Hayward School District has a pretty poor reputation. That doesn’t mean it’s deserved. At least property prices stay relatively reasonable because of it. I don’t know anything about Stonebrae in specific, other than what could be found with a google search.

I’ve said it before: API scores tell more about the income and values of parents than the quality of schools. The one Hayward family I know well has used Headroyce in Oakland for their children.

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Hayward/3566-Star-Ridge-Rd-94542/home/1920256

(sorry for turning this into a RE blog)

I’m going to keep an eye on that neighborhood along with all the communities skirted along the hillside as toward Hayward.

Ahh yes, Palmetto Drive, use to be fun cruising down that street on my BMX, after my paper route (delivering the afternoon edition of The Daily Review that is)….

Sadly, the neighborhood appeal of Tamarack has taken a beating as many of the homes have become rentals and pride of ownership has been sacrificed as a result, although it’s still a bit intact. 33015 was owned by one of Decoto’s original fire chiefs, he passed away about 15 yrs. ago and his son owned the property. I know this because my Dad was a volunteer fire fighter and was a good friend of his and his son went to Moreau High School with my brother.

The problem with that property Marty is it’s right next to Chapel of the Chimes. About 3 years ago, the cometary was expanded up the hill, and right against Palmetto drive. So as long as you don’t mind sleeping next to… well, you get my drift. Think Poltergeist!

It’s such a nice house w/ amazing views, but you’ll notice the home has been on the market for years and there is a reason for that. Butternut court has some nice properties, I thought I saw one there for sale as I still run in the Garin Hills on the weekends.

I hope that helps.

I had to refamiliarize myself with Tamarack Drive. I often park on the corner of Palmetto to to use Dry Creek/Garin and always thought those homes were outstanding. Looking at zillow’s armchair appraisals, it looks like that area has taken a beating since the bubble deflated. The Tamarack area certainly looks like a bargain compared to “hillside” homes south of vallejo mills. What’s your opinion of that neighborhood?

This looks very interesting, though the API score at Emanuele elementary is very low: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/33015-Palmetto-Dr-Union-City-CA-94587/24919932_zpid/#

So I grew up in UC, my folks bought a home on the top of Tamarack Drive in 1956 (when UC was called Decoto). It was an area surrounded by apricot orchards and an amazing, country place to grow up in during the 70′s/80′s. The hills and endless trails of Garin Park and dry creek were damn fun for an adventurous lad like myself.

My parents would talk about how Glenmoor was very desirable, but out of their price range ($25k). So after college and years of working in SoCal, I came back to the East Bay, got married, had a kid and like any couple looked for a home.

We were looking everywhere, Pennisula, Mt. View, Sunnyvale and were somewhat turned off by the lack of diversity in all of those areas. We now live in a completely renovated, expanded (1 story) rancher in Upper Glenmoor near Meyer Park. We chose this neighborhood for the family oriented neighbors (several generations of families), good schools and beautiful “old school” ranch homes. I don’t mind paying my $120 bucks a year to preserve a community. The character of this hood is so great, the McMansions would just kill the appeal, so glad the City got this one right!

The courts have defined “family” very loosely, removing the ability of the city to enforce many limitations on habituation. But, in general, garage conversions into living space is not permitted without replacing the covered parking space somehow. I would hazard a guess that most garage conversions were not approved by the city.

As for cars, we once had a neighbor, a normal family with three children and nine vehicles, before all the children were drivers. Some things cannot be controlled.