The 4 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Sunnyvale, California

1. Employment: Sunnyvale is a white-collar city, which means that majority of the people who live here are professionals, managers and sales/office workers. About 89% of the workforce have white-collar jobs, which is well above the national average. To break it down for you a little more, 25% of people living in Sunnyvale work in computer science and math, 12.5% have management occupations and 6.24% hold office/administrative positions. What’s even more profound is that Sunnyvale has more people working in computer and math occupations than 95% of the places in the United States. As stated before, Sunnyvale is home to many high-tech companies such as Google, Apple, LinkedIn, Intuitive Surgical, Yahoo! and NVIDA. They don’t call this city the hub of innovation and technology for no reason.

2. Social: There is a relatively high proportion of people living in Sunnyvale who are young, single and upwardly-mobile professionals. It’s a great place for young, single professionals to find others like themselves who are looking for friendship and romance opportunities. Sunnyvale ranks in the top 1% statewide for the most well-paid single men and the top 3% for well-paid single women.

3. Education: If you have a 4-year degree, you’ll feel right at home in Sunnyvale. Around 65.1% of adults in this city have a 4-year degree or graduate degree, compared to the national average of 39%. The best 4-year colleges nearest to Sunnyvale are Santa Clara University and San Jose State University.

4. Cost of Living: Compared to the rest of the country, Sunnyvale’s cost of living is considerably higher than the U.S. average. This isn’t surprising considering that the unemployment rate is at 1.80% (U.S. average is 3.7%). The per capita income in Sunnyvale in 2020 is $72,477 which is wealthy relative to California and the nation. The average income of a Sunnyvale resident is $77,465 a year, whereas the US average is $55,640 a year. As of 2020, the Median household income of a Sunnyvale resident is $150,464 a year compared to the US average of $70,784 a year.

5. Transportation: Although majority of the community travels by personal automobiles, a substantial number of people use public transportation. This benefits everyone in the area by reducing both traffic and air pollution. People seem to either catch the bus or carpool to work every morning. The average commute time is 23 minutes, while the national average is 25 minutes.

6. Demographics: Sunnyvale is a very ethnically diverse city, with the majority being either white (39.8%) or Asian (46.7%). The city also has a sizeable Hispanic population, which accounts for 16.5% of the residents. Another interesting fact is that 48.6% of the city’s population was born in another country. 

7. Real Estate: The median sales price for homes in Sunnyvale in October 2022 was $1,325,000. The real estate market is on fire and that it’s a great time to sell your home. If you are interested in selling your Sunnyvale home, contact us today!

 

Sunnyvale is divided into 4 zip codes, each with a large number of neighborhoods: 94085, 94086, 94087 and 94089. The 4 best Sunnyvale neighborhoods are located in 94087 and 94086 zip codes.

 

 

The 94087 zip code is the most expensive and sought-after zip code in Sunnyvale. The area borders El Camino Real on the North, Santa Clara to the East, Cupertino to the South, and Los Altos to the West. Within the 94087 zip code, there are many different combinations of schools that impact the home values due to Buyer preference. There are five areas that we can further divide the 94087 zip code into. The most sought after and highest-priced is Serra Park & Belleville which are within the Cupertino Elementary and Homestead High School attendance boundaries. The next most expensive is Cherry Chase & Cumberland, which falls within the Sunnyvale Elementary and Homestead High School attendance boundaries. However, some families with younger children prefer the Orega Park, Sunnyarts & Nimitz area within the Cupertino Elementary and Fremont High School attendance boundaries. Fairbrae & Las Palmas area is also very popular and attends Sunnyvale Elementary schools and Fremont High School. On the east side of town is Birdland & Raynor Park which belongs to the Santa Clara School district.

Check out our “94087” neighborhood page for a complete rundown of the area as well as  updated data and active listings.

 

Sunnyvale’s 94086 zip code is bordered by El Camino Real on the South, Central Expressway to the North, Santa Clara to the East and Mountain View to the West. Within the 94086 zip code, there are three areas that we can further divide. Each of these neighborhoods attracts buyers for specific reasons including the different combinations of schools that impact the home values. The Washington Park neighborhood is the furthest West and bound by El Camino to the South, Mathilda Ave to the East, Central Expressway to the North and Mountain View on the West. The neighborhood is within the Sunnyvale Elementary school district and within the Homestead High School attendance boundary. In central Sunnyvale is the Heritage District where you can also find Downtown Sunnyvale. The Heritage District is bound by El Camino Real to the South, Mathilda Ave to the West, Central Expressway to the North and Fairoaks to the East. We included other homes east of Fairoaks in this area as well as they are also in the Sunnyvale Elementary School district and Fremont High School attendance boundary. On the East Side of Sunnyvale are Ponderosa, Braly and Gavello Glen neighborhoods. Each of these neighborhoods is within the Santa Clara School District.

Check out our “94086” neighborhood page for a complete rundown of the area as well as well as active listings.

 

The 4 Best Neighborhoods

1. Serra Park & Belleville (94087)

Serra Park and Belleville is a primarily residential pocket of homes in the 94087 zip code south of Fremont Avenue and west of Hollenbeck Avenue, extending to the other side of highway 85. Homes within this boundary are commonly some of the most expensive homes sold in Sunnyvale, and also the most in-demand. This is largely due to the excellent K-12 schools – West Valley Elementary, Nimitz Elementary (the only section of housing east of Hollenbeck), Cupertino Middle, and Homestead High, which are all conveniently within walking distance to most homes in this neighborhood. (Note that the elementary and middle are actually within the Cupertino school district). Another nice perk of this neighborhood is Serra Park, which is the largest park in the neighborhood with tennis courts, ball fields, playground,  picnic areas, public bathrooms including manicured and open spaces. It has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot. Dogs are also allowed. A quick 7-min bike ride away is San Antonio Park, popular among dog owners, also has public restrooms, a sports field and picnic area.

 

Serra Park Highlights: Best rated schools in all of Sunnyvale (West Valley Elementary, Cupertino Middle and Homestead High). Walking/biking distance to all schools. Serra Park is a fun gathering point for friends and families and West Sunnyvale has close access to 85 and 280. 

 

Check out our “Serra Park & Belleville” neighborhood page for a complete rundown of the area as well as active listings.

 

2. Cherry Chase & Cumberland (94087) 

 

Just north of Fremont Avenue, up to El Camino Real is the 94087 Homestead neighborhood, also commonly known as “Cumberland South”. This is a very popular residential neighborhood, with some townhomes and apartment complexes, but mostly single-family homes like Ranch style on up to 7,700 square foot lots, while some grander, two-story homes reside on larger lots of up to 10,000 square feet. The schools are highly rated within the Sunnyvale school district – Cherry Chase or Cumberland Elementary, Sunnyvale Middle and Homestead High. De Anza Park and Mango Park are wonderful local parks, and there is a convenient Starbucks on Fremont and Safeway on El Camino Real. Both Cherry Chase Elementary and Cumberland Elementary are located here, as well as several well-known Eichler Home neighborhoods. This neighborhood has 2 beautiful parks. Mango Park, lies on the corner of W. Remington Dr and S. Mary Ave and offers public restrooms, and public tennis facility associated with Sunnvale Middle School with 6 lighted outdoor courts, is wheelchair accessible and dogs are also allowed. A mere 3-min bike ride away is De Anza Park  with a Spanish Aztec-themed picnic and play area, basketball court, sports field, horseshoes, skate and climbing area, is wheelchair accessible and dog-friendly.

 

Cherry Chase Highlight: Lots of mature trees, De Anza Park and great schools (Cherry Chase, Sunnyvale Middle and Homestead High).

 

Check out our “Cherry Chase & Cumberland” neighborhood page for a complete rundown of the area as well as active listings.

 

3. Fairbrae & Las Palmas (94087)

 

The Fairbrae and Las Palmas Neighborhoods are bordered by Fremont Ave to the South, Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd to the East, El Camino Real to the North and Hollenbeck Ave to the West. Both neighborhoods fall within the Sunnyvale Elementary School district and attend Cumberland Elementary School, Sunnyvale Middle and Fremont High School. Within these neighborhoods, you will find Sunnyvale’s only swim and tennis club, the Fairbrae Swim and Racquet Club and Las Palmas Park which is a popular Polynesian-themed 24-acre recreation area with a play area, tennis courts and off-leash dog area. We also included the Stratford Gardens in this area, which is bordered by Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd on the West, Remington Dr on the South and El Camino Real to the North. This neighborhood is mostly townhouses, condominiums and apartments and within the Sunnyvale Elementary school district, Ellis Elementary, Sunnyvale Middle and also within the Fremont High School attendance boundary. Boasting the largest park in Sunnyvale with a 24-acre tiki-themed park with a playground, water features, a dog run, tennis courts and bathrooms, Las Palmas park is fun for young and old. There’s a large pond, pickleball courts, tennis center and football field. 

 

Las Palmas Park Highlights: Boasts with larger homes & Las Palmas park is the largest in Sunnyvale

 

Check out our “Fairbrae & Las Palmas” neighborhood page for a complete rundown of the area as well as active listings.

 

4. Washington Park (94086)

 

The Washington Park neighborhood is the furthest West and bound by El Camino to the South, Mathilda Ave to the East, Central Expressway to the North and Mountain View on the West. The neighborhood is within the Sunnyvale Elementary school district. But there are two Elementary schools in the neighborhood which make a large difference in home value. The pocket of homes bound by Washington Ave on the North, Mathilda to the East, El Camino on the South and S Mary Ave to the West, fall within the Cumberland Elementary School boundary. Most of Cumberland Elementary’s attendance boundary is within the more expensive 94087 zip code. But this pocket of homes gives families the same great schools at a little lower of a price. The rest of the neighborhood falls within the Vargas Elementary boundaries. All of the homes fall within the same Sunnyvale Middle School and Homestead High attendance boundary, making this a popular neighborhood for families with school-age children. The neighborhood appeals to many homeowners due to ist’s proximity to conveniences. There is easy access to many commute routes and close proximity to Sunnyvale’s downtown. Washington Park has basketball courts, a play structure, horseshoe pits, a swimming pool, and tennis courts and across the street is the Stratford School Sunnyvale campus, which is a popular pre-K through 5th-grade private school. Sunnyvale’s City Hall is also located in the neighborhood along with Sunnyvale Public Library. Sylvan park is a community green space featuring tennis courts, a playground, flat multi-use fields & picnic tables.4 tennis courts, quarter mile circular concrete walkway, toddler playground with colorful climbing bars, jungle gym, and swings, BBQ grills with benches, rest rooms, drinking fountains, shady tree areas, broad grassland areas for soccer, baseball, dedicated parking area, plus plenty parking around the edges of the park.  Washington Park offers horseshoe pits, a handball court, reservable multi-use building with full kitchen and reservable multi-use sports fields. The tennis & basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic area, baseball field, grass area and restroom is close to one another and within walking distance. Cannery Park is a small neighborhood park that provides a grassy field & young kids' play equipment, including a slide and swings.

Washington Park Highlights: Close to Sunnyvale public library, Washington park, Sunnyvale downtown and lies within the Homestead High boundary. Pocket of homes in the south belong to the Cumberland Elementary School boundary. Most of Cumberland Elementary’s attendance boundary is within the more expensive 94087 zip code. But this pocket of homes gives families the same great schools at a little lower of a price

 

Check out our “Washington Park” neighborhood page for a complete rundown of the area as well as active listings.