Millbrae

Located just to the southwest of SFO, Millbrae is a solidly upper middle class neighborhood. It is not as hoity-toity as Burlingame or as expensive, nor does Millbrae have that much going on in terms of nightlife, but if you are looking for a relatively affordable neighborhood that is safe and has good schools, this is probably it.

One of the benefits of Millbrae is that it tends to have more sunny days then the South San Francisco areas just to the north. Supposedly this is because Millbrae is just to the south of the “fog line.” Whatever the reason, it beats the weather in the Sunset District.

In terms of homes, Millbrae—like most of San Mateo County—follows that old Doors song: “the West is the Best.” By which I mean that the farther west you go and the farther up into the hills, the more expensive the homes become. That is where you will find the million dollar homes in Millbrae for the most part. Not that the homes down by the airport are a bunch of dollar shacks or shanty towns—they are still north of $500,000 even on the far eastern end, just maybe not quite as far north.

Millbrae is also known for having excellent schools, which is part of the reason why the property prices are so high. That and because it is an excellent launching point for Bay Area commuters, having a BART station and other means of transportation.

In terms of restaurants and nightlife, the choices are just okay. There are number Chinese and East Asian restaurants, and there are a handful of bars but that is not really the draw of this area.

Overall this is just a pretty good family neighborhood.

Nestled in between U.S. Route 101 and Highway 280, Millbrae is a firmly middle-class community and part of the greater San Mateo County. Its most notable aspect is its proximity to the San Francisco International Airport and its many secondary features. Yet, the town is largely residential, saturated with a quaint, aesthetic appeal and bayside accommodations. And according to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city’s population is approximated at 20,000 residents, most of whom are of white or asian descent. For commuters, you’ll be happy to note that there are a variety of transit options including Bart and the Caltrain. Both have convenient stops for commuters traveling up to San Francisco and down to San Jose.

Millbrae’s residential area is made up more than a dozen neighborhoods. Its most appealing residential quarters are situated along the San Mateo Hills, where the city offers beautiful panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. You can also find nice, newer homes plotted west of Green Hills Country Club. If you’re driving through the neighborhoods, you’ll find nice, orderly streets with trees lining much of the landscape. And among them, you’ll see older, two-story residences with shallow, but primped front yards. For residents, median household incomes typically fall in between $70,000 and $90,000 a year, while home prices average around $860,000. If you’re looking to rent, expect to pay upwards of $1,400/month. It’s also important to note that the city’s political affiliation is highly democratic. In last year’s election, more than 3/4ths of the population voted for President Obama.

Millbrae spans about 3.25 square miles, little of it is accommodated by commercial real-estate. Its only “downtown” area is considered the streets of El Camino Real and Broadway Avenue. Both streets are saturated with small shops, neighborhood restaurants, chain grocery stores, hardware stores and a long strip of hotels and travel lodges (due to the airport’s proximity). Millbrae’s school district has a reputation of having some of the best schools in all the Bay Area. It oversees one middle school and four elementary schools. And Mills High School, which is part of the neighboring San Mateo Union School District, tests the highest in all of San Mateo County.