What makes Atherton so special?

[AnythingOutdoors]

There's nothing distinctive about Atherton other than its high concentration of uber wealthy tech elite. The city caters to their desires for safety, privacy, and exclusivity. It allows them to live in proximity to their ventures while avoiding the unwashed masses. It's not for "normal" people, which is why it is bizarre to include it on a most desirable place to live list. For the aspirational merely wealthy non-billionaires residing there, the most important aspect of living in Atherton seems to be letting everyone else know that you live there. Which, curiously, somehow gets worked into every conversation...

[moguldreamer]

The ultimate luxury is anonymity. That is more easily obtained in Atherton.

[gizmo980]

My father lived there for a number of years... it was nice, quiet, clean, etc. Too boring and overpriced for my taste (even if I had the money), but it is what it is.

[JGC97]

I don't know if Atherton is anything special but it sure did make some news today. Landscapers working in a yard uncovered a buried car on the property. It appears the car has been there since the 90's. I'd love to know if they'll investigate it a bit further and see if they can find out who buried it. It's just one of those weird stories that catches your attention. At least, it does mine.

I've linked the article here for those who care to read it.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/landscape...082511660.html

I've heard of such things happening but usually in remote areas of the country. Never in an affluent part of California.

[ZeApelido]

I live next to Atherton. Here are some insights.

It's really nice. Shaded. Lots of flora. Quiet. Centrai location on the Peninsula. No crime. I run through all the streets.

The Peninsula is essenitially the most expensive area of California. Housing costs are mainly the value of the land.

Atherton has large lots on some of the most valuable land in the U.S., thus it is the most expensive.

Woodside also has large lots on quiet streets, and although adjacent to Atherton, is less centralized so might be slightly cheaper.

Now if I had say 7 million, would I buy a smaller house in Atherton, or a house with an ocean view and walking distance to beach in say Del Mar?

I would choose Del Mar.

[tikkasf]

I guess finding a Mercedes Benz convertible buried in a backyard could make Atherton special..... :-)




https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/artic...n-17531003.php

[Suesbal]

Would anyone watch “The Real Housewives of Atherton”?

[NORTY FLATZ]

Originally Posted by ZeApelido

I live next to Atherton. Here are some insights.

It's really nice. Shaded. Lots of flora. Quiet. Centrai location on the Peninsula. No crime. I run through all the streets.

The Peninsula is essenitially the most expensive area of California. Housing costs are mainly the value of the land.

Atherton has large lots on some of the most valuable land in the U.S., thus it is the most expensive.

Woodside also has large lots on quiet streets, and although adjacent to Atherton, is less centralized so might be slightly cheaper.

Now if I had say 7 million, would I buy a smaller house in Atherton, or a house with an ocean view and walking distance to beach in say Del Mar?

I would choose Del Mar.

Yeah, but Del Mar has that stupid, NOISEY, train at all hours of the day and night. (The 05:22 train horn wakes me up, everyday.)
Counted how many trains roll thru there on a typical weekday once. From 7:30 AM to 4:30PM, there were about 30 trains that rolled thru there. Coaster, Am-Track, BNSF freighter are the trains that use the ONLY rail line from Los Angeles to San Diego...