The Best Neighborhoods In The Bay Area To Buy A Home

The Bay Area, located in northern California, is known for its rich culture, diverse culinary scene, top-notch nature, and unparalleled views. According to Visit California, the Bay Area includes San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and their surrounding cities, suburbs, and towns, making it a pretty large and expansive area in the state. While the centerpiece city of San Francisco is known for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the famous Painted Ladies houses, the Bay Area is home to much more. From Silicon Valley to Marin County, the Bay Area stretches far and wide, creating a large and diverse community of quaint suburbs and charming cities. Though there are many benefits to living in the Bay Area, having a broad range of places and terrains to travel to is at the top of the list. For example, the renowned wineries of Napa and Sonoma are only a short drive north, while the breathtaking coastline of Big Sur is nearly just as close in the opposite direction. 

That said, those looking to buy a home might be overwhelmed by the numerous neighborhoods located in the Bay Area. Whether you're a young professional getting ready to start a family, or a retired individual looking to settle down, there are several amazing places to consider buying a home in the Bay Area — just be warned, nothing comes cheap. From affluent tech towns to woodsy suburbs, here is our list of the best neighborhoods in the Bay Area to buy a home.

The town of Belvedere is perhaps one of the most underrated neighborhoods in the Bay Area. Surrounded by the waters of the San Francisco Bay on three sides, the city is less than one square mile of stunning natural beauty. According to the City of Belvedere, the population is just over 2,000 people, instilling a strong sense of small town culture, while also providing easy access to the urban hustle and bustle of San Francisco, which is only 15 miles away. Because of its incredible coastal location, Belvedere has become known for its sailing community and harbor. It is also home to the San Francisco Yacht Club and Corinthian Yacht Club, as well as two tennis and swim clubs (via Golden Gate Sotheby's). These open-air groups allow residents to enjoy a feeling of kinship while soaking up all the beauty and Mediterranean-esque weather the town has to offer. 

Belvedere has a history of catering to older residents, and in years past has been dominated by a population of people ages 55 and above. However, with a handful of esteemed public schools, gorgeous surroundings, and median home prices of $2.61 million — which, while still expensive, is competitive pricing for the Bay Area — the neighborhood has a rapidly growing population of young professionals and families with children (via Redfin).

The neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow is just as peaceful as it sounds. Located in Marin County, it offers quiet seclusion and a nature-filled environment. According to Madeline Schaider Real Estate, the development of Sleepy Hollow began in the '50s, and many of the properties today still boast the same general layout. A typical Sleepy Hollow home lies on a third to half acre of land (if not more), and the homes are often constructed in a single-story California ranch-style. Because of its secluded surroundings, the neighborhood is perfect for horseback riding, so many properties also include their own stables. Trails suitable for hikers and riders alike split off from many of the beautiful winding streets. 

Per Best Places, the median home price in Sleepy Hollow is just short of $2.2 million. For those looking for a quiet, serene, yet not too remote place to settle down, the charming neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow is a great option. And if the name of the town makes you think of Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow," you're not wrong. Many of the streets are named after characters and places from the story. Don't worry though, you won't see a headless horseman riding around (at least, we don't think).

Looking to buy into a life of luxury? Known as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in all of the United States, Hillsborough offers an array of high-end homes with ample outdoor space in the Bay Area. According to Neighborhood Scout, residents of Hillsborough are overwhelmingly white-collar workers, with over 96% of working adults in Hillsborough employed in a white-collar job. This leads to significant rates of home ownership, high-quality, massive properties, and of course, high prices, with the median home cost landing at around $5.3 million (via Redfin).

Although the cost of home ownership is undeniably expensive in Hillsborough, the high prices do come with high rewards. Located just about thirty minutes outside of San Francisco with relatively close access to various forms of public transportation, living in Hillsborough gives a sense of serene suburban safety and seclusion, along with easy daily commutes to jobs either in San Francisco or Silicon Valley. Additionally, Hillsborough boasts acclaimed public schools for children of all ages, as well as expansive parks, playgrounds, and other outdoor spaces, making it an ideal location to raise a child (via Niche). With a population of almost 12,000, Hillsborough provides plenty of space and anonymity, while still not being too off-the-grid. 

According to the City of Palo Alto, the neighborhood is home to 36 parks, 39 playgrounds, five community and youth centers, five libraries, and 41 miles of walking and biking trails. Located in what is considered the South Bay of the Bay Area, the bustling town of Palo Alto offers idyllic living for all stages of life. Known as the home of world-renowned Stanford University, as well the home base for some of the largest, most powerful tech companies in the world, Palo Alto is a hub of intelligence, discovery, and natural beauty, drawing a rapidly growing population. Palo Alto has a population of 69,000, and though that's significantly larger than other towns on this list, the city hardly feels crowded considering its land size clocks in at 24 square miles (via Census Reporter). 

This impressive spread of public community spaces is also matched with a wealth of shopping, restaurants, galleries, and coffee shops that come together to create the vibrant mix of suburban and somewhat-urban living that residents love. Even if you or your loved one do not attend Stanford, the elegant campus is a must-visit for a daytime stroll. Though it's 30 miles south of San Francisco, ample public transportation and close access to the highway make for an easy trip up to the City by the Bay. 

Tiburon is situated on a small peninsula just north of San Francisco in Marin County. Tiburon is most known for its incredible views of the San Francisco Bay and city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and more. It also has easy San Francisco access by way of a short 30-minute ferry ride. Surrounded on three sides by water, Tiburon exemplifies luxurious coastal livings. Though most homes are quite large, as Golden Gate Sotheby's points out, Tiburon's quaint downtown still carries the charm of small fishing village. The main street area in Tiburon hosts various restaurants, ranging from fine-dining establishments to casual waterside burger joints, small clothing boutiques, and other local businesses selling an array of artisanal goods.

In addition to its stunning location and idyllic main street, Tiburon has some of the most beautiful real estate in all of the Bay Area. Homes throughout the neighborhood are varied in style, ranging from cottage-style homes reminiscent of the original town constructions in the late 1800s, to modern architectural masterpieces nestled in the hills with breathtaking and unmatched views. Owning a home in Tiburon costs an average of $2.6 million, which is fairly standard in comparison to real estate pricing across the greater Bay Area (via Redfin).

Located 16 miles northwest of San Jose, the small suburb of Loyola is nestled against the hills between the cities of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. According to Niche, this small neighborhood is home to a population of under 3,500 and is under two square miles. This tiny neighborhood offers residents a suburban (and exclusive) sense of community, yet its location on the southern end of the Bay Area still allows easy access the larger neighboring areas like San Jose and Palo Alto. Further, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco are all are within an hour drive of Loyola.

The cost of living in Loyola remains fairly standard with owning a home in most Bay Area suburbs, which, as we've learned, is not cheap. According to Best Places, the median home cost in Loyola comes out to around $3.6 million. While Loyola doesn't have a bustling downtown, there are certainly plenty of coffee shops and parks for people to visit. If you're looking for woodsy, small town with a luxurious twist, Loyola is the place for you.