Howard Park

San Carlos locals who covet a charming, walkable and convenient neighborhood close to downtown gravitate to one of two areas: White Oaks and Howard Park. White Oaks is the traditional A-list destination, but Howard Park has begun to narrow the gap – to the point where in 2010 it passed White Oaks as San Carlos’ most popular (and most expensive, measured by price per square foot) neighborhood for homebuyers.

Howard Park and White Oaks are similar in many ways. Both are bordered to the west by Alameda de las Pulgas. Both are located a short walk from downtown. White Oaks’ homes are of the same vintage – most were built between the two World Wars – but are slightly larger. Howard Park counters with walking access to Caltrain, unsurpassed Halloween and Christmas celebrations on Eucalyptus Avenue and the city’s best-known public green space, Burton Park.

Howard Park real estate is defined by quiet, tree-lined residential streets lined with a mixture of English, Mediterranean and Arts & Crafts bungalows. The western edge of the neighborhood includes a few winding roads, like Knoll Drive and Elizabeth Street, whose high-end contemporary homes would be at home west of The Alameda.

Howard Park homes may be modest-sized, but they command maximum-sized prices. While the neighborhood range for recently-sold single-family homes falls between $1.7 and $4 million in a neighborhood with an average home size of approximately 1,800 square feet. Howard Park does have an active condominium market, where sales of one- and two-bedroom units have recently ranged from $800,000 to $1.5 million.

Howard Park’s popularity is due in part to a trend: buyers, especially those with families, leaving the secluded hills for the more pedestrian-friendly flats. As long as people see value in quaint streets, classic homes and a short walk to downtown, this neighborhood will continue to thrive.

To view a detailed google map of the Howard Park neighborhood, click here. The MLS area is 353.