About
New construction and thoughtfully appointed mansions truly showcase the opulence of the Central Menlo neighborhood, where the most expensive homes in Menlo Park can be found. Despite the growing cost of housing in this area, well-to-do residents of this classy enclave tend to remain fairly loyal to the area, staying close even when they move up to larger homes. It is not unusual to have second generation families living blocks away from their parents.
Central Menlo Park consists primarily of well-maintained mid-century Ranch homes interspersed with newly constructed, multi-story homes. Large lots are the norm, and typically reach about a quarter acre or more. Lots as spacious as a half-acre or larger can be found on Hermosa Way and Robert S. Drive, giving those streets the look and affluent feel of neighboring Atherton. Residents often enjoy a stroll along the walking trail that follows Bay Laurel Drive and the San Francisquito Creek, which serves as the southern border of this exclusive neighborhood.
This neighborhood has a strong sense of community, as families invariably mingle and socialize at various functions, local restaurants, or on the greens of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club. Due to the area’s convenient proximity to nationally recognized Sand Hill Road, most of the area’s residents here are often involved with venture capital firms. Also, the area’s prime access to Interstate 280 and Highway 101 allows residents to easily commute to San Francisco and in nearby cities in the Silicon Valley.
Due to the area’s affluence, each household generally has more than two cars. However, safety in the midst of areas with heavier traffic is top priority for this neighborhood, as speed bumps, dips, and crossing guards at crucial intersections aid in making the roads as protected as possible.
Homes in Central Menlo are in great demand, driving prices higher than their original asking price. In 2014, many Central Menlo homes sold for over $2 million, and larger or newer homes often sold in excess of $4 million. Buyers looking for homes in this neighborhood should be prepared to pay more than the asking price and generally more than other Menlo Park neighborhoods. Additionally, these buyers will have to compete against other buyers with disposable income looking to build a brand new or extensively remodeled home.
