Situated along the historic El Camino Real and just 20 miles south of San Francisco, the city of San Mateo stands out as a regional hub of its own. This community of more than 105,000 residents features a vast downtown shopping area, stellar schools and proximity to high-paying jobs and diverse cultural scenes. "San Mateo is vibrant, from its stores to its restaurants and even its movie theaters," says Realtor Joan Wachter with Coldwell Banker. "There are great schools, good public transportation and you can feel at ease walking around freely at night." While this city has its own extensive array of amenities and opportunities, Silicon Valley, San Francisco and San Jose are also accessible within a short drive or train ride. This abundance of conveniences, together with the hilltop views of the Bay this city offers, contribute to San Mateo’s highly competitive housing market and strong appeal to new Bay Area residents.
Restaurants in Downtown San Mateo often have al fresco seating.
Baywood-Aragon's Foreigner restaurant sells delicious lunch and breakfast options.
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A diverse shopping and dining scene around Main Street
San Mateo is home to one of the Bay Area’s largest downtown retail districts, just off El Camino Real. The Main Street alley offers a slice of Old West aesthetics with its mixture of Spanish Revival and Queen Anne architecture. These turn-of-the-20th-century buildings now host trendy bars and restaurants as well as murals depicting life there in late-19th century. In downtown the flavors of East Asia, Southern Europe and Mexico contribute to a thriving food scene, while Japanese, Mexican and Hawaiian markets add variety to this city’s grocery options. Several San Mateo restaurants are featured in the Michelin Guide, including the Venetian-themed Pausa and the American branch of the Nagoya, Japan-founded soba restaurant Kajiken.
Main Street in San Mateo near North Central is a hub of activity and charm.
The Murals along Main Street give a off a unique and charming atmosphere in Downtown San Mateo.
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Colorful gardens and bayside golfing
San Mateo Central Park is at the center of downtown, and its 16 acres contain a large playground area that is slated to bring back the mini-train that longtime residents may remember from as far back as 1948. The park also includes a Japanese garden with a koi pond and a traditional pagoda, paying homage to the major role that Japanese salt miners and florists played in the city’s early development. Along the Bay, Seal Point Park and the Coyote Point Recreation Area are connected by the Bay Trail, accessible to both joggers and cyclists. The 9-hole golf training course at the Mariners Point Golf Center and the 18-hole Poplar Creek Golf Course offer bayside vistas to patrons of their public greens. The CuriOdyssey, located right on the San Francisco Bay, is part museum, part zoo that bills itself as a science playground for kids.
Central Park in Downtown San Mateo also features a rose garden for residents to enjoy.
Practice your swing at Mariners Point Golf Center's driving range in Foster City.
San Mateo Recreation Area has a golf course located nearby.
Seal Point Park offers long waterfront walking trials.
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A diverse economy influenced by Silicon Valley
In addition to a regionally renowned retail sector, San Mateo provides countless opportunities for employment in the technology, healthcare and education industries. The city’s largest employers include the Tokio Marine Management insurance company, the healthcare company Lumity and the e-commerce business Rakuten, with solar power, software development, food service and gaming industries also counting among the top 20 employers. San Mateo is also just a short journey from the job hubs of both San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
SurveyMonkey global headquarters is located in Hillsdale neihgborhood.
Westwood Knolls is served by a major medical center.
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A highly desirable housing stock
San Mateo has a diverse, in-demand housing market that varies from retirement community condos to fully detached, multimillion-dollar properties. Senior-living condos tend to cost between $140,000 and $400,000, while other townhouse and condo properties - mostly built from the 1970s to 2010s - vary in sale price from $420,000 to $2.95 million. Fully detached homes will rarely sell for under $1 million and reach up to $8.55 million. Though many of these properties were built in San Mateo’s outlying hills during the 2010s, some of the most expensive are restored residences first built in the 1920s and featuring Georgian and Victorian aesthetics.
Modern apartment buildings are a popular option for residents of Downtown San Mateo.
Modern design shines in this Baywood-Aragon home, blending sleek design with natural tones.
Spanish revival style homes are popular throughout the Downtown San Mateo neighborhood.
This Baywood-Aragon home boasts classic colonial architecture with charming dormer windows.
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Stellar schools with Blue Ribbon recognition
The San Mateo-Foster City School District receives an A-minus rating from Niche; all of its elementary schools and all but one of its middle schools score at least A-minuses. The San Mateo Union High School District scores an A-plus, as do each of its high schools. San Mateo High School itself has received a National Blue Ribbon Award. The College of San Mateo is a two-year community college located in the western edge of the city and serves about 10,000 students.
San Mateo High has a beautiful campus in Tobin Clark Estates.
The College of San Mateo is a major presence in Tobin Clark Estate.
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Public safety in San Mateo
San Mateo has acquired a Bay Area reputation for relatively low crime. According to FBI statistics the city’s crime rate is well below state and national averages.
Train and highway access to San Francisco
San Mateo sits 20 miles and an approximately 30-minute drive down Highway 101 from San Francisco. San Mateo's Caltrain station, located in downtown, offers 30-minute train rides to San Francisco Station. Likewise, both drivers and the Caltrain can reach San Jose within 40 minutes. The Mills-Peninsula Medical Center sits just 4 miles up El Camino Real from downtown San Mateo. San Francisco International Airport is 8 miles up the 101.
Coming from a family who owned and operated a real estate company in Hawaii for more than 40 years, Renee Kee Maeda lives and breathes real estate. It’s in her blood, and she’s honed her skills over a lifetime. Renee knows that people are busier than ever, and no matter how hectic your life is, she’ll ensure that you make a smart decision that sets you up for success — now and in the future. Whether you’re investing, looking for your first house, trading up or down, or life has you wondering what options are right for you, Renee’s the agent you want in your corner.
Renee and her husband moved to Walnut Creek in 1998, and they raised their three children here. Not only does Renee have in-depth insight into the Bay Area, she understands what makes the region and community one-of-a-kind. She’s a local expert with the negotiation expertise and market knowledge to deliver targeted results.
Renee takes time to understand her clients’ needs and goals, and then she creates strategic plans based on high-level analysis. Throughout the process, she monitors everything — from the tiny details to the big picture. Clients know that Renee is fighting for their best interests every step of the way, using the impeccable work ethic, ingenuity, and high integrity she learned as a first-generation American. She makes each interaction an educational experience so that every person becomes an expert in their own right. She also works tirelessly on her clients’ behalf and enlists the help of her extensive professional network to make each transaction smooth and stress-free.
When Renee’s not tackling the real estate world, she is spending time with her family, loving the home she rebuilt after losing it to fire in 2005, and working in her garden. She loves dark chocolate, keeps the atmosphere light with her goofy side, and embodies the spirit of Aloha.
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