1201 Spring St, Santa Rosa – $1,225,000 (Image via Century 21 Bundesen)
School has officially started, and I’ve noticed the trend in home buying has shifted to families looking for homes in areas where the schools are more highly sought after because of their reputations for good test scores and rigorous college prep.
Fortunately, Sonoma County has quite a few public schools that rate highly on the GreatSchools scale (1 through 10, with 10 being the highest rating for a California school). This means that home buyers will have a wide selection of houses throughout the county to choose from if a reputable education system is important to them.
Unfortunately, because these schools are so highly rated, the home prices in these neighborhoods are higher than in comparable areas. In a place where only 26% of the residents can afford a home, purchasing a house near a sought after school may be more of a dream than a reality.
However, for those that can afford it, or are interested in viewing the homes near these schools, here are the latest;
1516 Great Owl Pl., Santa Rosa – $840,000
3 beds, 3 baths, 2,823 square feet.
(Image via Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates)
This home is assigned to Austin Creek Elementary School: Public, Grades K-6, 10 out of 10 rating.
It’s also 0.2 miles from the school, so riding a bike or walking would be easy. As someone who just spent 20 minutes in a parking lot with other tired, harried parents, I strongly encourage this.
(Image via Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates)
The house is also located in a cul-de-sac, which I’ve always thought would be safest for allowing grade school children out to start their walk, or bike ride, in.
7198 Camino Colegio, Rohnert Park – $495,000
4 Beds, 2 Full Baths, 1,524 square feet.
(Image via RE/MAX Pros)
If you have High School kids, this home is assigned to Technology High School: Public, Grades 9-12, 10 out of 10 rating.
(Image via RE/MAX Pros)
Built in 1977, this house has a 2 car garage, along with central A/C, and dual-pane windows. A teen who’s into all things retro will probably appreciate the original brick fireplace (that’s been updated with a gas insert). Although, I’m so far out of touch with what’s cool these days that I’d suggest ignoring my opinion on anything relating to teens.
4515 Patrick Court, Santa Rosa – $649,900
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,312 square feet.
(Image via Terra Firma Global Partners)
This well maintained looking home was built in 1983 and is close to Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School: Charter, Grades 5-6, 10 out of 10 rating. However, it’s assigned to two schools that are rated 9 out of 10: Rincon Valley Middle School, and Maria Carrillo High School. It looks as though you can’t go wrong in the Rincon Valley area.
(Image via Terra Firma Global Partners)
This living room could serve not only as a relaxation/media room, but also a quiet study area as well.
1201 Spring St, Santa Rosa – $1,225,000
4 beds, 3 baths, 3,122 square feet.
(Image via Century 21 Bundesen)
Assigned to Proctor Terrace Elementary School: Public, Grades Grades K-6, 8 out of 10 rating. This home built in 1921 is a Spanish Colonial in the McDonald District.
(Image via Century 21 Bundesen)
If a homebuyer has an elementary school-aged child who’s also an intrepid historian, the multitude of original art deco details will provide plenty of content for research papers and reports about California’s past.
581 Silva Ave, Santa Rosa – $599,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,404 square feet.
(Image via Pacific Union International Inc.)
There are many, many highly rated school in Sonoma County, but I had to sign off with a home assigned to Santa Rosa High School: Public, Grades 9-12, 8 out of 10 rating. It’s close to home, and while not a 10 out of 10, I’ve been consistently impressed with the students I’ve seen arriving, or leaving, each day. Also, this 1950’s style home is too cute to pass up.
(Image via Pacific Union International Inc.)
Let’s face it – when I was a teenager I wanted to be anywhere but inside the house. I can see this comfortable backyard providing a quiet space to study (or talk on the phone with friends, or text, or play PokemonGo).
