I WAS kidding about Mt Helix and Kensington. My first house was in El Cerrito Heights – south of the 8, east of Kensington, with lots of well-maintained homes and canyons surrounding it. When people came over they all had the same comment – “I never knew this neighborhood was back here!”

Speaking of south of the 8 – don’t forget Burlingame. Many of the houses are on the Historic Register, yet it is close to North Park. South Park is also very nice, with lots of TLC and established homes.

I learned long ago not to question where someone lives, especially if that person just ponied up their life savings to make a down payment.