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Linfield Oaks consists of 80 acres bordered by San Francisquito Creek, Middlefield Road, Ravenswood Avenue and Alma Street. The area was developed in the early 1950s by Claude and Ray Lindsay as a planned community with single family homes, garden apartments, and at the borders, campus-style office space such as Sunset Magazine, Western Headquarters of the U.S. Geological Survey and Stanford Research Institute.

Stuart and Susan Soffer have lived in their 1954 ranch-style home on Linfield Drive for the past 14 years. "It's really a 'Leave It to Beaver' neighborhood," says Stuart, adding that there is a wide range of ages and circumstances.

Mr. Soffer says that his neighbors have been sensitive to others' sight lines when they've remodeled — something that poses a problem in some other neighborhoods. "We haven't been victims of the second-story modification," says Mr. Soffer.

Neighborhood unity is fostered by informal get-togethers and what Mr. Soffer describes as a "cohesive spirit" that they have found to be an unexpected bonus.

"Once a year, in late summer, we have a block party with about 100 people. We even have our own version of Christmas Tree Lane on Sherwood Lane," he says.

The neighborhood is a nexus for many people's interests because of the Recreation Center on Alma Street and the proximity to downtown Menlo Park and Palo Alto, he adds, but speed tables have lessened the impact of increased traffic.

Mr. Soffer does have concerns about the new, higher density homes on Linfield that have replaced office buildings. "The offices were closed by 5 and didn't have any activity on the weekend," he says.

Nancy Hosay also wonders how the office conversions will affect her quiet neighborhood. "They're remodeling the former Aetna building on Middlefield to make way for medical offices," she says.

Ms. Hosay and Jacob Asher have lived on Linfield Place for 16 years. She says that she appreciates the civic awareness in her neighborhood. The neighborhood Internet group allows neighbors to share resources and keep abreast of issues of common concern. It's also a great way to find a babysitter for Saturday night, she adds.

Suzanne Dahling, who, with husband Randall, purchased their Claremont Way home in l964 were one of the first families to buy into the neighborhood, she says.

The neighborhood has had a renaissance of young families.

"I noticed a big change this year on Halloween: lots of young children," she adds.

Another source of neighborhood pride: "The area is so pretty. There are lots of trees and flowers and it's very green," she said.


FACTS


CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Geokids Day Care Center, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park; Burgess After-school Program, Burgess Kindercat Program, Menlo Park Recreation Center, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, Menlo Children's Center, 801 Laurel St. Menlo Park

FIRE STATION: 300 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park

PARK: Burgess Park, Alma Street and Mielke Drive, Menlo Park

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: E-mail coordinator: JoAnne Goldberg, 650-327-4716

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Menlo Park City Elementary School District — Laurel School, 95 Edge Road, Atherton; Encinal School, 195 Encinal Avenue, Menlo Park; Hillview Middle School, 1100 Elder Avenue, Menlo Park

Sequoia Union High School District — Menlo-Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton

SHOPPING: Downtown Menlo Park

MEDIAN 2008 HOME PRICE: $1,675,000 ($1,215,912-$2,050,000)

HOMES SOLD: 11

MEDIAN CONDOMINIUM PRICE: $750,000

CONDOMINIUMS SOLD: 1

View the neighborhood map (PDF)

— Susan Golovin