Neighborhood guide · 2026-05-01
10 things to know about Foster City before you buy.
A buyer's guide written by Roger Grubb, a 18-year Bay Area realtor (DRE #01845823, Security Pacific Real Estate) who has transacted in Foster City repeatedly.
- 01
The median home price
Foster City median in 2026: $1,690,000. That's $1090/sqft on a typical 1,550 sqft home.
- 02
How fast homes sell
12 days on market is the Foster City average. A correctly priced, well-prepped listing often goes pending in 7-14 days.
- 03
Who lives here
Families wanting a waterfront-feel with top schools at a Peninsula price below Burlingame/San Carlos.
- 04
What Foster City isn't
Single-family-home dominant. Most stock is townhome or attached.
- 05
The schools
Key schools: Audubon Elementary (rating 9/10). San Mateo HS (rating 8/10).
- 06
What makes it special
Planned 1960s waterfront community. Lagoons throughout. Dense townhome stock, some SFR. San Mateo Foster City School District has strong schools. Diverse, family-anchored.
- 07
Roger's insider note
Mariner's Island offers the most lagoon-front homes. The east end (closer to Beach Park) is the value play. School-district consistency across the city is unusually strong.
- 08
Best fit for
Tech families wanting waterside lifestyle, Townhome/condo first-time buyers, Equidistant SFO/Silicon Valley commuters.
- 09
Notable amenities
Foster City lagoons · Beach Park + Erckenbrack Park · Easy 101 + 92 access · 20 min to SFO + Silicon Valley
- 10
Walk score
51/100. Somewhat walkable; car still useful.
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