Pros and Cons of Living in Millbrae, CA

Are you considering a move to Millbrae, CA? This beautiful city has much to offer, from its convenient location to its great schools and amazing parks and trails. However, like any city, there are also some drawbacks to living in Millbrae. In this blog post, I will provide you with a list of pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about whether this city is right for you.

PRO #1: Convenience and Proximity – Millbrae is conveniently located near both major highways (280 and 101) and public transportation (BART, Caltrain, and Samtrans) on El Camino Real. This makes it the gateway on the peninsula to both San Francisco to the north and Silicon Valley to the south.

CON #1: Proximity to the Airport – Although the city is not directly under the flight path of the San Francisco International Airport, you may be able to hear planes taking off and landing at times. If you are sensitive to external noises, this may be something to consider before making a move to Millbrae.

PRO #2: Excellent Schools – Millbrae is known for having some of the best schools in the district. Historically, the city’s high school, Mills High School, was the highest-ranked out of 18 high schools in the area. However, since the state got rid of the school ranking system, many locals consider the top three schools in the area to be Mills, Burlingame, and Aragon High in San Mateo.

CON #2: High Cost of Housing – There is a correlation between good schools and the cost of housing in Millbrae. Renting a one-bedroom apartment will cost around $2,000 per month, and buying a three-bedroom single-family home on the west side of El Camino Real will cost around $2 million. If prioritizing good schools is important to you, the high cost of housing may be worth the tradeoff.

PRO #3: The Weather – Millbrae is known for its sunny weather, unlike neighboring cities like San Bruno and South San Francisco. During the summer, the average high temperature is in the low 70s, and during the winter, the average high temperature is in the high 40s. It can get slightly windy on some days, so be sure to bring a jacket or sweater.

CON #3: Lack of Commercial Real Estate – Millbrae has a very small footprint of commercial real estate, which has led to the city running on a deficit for many years. In 2011, the city council voted to get rid of the local police department and contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department to save on costs. While this hasn’t affected the safety of the city, it is something to be aware of.

PRO #4: Vibrant Downtown – Millbrae has a compact, vibrant downtown area with stores like Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, 24 Fitness, Starbucks, Peet’s, and local banks like Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America. There are also many smaller retail establishments and restaurants to enjoy.

PRO #5: Access to Great Parks and Trails – Millbrae has access to some of the most amazing parks and trails in the area. On the bay side, you can visit Bayfront Park and walk along the water’s edge. On the west side of town, up the hill, you can access the Sawyer Camp Trail, where you can see the stunning views of the San Andreas Lake and the Crystal Springs Reservoir. Make sure to visit on both sunny and foggy days for two very different