A pretty neighborhood with Almaden Valley’s best schools, Orchard Creek includes 179 comfortably sized single family homes on good sized lots. Many have been updated or remodeled over the years, and some expanded.
The neighborhood has gently winding streets and is generally very well kept up.
Where is Orchard Creek?
The Orchard Creek neighborhood is in San Jose, 95120, in the scenic Almaden Valley. It is located between Calcaterra Creek to the west and Almaden Expressway to the east, a little north of the split between Almaden Expressway and Almaden Road. It sits adjacent to the Glencrest area to the west, Cathedral Oaks Park on the southwest, Almaden Springs to the south, and the expressway to the east.
Streets include Amur Creek, Anjou Crek, Bartlett Creek, Calcaterra, Casaba Creek, Macintosh Creek, and Pippin Creek. For the truly curious, this is tract number 5436.
The public schools include Williams Elementary, Bret Harte Middle, and Leland High.
What are homes like in Orchard Creek?
These are nicely designed homes with good sized rooms, and traditional layouts. Most are 2 story residences, but there are some single story homes as well. The houses were built between 1974 and 1976 (152 of the 179 were built in 1974). Living space ranges from 1844 square feet to 3643 SF (the latter having been added onto). The basic floor plans when built seem to have been 4 models / sizes: 1844, 2536, 2574, and 2713 SF. The average square footage today is 2538.
Other characteristics of the 179 single family homes:
- 3 – 6 bedrooms (136 are 4 bedrooms)
- most homes have 2 full baths (170) but there are as many as 4 full baths
- 149 of the homes have a half bath
- Garages range from 400 to 690 SF (2-3 cars) and average SF is 501.
Parcel sizes vary from 5830 SF to 10,981 SF, the average being 7766 SF, more than much of San Jose.
How much do Orchard Creek homes cost?
As with all neighborhoods, the price you’ll pay to live in Orchard Creek will vary, depending on exact location (backing up to Almaden Expressway will pull the price down a little, and being close to the park will pull it up a little), the size, remodeling, etc. As of this writing, in spring 2019, homes have been selling for between $1,500,000 and $1,900,000 (when you can find one to buy – it is a low turnover neighborhood).
Are there any negatives to this part of Almaden?
Every area has plusses and minuses, including this tidy subdivision! There are a few here, too. Some of the homes back directly to Almaden Expressway, which of course brings noise and fumes to the area. Others are close to the creek, which is beautiful, but also a wildlife habitat – for better or worse. (Personally, I think it’s a good trade off, but some might be uncomfortable later with the accompanying animals and birds.) With creeks there may be liquefaction zones and increased flood risk, and in Almaden there may also be mercury along some creeks – so please do your research. Nearly all of Almaden has issues with water in crawl spaces, too. One inspector told me he thought it was 90%.
Orchard Creek, Almaden, San Jose 95120 homes for sale (also pending and sold in the last 12 months)
Related Reading:
Almaden Valley neighborhoods – See a list of many more Almaden Valley neighborhoods and subdivisions
Glencrest Patio Homes in the Williams area of Almaden Valley
Almaden Valley real estate market conditions
What are the advantages of buying a home in Almaden Valley?
Monthly Almaden Valley real estate market report (on my REReport.com site)
Weekly San Jose 95120 market report (my Altos Research site)
