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Looking for The Village San Mateo neighborhood? This quiet residential pocket within Hillsdale offers something increasingly rare in the Bay Area. It provides genuine “village feel” with tree-lined streets, family-friendly atmosphere, and exceptional market performance. Here’s your complete insider’s guide to what makes The Village one of San Mateo’s most desirable communities.
[Get personalized insights about The Village market]
Discovering The Village: A Hidden Gem Within Hillsdale
Tucked away south of E Hillsdale Boulevard and north of E 40th Avenue lies one of San Mateo’s most desirable residential pockets: The Village. This quiet neighborhood within the larger Hillsdale area offers something increasingly rare in the Bay Area. Additionally, it provides a true “village feel” with tree-lined streets, family-friendly sidewalks, and a genuine sense of community.
Tree-lined residential streets define The Village’s family-friendly character, with well-maintained single-family homes featuring private driveways and generous lot sizes that make this San Mateo neighborhood so desirable.
I recently represented the sellers of a home on E Hillsdale Boulevard. This was a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home that perfectly demonstrates The Village’s market strength. Listed at $1,498,000, this 1,751 square foot home on a 6,000 square foot lot sold for $1,645,000. That represented $147,000 over asking price at 109.8% of list price. Furthermore, the sale closed after just 13 days on market. This showcased the exceptional demand for Village properties.
Neighborhood Character and Boundaries
Geographic Boundaries: The Village sits in a defined area south of E Hillsdale Boulevard down to E 40th Avenue. These natural borders contribute to its intimate, neighborhood feel.
The Village sits perfectly positioned in the heart of the Hillsdale area, bordered by E Hillsdale Boulevard to the north and E 40th Avenue to the south, with easy access to shopping, dining, and Caltrain.
Neighborhood Character: What sets The Village apart is its distinctly residential atmosphere. The streets are quieter than northern Hillsdale. Moreover, mature trees create natural canopies over well-maintained sidewalks. You’ll find families walking to nearby parks, neighbors chatting over fences, and children playing safely in front yards. These scenes capture the “village” essence the area is known for.
Architecture and Home Types
The architecture reflects classic California residential styles. Additionally, it features a notable concentration of mid-century modern homes. These showcase the design-driven approach many Village homeowners embrace. You’ll also find ranch homes, split-levels, and updated contemporary designs. Furthermore, these blend seamlessly into the established streetscape. These architectural gems often feature clean lines, open floor plans, and integration with outdoor spaces. This defines quality mid-century design.
Typical Home Characteristics
- Median Home Size: 1,340 square feet (efficient, well-designed homes)
- Median Lot Size: 5,000 square feet (generous by Peninsula standards)
- Bedroom Distribution: 68% are 3-bedroom homes, 17% are 4-bedroom homes
- Style: Mid-century modern, ranch, split-level, and updated contemporary
Lot sizes are generous by Peninsula standards. They give families the space they need while maintaining the walkable scale. This makes the neighborhood so appealing. Additionally, with 85% of homes being 3-4 bedrooms, The Village has naturally evolved into a family-oriented community.
Parks and Recreation: Family-Friendly Amenities
Nearby Parks
Laurie Meadows Park (closest to The Village): This neighborhood park offers playground equipment, open grass areas, and walking paths—perfect for daily recreation and community gatherings.
Casanova Park: Connected via pedestrian bridge, this larger park provides additional recreational opportunities including sports fields and expanded playground facilities.
Paddock Park: Located in the nearby Bay Meadows area, this newer park features a gated playground with equipment for multiple age groups, picnic tables, restrooms, open lawn areas, and a half basketball court. It’s particularly popular with families for its enclosed play area and modern amenities.
Bay Meadows Park: Located to the north, this expansive park offers trails, sports facilities, and open space for larger family activities.
The Village’s location provides exceptional access to outdoor recreation. Additionally, residents can easily walk or bike to multiple parks. Furthermore, this creates opportunities for daily exercise and community interaction. Moreover, this enhances the neighborhood’s family-friendly appeal.
Shopping, Dining, and Daily Life
The Village’s location provides walking distance access to Hillsdale’s shopping and dining corridor. Additionally, this makes daily life both convenient and enjoyable.
Hillsdale Shopping & Dining
- Whole Foods Market: Premium grocery shopping
- Trader Joe’s: Convenient and affordable grocery options
- Hillsdale Mall: Department stores, restaurants, and services
- Local Restaurants: From casual dining to upscale options
Daily Conveniences: Residents appreciate being able to walk to handle daily errands—grocery shopping, banking, dining, and personal services—all within the Hillsdale commercial area while returning home to quiet residential streets.
Transportation and Commuting
Transit & Highway Access
Hillsdale Caltrain Station: Just minutes away, providing direct access to San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
- US-101: Quick access for north-south Peninsula travel
- I-280: Scenic route to San Francisco and Silicon Valley
- SR-92: Direct connection to the East Bay
Commute Times
- San Francisco: 25-35 minutes via Caltrain
- Silicon Valley: 20-30 minutes via 101 or 280
- San Francisco International Airport: 15-20 minutes
Community, Safety, and Schools
Community Character
The Village in San Mateo is described by residents as a peaceful, family-friendly neighborhood. Moreover, it’s known for its cleanliness and safety based on resident feedback on community platforms like Nextdoor. Additionally, what residents consistently mention is the authentic community feel. For example, children play outside and neighbors know each other. Furthermore, there’s a palpable sense of shared investment in maintaining the neighborhood’s character and quality of life.
Schools and Education
Serving Schools
- Elementary: George Hall Elementary School (serving The Village area)*
- Middle: Abbott Middle School (1.1 miles away)
- High: Hillsdale High School
*School boundaries and ratings are subject to change. Please verify current school assignments and performance data with the respective school districts.
The school assignments provide solid educational options within the San Mateo-Foster City School District and San Mateo Union High School District. Additionally, The Village’s family-friendly streets and walkable design create a supportive environment for school-age children. Furthermore, it provides a safe, quiet atmosphere that many families find ideal.
Market Performance and Investment Potential
Recent Market Performance (12 Months)
Three-Year Equity Growth Story
Real-World Impact: A homeowner who purchased in The Village in 2022 for $1,588,000 would see their home worth approximately $1,825,000 today. This represents a gain of $237,000 in equity.
This performance has actually outpaced San Mateo County’s overall market. Specifically, the county saw 9% appreciation in 2024. In comparison, The Village achieved 9.7% gain during the same period.
Ready to see what’s available? View current Village homes for sale
Important Note: All market data reflects historical performance. Real estate markets fluctuate and past appreciation does not guarantee future results.
Why Buyers Choose The Village
The Village offers an excellent entry point into San Mateo County homeownership. Consequently, it’s featured in our guide to the best neighborhoods for first-time homebuyers in San Mateo County.
Why I Specialize in The Village
Having worked in The Village market, I understand the specific factors that make homes here successful. For instance, my recent success at 87 E Hillsdale Boulevard sold for $147,000 over asking at 109.8% of list price in just 13 days. This exemplifies my approach to maximizing value for Village sellers.
From pricing strategy that captures the premium buyers will pay for this location, to understanding which improvements add the most value, to knowing how to position homes to attract The Village’s target buyer profile, I’ve developed expertise that consistently delivers results.
Current Village Homes for Sale
Interested in making The Village your home? Browse available properties in The Village neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between The Village and broader Hillsdale?
The Village is a specific residential pocket within Hillsdale, located south of E Hillsdale Boulevard. While part of the larger Hillsdale area, The Village offers a more residential, family-oriented atmosphere compared to the busier commercial areas near Hillsdale Mall.
Q: How much do homes cost in The Village?
Current median sale price is $1,822,500, with homes typically ranging from $1,350,000 to $2,650,000. Homes consistently sell above asking price (106.2% median) and move quickly (11 days average).
Q: What schools serve The Village?
George Hall Elementary, Abbott Middle School, and Hillsdale High School serve the area through the San Mateo-Foster City and San Mateo Union High School Districts.
Q: Is The Village walkable?
Yes! The Village offers genuine walkability with sidewalks throughout the neighborhood and walking distance access to Hillsdale’s shopping, dining, parks, and Caltrain station.
Q: Why is The Village a good investment?
Three-year data shows 14.9% appreciation, outpacing both inflation and the broader San Mateo County market. The combination of limited supply (tight boundaries), strong demand (quick sales above asking), and desirable location creates solid fundamentals for continued value growth.
Ready to Explore The Village?
If you’re considering buying or selling in The Village, I’d love to share more insights about this special neighborhood. Having successfully navigated the Village market, I understand both the lifestyle benefits and investment potential this community offers.
Stay informed about Village market trends and community insights by subscribing to my monthly ” The Village Voice” newsletter. Each issue features exclusive ZIP code 94403 market data, architectural spotlights on Village homes, neighborhood safety tips, local business highlights, community event updates, and insider insights that help you stay connected to what makes The Village special. Contact me for the exclusive link!
Your Local Expert for The Village
As a licensed real estate professional specializing in The Village and surrounding Hillsdale communities, I bring deep local knowledge and proven results to help you find the perfect home or maximize your property’s value.
What sets my Village expertise apart:
- Exclusive access to off-market Village properties
- Detailed knowledge of Village market trends and pricing
- Direct relationships with local schools and community leaders
- Proven track record of above-market sales results
I don’t just help you buy or sell a house—I help you find a community where you’ll thrive for years to come.
About the Author: Vincent Martell Smith is a licensed real estate professional specializing in San Mateo County neighborhoods, with particular expertise in The Village and surrounding Hillsdale communities. With deep local knowledge and proven results, Vincent provides expert guidance through every step of the home buying and selling process.
CalRE# 02227615
This guide reflects current market conditions. Market data based on MLS sales records for the defined Village area boundaries. All market data reflects historical performance and does not guarantee future results. School information should be independently verified with respective school districts. Neighborhood characteristics and safety perceptions are based on available data and resident feedback and may vary by individual experience.
