Just about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose is where you’ll find the city of East Palo Alto. Not to be mistaken with nearby Palo Alto – they’re actually in two different counties – East Palo Alto is northeast of the Bayshore Freeway while Palo Alto is on the other side. And beyond sharing area and zip codes, the two cities couldn’t be more different.

East Palo Alto, historically, has been plagued by conflict with it’s residents and poor education system. In recent years, however, the city has begun to take a turn. With the growth and prevalence of Silicon Valley giants in the area – including Facebook just one city over – East Palo Alto is becoming a consideration for many high tech professionals and couples looking for more reasonably priced homes for sale.

And within the last half decade or so, the city has experienced an influx of development including new housing and businesses, such as IKEA and the Four Seasons Hotel. This naturally provides an ease and convenience to residents, visitors, and employees alike.

The city’s Ravenswood City School District is still in need of improvement, however, but many East Palo Alto students are zoned to attend schools in Belmont, Atherton, and Woodside, which provides more scholastic opportunities.

These cities and more are easily accessible by car and public transportation. SamTrans extends all the way to San Francisco, reaching cities such as Portola Valley, Palo Alto, and Half Moon Bay. There are also Caltrain stations in nearby Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

But the question remains: Is East Palo Alto safe? Well, it’s definitely no longer the city it was last century. In fact, crime has subsided substantially in East Palo Alto due to its revitalization projects and the steady flow of Silicon Valley professionals moving in. The city is still a far cry from complete when it comes to development and clean-up, but with it’s consistent growth and change, it just may become one of the Valley’s hotspots for homes in the near future.

Begin your search today and find your new home for sale in East Palo Alto. Experience for yourself the appeal of this unique locale.