during the expansion period just after WWII, they are rather large in size and very aesthetically pleasing. They offer sizable dream houses and secluded properties which so happened to be covered by the surrounding shrubbery. Moreover, some properties are even gated or protected/hidden behind walls and large fences. Those that live here have some pretty deep pockets. The median household income is a wealthy $165,000/year (but still well below the city’s average), while average estimated house values are a bulky $2 million. If you’re driving through the community, you’ll notice the long and thin winding roads curving around the densely green community quarters.

For young families, Menlo-Atherton High School anchors the southern corner of the neighborhood. It is one of the top secondary schools in the nation by the United States Department of Education and garnered a 4-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org. For the working class, Lindenwood is huddled close to US Route 101 and the onramp to US Route 84 (which takes commuters across the San Francisco Bay), making for convenient commuting. Also, two Caltrain public transit lines are situated just a couple blocks outside the district.

There is nothing too glamorous about The Willows. To put it lightly, the neighborhood is a model of transparency. It is densely populated, almost exclusively residential and saturated with unremarkable homes and a mixed bag of residential aesthetics. According to the 2010 US Census, the total population exceeds 7,000 and is mixed between a white and hispanic community. They live in a community spanning about 0.9 square miles of residential terrain, big for Menlo Park.

The Willows’ residential terrain is firmly gripped in middle-class suburban anonymity. The area has a high concentration of garden-variety homes, mildly aesthetic properties and extremely leafy/bushy communal quarters. For the perspective resident, there is a very divergent style of homes plotted throughout the district for your liking. You also have your selection of mostly single story homes (although there are a few two-story homes peppering the neighborhood). For numbers sake, the bulk of homes are priced between $500,000 to $750,000, a reasonable value considering the usual lofty prices you find in Menlo Park. Those who can afford it usually rake in a typical $95,000/year (as a household).

Many of its down qualities are closely tied to its proximity to sketchy East Palo Alto. The area lies just adjacent to the city and is a hotbed for crime and dangerous activity. However, The Willows is convenient for commuters who have to travel up and down US Route 101 or work for Stanford University. And its most intriguing characteristic is that its only a 5-10 minute drive from the vast San Francisco Bay.

Suburban Park, also known as Lorelei Manor and Floor Park Triangle (quite the mouthful), is a mildly quaint, run-of-the-mill Menlo Park community. The neighborhood as a whole, caters to the plain, middle-class and nothing more. Geographically speaking, it is a thin slice of land nestled against US Route 101, which makes it more of a passover community than anything else. The area has two distinct parts, the commercial quarters that encompass the northern half the residential area that lies below Bohannon Drive.

Although a part of the affluent Menlo Park community, Suburban Park is a very simplistic, and all-too-ordinary neighborhood. Most homes are small, one-story in size and have an attached two-car garage (some have one-car garages). Moreover, they are small and boxy in shape, and situated on plain, petite properties. If you head north, the commercial district bleeds of commercial anonymity. The area is blanketed with mediocre to moderately attractive office parks, acres of employee parking lots and a couple unmarked depots.

The neighborhood’s one perk is its convenience to the US Route 101 on ramp. But even that can be a bit annoying with traffic and the Amtrak train sounding off throughout the day. For young families, Flood Park is situated at the heart of the community, but only offers two ragged youth baseball fields.

Stanford Weekend Acres is an exclusively residential, woodsy area nestled up in the foothills backing Stanford University. For the perspective resident, the neighborhood offers the usual attractive suburban aesthetics that are so prevalent within the city. However, it is also one of the smallest, spanning 0.1 square miles with only a population of about 250. As a result, the district is rarely visited, , or even known, amongst the general Menlo Park community.

Stanford Weekend Acres residential terrain is firmly gripped in the upper middle-class. Homes are rather large and somewhat fancy (usually two-stories in size). Most of these luxury residences have a very inviting aesthetic appeal with room for sizable, manicured lawns and bushes lining the long winding streets. Most of these roads are almost like trails with homes hidden beneath the dense shrubbery. Its larger, more elaborate homes are concentrated around Sneckner Court. These come with quite the hefty price tag (the median household income is an estimated $1.5 million). Yet, many of these residents have the means to afford such luxury living. In fact, median household income is a meaty $210,000/year, almost double the average city’s household income.

While huddled below Stanford University’s golf course, it is one of the most reclusive neighborhoods in the city. To get there, you must travel along Alpine Road and seek the couple streets that trail off towards the campus. If you keep heading down Alpine Road, you can reach Highway 280, which conveniently connects commuters up and down the San Francisco peninsula. Also, Stanford Weekend Acres is located within the eastern reaches of the Slac National Accelerator Laboratory. The laboratory is part of the greater Stanford University and is one of the leaders in high-energy physics and radiation research (uh oh?).

Stanford Hills is a loosely upper middle-class community and a great environment to raise a family. Yet its still hard to get a good grasp on, considering its extremely small. So much so that the area encompasses only a few residential blocks and spans just 0.15 square miles. And not surprisingly, only about 250 people live within the district’s limits. It’s most promising characteristic is its proximity to the prominent Stanford University and all the luxuries that come with it.

Stanford Hills is an almost exclusively residential district. Within it, lies everything from beautiful community aesthetics to peaceful roads stretching behind Stanford University. For the perspective resident, residences are usually long, one-story ranch homes plotted on somewhat large, bushy (but well-groomed) properties. For numbers sake, the average estimated house values are a pricey $1.5 million, while average household incomes rake in about $150,000/year.

Although drastically small, Stanford Hills is a well-connected community that seems to cater/oblige Stanford University. In fact, it is located adjacent to the Stanford Golf Course and the university’s campus. Otherwise, the community is cornered against the Slack National Accelerator Laboratory (which is part of Stanford) and the Sharon Heights Shopping Center. The latter of which serves as the community’s main shopping hub and offers a couple grocery shopping essentials along with a handful of nice, family-style restaurants.

South of Seminary, also called Vintage Oaks, is a leafy, upper middle-class community huddled deep into Menlo Park community. While bounded by Willow Road to the east, Middlefield to the south, Ringwood Avenue to the west and Coleman Avenue to the north, the area spans about 0.4 square miles of exclusive residential terrain. Demographically speaking, the district is highly dense, with a total population of about 2,000 (with a largely white community base and a somewhat sizable asian minority).

Vintage Oak’s residential terrain is saturated with charming suburban aesthetics. For the most part, homes are mixed between one and two stories with appropriate sized properties. There is a somewhat noticeable change with nicer homes congregated more towards the western half, while you get more of the garden-variety is situated opposite. According to the 2010 US Census, the average estimated housing prices circle around a lofty $1.6 million. Yet, most households can afford it, raking in about $135,000/year (well above the city’s average). If you drive through the neighborhood, you’ll immediately notice its quaint, bushy neighborhood aesthetics. Every other block it seems like you’ll get your fair share of tree-lined streets, revamped house fronts and pleasant white picket fences.

For young families, the community is nestled next to the Menlo-Atherton High School, a well-regarded school which has garnered a 4-out-of-5 stars. Elsewhere, the Fuller Theological Seminary lies within the district’s bounds and is an accredited Christian education institute and one of Pasadena’s satellite schools. And its biggest perk, is its proximity to the highly recognized University of Stanford and its many scholastic activities.

Sharon Heights is an almost exclusive residential, upper middle-class community nestled deep into the woodlands of Menlo Park. It is made up of about 5,000 residents (largely white) and spans about 1.8 square miles of leafy residential terrain. If you’re driving around the community, you’ll pass through the long, curving roads that venture around the hilly geography. For your shopping needs, Sharon Heights Shopping Center straddles the eastern corner of the neighborhood. The plaza hosts most of your typical neighborhood essentials and quick shopping needs.

For the perspective resident, you have a lot to look forward to. For the most part, homes are long and somewhat sizable, stretching along quiet residential streets. Many residences have a rather old style house front (built within 1960’s), but others have been revamped in the last decade or so. Properties are relatively large and bushy, with nicely trimmed landscaping making for an aesthetic community space. For those with deeper pockets, there are more sizable, two-story homes situated around Campo Bello Lane. Price tags for these residences are pretty pricey, circling around $1.75 million. And according to the 2010 US Census, the median household income in the district is around 125,000/year. Community renters also have a couple options, but you really just have your pick of beige, middle-of-the-road condos/apartment housing clustered along Sharon Road

The area also encompasses the private Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, a beautifully maintained 18-hole course and clubhouse. Elsewhere, Slac National Accelerator Laboratory takes up most of the local commerce. The company, which focuses on high energy physics and radiation research, is located just adjacent to the community. The district’s commercial also provides a moderately sized commercial plaza complete with many neighborhood essentials. This includes a market, a drug store, a handful of somewhat trendy and family oriented restaurants with a huge parking lot. And finally, La Entrada Middle School is located within the neighborhood’s limits. According to local review sites, its one of the best schools around.

Pine Forest isn’t really a neighborhood, its just a block. Well, maybe two. It specifically encompasses Encinal Avenue and Stone Pine Lane. For the perspective resident, the area is heavily wooded and adjacent to Menlo College (a four-year college specializing in business and connecting students to Silicon Valley).

For the most part, the district is saturated with beige, modern-looking apartment complexes and apartment homes mostly covered by trees. However, the Caltrain skirts the northern edge of the neighborhood, making for loud noises every half hour or so. The area hosts a private parking lot which is nestled within the crevices of the communal living space. So maybe in a way, it is its own little middle-class neighborhood.

There is also a big, two-story, unmarked office building and an attached employee parking lot that lines most of the block. But other than that, you’re not missing much. Its biggest perk is that the area is within walking distance to downtown Menlo Park.

Linfield Oaks is a well-connected, exclusively residential Menlo Park community. It is a firmly gripped upper middle-class neighborhood located between Middlefield Road and El Camino Real. Moreover, the district is relatively crime free community, and makes for a great place to raise a family. For your commercial needs, Macy’s and a couple other smaller department stores skirt the southern edge. Geographically speaking, the area is very small, spanning only 0.6 square miles and encompasses less than a dozen neighborhood streets. And according to the 2010 US Census, the total population is around 1,500, and is predominately a white community.

For the perspective resident, Linfield Oaks provides a very leafy and somewhat upscale community space. Homes are mixed between sizable one and two-story homes situated on spacious and elegantly manicured properties. And although most homes were built before the 1960’s, there are a couple new housing developments popping up in the northern reaches of the community. If you want to rent, many well-maintained apartment facilities cluster around Waverly Street and Willow Road. For numbers sake, median rents are around $1,750/month, while the average estimated house value is a pricey $1.6 million. Moreover, average household incomes are around $115,000/year, just above the city’s average.

For the most part, the community is known for its location, situated just a couple blocks off the vast Stanford University campus. As a result, it shares much of the school’s community spirit and makes for a well-connected (although still isolated still and quiet) district within Menlo Park. For young families, Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo School are just up the street from the neighborhood’s limits. Both schools are well-regarded amongst their community and post high marks across review websites. The area is also nestled next to SRI International, a nonprofit contract research institute that mostly conducts business for the government. For commuters, Linfield Oaks is between convenient Caltrain stops of Palo Alto and Menlo Park (both of which connect residents up to San Francisco and down to San Jose).

Nestled within the affluent community quarters of Menlo Park, Felton Gables doesn’t disappoint. Its pricey and extremely isolated suburban quarters makes it a perfect family-friendly environment for those who can afford it. The area is also one of the smallest neighborhoods in the city, only encompassing two streets (spanning less than 0.1 square mile). With such intimate quarters, everyone seems to know each other.

Felton Gables aesthetic appeal is firmly fixed within the upper middle-class. The area is saturated with large, dazzling homes, mostly two stories in size and plotted on perfect green landscaping and well-manicured properties. These houses are a bit on the old side, mostly built between 1930-50, but its Craftsman and Midwestern make it nice to look at. If you’re traveling through the district, you’ll be met with skinny neighborhood roads, luxury cars parked in driveways, trimmed bushes popping up on sizable (sometimes elaborate) properties. For numbers sake, the asking price for homes are around $1.6 million, while the typical household tops $100,000 in annual salary. If you get in, you’ll be one of the lucky ones.

A couple enjoyable features about Felton Gables is that it provides the exclusivity of a gated community (with a population of under 400). In fact, no thru traffic goes through the neighborhood because it’s just one big roundabout. There is also a nice community park situated along Holbrook-Palmer Park and hosts a couple garden ceremonies and receptions every once in awhile. Elsewhere, Encinal Elementary School skirts the northern edge of the community and has garnered a 5-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org.

Downtown Menlo Park is a quaint, but small downtown area nestled in the heart of the city’s affluent quarters. Its commercial real estate is what you’d expect of a upper middle-class city’s compact shopping hub, while the district’s residential space is designated towards the border. The neighborhood as a whole encompasses about 0.5 square miles and made up of about 4,000 residents. And as you might expect, its downtown quarters are relatively dense, with a predominately white community (over 80%).

While a bit small, Downtown Menlo Park is the center of attention. First, the neighborhood is very walkable, with an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Most window shoppers usually congregate towards Santa Cruz Avenue, which hosts everything from ground floor small electronic stores, to hardware shops, from banks to a couple bars and/or cocktail lounges. Most have the well-groomed commercial fronts and sufficient shopping options that should meet your every whimsical need.

Downtown Menlo Park’s residential terrain is usually reserved for those working within the community. The area is saturated with somewhat appealing apartment buildings, gated condominiums and apartment homes. Many of them are old, but still look pretty modern and are usually hidden beneath the leafy, tree-line and shrubbery. There are also plenty of small, one-story homes packed along the edges of the community. But most are of the garden variety and a small step down from the city’s normal residence. Likewise, the typical resident rakes in about $80,000/year, much less than the average Menlo Park resident. For renters, the bulk of apartment price tags range from $1,200 to $1,600/month.

For young families, the district is situated next to Sacred Heart Preparatory and Menlo School, both well-praised educational institutions within the community. Traffic can be a bit of an issue during commute hours, but the Menlo Park Caltrain skirts the northern border. The rail provides quick and convenient access up and down the San Francisco peninsula.

Located along the San Francisco peninsula, Centro Menlo Park is an affluent suburban neighborhood tightly knitted into Stanford University’s community. It is also somewhat reclusive and a perfect spot to raise a family. Demographically speaking, it meaty population of around 5,000 with a large white population (over 80%). They live in a largely residential district which spans about 1.4 square miles of suburban, tree-covered terrain.

Centro Menlo Park’s leafy residential quarters are firmly gripped in upper middle-class society. The area seems to be saturated with long, one-story ranch homes plotted on brushy, but manicured properties. Also, these properties are usually decently sized, providing room for an attached two-car garage and proportional driveways . If you’re driving through the neighborhood, you’ll notice the trimmed bushes, quaint house fronts, clean sidewalks and quiet streets. One of the district’s biggest perks is that it is nestled next to the prominent Stanford University. As a result, median house values have swelled to $1.8 million in recent years. And those who can afford it usually rake in a wealthy $200,000/year.

For those a little young for Stanford University, Sacred Heart Preparatory is just northwest of the district’s limits. The progressive Catholic school is well-respected amongst the community and has garnering 4-out-of-5 stars on greatschools.org. If you travel east, Central Menlo Park’s economy centers around the commercial real-estate on San Hill Road (mostly consisting of private equity, financial services, law firms and other professional service companies). There is also convenient department store shopping (Macy’s, etc.) just up the road.

Bounded by US Route 101, Willow Road and Hamilton Avenue, Belle Haven is a meager and undistinguishable bayside community nestled within Menlo Park. It is almost exclusively residential and is only made up of lower middle-class homes. The district doesn’t have much of a reputation, except its problems with crime and its relative suburban anonymity. Demographically speaking, the area is a largely hispanic and black and is somewhat dense in community space.

There’s nothing really too exciting about Belle Haven’s residential quarters. The district is overrun with boring suburban streets, modest house fronts and tightly packed residences. Homes are rather old, mostly built right after WWII. They are typically one story in size, sit on modest sized properties and have small lawns with a driveway that runs alongside the house. The typical price tag of a home here in Belle Haven is a cheap $600,000, but well below the city’s average. And the typical resident rakes in a $62,000 annual income.

Its rare to see nice aesthetics within the communal quarters of Belle Haven. The area only offers the Menlo Park City Library and a public transit line that rolls through Ivy Drive somewhat sporadically. The best thing going for it is that its close proximity to the San Francisco Bay (although you might have to trek through the bayside marshland to get there).

Allied Arts, also known as Stanford Park, is a firmly fixed middle-class Menlo Park community nestled near Stanford University. It is almost exclusively residential, except for the commercial real-estate that lines El Camino Real, but makes for a great family-friendly area. Numerically speaking, the neighborhood is rather small (0.3 square miles), spanning less than a dozen blocks of orderly suburban terrain. And is also a predominately white community (over 80%) and made up of just under 2,000 residents.

Allied Art’s residential quarters offer a step above the suburban anonymity you might expect. The area is a flat, tree-lined terrain bounded by El Camino Real to the north, Sand Hill Road to the east, Arbor Road to the south and Middle Avenue to the west. Residences are mixed between one and two-story houses (many of which are mission revivals). They are situated on rather bushy properties, some of which are hidden beneath the wooded landscape. The Stanford University Medical Center and its adjacent apartments is within a couple blocks of the neighborhood’s limits and houses some of their students. While wealthier properties are cornered towards the southern end of the neighborhood. According to the 2010 US Census, the average estimated house values are up in the millions (about $1.5 average) with rents exceeding $2,000/month. Moreover, median household incomes are a wealthy 130,000/year.

For your commercial needs, a somewhat sizable shopping plaza is located across from San Hill Road. The area provides a department store shopping hub with a Macy’s, and other smaller shops and restaurants. Elsewhere, a small youth soccer league skirts the western corner while Nealon Park is the district’s only community park and is equipped with a couple public tennis courts and a nice children’s playground.

Friendly Acres is not quite that friendly. In fact, its down right deplorable. The community is firmly lower middle-class and a hub for crime. And to be blunt, you don’t want to trek through this neighborhood alone. It is made up of underwhelming community aesthetics and small, unattractive residences. The district is pretty sizable and one of only three North Fair Oaks neighborhoods. Geographically speaking, it straddles US Route 101 to the north and runs along Marsh Road to the east. It’s also a predominately residential with a large hispanic population.

Friendly Acres’ residential quarters are everything short of mediocre. Homes are rather cheap, but you get what you pay for. The area is overrun with old, sloppy, one-story houses with dilapidated or ill-groomed front yards. Moreover, properties are small and shallow with thin driveways usually running along the side of each residence. Renters probably have it worse, with only a couple bland, beige apartment buildings congregated towards the Caltrain train tracks. If you drive through the community, there are a handful of old, rusty cars parked along gritty streets and/or dirt paths that were once sidewalks.

For locals, Friendly Acres’ is the kind of neighborhood you might get lost in if your trying to reach the junction of US Route 101 and 84. Or maybe your child’s unfortunate away game has drawn you to the two small youth baseball/soccer fields that sit along Eighth Avenue. The area’s only good characteristic is its proximity to the San Francisco, but even that isn’t the best beach front view with acres of uninhabited marshland.

While North Fair Oaks, Fair Oaks, California is a mouthful to say, its even harder to describe. For the most part, it is predominately residential, except for the busy strip of Middlefield Road, and offers a wide range of middle-class aesthetics. Everything from polished suburban properties to under-served ghetto terrain. Geographically speaking, the district is situated north of El Camino Real and just adjacent to Redwood City. It provides a large Latino population and is known locally as Little Mexico.

North Fair Oak’s residential terrain is a mixed bag of community quarters. If you stay north, the area is overrun with unattractive two-story apartment buildings, small, one-story homes and blemished residential streets where dirt paths have replaced sidewalks. You’ll also likely come across shack-like homes with gritty, chain-linked fencing surrounding popping up on each block. Towards the southern edge of the neighborhood, there is its nicer, more spacious and well-groomed residences (two-stories in size) mostly hidden beneath the tree line. The area even provides better, more polished apartment buildings and manicured landscaping.

North Fair Oaks is an odd, but colorful neighborhood. It’s small commercial quarters are situated along Middlefield Road. Here, you’ll come across unsightly commercial businesses (blemished with graffiti), dirty parking lots and other ugly commercial real-estate. The strip is also dotted with unmarked depots, gritty warehouses, auto body shops and a fair share of mexican restaurants.

Ampex is an anonymous, under-served, lower-class community within the busy urban chaos of North Fair Oaks. In fact, it is nestled at the armpit of US Route 101 and 82, which I intend as a perfect analogy for its dismal quarters. For the perspective resident, the area is overrun with everything from ugly one-story depots to unmarked commercial buildings, from ragtag blocks to unkempt residences. Its only grain of distinction is its proximity to the highways, which grant the public quick access to another neighborhood.

Ampex’s residential quarters are everything but glamorous. Homes are mixed between compact and unsightly residences (some even looking like shacks) and a couple bland, boring apartment with no sense of green community landscaping. More specifically, residences are usually surrounded by ugly, chain-linked or wooden paneled fences which only seem to protect small patches of ill groomed property. If you drive through the neighborhood, you’ll see some old, hubcap-less cars, grungy street corners and a mobile home park cornered into the northern region. For young families, the neighborhood encompasses Fair Oaks Elementary School, but isn’t more than a dilapidated school zone.

While within close quarters of downtown Redwood City, Ampex is considered a shabby run-off from its commercial hub. If you head towards the southern end of the community, you’ll hit a plethora of ugly one-story depots and commercial buildings. This includes a couple auto-body shops, parking lots, eye sore depots, anonymous warehouses (probably for upholster businesses, etc.) and gritty storage facilities. During the week, depot workers tend to congregate around Middlefield Road for some cheap Mexican food. And that’s about it.

Nestled deep into the rich suburban landscape of Redwood City, Woodside Plaza is a somewhat mundane and all-too-ordinary residential community. Its, in fact, completely residential, with the stank of middle-class anonymity written all over the area. The district as a whole is a little too dense, with a total population of 6,000 living within 1 square mile. Its only nice accommodation is Stulsaft Park, which skirts the western edge of the district and provides enjoyable walking trails and a sizable kids playground.

There is nothing too appealing about Woodside Plaza’s residential quarters. Its flat terrain is mixed between somewhat blemished suburban quarters and clean-cut properties. Homes are typically small, blocky, old and one-story in size with skinny driveways sitting on shallow properties. They are usually congested along neighborhood blocks, leaving very little room from loud neighbors. For those with deeper pockets, the district’s wealthier quarters are situated towards the western edge. Some of these residences have pedicured lawns, quaint house fronts and make way for orderly streets that curve around the neighborhood. For the perspective resident, the average estimated house value is around $815,000, while rents approach $1,500/month. Moreover, the typical resident is white and rakes in around $76,000/year.

Woodside Plaza has many characteristics you would associate with a school zone community. In fact, the district encompasses both John F. Kennedy Middle School and Henry Ford Elementary School. However, there isn’t much to say that hasn’t already been said about the community. For your shopping needs, a small commercial plaza sits at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Woodside Road. The area offers your basic neighborhood essentials which include a Lucky’s Supermarket, Rite Aid, Ross and a Round Table Pizza.

Westport is an attractive Redwood City neighborhood mixed with glossy office parks and an isolated, somewhat affluent communal living space. For the latter, the living experience here is very communal, with homes sharing everything from backyards to walls. The neighborhood also accommodates a rather sizable drive-in workforce with newly constructed, three-story buildings skirting the northern portion. Geographically speaking, Westport is one of the smallest neighborhoods within the city, spanning just 0.4 square miles and only encompassing about a half dozen suburban streets. And according to the 2010 US Census, the district is sparsely populated (2,000), with white and asian residents making up the majority of the community.

Westpoint’s residential quarters are a little differently organized than the traditional California community. In fact, residences are arranged in intimate, grouped housing developments and newly built condominiums. They provide attractive communal living spaces that are well regarded amongst both locals and residents. In some areas, it can remind you of a gated community, with beautiful neighborhood aesthetics and green landscaping surrounding each small group of homes. As a result, residents seem to have a more intimate relationship with each other rather than the more sparsely separated neighborhoods you might be used to. For the perspective residents, the price tag for these homes are within the $500,000 to $750,000 range, while rents will cost you around $2,000/month. As for the typical household, they do pretty well for themselves raking in over $95,000/year.

For recreation, the district provides a large, grassy, and open-spaced terrain that acts as the centerpiece of the community. Here, you can find the Shorebird Court communal tennis courts and a lengthy playing field for picnics and youth sports events. If you drive along Marine Parkway, the district’s main street, the strip wraps around Redwood Shores and connects residents into town and other communities just like Westpoint. And it’s biggest perk is the couple surrounding sloughs (water runoffs) that quaintly surround each of these Redwood City bayside communities.

Steinberger is a very isolated and somewhat progressive neighborhood within Redwood City. It spans almost 0.6 square miles of thriving, affluent residential terrain, most of which is saturated with very modern-looking apartment buildings and nice, leafy living quarters. The district is almost completely surrounded by the acres of sloughs, particularly Steinberger Slough which large, lake-like aesthetic skirts the eastern perimeter. Demographically speaking, the neighborhood is largely white (with a sizable hispanic minority) and rather dense, with a total population of around 4,000.

For the most part, the district is organized with homes situated below Redwood Shores Parkway, while apartment homes are to the north. Of the latter, the neighborhoods consist of tightly packed condominiums or group housing developments within small pockets of the community. There are also green, well-groomed landscaping surrounding each communal living space. To the south, homes are usually new, two-stories in size and offer an upscale cookie cutter aesthetic. As a whole, home prices are estimated just over $1 million while median rents are around $2,300/month. And according to the 2010 US Census, Steinberger’s median household income is around $115,000/year, almost double the city’s average.

While rarely visited by the outside public, those who do will be pleasantly surprised. Steinberger’s residential quarters offer a safe, family-friendly living environment. It even boasts a couple community amenities including a nice little park along Davit Lane, quaint street roundabouts and the many serene waterways along the neighborhood’s perimeter. There are also newly paved roads leading into the groups of housing developments usually secluded by cement walls or wooded shrubbery.

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.

Although it has its fair share of boring aesthetics, Sequoia is an exclusively residential, well-connected neighborhood within the heart of Redwood City. It spans approximately 0.5 square miles of residential terrain, of which is made up of an eclectic mix of homes and apartment buildings. As a whole, it is a small, rectangularly shaped community bounded by Whipple Avenue to the north, Grand Street to the west, Jefferson Avenue to the south and El Camino Real to the east. Demographically speaking, the district is a largely white community, with a rather sizable hispanic minority. It is also home to just over 3,000, making up a somewhat dense community space.

While rather a conveniently located neighborhood, Sequoia offers only modest living quarters at best. For perspective homeowners, the area provides a wide range of middle-class residences, with different styles and sizes at every corner. There are, however, a couple nice homes nestled within pockets of the community. The bulk of asking prices within the area are just above $1 million. For a cheaper option, there are a handful of not-too-appealing two-story apartment buildings peppered throughout the area. These prices tend to be within the area of $1,000 to $1,250/month. Additionally, median household incomes are around $55,000/year, just a bit under the city’s average. Its nicer community aesthetics are situated west of Sequoia High School. Here, you’ll find a somewhat nice and leafy neighborhood with tree-lined streets.

Sequoia is a young family neighborhood. In fact, the Sequoia Union High School is conveniently in the mix of the neighborhood’s events. The educational institution serves as the oldest high school in the San Francisco Bay Area, but is now equipped with a new gym and a Japanese Tea Garden. For commuters, Redwood City Caltrain skirts the eastern corner and is also within close proximity to downtown Redwood City. While you’re there, you’ll fine the Cinemark Multiplex located along Broadway. The movie theater has recently undergone a facelift and now boasts 20 big screens. And if you head towards El Camino Real, you’ll hit an open-spaced commercial strip, which includes a Honda Dealership, gas stations, a Safeway and one-story mixed use buildings and businesses.

Nestled within the busy suburbs of Redwood City, Roosevelt is an elementary/middle school community serving its young families and local friends. It is one of the larger Redwood City neighborhoods (spanning about 1.5 square miles), encompassing about a couple dozen windy suburban roads. The neighborhood is also largely residential with an even larger range of middle-class residences. Demographically speaking, its a predominately white community with a rather sizable hispanic minority.

Roosevelt’s community is a mixed bag of residential terrain. Homes are rather old, mostly built before the 1960’s and vary in size and shape. Nicer, larger homes are situated on the hillside of Hastings Avenue, Westwood Street and Roosevelt Avenue. If you drive through the rest of the district, you’ll likely see a couple well-groomed properties with nice lawns and revamped house fronts while others don’t seem to follow suit. For the perspective resident, house prices tend to circle around $800,000, which seems about average for Redwood City. And according to the 2010 US Census, the median household income is around $61,000/year.

Roosevelt’s biggest luxuries lie in its school district. Both Roosevelt Elementary School and John F. Kennedy Middle School are located within the district’s proximity. And just appropriately, they are well regarded amongst the community. For family recreation, Stulsaft Park shares the district’s southern border while Red Morton Community Park skirts its northern corner. The latter of which provides a playground, a couple tennis courts and a junior baseball/softball field. For your shopping interests, a small commercial area is fitted along Roosevelt Avenue, but only offers the small essentials (a couple delis, fast food chains and a convenient store).

Palm is an exclusively residential, lower middle-class and highly anonymous Redwood City community. Its a relatively large neighborhood (0.8 square miles) nestled along Woodside Road and encompasses about a dozen gritty suburban streets. Demographically speaking, the district offers a bit of urban chaos. Its total population exceeds 10,000, making for one of the most dense populations in the city. Additionally, it is split evenly between white and hispanic residents.

Palm’s residential quarters doesn’t offer much except or a couple seedy elements. The community is pretty evenly mixed between home-owners and renters. For homes, they are usually one-story in size, fitted on small, squarish properties with maybe a short picket fences surrounding it. Moreover, these residences are usually pretty old, built before the 1970’s and only mildly attractive (if that). The bulk of these homes are priced between $500,000 to $750,000. For cheaper options, perspective residents can rent from the bland, two-story apartment buildings dotted throughout the community. Although they’re not much to look at, you’ll likely be paying a reasonable 1,300/month.

As a whole, Palm is a little rough around the edges. The suburban quarters don’t seem too safe and don’t really offer a pleasing community aesthetic. While typical household incomes within the community are around $53,000/year, it’s just a bit below Palm’s average. And the neighborhood’s biggest perk is that it sits along the San Francisco peninsula and within minutes of the vast San Francisco Bay.

Oakwood is a rough-looking, lower middle-class community nestled within the many anonymous neighborhoods of Redwood City. It is rather small, condensed into about a dozen suburban blocks. It spans about 0.8 square miles of unkempt, suburban landscape and is bounded by Woodside Road, Selby Lane and El Camino Real. For perspective residents, the total population is around 6,500 (extremely dense), most of which come from a white or hispanic background. Its one biggest perk is its proximity to the vast San Francisco Bay (about a 10 minute drive), but that’s about it.

Oakwood’s flat residential terrain isn’t much too look at. For one, the neighborhood is saturated with ugly residences. Homes are mostly small, blocky and one-story in size. Secondly, they are fitted on compact lots and tightly packed along residential streets. In some areas, you’ll hit a patch of homes with a couple unsightly chain-linked fences while other areas are home to a handful of gritty, skinny roads with no sense of sidewalk for children to play. For cheaper living, there are a couple beige, bland, two-story apartment buildings clustered towards El Camino Real.

According to the 2010 US Census, houses tend to be in the range of $900,000 to $1.1 million, while smaller housing units and apartment homes can set you back $600,000. Moreover, the typical household rakes in a 55,000 annual income. For your shopping options, El Camino Real is the district’s main commercial strip, but doesn’t offer anything glitzy or glamorous. To the layman, its just your run-of-the-mill open shopping drag with fast food chains, ugly store fronts and a couple department stores (Target, Marshall’s, etc.).

Middlefield is an unpolished, lower middle-class community situated within the many anonymous Redwood City neighborhoods. The district itself spans about 0.7 square miles, most of which is saturated with unpleasant suburban aesthetics and gritty, unappealing residences. According to the 2010 US Census, the total population is approaching 7,000, which makes it drastically overcrowded. Demographically speaking, the area is largely hispanic (over 75%), with a small white minority.

Although convenient to downtown Redwood City, Middlefield doesn’t have much else to offer. Most homes are old and built before the 1980’s. They are small, boxy, unglamorous and one-story in size. For the most part, they sit on small, squarish properties and are tightly packed along suburban streets. And with crime being of relative concern, chain-linked or raggedy, wood-paneled fencing enclose small, unkempt properties. For numbers sake, houses usually come with a price tag of around $600,000, well below the city’s average. Others live in some sort of shared housing unit, which tend to be priced around $350,000. For renters, there are a couple gritty, two-story apartment homes with garage space under the second floor. They’re typically priced around $1,000/month.

Middlefield’s residential area is very underwhelming. It’s commercial quarters are no different. For the most part, the district’s small shopping center is situated close to the US Route 101 onramp, while a large industrial zone is East of Woodside Drive. In both cases, you can find a mix of fast food chains, thrift stores and ugly, but convenient shopping options. Its one big store is Costco, which sits along Middlefield Road. As for the industrial zone, its saturated with motorcycle shops, woodworking depots, auto body shops and anonymous two-story buildings/businesses.

Marlin is an exclusively residential, roughly middle-class, but somewhat anonymous Redwood City community. It is located within the winding slough/canal system of the city and within minutes to the San Francisco peninsula. As a whole, the district is rather small (0.5 square miles), bounded by Bridge Parkway to the south, Steinberger Slough to the east, Shell Parkway to the north and Marine Parkway to the north. Demographically speaking, the neighborhood is predominately white with a rather sizable asian minority (total population tops 2,000).

Marlin’s residential quarters are made up a mixed bag of pleasant but unglamorous community aesthetics. Homes vary in size and style while apartment buildings are relatively boxy and packed together within residential blocks. Both of which provide clean-cut quarters with ordinary front yards and wide, orderly streets. Its nicer residences are situated along Bark Drive and Harbor Colony Court (mostly two-story homes with beautiful, well-groomed house fronts). Renters with deeper pockets tend to congregate around Marlin Drive, an area that hosts a couple fancy condominiums and apartment homes.

The district is surprisingly affluent, with median household incomes circling around $115,000/year. And according to the 2010 US Census, average estimated house prices are between $900,000 to $1.1 million, while rents can run you upwards of $2,500/month. For recreation, Marlin Park is the community’s nice little getaway. The grassland features an outdoor basketball court and a couple baseball/softball field. And transportation is fairly limited, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem with some luxury cars saturating the neighborhood.

Situated towards the northern border of Redwood City, Marine is exclusively commercial and home to Oracle Headquarters, a large multinational computer technology corporation that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide. It is also the beating pulse of the community and consists of large, glossy commercial buildings. As for the rest of the community, it is saturated with anonymous, run-of-the-mill office parks and adjacent parking lots.

Marine’s commercial area is largely devoted to the Oracle Headquarters and its abundant campus. Each large, lustrous building is surrounded by beautiful commercial landscaping and a small body of water running off from Steinberger Slough. The area is also served by a large parking garage for the drive-in workforce. Moreover, Marine View Park lies adjacent to the campus and offers a nice change of pace for the busy working professional.

A couple fun facts about Marine is that it is situated towards the northern border of Redwood City and within its busy slough system. The district as a whole only spans about 0.4 square miles (much of which is water) and incorporates about three to four commercial blocks. And finally, Marine Parkway, the main tree-lined strip, leads into the residential district of Redwood Shores, a convenient and largely suburban community.

Though within the vast mud lands of the San Francisco peninsula’s slough system, Marina Park is hardly worth mentioning. In fact, 3/4ths of its 4 square miles is an uninhabited marshland. As for the rest, you’ll come across sparse community quarters and a small, gritty business area. Demographically speaking, the neighborhood has a total population of under 500, most of which are from a white background (over 80%). For the general population, the district is largely anonymous with most people just passing over it on US Route 101 (up and down the San Francisco peninsula).

Marina Park’s residential quarters are made up of a couple new, cheap condominiums along Bair Island Road. There were a handful of mobile parks situated throughout the community, but it seems the apartment buildings have given the community a bit of a facelift. Yet according to the 2010 US Census, the median household income is about $45,000, well below the city’s average.

The district’s commercial quarters offers an eccentric mix of businesses. Its busiest area is located towards the southern edge of the community. There you’ll find an RV parking lot, a Nissan dealership, mini storage lot and a couple unglamorous commercial businesses and anonymous mid-rise buildings. For your dining needs, Pete’s Harbor is an old favorite and located along the waterfront. But its biggest luxury is its close proximity to downtown Redwood City.

Lido is a new and affluent bayside community nestled with the outskirts of Redwood City. It is a somewhat progressive neighborhood with vibrant homes grouped into small housing developments, making for a more intimate (yet isolated) living experience. The district as a whole spans about 0.8 square miles of orderly residential terrain and is within the many sloughs and canal systems that make up most of the eastern side of US Route 101. For commercial appeal, the area also hosts a couple office parks situated towards the eastern corner of the neighborhood.

Although rarely visited by the general public, Lido’s residential quarters are very enticing to those who do. The district is saturated with a collection of two-story starter homes, all of which share the same architectural design and aesthetic appeal as their themed housing development. For perspective home buyers, you’ll likely be paying in the range of $1 to $1.4 million in price while renters will fork over pay $2,300/month. Moreover, the typical household is pretty well off, raking in around $120,000/year. If you take a drive around the community, you’ll be met with leafy sidewalks, newly paved roads, beautiful house fronts and other well-groomed community quarters. Its only downside is that homes are relatively clumped together, which might tread on your personal space.

A couple fun facts about Lido is that the community quarters are only clumped within one third of the area, whereas the rest is considered uninhabited marshland (towards the San Francisco Bay). It is also one of the smallest populated areas in the city. According to the 2010 US Census, the district is made up less than 1,000 (split evenly between white and hispanic residents). It’s biggest perk is, quite frankly, the vast San Francisco Bay that wraps around the neighborhood and offers beautiful, panoramic views. For young families, Redwood Shores Elementary School skirts the western edge of the neighborhood and has been praised as one of the best in the city.

Harbor is a large, uninhabited marshland that sits adjacent to US Route 101. It is considered a part of the Foster City slough system, but is technically within the greater Redwood City. The area itself is only known for hosting a number of local and migratory wildlife, but is never visited by the general public. From the outsiders’ perspective, there’s no reason to ever know about this place. Yet, if you’re into hiking some woodsy trails, head towards Bayfront Park (just southeast). The large, deadened grassland offers miles of trails that meander around the landscape.

Greco Island is an uninhabited, undisturbed marshland within the greater Redwood City. It is cornered by the Westpoint Slough, the largest of several sloughs that feed into the Redwood Creek. As a whole, the island spans about 2 square miles of bayside terrain and offers beautiful vistas of the San Francisco Bay.

Although it is rarely visited by the general public, it is considered a hotspot for local geologists and biologists. In scientific terms, the area is considered a mudflat and is home to thousands of local and migratory wildlife.

Farm Hills is a rarely visited, exclusively residential neighborhood pocketed within the foothills of the San Francisco peninsula woodlands. It is considered a safe, middle to upper middle-class community great for a young family. The district as a whole spans about 1.6 square miles, most of which garner to an elementary school zone setting. Demographically speaking, the community is largely white (over 75%) and is made up of some 6,000 residents.

The Farm Hills community is situated on a rather hilly geography with a woodsy aesthetic. As you might expect, homes sit on a bit of an incline and are shaded by much of the surrounding environment. They are mixed between one and two-stories in size, but don’t seem to be too congested along neighborhood streets (like many Redwood City communities are). The typical home is two-stories and offers an attached two car garage and clean, well maintained yards. They are priced around $1.1 million, while the median household rakes in about $110,000/year (well above Redwood City’s average). These homes lay ground to wide, orderly roads and other charming communal aesthetics.

For recreation, Farm Hills is a short drive to the vast San Francisco peninsula parkland and within the reaches of the beautiful Crystal Springs Reservoir. Elsewhere, Emerald Hills Golf Course is within the neighborhood’s limits and is a fun, quirky, kid-friendly 9-hole golf course. For young families, Roy Cloud Elementary School is situated along Jefferson Avenue while Canada College skirts the southern corner of the neighborhood. Both our convenient options for local students. For the working resident, the neighborhood is nestled close to Interstate 280, making for an easy option for commuters.

Eagle Hill is a polished middle-class neighborhood pocketed within midst of Redwood City. The district is well-connected to its surrounding parts with US Route 101 and 84 within close proximity while Downtown Redwood City is just within walking distance. It is exclusively residential and spans about 0.7 square miles of suburban terrain. Demographically speaking, the district is comprised of about 4,000 residents, much of which are of white descent (over 75%), while the rest are mixed between hispanic and asian.

Besides the lush green and bushy aesthetics, Eagle Hill isn’t too exciting. Homes are mostly one-story in size, and are of the garden-variety. They do, however, sit on relatively large properties in comparison with charming house fronts and grassy front yards. There are a couple larger homes clustered towards Sequoia Hospital, but just a little. In any event, homes range from $800,000 to $1 million. Moreover, median household incomes are around $92,000/year. If you’re driving through the neighborhood, you’ll notice how very quaint and comfortable it is. Some roads have nice, orderly sidewalks while others have tree-lined streets nestled within the safe elementary school zone.

For young families, John Gill Elementary School lies within the neighborhood’s quarters. The school has garnered a 4 out-of-5 community rating on greatschools.org. Elsewhere, the Sequoia Union High School District is located two blocks east of Hudson Street, while Redwood City Caltrain is just beyond that. For the outdoorsy type, Redwood Morton Community Park is situated along Madison Avenue. The community grassland offers a playground, picnic tables, tennis courts and a baseball/soccer field.

Situated along the southern side of US Route 101, Downtown Redwood City is your typical downtown quarters of a mid-sized California town. It has, however, gone under a recent facelift (Redwood City’s 2006 redevelopment project). As a result, the district offers plenty of fine dining options, boutique shops, mid-rise commercial buildings and office parks. For perspective residents, the community is rather dense, with a total population of 10,000 within a 1 square mile terrain. And demographically speaking, it is made up mostly hispanic residents (over 60%), with a large white minority.

Downtown Redwood City’s quarters is a varied assortment of commercial makeup. Its largest establishment is the Cinemark Movie Theater, a 20-screen multiplex located along Broadway. Moreover, right down the street is the popular Fox Theatre. The venue hosts a variety of live shows and concerts almost every night. As for the rest of the neighborhood, visitors will come across the various shops, boutique stores, ground floor retail space, local government buildings and large parking garages that have sprouted up in recent years (most of which sit along Broadway). The area always seems to be buzzing with window shoppers and the drive-in workforce. However, there are a few ragtag commercial blocks and gaudy shop fronts sprinkled throughout the area. For the job seeker, there are a plethora of mid-rise office buildings (surrounded by above and below ground parking garages) and office parks plotted around the fringe of the community.

If you’d like to live here, the community is largely rental friendly. Apartment buildings and duplexes are somewhat sparse and located within pockets of the neighborhood. Their price tags are upwards of $1,000/month, while median household incomes are just below $45,000/year. Its one biggest perk is its proximity to the San Francisco Bay (within a 5-10 minute drive). For young families, the Sequoia Union High School District skirts the western corner of the neighborhood and serve the communities of Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto and Ladera to name a few.

Nestled within the outskirts of Redwood City, Dolphin is a rarely visited community glamorized by the beautiful EA Sports headquarters. In fact, the neighborhood is hardly known for its run-of-the-mill residential quarters, but more for its large business campuses and glossy commercial buildings. Its most notable is, of course, the EA Sports video game development company which anchors the heart of the community.

For those visiting, you’ll mostly be interested in the large commercial area and enormous business campuses makes up most of the community. The EA Sports facilities remind one of a small university or a Goggle-type campus with all the great amenities for perspective employees. These include tennis courts, workout facilities, an indoor pool, a convenient parking garage and beautiful commercial landscaping. During lunch hours, this tech crowd pours onto Redwood Shores to dine at their many restaurants, workout at the fitness center or get their shopping done at the local food market.

Many of those working within the community also call the Dolphin neighborhood their home. However, the district’s residential quarters are much of what you’d expect for an ordinary middle-class community. Homes are a good mix of one and two-story residences with attached two-car garages. They tend to average around $900,000 in price, but don’t fluctuate much over the years. If you drive through its couple neighborhood blocks, you’ll notice the recently paved streets, decently manicured front lawns and a couple really nice house fronts.

While Dolphin is right off the US Route 191 Highway, the area is great for commuters who travel up and down the San Francisco peninsula. The district is also within walking distance of both the Belmont and San Carlos Caltrain. For beachcombers, Dolphin is within minutes of the San Francisco Bay and miles of shoreline. In fact, the Steinberger Slough, an uninhabited marshland and canal system, lies directly east of the district.

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.

Lying within the outskirts of downtown Redwood City, Centennial is an exclusively residential and yet stringently lower middle-class community with little to no appeal. It only offers mild neighborhood aesthetics and a housing community not worth bragging about. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood is bounded by El Camino, Brewster Avenue, Veterans Boulevard and G Street to which spans about 0.6 square miles of residential terrain. Within it is a community that is densely populated, consisting of about 3,000 residents in its small space. Of those, 45% are white and 40% are hispanic (15% are mixed raced), making for a somewhat diverse community.

If you want to live cheaply and within walking distance to downtown Redwood City, this might be the neighborhood for you. But I suggest against it. Homes are rather old, bland and tightly clustered along residential blocks. They are largely one-story eyesores with shallow and/or thin driveways and pathetic front yards. Moreover, house fronts are dull at best and sometimes have little front porches for people watching (if people are actually walking by) or small white picket fences encircling the property. For perspective residents, the bulk of homes are priced between $500,000 to $750,000, while median household incomes circle around $50,000/year (10K below the city’s average). And if you’re looking to rent, there are some unattractive duplexes and two-story apartment buildings located closer to Brewster Avenue. These rents can range from $900 to $1,100/month, but aren’t worth the price tag.

The community’s only good attribute is its proximity to downtown Redwood City. For commuters, Broadway Caltrain skirts the southern edge of the community and provides a great public transit option for those traveling up and down the San Francisco peninsula. If you keep traveling east, you’ll come across the lengthy slough system that makes up an uninhabited marshland. It is also officially considered part of the larger Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and provides acres of preserved natural hiking terrain (if you’re into that sort of thing).

Nestled towards the northern edge of Foster City, Vintage Park is a flat, ordinarily commercial bayside community. It encompasses about a half dozen, rarely visited business streets stretching from US Route 92 all the way to the San Francisco Bay. For the perspective resident, there are a handful of comfortable living quarters scattered throughout the area. But for the most part, the district is saturated with a number of open-spaced business parks fitted with two-story office buildings and large, employee parking lots.

If you’ve never visited Vintage Park, chances are you never will. It’s only notable perk is the Mariner’s Point Golf Center, which skirts the northern edge of the community. The golfing hub is complete with a driving range, bar and grill and a 9-hole par-3 golf course set along the majestic San Francisco Bay. And just beside it is the long, winding trail which follows the bay’s shoreline.

For the rest of the community, its mostly commercial business. You’ll likely come across mildly attractive office parks, anonymous commercial buildings and large telephone polls blemishing the skyline. If you head towards the southern end of the district, the Bridgepointe Shopping Center provides the community with department store shopping and a Home Depot, a couple restaurants and even an indoor ice rink.