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Is Pleasanton, CA a good place to live?

Pleasanton, CA has grown a lot since the area’s boom in the 1850s, but the city’s main features largely remain the same. You’ll find multiple transportation options, local outdoor spaces, and plenty to do. The weather isn’t too bad, either. 

Overall, Pleasanton, CA is a great place to live that’s more affordable than San Francisco. You might just say it’s pleasant.

Cheaper housing prices than San Francisco

By multiple metrics, you’ll generally find that housing in Pleasanton is substantially more affordable than living in San Francisco. You’ll find many spacious and quality homes for sub-$1 million, with many options in the mid-hundred thousands usually on the market.

Price per square foot further shows how much more affordable houses are here. The median listing price per square foot in SFC was nearly $1,000/sq. ft. -- $995/sq. ft. to be exact -- in late 2023. At the same time, Pleasanton’s median price was $797/sq. ft. 

That’s almost a 20% discount compared to SFC prices, meaning you can find lower-priced and larger houses here.

Historic charm with modern amenities

Similar to San Francisco, Pleasanton too has a combination of historic charm with the features of a modern city.

A downtown building that previously housed town hall, the police department and the first library was gifted to a historical society during the mid-1980s. The building is now Museum on Main, and dedicated to showcasing the city’s long and varied history. You can see what the city’s early days were like, how it grew during the Gold Rush, and growth right up until the 2000s.

You can also see plenty of other historic buildings on Main Street, which are now largely owned by local businesses. There’ll be historic homes as you drive around looking at places, too.

This is complemented by plenty of modern businesses, ranging from trendy restaurants to tech companies, excellent road and rail transportation, and STEM schools. Of course, there is a new city hall, police building and libraries as well.

Much safer than the 1850s

As people were flocking to California during the California Gold Rush, this was where the railroad ended. This led to miners returning with their fortunes, and bandits looking to get their gold via less ethical means. It was rampant with crime, most especially burglary and theft.

Pleasanton has gotten crime much more under control during the intervening 170 years, and is now considered a highly safe community. Crime rates are low, and the police have a noticeable presence. People generally feel safe walking around both the residential and downtown areas.

Among the best public and private schools

The Pleasanton Unified School District isn’t exactly small, but it serves students well. The district is a common name on lists of best schools in California, and it accomplishes this a few different ways.

Class sizes are kept manageable despite the large student body. While specific class sizes and ratios vary, they’re designed so that teachers and aids are able to provide students with plenty of attention and coaching.

Partly because of the size, there’s a wealth of opportunities for students to explore whatever interests them. Whether the football team or stage crew, there are sports, arts, STEM and many other extracurriculars to join. These not only foster growth and development, but certainly look good on college admissions applications.

Do be prepared for your child to complain about the food during lunch. This isn’t a knock on the chefs in the school cafeterias, though. Many families can afford excellent food at home, and busy working parents often order or eat out. No school cafeteria can compete with the likes of Baci Bistro and Bar, Brava Garden Eatery, or the many other excellent restaurants downtown.

A hub of transportation

While the railroad heading east is now obsolete, Pleasanton continues to have some of the best transportation options in the region. It’s at the intersection of I-580 and I-680, giving multiple routes south and north. The drive to San Francisco proper is 40-45 miles, depending on which highway has less traffic.

Additionally, many houses in the area have close access to BART if you prefer public transit.

Looking for a house in Pleasanton, CA?

If this sounds like a community you could live in, reach out to the real estate agents at The Rama Mehra Team. Our team knows the Pleasanton, CA housing market, and would love to help you find a home here.