South Gate

Nestled between Alma Street and El Camino Real and located on the eastern fringe of Stanford University, South Gate is a high-cost, but convenient Palo Alto community. In many ways, the neighborhood has tried to retain its old, post-World War II traditions and character. Most homes tend to identify with that mid-century ideal and aesthetic that escapes many other developing communities. Geographically speaking, the district extends about 0.1 square miles of middle to upper-middle class terrain. It is also relatively dense and boasts a diverse community. Of its 600 residents, the racial makeup of South Gate is about 60% white, 25% asian and 15% mixed race.

South Gate is an almost exclusively residential community that goes back and forth between the middle and upper middle-class. Although many homes have been added onto or remodeled in the past decade or so, most homes were built within the 1930’s and 1940’s. Some homes are relatively large (bulky two-story houses), and fitted onto tight little lots. They offer small gardens or petite front lawns that give the community a friendly appeal to visitors. These properties also yield flat, orderly roads, tasteful sidewalks and trees that pop up on every other property. For prospective residents, you’ll be interested to know that median household incomes are around $115,000/year. And for their living accommodations, homes are typically listed around $1.5 million (on par with Palo Alto’s average), while a few condominiums are priced upwards of $1.2 million.

Situated adjacent to Palo Alto High School and Stanford University, South Gate boasts many convenient amenities. For one, residents are within walking distance to the many on-campus activities of both schools. These can include sports events, theater performances and other weekly activities. Younger families also have the privilege of introducing their children to excellent education at a young age. Not only is Stanford University one of the top schools in the nation, the Palo Alto school system has garnered high academic achievement in its recent past. These amenities are the direct result of the area’s high-cost of living. Also, residents are within walking distance to the California Avenue Caltrain and a couple neighborhood eateries just down the block.

This is a tiny little neighborhood right by campus and Old Palo Alto. There is not much to it, but I really love the homes in this neighborhood. There are lots of really attractive older homes—many in a sort of Mediterranean fashion or with a Spanish Revival feel. The trees are leafy the front yards somewhat bushy but amazingly well-kept. I have no idea what it would to cost to actually live in this neighborhood, but I can tell by the luxury vehicles parked outside of the homes here that it is very, very, very expensive.