If Silicon Valley is the global epicenter of innovation and technology, then Stanford University is one of the anchors holding the title in place. 

The world-renowned institution is often at the top of the list for high school graduates looking to create the next wave of tech innovation. Those accepted can come away with a career that can set them up for great success. 

For those who make it big in the Valley, buying a home is the next logical step, and there are plenty of neighborhoods to live in near Stanford University. 

Picking the right area means balancing proximity between the campus, major tech firms, and your favorite activities in Silicon Valley. To help give buyers a lay of the land, the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a list of the top neighborhoods near Stanford University. 

Best neighborhoods near Stanford University

• University South

• Allied Arts

• Atherton

• Sharon Heights

• Old Palo Alto

• The Willows

University South

Palo Alto, one of the most famous Silicon Valley cities, sits across from Stanford University. This sprawling city is home to big names in tech like VMWare, Tesla, and HP, but it also hosts many students, educators, and recent graduates living in University South. 

Located just outside the front gates of Stanford on Palm Drive, University South is a great place to buy a home or condo if you're still spending a lot of time on campus. You can find quaint Spanish Colonial townhomes for sale right near Alma Street. But if you're looking for more space, there are larger storybook-style homes near the San Francisquito Creek by Palo Alto Avenue. 

University Avenue to the south is a hotbed of economic and social activity, where you can find an Apple Store, a Verizon outlet, and plenty of coffee shops and restaurants in between. Even if you don't work in Palo Alto, University South is a great place to live, as the Palo Alto Caltrain station is just minutes from the residential area to the north. 

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Allied Arts

Menlo Park is north of Stanford University and has some of Silicon Valley's most beautiful homes. The Allied Arts neighborhood, just north of the Stanford Shopping Center, is a haven for the arts. 

The neighborhood seamlessly blends Spanish-Mediterranean architecture with lush gardens, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere. Founded in 1929, this slice of the Golden State quickly became a destination for professors, artists, and recent grads looking to find a home near campus. 

Homes sit on large plots of land brimming with trees, making it feel like you are in an arboretum. While the streets make it feel like you are in a park, you can find some solace near the water at the San Francisquito Creek Woodchip Trail. 

You'll also love being close to the Stanford Shopping Center, where big-box retailers like Sephora, Anthropologie, and Macy's are found. Santa Cruz Street on the northern side of Allied Arts is downtown. This is where you can find a Trader Joe's flanked by numerous eateries. 

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Atherton 

Look for homes in Atherton if you’re looking for exclusivity and privacy. This ritzy enclave north of Menlo Park is only a 15-minute drive from Stanford or a 30-minute trip on the Caltrain. Yet, it has a very different atmosphere from the surrounding cities and towns. 

You won't find a commercial district in Atherton, nor any small plots. The town's zoning laws require larger lot sizes, contributing to its spacious and serene ambiance. 

This means you'll find opulent estates with grand mansions and meticulously landscaped gardens. Most of these homes enjoy lush greenery that canopy them from view, creating a unique sense of privacy for their owners. 

Prominent tech executives, entrepreneurs, and other leaders flock to Atherton for that kind of tranquility in the heart of Silicon Valley. Despite the lack of commercial zoning, however, there are still plenty of places to shop and dine out in nearby Menlo Park and Palo Alto. 

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Sharon Heights

Sharon Heights is located in the western reaches of Menlo Park, right near the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. 

Located in the foothills above the University, this neighborhood is ideal for folks who love spending their free time on the golf course. Residents can enjoy a day on the links at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, which offers golfing, tennis, and social activities. Or they can head over to the Stanford Golf Course, which showcases fantastic views of the campus to the east. 

Beyond its recreational opportunities, many folks move to Sharon Heights because it is right next to Stanford and only minutes away from other major tech hubs. Homes here vary, ranging from spacious single-family residences to elegant estates built around the fairway of the Golf and Country Club. Many properties feature large lots, beautifully landscaped gardens, and panoramic views of the surrounding hills. 

Unlike Atherton, locals do not need to leave Sharon Heights to pick up food or grab a bite to eat. There is a shopping center with a Safeway right off Sand Hill Road.

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Old Palo Alto 

If you're seeking a great real estate investment, check out Old Palo Alto. 

Homes here command top dollar, as the neighborhood is right across from Stanford Stadium. The neighborhood is near Escondido Village, the student housing campus for the University, making it a popular spot for recent grads and professors to live. 

However, the locale is perfect for anyone working in Silicon Valley, as the Stanford and California Avenue Train stations are on Alma Street. You will find a dizzying array of home styles in Old Palo Alto, ranging from Mediterranean-style to Craftsman-style homes with two stories. 

Folks living here end up doing most, if not all, of their shopping at University South, where there are familiar grocery stores like Trader Joe's and outlets like Patagonia. 

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The Willows 

Those who need easy access to the East Bay should check out homes for sale in The Willows section of Palo Alto. 

Separated from Stanford by University South, this quiet neighborhood is closer to the heart of Palo Alto, near the Dumbarton Bridge. In fact, Willow Road, which runs through the area, connects commuters right to the bridge. Yet this corridor also opens up to Alma Street, where folks can head south to grab a Caltrain at the Palo Alto stop. 

People living in The Willows get access to some of the best shopping in Silicon Valley, including University Avenue and the Stanford Shopping Center. Across the Bayshore Expressway, on the eastern side, is a shopping center with an Ikea, Home Depot, Nordstrom Rack, and other large retailers. Home prices can be more manageable compared to other neighborhoods surrounding Stanford. Styles range, but most homes in the area are single-family homes built with a single-story. 

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