East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto Homes For Sale & Real Estate

1. Neighborhood Introduction & History

East Palo Alto, separated from Palo Alto by San Francisquito Creek and the Bayshore Freeway, is a city of approximately 28,000 residents.  In the past, East Palo Alto experienced profound crime and poverty. This was rampant especially during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1992, it had the highest homicide rate in the country. Since then the city’s crime problems have subsided, and the murder rate in particular has declined to a typical urban level.  The revitalization projects in recent years, and high income professionals moving into new developments has certainly changed the feel of the city. High-tech professionals, including employees from Google and Facebook, have begun to eliminate the cultural and economic differences between East Palo Alto and the rest of Silicon Valley.  Today, rents and property prices are skyrocketing as demand increases in this convenient and (until recently) underutilized locale.

2. Housing types & styles in the Neighborhood

In the 1950s the farms of East Palo Alto were built over with cheap housing and many economically disadvantaged families moved in.  Many of this housing still remains, with much of the housing inventory consisting or 2-3 bedrooms houses of about 1000 square feet.  Significant development, called ‘gentrification’ by critics, occurred in the city from around 2000, with the construction of a large shopping center and several upscale housing communities intended for high-earning Silicon Valley workers.  Today, new upscale housing communities remain popular, and the mid-century houses continue to be renovated or replaced.  Although still more affordable than other locations on the Peninsula, East Palo Alto home prices are increasing. The median home value in East Palo Alto is $612,900. East Palo Alto home values have gone up 15.8% over the past year and have gone up 47% over the past five years. (Data correct as of January 2016).

3. Restaurants & Shopping

In 2000, construction began on a large shopping center named Ravenswood 101—including a Home Depot, Nordstrom Rack, and an IKEA store.  In 2008, after twenty years without a supermarket, East Palo Alto individuals and organizations established the East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market. In November 2009, the Mi Pueblo Food Center grocery store opened in the Ravenswood 101 shopping center. Mi Pueblo was the city’s first full-service supermarket in 23 years. East Palo Alto has a variety of restaurant options, including many fast food chains, authentic ethnic cuisine, mid-priced chains in the Ravenswood 101 shopping center, and fine dining in the Four Seasons Hotel.

4. Family Lifestyle, Parks & Activities

The City of East Palo Alto owns and maintains five parks and one nature preserve- the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. The parks are scattered throughout the community and offer sports facilities, walking trails, and views of the Bay.  Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the local area around East Palo Alto and the Dumbarton Bridge. It is an important ecological area, hosting many species of birds, fish and mammals.  Family activities, parks, museums, and more abound in adjacent Palo Alto. And East Palo Alto’s proximity to Hwy 101 means easy access to all the Peninsula has to offer.