Midtown_cowper_st_3457Developed after World War II “Midtown” Palo Alto contains all of the essential elements necessary to be a classic desirable family neighborhood.  Midtown is unambiguously located right smack in the middle of Palo Alto.  At inception Midtown was supposed to be a prototypical track neighborhood designed to accommodate California’s state-wide post-War development boom that defined the start of suburban sprawl.  Originally considered South Palo Alto, Midtown grew so big, so fast that the two separate neighborhoods – Midtown and South Palo Alto – were destined to be separated out of necessity.   Today Midtown is a distinct, charming stand-alone neighborhood which epitomizes Palo Alto neighborhood living.

Midtown_98420_henry_w_seale_park_palo_altoMidtown Palo Alto Shows Multi-Architectural Styles & Character

Midtown is comprised of many architectural styles and designs including California Ranchers, Eichlers, Bungalows, and most recently California Modern homes.  Most of the lots in Midtown are 6,000 to 8,000 square feet with some exceptions.  Since the late 1980s many Midtown homes have undergone extensive remodeling or complete reconstruction making the house-by-house examination necessary to understand the complexity of the neighborhood.  Midtown is garnished with tree-lined streets and offers ample room for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Because the development of Midtown was borne out of the necessity to find affordable housing for returning servicemen it was more planned and thought-out neighborhood as compared to the some other Palo Alto neighborhoods like Old Palo Alto, Professorville, Barron Park and College Terrace.

For many years, the property values stretching across Oregon Expressway differed. During the 1990s, as Palo Alto and many mid-peninsula areas improved financially, many homeowners began improving and remodeling their homes – and many new homes were being built. As construction increased so did Midtown’s property values – and its desirability.

Curb Appeal & Owner Pride Shines Omnipresent in Midtown

Midtown_EichlerMidtown neighbors love their place in Palo Alto.  Most every home is cared for proudly and fondly by the homeowners.  Any new home built in Midtown are from the finest designers, architects and contractors the Bay Area has.  From the moment you step foot into Midtown for the first time you realize that there is something very special about each and every street, home, and tree.  A unique feature about this neighborhood is that from Midtown residents can bike, jog, or walk, to Midtown Shopping Center, and to “Winter Lodge” an outdoor skating rink at 3009 Middlefield Road – all of which adds tremendous value to the neighborhood.

Midtown_Residents_AssnThe Midtown Neighborhood Association Keeps The Midtown Community Together & Informed

The Midtown Residents Association is an active association of Midtown neighbors who communicate and collaborate on issues effecting Midtown and Palo Alto proper.  The website can be found at http://www.midtownresidents.org/.  An interesting feature found on their website is the “History of Midtown” link which features neighbors’ stories about their history and time in Midtown Palo Alto.

Midtown_winter-lodge-lg_categoryMidtown Neighborhood Children Enjoy Top-Rated Palo Alto Public Schools

Midtown residents enjoy several Palo Alto elementary schools including Fairmeadow, Ohlone, El Carmelo, Hoover, and Palo Verde.  J.L. Stanford Middle School, Gunn and Palo Alto High Schools round out the menu of top-shelf public education for Midtown school-aged kids.  The Palo Alto public schools are so good families from all over California attempt to get their kids into to these schools.

Midtown_FairmeadowMidtown Property Is A Sure-Fire Long-Term Investment

Midtown is primarily owner-occupied properties; however, Palo Alto’s geographical advantage (Stanford University and Silicon Valley) makes it a prime bulls-eye location for investors who desire holding residential real property for the long term.  A professional property manager can help an investor/owner achieve superior long-term growth in value and obtain an above average investment returns while holding property in one of the most desirable neighborhoods available.

Obviously, Stanford University remains a powerful draw for Palo Alto and the mid-peninsula region.   There is a strong probability that Stanford will thrive for many decades to come.  As long as Stanford is a world class university all neighborhoods in Palo Alto including Midtown will continue to progress, improve, and become more and more valuable over time.  An investment in Midtown now will be a solid long-term investment.

Midtown Homes Are Slightly More Affordable Than Some Other Palo Alto Neighborhoods

Midtown_ramona_st_3253The average price per square foot for single family home was $1,190 in 2013, thus, making Midtown more affordable than most other Palo Alto neighborhoods. The typical price for a Midtown single-family home is still in the low to mid $1 million range.  However, because of many new construction projects the higher prices are creeping into the mid $3 million range. If you want to be in Palo Alto and are looking for a quiet, relaxed, yet organized community with a good mix of bungalows, Eichlers, ranchers, and larger new homes, then Midtown may be for you.

Esquire Property Management Group is a Palo Alto property management company and is always available to answer any inquiries, questions, brainstorm real estate strategies, and investment property strategies in Palo Alto or any surrounding Bay Area community.  Midtown is a prime long-term investment – let us show you how you can make an investment in this community for your family’s future.

If you are in need of a property manager for your Palo Alto income property, or if you’re considering purchasing income property in Palo Alto, please consider Esquire Property Management Group. Please read about the unique advantage we bring our Palo Alto property management clients. With a real estate agent, a real estate attorney and a real estate developer on staff, we are also uniquely qualified to assist with your real estate search and purchase needs anywhere in the Silicon Valley (see our staff page for our qualifications).

David Roberson
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