Millbrae, California

Capuchino sits at the north end of Millbrae and enjoys an abundance of green space owing to the 34-acre Capuchino High School campus, the fairways of the adjacent Green Hills Country Club and the pronounced greenery that fills the blocks and yards. While the neighborhood is certainly suburban it is unique in that it is the only area outside of downtown with its own commercial strip. This gives it a unique and vibrant energy other more purely suburban neighborhoods are missing. The streets are winding and non-gridded and this combination of rural, suburban street-design and small collection of restaurants and shops marks Capuchino as different than its neighbors.

Capuchino High School is here (technically in San Bruno but pretty much in the neighborhood) and that makes high school for your kiddos really easy. There are multiple elementary schools that border Capuchino with Green Hills to the south among the best. The neighborhood is full of post-WWII homes, smaller ones on the east side and bigger as you move up the hills to the west. Prices align with that distinction as well. The flat section of Capuchino to the east is filled with mostly three-bedroom ranches and sell for ~$1.8m and the larger, generally remodeled homes up the hill with be in the $2m+ range.

Glenview Highlands lives up to its name and is primarily made up of contemporary homes with wonderful bay views. The neighborhood is filled with new-ish single-family homes, generally three to five bedrooms and as with most neighborhoods in the hills, is pricey with a median sale price of $2m+.
It borders the 280 freeway which means lots of lush greenery surrounding the streets, and excellent commute options north to SF or south down the peninsula to Silicon Valley. Lion’s Park is in Glenview Highlands and is popular with families due to a nice Baseball/Softball field, Football field, Soccer Field, playground and tons of room for the kiddos and doggos to run around and play.

Green Hills became a neighborhood in the mid-1970’s when it shifted from being a flower-growing/florist commercial area to a beautiful residential area. Named after the country club and elementary schools that are part of the area its newness means it is less dense than the rest of the city. Care was taken to built cul-de-sacs and plenty of private space for larger homes and lots. Green Hills comes with its own park (aptly named Green Hills Park) where lots of younger kiddos play on the playground and open green spaces and its own greenbelt that runs through the golf course and provide the city’s only above ground natural creeks.

Homes are mostly built around and most have all pitched roofs and wood siding. They have the “Lake Tahoe” sort of look common to late 1970s California design and provide a stark contrast to the prevailing ranches of other neighborhoods. As noted, this area ain’t cheap and the media home price is ~$2.5m. Many find it worth the price as the elementary school is top-rated and much beloved by locals.

Mills Estate sits on the southern edge of the city, on the Burlingame border and it carries with it much of the fancier Burlingame neighborhood feel and home prices. Mills Estate was established in the mid-50’s and some of those older homes are still here but its popularity is due to the newer, larger, more upscale homes that offer amazing views of San Francisco Bay. Families pay the price for the area in part for the homes and in part due to the fact that Mills High School and Franklin Elementary, two A-rates schools, are both in the neighborhood. Median sale price for Mills Estate is $2.77m so that ain't cheap, but it’s less than neighboring Burlingame (it’s confusing but there is a neighborhood called Mills Estates next door in Burlingame, note the “s” on the end) and you not only get the great schools but also Mills Estate Park and Spur Trail Park, a beautiful paved trail that offers hikers great views and nice bucolic paths for walking.

Meadow Glen is a neighborhood created for first-time buyers, right after WWII and while the median sale price is now ~$1.7m, it retains that entry-level reputation due to its often smaller 3-bed, 1-bath homes, all within an easy walk of downtown. Couples and small families, all comfortable with smaller homes, but who demand good walkability and a nightlife, appreciate the walkscore of 91!. In addition to shopping and restaurants, you’re also less than a mile from the BART/Caltrain station, so a big bonus for commuters.

Families and singles also love the fact that you have at the neighborhood's southern edge direct access to Central Park and the Millbrae Recreation Community Center. Great for the kiddos to play and recreate. If you’re single, a couple without beans, or a young family looking to stay active in the downtown area and recreation spots like Central Park, then put Meadow Glen on your shortlist.