Looking to buy for 1st time in Menlo Park area (Hayward: sale, 2013)

[gabe722]

I am saving up to buy my first place in late 2012-early 2013. I have been renting in Redwood City (west of El Camino area, near Whipple Ave and San Carlos border) and during my time here have thoroughly fallen in love with the Menlo Park area. I love its proximity to Palo Alto/Stanford and really see myself living in this area for the next few decades.

Problem is, of course, Menlo Park is expensive as hell. The only place I realistically see myself able to afford is the Belle Haven area. I really want to buy a house, not a condo/townhouse -- I don't want to "throw away" $300-500/month on HOA fees. Hence Belle Haven is looking like my best bet. I see myself owning a property here for ~10 years before making the leap to a nicer area in Menlo Park.

I do NOT want to live in EPA or in North Fair Oaks (unincorporated RWC area). I personally don't think Belle Haven is on par with EPA in terms of crime/blight.

My question is: Do you consider EPA/Belle Haven areas to be "one in the same" or is Belle Haven a few notches up from EPA in terms of crime rates and general "ghettoness?" I am originally from Hayward (East Bay) and don't see the Belle Haven area as being that "ghetto" -- just personally. I've seen worse. Thoughts from people who are well-familiarized with this area?

[sonarrat]

The nice part about Belle Haven is that it's actually incorporated Menlo Park. NFO is unincorporated and EPA is EPA. But, you still have to deal with EPA schools, which is why the property values are about the same. A realtor who's familiar with the area could tell you what specific blocks are better or worse.

[gabe722]

Exactly -- that's why I'm gravitating toward the area. I really don't want to live in an unincorporated area -- the lack of city services frightens me.

Thanks for the info.

[srshaw]

If you want to buy in Belle Haven, don't wait until late 2012. Prices now are more depressed than they have been in a decade. The runup in housing prices in BH was ridiculous, and the fall was into a crater. Find listings of completed sales, and those that show prior sale probably reflect a drop of 50% in the sale price.
Having said all that, I wouldn't recommend living there. Not because of crime, although that is a problem. There is not much community to the area and it's not close to good stores, restaurants, etc.