Illinois St, East Palo Alto

You may have heard the term, "You won't recognize East Palo Alto in five years," but this is generally not spoken by people who live here. It seems that the further off the main drag (University Avenue) you travel in either direction, the less safe the town feels. Illinois Street, being as far east as one can get, is no exception. I live four blocks away, in one of the more residential streets, and truly do not feel completely safe walking here, even in broad daylight.

The town does have some perks: the rumors may be true, as real estate prices have gone up, so it could very well be a good investment opportunity (especially if you have renters). You actually get a decent price per square foot for your money compared to surrounding areas, and some of the homes are quite nice. The investment could be worthwhile for risk takers, but is not recommended for families with children. Even as such, I would still buy closer to University. At least the police station is nearby.