Sunnyvale

First developed in the 1960s, Birdland Neighbors is a quiet, suburban neighborhood with modest homes. But its location in Silicon Valley and direct proximity to Apple’s headquarters makes it attractive to homebuyers — and expensive. “People move here because it’s walking distance to their jobs, their kids’ schools and plazas in the area. A lot of people who live here work for Kaiser or Apple,” says Maria Collard, community manager at the Crossings Apartments in the Birdland neighborhood. “We're right in the middle of the city, but it has more of a neighborhood feel. It’s very homey. My residents say it feels like a close-knit community.” The neighborhood gets its name from its aptly named streets like Parrot Avenue, Waterbird Way or Magpie Lane. The neighborhood’s single-family homes largely consist of three- and four-bedroom mid-century modern homes and minimal traditional ranches. These homes, although modest, start at around $2 million. Slightly larger, two-story homes range up to $3 million. “There’s a lot of young professionals and young families that live here,” Callard says. Tree-lined sidewalks on residential streets cross in front of lawns outlined by brick barriers and white picket fences. Homes sit on generously sized lots with bright colors and manicured lawns. Apple’s corporate headquarters, “Apple Park” (sometimes referred to as “The Spaceship”), is immediately south of Birdland Neighbors. This massive office complex, completed in 2017, can serve nearly 13,000 employees and has contributed to housing prices nearly tripling in Birdland Neighbors since 2011. The neighborhood’s demographics have changed as long-time residents have sold their homes to newcomers at a premium. “The school district in the area is also good. Families will move here months before the school year to send their kids there,” Callard says. Laurelwood Elementary, which earned an A grade from Niche, serves the neighborhood. The Santa Clara Unified School District is currently building a new, expanded campus for Laurelwood Elementary. The new building will accommodate at least 800 students and is expected to be completed for the 2026 school year. Older students in the area may attend the A-rated Peterson Middle School and A-plus-rated Adrian Wilcox High School. Raynor Park sits at the center of Birdland, offering an outdoor basketball court, baseball diamond, playground and roller skating rink. Just a mile and a half west, locals can visit the family-friendly Ortega Park for more park amenities, including a rock climbing wall and splash pad for kids, tennis courts and a cricket pitch. Residents can also visit nearby Central Park. In addition to traditional park amenities like a playground and paved walking trails, Central Park is home to the George F. Gaines International Swim Center and the Community Recreation Center. Sunnyvale has plenty of family-friendly events throughout the year at its parks, including an Easter egg hunt at Raynor Park. Residents can also head to Downtown Sunnyvale to visit the town’s year-round farmers market, held every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM, or the Sunnyvale Library, which hosts fitness classes, child and teen programming, events and more. El Camino Real borders Birdland Neighbors on the north and provides a range of dining options. One option is TANTO Japanese, which attracts crowds coming for its casual digs serving cold beers and tasty Japanese classics. On the other side of Lawrence Expressway, Jang Su Jang serves Korean BBQ. Birdland also has several Asian markets, including 99 Ranch Market, a Chinese grocery store, and MEGA MART, a Korean grocery store just northeast of the neighborhood. Major employers like Apple and the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center are located just south of the neighborhood and are accessible by car, bike or on foot. The San José Mineta International Airport and Downtown San Jose are less than 10 miles from Birdland Neighbors, and Interstates 280 and Highway 85 transports drivers around Silicon Valley and beyond.

Situated between U.S. Route 161 and U.S. Route 137, the suburban community of Lakewood offers reliable housing with immediate access to the San Francisco Bay and downtown San Jose amenities. Locals here often spend their time taking in the scenic views of the San Francisco Bay at Baylands Park, cheering on the 49ers at Levi Stadium and capitalizing on the quick 8 mile commute into downtown San Jose. With a seemingly endless amount of amenities nearby, locals here rarely have to leave the neighborhood for groceries or entertainment. Lakewood’s accessible housing options and proximity to major attractions make this neighborhood one of Silicon Valley’s best-kept secrets. “The community resides in a very accessible part of Sunnyvale and it’s very beautiful despite the connotations that come along with the idea of trailer parks — The communities are well-kept and don’t have that trailer park feel,” says Tracy Black, long-time local Property Manager. Lakewood features a range of housing options from multi-family townhouses and manufactured homes to single family bungalows and contemporary ranch-styles. Lakewood boasts subdivisions from multi-family manufactured homes and townhomes in areas like Casa de Amigos and Adobe Wells to larger single family homes within the area. Streets here are wide, clean and tree-lined with landscaped greenery throughout the community. With a median sales price of $1,400,000, price points here can range from the mid 100,000s to upwards of around $1,600,000 depending on the age, size and location of the property. For example, a two-bedroom manufactured home costs around $165,000, while a three-bedroom contemporary ranch-style can go for around $1,600,000. Larger single family homes closer to downtown San Jose are subject to increased price points. Homes here often feature wide paved driveways and are typically fronted by small yards and ornate barriers for added seclusion amongst dense cul-de-sacs. “Don’t let the prefab homes fool you,” says Black. “There’s a fantastic community in Lakewood and the streets are tight, but also really attractive, and the price is too in this day and age.” Residents here shop at Mercado Shopping Mall within the neighborhood at stores like Walmart, T.J. Maxx and Homegoods. While a variety of department stores and retailers, like Dollar Tree, Ross Dress for Less and Michaels can be found along McCarthy Boulevard. Groceries and other everyday essentials are also available at stores outside the community like Whole Foods and CVS Pharmacy. When dining in the area, locals head to Bogart’s Sports Bar for a relaxed dining experience with sports on the TVs, pool tables and karaoke nights. Or check out the community hot spot, Laughing Monk Brewing and Gastropub for outdoor dining, bar bites and house-brewed beers. For an upscale dining experience, locals visit Birk’s Restaurant for grilled steaks, seafood and a classic bistro setting. Students in Lakewood can attend Lakewood Elementary, Columbia Middle and Fremont High School, which respectfully received scores of B, B-minus and A from Niche. Lakewood Elementary School serves over 400 students and offers a Tech EQ program where students can learn from a technology-focused curriculum, while Columbia Middle School offers a University Partnership Program (UPP) program in partnership with Stanford University that incorporates a research-based curriculum through labs beginning as early as Grade 6. Fremont High School serves over 2,000 students and offers a rigorous curriculum with over 18 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for higher education preparation. Private institutions like The King's Academy and Stratford School are also common here. For higher education, students in Lakewood look to Mission College, which is an accredited two-year college within the community where students can find their true calling before taking on larger universities like Stanford University just 10 miles away. Residents here are within walking distance of Lakewood Park, which offers a skate park and paved trails perfect for a morning jog within the neighborhood. Or visit Seven Seas Park for the splash pad and pirate-themed playground where local children can play and a dog park to let four-legged family members off leash for some exercise. For bird watching along the open shores of the San Francisco Bay, visit Baylands Park for an extensive piece of preserved wetlands. Thrill seekers are in luck with California's Great America nearby, which offers over 100 acres of entertainment space, nine roller coasters, a massive water-themed area and an extensive list of live entertainment and food options. The park is incredibly popular and attracts millions of people every year. Football enthusiasts in Lakewood flock to the region’s premiere sports field at Levi Stadium, which is famously known as the home field for the San Francisco 49ers. The stadium has also played host to the Super Bowl, WrestleMania and it attracts some of the biggest musical acts in the world who come to play to upwards of 70,000 screaming fans. Lakewood relies on U.S. Route 161 and U.S. Route 137 and relies on for easy access to downtown San Jose and neighboring areas like North Whisman and Agnew. Residents seeking public transit options can take the bus, monitored by the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for trips in and around San Jose starting at $2.50 for adults one-way. Lakewood riders can start their ride on bus route 55, which operates along the Lawrence Expressway and stops throughout the community. For those seeking to travel longer distances, the San José Mineta International Airport is only 6 miles away from Lakewood. When seeking healthcare, residents here are just 4 miles from Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center.

The master planned community SNAIL, standing for Sunnyvale Neighbors of Arbor Including LaLinda is unlike others. Located in the Santa Clara Valley northeast of San Jose, the community of 1,500 homes in north-central Sunnyvale is all about renewing the old-fashioned neighborhood feeling with engaged citizens that look out for one another. Valérie Suarès, Chair of the SNAIL Neighborhood Association, says, “We like to say it’s a bit of an old-fashioned neighborhood. It’s great because of the people that live here. They’ve made a rock-solid community that likes to get involved through our monthly meetings, and we organize holiday events and fairs throughout the year. You get the tight community experience in SNAIL.” While you won’t find many bargains here with median prices falling around $1.4 million, SNAIL’s residential streets are tightly lined with Minimal Traditional ranch-style homes and Craftsman bungalows brightened up by thick sections of tall trees and personable front lawns. Walking along the sidewalks access to the community is limited with brick barriers and white picket fences leading to cul-de-sacs, giving residents more privacy to enjoy what’s important. The neighborhood also has several condo and apartment complexes popping up with the community to welcome newcomers. Students start off at Bishop Elementary School, rated B-minus on Niche.com, before moving on to Columbia Middle School, and Fremont High School, rated B-minus and an A respectively. At Bishop classes utilize the Common Core State Standards to provide the best learning environment possible while Columbia sits in the heart of the neighborhood and guides students through their education during the pivotal days of adolescence. Residents who love to live an active lifestyle will feel right at home living in SNAIL. Movement Sunnyvale acts as the area’s premier gym facility, best known for its massive rock climbing walls that accommodate any skill level. If you want to mix up your workout routine with some team sports, try the Mountain View Volleyball Club. Try building your own fierce team for tournament quality competition, or sign up to fill in a gap for an existing team and further your connection to this tight-knit community. If your workout consists simply of a jog, add the green spaces of Columbia Park or Fair Oaks Park to your route and bask in the area’s sunny days. A quick drive down Sunnyvale Avenue brings you to Murphy Avenue, a bustling town center filled to the brim with elegant meals, tasty treats and trendy bars and breweries. Come on Saturdays and shop at the Sunnyvale Farmer’s Market to support local farmers and vendors selling their specialty goods. During your morning commute, stop by Daily Donuts for what locals say are the best. They also serve delicious bagels, pastries and made-to-order sandwiches out of the small, family-owned storefront. Try visiting Hobee's for breakfast where they offer a menu of vegan and gluten free option for health-minded residents. SNAIL keeps its community engaged throughout the year with regular fairs and events like block parties and neighborhood clean-ups. Even when the community doesn’t have something organized, there are countless ways to stay busy while living in SNAIL.

Downtown Sunnyvale’s Heritage District is the beating heart of this storied Californian City, where modern Bay Area living is bridged with historic architecture along Murphy Avenue – the neighborhood’s main artery. The eclectic mix of boutique shops and trendy restaurants has become a local hot spot and expansion in the area has only begun. “The Heritage District is one of the most up-and-coming downtowns in the South Bay,” says James Do, Real Estate Agent at Momentum Realty. “There’s tons of new developments with new places to eat, drink, and gather.” Recent housing construction has created fresh opportunities for prospective homebuyers to land in this exciting Bay Area community. “It's just a very lively, family-oriented area,” Do says. The Heritage District’s largest draw is the vibrant commercial sector along Murphy Avenue. Old bumps up against new as the eclectic mix of local shops, trendy restaurants, and name-brand retailers line the cobblestone streets. Visitors can peruse the crowded shelves of Leigh's Favorite Books or pop in for a set of live music at Murphy’s Law nearby. The Oxford Kitchen & Gastropub serves up London-inspired dishes in a relaxed, upscale setting. Target and Whole Foods Market provide the neighborhood with weekly groceries – yet the vibrant shops make up only half of the allure. The Sunnyvale Downtown Association puts on numerous shows and events, including the Summer Concert series, which features live local artists and street vendors. “They’re creating a very family-oriented atmosphere with community events,” Do says. The Sunnyvale Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 9:00 to 1:00, and visitors can shop the aisles of California produce, artisanal goods, and homemade crafts. The Market is operated by the Urban Village Farmer’s Market Association, a non-profit organization that aims to foster direct connections between local producers and consumers. The Heritage District is a very walkable neighborhood, but those looking to travel further can take a variety of transportation routes. “The area is very convenient for public transportation thanks to the Caltrain,” Do says. The Sunnyvale train station is within walking distance for many residents and the Caltrain Express connects commuters to the bustling urban centers of San Jose to the South and San Francisco to the north. Those with a car can hop on Highway 82 and head to downtown San Jose or the San Jose Mineta International Airport, under 13 miles away. Lawn bowling may be unfamiliar to some, but it is a common sight at Murphy Park. The park’s bowling green plays host to the Sunnyvale Lawn Bowls Club, which holds weekly games. Historical artifacts and playgrounds are also available. Residents can work on their backhand at the Sunnyvale Municipal Tennis Courts in Las Palmas Park or enjoy the space’s hiking trails and recreational pond under the California sun. The Heritage District’s housing is varied, distinct, and ever-changing. “There are all different types of housing styles and sizes,” says Do. “We see lots of teardowns, but there are still original buildings that have been in the area for a while.” The homes’ median year built is 1950, but recently completed townhouses and condos have steadily increased that number. The area also has several high-rise apartment complexes for those looking to rent. Single-family options can be found away from commercial areas along sidewalk-lined streets. California ranchers are the predominant style, but Spanish-revival builds and remodeled farmhouses can be found mixed in between. Contemporary townhouses begin pricing for $1 million while larger midcentury-moderns can top $3 million, but listings rarely stay on the market for very long. The Sunnyvale School District provides education to the younger residents, but high school-aged students switch over to the Fremont Union High School District as it is the only public high school in the Sunnyvale area. Ellis Elementary School received a B-plus rating on Niche and placed a priority on technology-integrated education. Older students may attend Columbia Middle School, which received a B-minus rating on Niche, and Fremont High School, which received an A rating. Freemont High School offers more than 45 student clubs and is ranked the 5th most diverse public high school in Santa Clara County by Niche. Parents looking for a private school option may consider The King’s Academy, which received an A-plus rating on Niche.