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University Heights feels like a little urban oasis where residents can leave their cars behind and walk to local stores, restaurants and schools. Ironically, many commuters drive through the neighborhood, which is why there are so many partial fences blocking the roads, speed bumps and extra signs posted to slow down traffic in the busy corridor.

The unincorporated part of San Mateo County where neighbors live close together on tree-lined streets with well-manicured lawns is alternately called Menlo Heights, West Menlo Park, and University Heights. The area features a business district along Alameda de las Pulgas, and easy access to Sharon Heights. The neighborhood is bordered by Las Lomitas and La Entrada public schools, and Phillips Brooks, a private school.

Diann Lewis moved into her house 19 years ago. "We picked it for the good schools and the fact that we could walk to everything," she says.

Time permitting, she walks 15 minutes to the closest Safeway for groceries, and likes the simplicity of being able to drop off her car for servicing at the nearby Shell station, and then strolling home.

Now that her family includes two teenagers, she says it feels as though there are fewer children living on their street. In the past, she has opened the doors to 100 trick or treaters, but Ms. Lewis believes they come in from other neighborhoods.

Over the years, Mrs. Lewis has noticed a change in the size and scope of homes. Most of the former summer bungalows have been replaced, and the trend is toward remodeling and building large, two-story houses, she says.

Susan Colb has lived around the corner for six years, and describes University Heights as "a neighborhood in transition, where half of my neighbors are retired and in their 80s, and the other half are new families with children."

Two of her neighbors for example, have lived in the area for more than 40 years. One is Swiss, the other German, and they come from a working class background. Their children are grown and gone.

Mrs. Colb feels the area has "everything you need." She likes how she can bike to work, walk her dogs up the hill to nearby Sharon Park, and run errands on foot to the dry cleaners and post office. But some of the streets are narrow and people drive too fast out of the local burger and beer joint, the Dutch Goose, she says.

Maura Morey and her husband Richard bought their three-bedroom, two-bath house from his parents 45 years ago, and couldn't be happier with their convenient location.

The Moreys raised their three children, but still feel a strong sense of community with their "nice young neighbors." Mr. Morey grew up in Menlo Park, and Ms. Morey moved there in high school. They selected this neighborhood because it was close to schools, and the kids could walk or ride the bus to classes. The Las Lomitas bus stop is the social place for parents to meet when they drop off and pick up their children.

Local restaurants provide another option for social interaction. The range is wide, going from an informal family-friendly atmosphere found at older establishments such as the Dutch Goose and Lutticken's deli, to pizza at Round Table or Avanti, casual dining at the newer Lulu's Taqueria, or fancier fare at Flea Street Cafe, another long lasting fixture in the neighborhood. Starbucks may be one of the newer additions to the commercial strip, but it attracts foot and commuter traffic.

After business hours though, Ms. Lewis says, "It's peaceful at night," yet another plus to calling University Heights "home."


FACTS


CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOLS: Children's Creative Learning Center, Las Lomitas School, 299 Alameda de las Pulgas, Atherton; Littlest Angels Preschool, Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Ave., Menlo Park; The Phillips Brooks School, 2245 Avy Ave., Menlo Park; University Heights Montessori Children's Center, 2066 Avy Ave., Menlo Park

FIRE STATION: 3322 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park

PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Phillips Brooks School, 2245 Avy Ave., Menlo Park; Trinity School, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Las Lomitas School District — Las Lomitas School, 299 Alameda de las Pulgas, Atherton; La Entrada School, 2200 Sharon Road, Menlo Park

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

SHOPPING: Alameda de las Pulgas, Sharon Heights

MEDIAN 2008 HOME PRICE: $1,988,000 ($1,110,000-$2,625,000)

HOMES SOLD: 30

MEDIAN 2008 CONDOMINIUM PRICE: $599,000 ($417,000-$659,000)

CONDOMINIUMS SOLD: 6

View the neighborhood map (PDF)

— Kate Daly