College Terrace

College Terrace is an exclusively residential, pedestrian friendly community at the foot of the prestigious Stanford University. As a result, it is an enormously convenient location for both students and young families who like to stay connected to the university’s rich culture and campus events. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood spans about twelve blocks lengthwise and two blocks widthwise, stretching from Alma Street all the way to Junipero Serra Boulevard (1.2 square miles). Moreover, the streets are named after prominent Ivy League universities, which include Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth and Columbia. College Terrace also has a sprawling population of about 5,000 residents. Its racial makeup consists of mostly white residents (75%), but with a sizable asian minority (23%).

College Terrace is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Palo Alto, and has garnered a rich history and tradition. For the perspective resident, the district is mixed between relatively small one and two story homes. They usually range in age and style as well, with a plethora of small, single-story cottages built after World War II to other (larger) beautiful Victorian homes constructed up to the late 1980’s. However, these newer developments have been a concern for older residents, who wish to keep the traditional prestige and visual character intact. Properties also very in size and aesthetic. Most homes are situated on small, but tidy properties with either two-car garages or long driveways that run deep into side lots. For numbers sake, median house values are estimated at about $1.2 million, but can climb to as much as $2.5 million. There are also a good number of condominiums and apartment buildings, usually set aside for students. Rents are typically in the range of $1,300/month.

While not the nicest looking neighborhood, College Terrace is a pretty busy area. It has everything from flat, tree-lined streets that shade sidewalks to a downplayed religious fervor. In fact, there are three churches within the neighborhood’s limits. These include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Sains, The Chabad House and the University Church (Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry). Elsewhere, you can find three small parks within the area: Donaldina Cameron Park, William Werry Park and Frederick Weisshaar Park.

Tucked away just to the south of Escondido Village and pretty much within the shadow of campus this is one of those great little neighborhoods with really old homes (mostly of an older pedigree, though perhaps smaller than the houses you find in Southgate). This is one of those neighborhoods I love taking a walk in just to admire these old places. It’s actually a lot like some of the kinds of neighborhoods you find in (gasp!) Berkeley. Except, of course, that this is Palo Alto so it is much better kept than those neighborhoods around Cal for the most part.

There are some pretty good houses here though. You can find some fine examples of Mission style bungalows here and a fair amount of Mediterranean houses here as well. One of my favorite houses is here as well, on Cornell Street. It is this house that looks like it has been swallowed up by bushes, all you can see is some of the stonework sticking up from behind the bushes. It is really a pretty funny look.

It is really a nice neighborhood for a walk.

What about living here?

Well we only managed to find one rental when we happened to look and it was $1700 for a one-bedroom Because it was so close to campus we seriously considered it. But you can tell for this price that it is a pretty expensive area.

There is only one home for sale there right now. It is a brand new construction in the Mediterranean style, with 5-bedrooms and they are trying to get $2.5 mil for it. I assume other properties would be similarly priced.

You definitely can’t beat the location though if you are in anyway affiliated with the university.