Palo Alto Leland Manor

larger post-World War II tract homes, usually mid-range

Leland Manor

Look here if you want a prosperous-looking rancher neighborhood close to Community Center and schools.

Boundaries: Seale, Barbara, N. California, Middlefield

Overview: Leland Manor has much of the quietly affluent rancher ambiance of Central Menlo. Somewhat like nearby Crescent Park Addition but further from 101 and usually on a slightly larger scale. Well-located, close to the community center and sought-after schools.

Housing stock: Most are spacious 3- and 4-bedroom ranchers built from 1946-51, although a handful were built in 1939-41 just after the area was annexed to Palo Alto. Leland Manor was an upscale development by the standards of the time and has remained so. Virtually all homes are at least 1800 sq.ft. and many are well into the 2000 sq.ft. range. All have at least two baths and often three. They're well-built homes, almost all single-story traditional ranchers. Despite breaking ground just before World War II, there's no pre-war architecture here; in fact Leland Manor may have been Palo Alto’s introduction, at least on a large scale, to the new “ranch-style” home. A few of the Eichlers common to post-war Palo Alto are also here but they’re large customs, not the small tract homes the builder was known for. Joe must have found these jobs convenient since he was building some of his earliest developments just on the other side of Embarcadero about this time.

Affordabilty: A great location plus generally big homes and lots keep prices up. Approximately 90% of mid-Peninsula neighborhoods are less expensive. In 2002 Leland Manor homes sold in the 76^th through 89^th percentiles compared to other Palo Alto homes. The affordability factor is 13.

Lot sizes: Most range from 8000 to 14,000 sq.ft., with a handful of half-acres. Lots are the typical post-war configuration, broad and deep.

Schools: Palo Alto Unified School District, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto CA 94306. Main number (650) 329-3700.

K-5: Walter Hays, 1525 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto 94301. (650) 322-5956. The 2002 Academic Performance Index is 936. 2001 API was also 936 which ranked 10 of 10 statewide and 10 of 10 compared to similar schools.

6-8: Jordan, 750 N. California Ave., Palo Alto 94303. (650) 494-8120. 2002 API is 893. 2001 API was 897 which ranked 10 of 10 statewide and 10 of 10 compared to similar schools.

9-12: Palo Alto (“Paly”), 50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto 94301. (650) 329-3710. 2002 API is 872. 2001 API was 861 which ranked 10 of 10 statewide and 10 of 10 compared to similar schools.

This information is taken from PAUSD and other sources but may be obsolete by the time you read it. Boundaries are subject to change and schools are subject to availability. Verify enrollment with the Palo Alto Unified School District. First go to their web site to check the latest school attendance maps and enter the address of the home in which you're interested, and then call the attendance office at (650) 329-3707 to verify availability.

Amenities: Main Library, 1213 Newell Rd. (650) 329-2436. Arts Center, 1313 Newell Rd. (650) 329-2366. Rinconada Park, 777 Embarcadero Rd. (20 acres): adult theatre, children's theatre, adult pool, children's pool, children's museum, play area, tennis courts, picnic areas, restrooms. Also includes Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Rd. (650) 463-4900. Children’s Library, 1276 Harriet St. (650) 329-2134.

Shopping: Convenient to Town & Country Village, University Avenue and Edgewood Shopping Center.

Neighborhoods with similar ambience: Central Menlo and North Los Altos.

Neighborhoods with similar prices (5% +/-): Menlo Park’s Central Menlo, Felton Gables, Sharon Heights, upper Allied Arts and Menlo Oaks. Parts of Crescent Park and North Los Altos. Newer homes in Cupertino's Monta Vista. See an important qualification regarding price comparisons.

Interested in buying in Leland Manor or in a similar area? Please contact me at jfyten@cbnorcal.com.