Belmont

A sophisticated sidewalk system and easily accessible shopping centers make Carlmont one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city of Belmont. Its hilly terrain also allows for some San Francisco Bay views, making walks around this downtown neighborhood a scenic experience. The major employment hubs of San Francisco and Silicon Valley sit about 20 miles in each direction, situating Carlmont as a popular commuter location. It also offers homebuyers larger lots, attracting those looking for more space while staying close to major cities. It's thriving park system and highly-rated schools are also a major draw to the area. Popular styles include Tudor Revival, Mediterranean, contemporary, traditional and ranch-style homes. There is also a mix of new construction and homes built between the 1920s and 1960s. Smaller two- to three-bedroom homes can sell for $1.8 million to $2.5 million, while larger three- to four-bedroom dwellings can sell for more than $3 million. Kids may attend schools in the Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District. They can go to Central Elementary School and Ralston Middle School, graded an A-minus or better on Niche. Many move up to Carlmont High School in the Sequoia Union High School District. Niche ranked it the No. 3 best public high school in San Mateo County and gave it an A-plus grade. Carlmont is also home to the Charles Armstrong School, an independent school that offers specialized programs for kids with dyslexia. Notre Dame de Namur University is also less than 1 mile away. The 10-acre Twin Pines Park offers shaded pavilions, a playground and picnic areas. The Belmont Historical Society is in the Belmont Manor House on the ground. It serves as an art gallery and events venue. McDougal Park is another popular recreation ground. It is located just outside the neighborhood and has a ballfield, basketball court, playground and picnic area. Waterdog Lake and Open Space Park is less than a mile from the Carlmont Village Shopping Center. This nature park is a favorite among the biking community. "People really care about the Waterdog Park. They want to be outdoors as much as possible," says John Kinninger, the lead mechanic at the local Belmont Bikes. He's been working in the area since 2019. Waterdog Park features a lake, open space and a trail system. The Carlmont Village Shopping Center sits at the corner of Ralston Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas. There, residents can find Lunardi's Market and Hassett ACE Hardware. There are also several popular eateries, including Jim Burg's, formerly Waterdog Tavern. This indoor-outdoor restaurant serves New American cuisine. A large Safeway grocery store and the Belmont Village Shopping Center are on the neighborhood's east end. The center is full of shops and eateries, including, Iron Gate, one of the oldest fine dining stops on the peninsula. It is a high-end French-American restaurant known for its steak Diane and French onion soup. The Hollywood movie-themed Godfather's Burger Lounge is just a short walk away. It is known for its large organic burgers and American cuisine. The Annual Celebrate the Music Festival is the largest community event of the year. It serves as a fundraiser for area schools' music programs and works to highlight local musicians. It is held every April. Twin Pines hosts several other seasonal events, including Christmas ornament and cookie decorating, an Easter egg hunt and a sweetheart dance. California State Route 82 runs through the east end of the neighborhood, making travel to San Mateo, nearly 6 miles away, easy. San Francisco is about 23 miles away and can be reached by traveling north on nearby U.S. Route 101. Air travel is also easily accessible. San Carlos Airport is just over 2 miles away in neighboring San Carlos. For international travel, San Francisco International Airport is 10 miles north. Carlmont is served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit system. Public bus stops are along Alameda de las Puglas, Chula Vista Drive, El Camino Real and Ralston Avenue. The city has also been investing in bike lane upgrades. "They just did a bunch of work on a section of bike lanes," Kinninger says. "They made them more robust."

While residents might not have the stunning views of Belmont Heights to the southwest, what Homeview does offer is convenience, walkability and comparative affordability. The first neighborhood to be built in Belmont, the many ranch-style houses in Homeview follow an orderly grid layout and are close to the shops and stores of Belmont, along with being close to highways and a Caltrain stop that takes residents up and around Silicon Valley. “Homeview is super convenient,” says Joe Polyak, a Bay Area native and lead Realtor at RISE Homes who has been selling homes in the San Francisco region for over a decade. “You’re right off the freeway, you’re within walking distance to Whole Foods and it’s super convenient for getting to work.” Further, with home prices being several hundred thousand dollars below the Belmont area’s average, buyers might find Homeview is a preferable option. Sidewalks and well-manicured gardens lie outside of the neighborhood’s neatly organized ranch-style homes. Most of these houses here were built in the late 1940s, early ‘50s, though many have received recent updates from owners, and there are some builds from the ‘90s and beyond in some northern and eastern pockets of Homeview. Reflective of the desirability of Silicon Valley, houses sell for between $1.5 million and $1.7 million. This is relatively inexpensive for the greater Belmont area, where the average home value is above $2 million. Buyers may not have the scenic views and spaciousness of residents in neighborhoods like Belmont Heights, but this is exactly what keeps home costs down.