Menlo Park Menlo Oaks

pre-World War II homes, usually top end

Menlo Oaks

Look here if you want lots of land in a genteel, semi-rural setting that's close to town. And bring money.

Boundaries: Bay, Middlefield, Ringwood, Veterans Administration Hospital

Overview: There's funky semi-rural and then there's affluent semi-rural. Menlo Oaks is affluent. Large lots project an upscale feel. Winding streets, no sidewalks, many trees—perhaps a picture of the mid-Peninsula before it was completely built out.

NOTE: This area is governed directly by San Mateo County, not the City of Menlo Park. Menlo Park's police and public works services are not available to Menlo Oaks residents. Contact the Menlo Park City Clerk's office at (650) 858-3380 for city services that may be available to Menlo Oaks residents for a non-resident fee, such as library and recreation programs. If you think you might be remodeling or expanding your home, contact the County Planning & Building Division at (650) 363-4161 for guidelines before you buy.

Housing stock: One of the oldest and most architecturally diverse neighborhoods in Menlo Park. Some homes date back to the teens, with most built between the 1920s and 1951. Most of the older homes are substantial. Large lots attract much new construction. No condos or townhouses. The periphery along Coleman south of the VA Hospital has many larger apartment buildings.

Lot sizes: They range from generous to huge. Most are around 20,000 sq.ft., many are 30k and a few are full acres. Quarter-acre lots that would be huge in most other neighborhoods are small here.

Affordability: Pricey. In 2002 these homes sold in the 69^th through 99^th percentiles (including new homes) compared to other Menlo Park homes. Of the homes that sold in the top 10% of Menlo Park’s price range that year, 11% were in Menlo Oaks. Approximately 90^% of mid-Peninsula neighborhoods are less expensive. Large lots, much charm and highly-regarded schools make this area expensive.

The affordability factor is 13.2.

Schools: K-8 district: Menlo Park City School District, 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton CA 94027. Administration-Superintendent (650) 321-7140. K-2 school: Laurel, 95 Edge Rd., Atherton CA 94027. (650) 324-0186. 2002 Academic Performance Index is 843. 2001 API was 831 which ranked 10 of 10 statewide, 6 of 10 compared to similar schools. 3-5 school: Encinal, 195 Encinal Ave., Atherton CA 94027. (650) 326-5164. 2002 API is 881. 2001 API was 885 which ranked 9 of 10 statewide, 1 of 10 compared to similar schools. 6-8 school: Hillview, 1100 Elder Ave., Menlo Park CA 94025. (650) 326-4341. 2002 API is 876. 2001 API was 864 which ranked 10 of 10 statewide, 6 of 10 compared to similar schools.

9-12 district: Sequoia Union High School District, 480 James Ave., Redwood City 94062. Administration (650) 369-1411. 9-12 school: Menlo-Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Rd., Atherton CA 94027. Main number (650) 322-5311. 2002 Academic Performance Index is 696. 2001 API was 655 which ranked 6 of 10 statewide, 9 of 10 compared to similar schools.

This information is based on district and other sources but may be obsolete by the time you read this. Verify district boundaries and school availability with district offices.

Amenities: Seminary Oaks Park, Santa Monica Avenue (walking paths, benches, open play field, children's playground, tot-lot playground, public art, rock garden).

Shopping: A short drive to downtown Menlo Park. Old strip centers along Willow.

Neighborhoods with similar ambience: Barney Park in Fair Oaks might be most directly comparable in a number of ways including location, rural ambience and the wide variety of housing stock and lot sizes. After that you run out of comparables. Towns west of 280 such as Woodside, Portola Valley and Los Altos Hills also offer a rural setting but they’re hilly, often isolated and you pay dearly for their acre-plus lots. However, these communities also have a small number of homes on smaller lots that may predate current zoning requirements. These offer an ambience similar to Menlo Oaks but without the walk-to-town convenience.

Neighborhoods with similar prices (5% +/-): There’s too much diversity here to give anything more than rough guidelines: Palo Alto’s Southgate and Community Center definitely aren’t rural but do have lots of pre-war charm; Leland Manor is more tract-like. Menlo Park’s Sharon Heights , Central Menlo and upper Allied Arts, and the best parts of Los Altos’ North Los Altos are appealing but not as natural. You could also get something newer in Cupertino's Monta Vista, often in a natural setting. But if you really like Menlo Oaks you probably won’t be cross-shopping many other neighborhoods east of 280. See an important qualification regarding price comparisons.

Interested in buying a home in Menlo Oaks or in a similar area? Please contact me at jfyten@cbnorcal.com.