It is very confusing to try to compare.

I was just having a similar discussion with a colleague on if neighborhoods that have held up well are better values now than the ones that have seen deeper discounts. We thought that deeper discounts might be better but we have no crystal ball and it depends on what is important to you. Schools, neighborhood feel, house size, etc.

A couple of other things to consider, a 60 year old home may need more repairs and have more expenses than a 10 year old home.

Schools are another consideration. While API scores of schools are not the only way to judge I feel they are one way to try to get a handle on what is going on. The problem with "good schools" is while it is easy to find a higher API for an elementary school,. Middle and High Schools scores are most often much lower.

An API score is the academic performance index or California’s accountability system that measures the performance and progress of a school. For more information http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/


Booksin Elementary API is 879, Willow Glen Middle is 740, Willow Glen HS is 705
Blossom Valley has either SJ unified or Oakgrove and East side Union HS it depends which school but for example Taylor is 864 and Sakamoto is 848. HS it depends again but Oakgrove HS is 703

Cambrian it depends on the school district and specific school ex Alta Vista elementary in Union Elmentary distict is 888 and in Campbell Union High School District Leigh HS is 805

Leigh HS has the highest API in the Campbell Union High School District and some people consider this very desirable.

To put high school api's in a bit more perspective Gunn HS in Palo Alto is 904 and Palo Alto HS is 900. In Cupertino area Fremont Union HS District Monte Vista is 924 Lynbrook 920 and Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Saratoga HS is 928 and Los Gatos HS is 846. In East Side Union High Evergreen Valley has an 828. These are some of the top performing high schools in the area.

Diane http://www.drewketeam.com

Real search -

If you compare schools, Cambrian will win as far as public schools are concerned. Booksin is a great elementary but the middle and high schools scores are lower than Cambrian Park /Union school district. Blossom Valley has a good elementary school (Sakamoto) but again , the middle and high school scores trail off.

As far as walk-ability, Willow Glen would be better. The quaint down town shops, lots of parks, and tree lined side streets make it conducive to walking with the family.

Blossom Valley tends to have larger homes that were mostly built in the 1970s and some even more recent than that. If you need space, Blossom Valley offers the most space for the buck.

Willow Glen values have held up better than Blossom Valley. Cambrian and Willow Glen are fairly close in historical values. You will see some variance depending on which part of Willow Glen you are comparing. Willow Glen is also a wee bit more central to freeways/mass transit/ and the airport.

Older homes should be judged based on condition and updates. If you can find an older home with updated windows, electric, and plumbing, I would believe that is just as solid as a newer home. Maybe even better.

In the end, it will come down to a lifestyle choice. Space, convenience, schools will be the attributes to compare and decide which take priority in your mind.

CJ

Hi Realsearch, I will echo what Mr. McCord stated and add that 95123 is a great investment when considering current bang for the buck for most buyers. When comparing Willow Glen and Cambrian to 95123 there really is no comparison as they are diversely different.

Wiilow Glen and Cambrian are contiguous and these communities enjoy some similarities in many ways. When choosing between them there are only a few differences to consider; the specific neighborhood school and the importance you place on what could be called a "walking neighborhood". A walking neighborhood is one where you can walk to services, parks and events. These differences weigh heavily on value with thes particular areas.

Willow Glen has always held a better upside value than Cambrian. I believe this is due in part to character. Many of the homes in Willow Glen were character "stuffed" when built. Cambrian homes have been infused with character through remodeling from previous owners. Cambrian does boast a better School district, Union and only Union. Where Willow Glen has a majority of San Jose Unified Schools. The best rated of these are not in Willow Glen but another great neighborhood Almaden Valley.

My Grades

Willow Glen an A

Cambrian a B

Blossom Valley (95123) C

Michael http://www.MichaelRobertsHomes.com

Willow Glen is generally considered a better neighborhood than Cambrian and like for like will cost more. It has more of a community feeling having a legitimate downtown surrounded by very attractive homes of all ages and styles. Cambrian is more of a housing district than a genuine commumity. A 60 year old house in Willow Glen would not be considered old and would almost certainly have a much larger lot than a 10 year one in Cambrian, and cost considerably more. A well maintained older home in Willow Glen will probably see better appreciation over time as that is the preferred type of property for many of the communities residents.
Bill