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 $1.6 and $2.3 million, that works out to over $1,000 per square-foot 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.