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It is difficult not to know when you are entering the Whisman Station neighborhood. After all, at just about every entrance, a large stucco and metal relief announces the name of this community of prim habitations.

Yet, despite its clean streets, well-manicured parks and convenient access to public transportation, this alcove of Mountain View is scarcely known by those not living within its boundaries.

One Whisman Station resident wouldn't have it any other way.

Elizabeth McBride described her neighborhood as an "enclave unto itself," and identified this aspect of Whisman Station as a key to the level of safety she feels living there. She said she never worries about dubious characters wandering through her secluded neighborhood, which is bounded by Highway 237, Central Expressway and Whisman Road.

"We just don't have crime here," she said.

The area takes its name from the Valley Transit Authority Light Rail station within its borders — a huge convenience, which is only slightly offset by a few concerns about noise and safety.

"The Light Rail isn't something like Caltrain going by," McBride said, noting that she does not fear for her toddler's safety. "The noise is minimal," she added, noting that it runs less frequently on weekends and does not run at night.

James Lundblad originally moved into Whisman Station in 1999 and relocated within the neighborhood in 2006. He said that highways 85 and 237 do produce some low-level background noise, but not much. More noticeable is a freight train he hears about once a day and some of the military aircraft that land at nearby Moffett Field, a sound he finds "interesting more than annoying."

Lundblad could only offer one caveat for those thinking about moving to the area. In the '70s circuit boards were manufactured on the land using carcinogenic solvents. He said, however, that the Environmental Protection Agency runs frequent tests in the area and he does not worry about potential contamination.

Elizabeth Gogelewski moved to Whisman Station in 2001. She said that she has been concerned about the safety of the Light Rail from time to time, but adds that she once saw the train come to a complete stop in order to let a dog get off the tracks.

One slight pitfall of the neighborhood is the lack of nearby shopping. A 7-Eleven and a coffee shop down the street are the only conveniences within easy walking distance. However, more than one resident pointed out that for large grocery trips a car is usually necessary anyhow.

There are tradeoffs that come with Whisman Station's removal from convenient shopping — mainly easy access to major freeways or the Light Rail.

McBride, who takes Highway 101 to work, is equally thrilled with its access and the fact that "it's far enough away where you don't have noise."

There are also several parks located within the neighborhood, some equipped with jungle gyms. "We absolutely love having the parks nearby," McBride said, adding in conclusion, "It's a really friendly neighborhood."


FACTS


CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS (NEARBY): Kiddie Academy, 205 E. Middlefield Road; Kids Korner Christian Child Care Center, 250 E. Dana St.; German International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.; Yew Chung International School, 310 Easy St.

FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Michael Jones, manager, Community Management Services, 650-961-2630, ext. 120

PARKS: Magnolia Park, Magnolia Lane and Whisman Park Drive; Chetwood Park, Chetwood Drive and Whisman Station Drive

POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): German International School of Silicon Valley, 310 Easy St.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mtn. View-Whisman School District — Landels Elementary School, Crittenden Middle School; Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District — Mountain View High School

SHOPPING: El Camino Real, Downtown Mountain View

MEDIAN 2008 HOME PRICE: $953,310 ($886,545-$1,000,000)

HOMES SOLD: 8

MEDIAN 2008 CONDO PRICE: $691,500 ($630,000-$761,400)

CONDOS SOLD: 18

— Nick Veronin