I love where I live- Santa Clara County, CA

Sam Shueh

 Realty One Group

Silicon Valley, CA

I reside in South part of Santa Clara County, CA... and I love it.  Those wanting to live close to Silicon Valley can settle for a all look-alike tract home on an average lot of 6,000 sf or a 3 story new detached home on a 2500 sf  lot with no room left for a yard for a $990K median price-a lot of money for a cramped small home.   I prefer to live in a rural setting with acreage and no neighbor and had my home custom built on an old orchard. I put a lot engineering talent to make it most efficient home on the block.  To this day, I kept telling solar companies to go elsewhere since my low utility bill does not justify a solar system.  

          H Morgan Hill estate-now a museum                                           Lake Anderson  

                                                                             local wineries 

I have a farm from highway 1 (aka PCH) to a country road in Santa Cruz County. I have plans to build a retirement home and split the parcel since it is zoned as RA(residential and agriculture).   The architect design has been sitting in planning department getting cold shoulder in an anti-growth county. The want more soil studies, worry about earth quake, and this and that. I envision to lease it as an organic strawberry farm similar to this photo below. It has a well and pump but county will not allow to turn on utility hook up until I build a home. Right now I have horses there roaming to keep the grass low not causing a fire hazard.

In a summer day, I can enjoy sea breeze in the 60s F and get over the next mountain experiencing temperature in the 90s in 20 minutes. This is one reason why homes are so desirable along the coast especially those with a view of the ocean.  In the spring, lack of pollen from the Pacific Ocean clears ones sinus.

                                                    Watsonville, CA  -a similar farm 

The highlight of the summer season is always the spectacular fireworks display and the best place to enjoy it is near the lake, from a boat. We got Mushroom Mardigras, and Garlic Festival.  Artichoke Festival is another event.

The snow shovels and snow tires have long ago trashed as I have experienced snow flurries only once briefly by the dogs who witnessed for minutes. I see snow on the high mountains like Lick Observatory -Mount Hamilton even this past winter. I can go to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the scenery and go ski if I want to.   

All-in-all, I love the areas where I live. I can not depart this area even I can trade our place and a farm elsewhere. Not even an island in the Pacific. I'll share a little secret with you....Santa Clara county and Santa Cruz coast.... This is the best place I have lived.

Sources:

Shueh, Sam  Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley )

Shueh, Sam    South Santa Clara County (South-Santa-County History) 

Shueh, Sam  How is my Silicon Valley home worth? (Silicon Valley Home Values)

Silicon Valley Real Estate July 2016 (San Jose area real estate update)

Shueh, Sam    (Real EstateBlogs)

Shueh, Sam    (My Website)  

 Sam Shueh Realtor    

 I've called San Francisco South Bay home for over 30 years. We love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about homes.  I documented in several books about Silicon Valley history. I have much expertise in real estate...please give me a call.    SamshuehRealtor@gmail.com

                                           (Four-O-Eight)  425-1601