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Living in Niles, California, is like taking a step back to the days of silent movies and steam locomotives, all while enjoying the modern aspects of the San Francisco Bay Area.Niles is a district in Fremont, which is located on the southeastern end of San Francisco Bay, otherwise known as the East Bay. It is closer to Silicon Valley than it is to the City by the Bay. Partially due to its geography, it has been able to maintain its small-town charm that echoes the early 1900s.You might not have heard of Niles before, but if you’ve ever seen Charlie Chaplin’s iconic silent movie “The Tramp,” you’ll start to understand the significance of the area.Niles has deep ties to both railroad history and Chaplin, who filmed five silent movies there. “The Tramp,” which was released in 1915, was the fifth and final movie filmed at Essanay Film Company’s studio in Niles.Niles is practically a shrine to Chaplin. His legacy is celebrated year-round at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and one weekend a year during “Charlie Chaplin Days.” There’s even a life-sized statue of Chaplin as the Tramp outside the Florence Bar. The Real Estate Market Niles is a small slice of Fremont, which has a population of around 235,000.As with much of the rest of California, Niles Fremont homes for sale are in high demand and prices are shooting up. It’s a seller’s market, meaning inventory is tight and buyers are competing for homes, often having to pay above the listing price in order to get their dream home. According to Realtor.com, the median listing price of a Niles Fremont homes for sale is $1.24 million, which has remained pretty much the same over the last year. It is still considered a seller’s market, and houses can sell quickly. There are several homes priced at and above $1.5 million, with a high of $4.3 million.The market is similar to that in the surrounding areas of Fremont, where Redfin reports that the median price is $1.3 million, an increase of 15.6% year-to-year. Homes in Fremont are selling remarkably fast and at 8.41% above the asking price, Realtor.com reports.Current listings for Niles Fremont homes for sale range from $839,950 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home of 891 square feet, to $1.7 million for a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home of 2,669 square feet.The first step toward buying Niles Fremont homes for sale is to hire an experienced real estate agent who knows the neighborhood and the surrounding area. Once you’ve bought a home, you can begin to enjoy the area.Here are some highlights of Niles: The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, located in the historic Edison Theater, is a shrine to the silent film era and is dedicated to preserving its history through education and exhibits. In normal times, the museum plays silent movies. Since the pandemic began, the museum has had many offerings online. Charlie Chaplin Days The film museum has been holding Charlie Chaplin Days since 1979, a weekend full of fun tributes to the legendary actor as well as screenings of his movies accompanied by a piano score. Due to the pandemic, this year’s Charlie Chaplin Days were presented online. Silent Movie Walk of Fame Niles likes to think of itself as having been Hollywood before there was Hollywood, so naturally, there is a Silent Movie Walk of Fame with painted stars with the names of noted silent film actors. There are also markers that denote where certain movies were filmed. Railroad History Niles has a rich and important railroad history dating to the 1840s. But its major contribution came in 1870, when a line through Niles Canyon to San Francisco was completed, making it the last leg of the historic First Transcontinental Railroad. Because of the topography of the area, building this portion of the line was considered a major engineering marvel. Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad Historic District This historic district includes the 11-mile section of the First Transcontinental Railroad that runs through Niles Canyon between Fremont and Sunol. It is among the last remaining portions of the line and shows off the construction techniques used back then, including sharp turns and a narrow rail bed that made for some hairy rides.Railroad buffs can relive those experiences thanks to the Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc., which operates the Niles Canyon Railway. Its mission is to re-create how railroading in the area was between 1910 and 1960. Niles Depot Museum This shrine to local railroading lore is housed in the former Southern Pacific Railroad passenger and freight depots that date to the early 1900s. Its exhibits contain items from the various railroad companies that served the area. The museum is also building two unique model railroad layouts based on the historic tracks that once served Niles and the rest of the Bay Area.In a modern twist to rail transport, Fremont is connected to the rest of the Bay Area by the BART subway system.There is also an excellent connection via freeways to East Bay, South Bay, and Silicon Valley. Although many tech workers have shifted to work-from-home during the pandemic, those who still need to commute can take the Dumbarton Bridge across the southern edge of San Francisco Bay to Palo Alto and the many tech companies in Silicon Valley. Niles Road You don’t want to miss what serves as the district’s main street, the historic four-block stretch of Niles Road. It is lined with a number of old buildings that contain quaint shops, antique stores, and restaurants. There are also several homes dating back to the 1900s. If you are looking for Niles Fremont homes for sale in 2021, contact Marinelli Real Estate for assistance.
Located in San Francisco’s Bay Area, Fremont is a mid-sized city with historic roots. It’s the fourth-largest city in the Bay Area and has 90 square miles of unique pockets and neighborhoods. Considering moving to Fremont? It’s important to think about which area will best suit your needs and lifestyle. Here are the top Fremont neighborhoods to consider. Mission Hills If you’re looking for an upscale area with impressive properties, Mission Hills might be your ideal spot. With a population of 1,937, it’s a smaller neighborhood than some other areas. Homes tend to be modern mansions with a median value of over $3M. As the name suggests, there is some excellent hiking in this area. Mission Hill is a lush hillside with challenging inclines and stunning views. Climb to the summit for an unbeatable view of the entire neighborhood. For other athletics, there’s Mission Hills Equestrian Center, which offers horseback lessons for kids and adults. Tennis lovers adore the Mission Hills Tennis Club, where members benefit from 13 floodlit courts and extensive training opportunities. Work out at their state-of-the-art gym or take a dip at the recently renovated pool. The overall vibe in this neighborhood is active and community-minded, with the added benefits of peace, quiet, and luxury. Mission Valley With a population of over 7,000, Mission Valley is a significantly larger neighborhood than Mission Hills. The median home value is about $1.4M, making it a slightly more affordable area. It’s rife with excellent schools and family opportunities. There’s Mission Valley Montessori, which is a top-rated private preschool that “plants seeds for a lifetime of learning.” There’s also the public Mission Valley Elementary School, which is A-rated and serves grades K-6. While still residential, the area has some conveniences, including a pharmacy, some restaurants, and a thriving performing arts school. Nrityanjali International Performing Arts teaches kids various dances, including Bollywood, Semi-classical, Folk, Patriotic dance, and contemporary. Busy families might appreciate the Mission Valley Shopping Center, which has a variety of chains and quick eats — you’ll find CVS, Subway, Lucky’s, and more. Weibel Weibel is a highly residential option with upscale residences. The median home price here is over $2M, emphasizing California ranches and split-level homes. Weibel is very popular with young, growing families. It’s also home to Fred E. Weibel Elementary School, a small, highly rated school serving grades K-6. While other areas might be more convenient for shopping and dining, Weibel’s unique in that it’s home to VN Artwork, an art gallery that showcases the award-winning work of local artists Vinay and Neelkamal. Vineyards-Avalon Vineyards-Avalon is another midsize neighborhood bordering Mission Peak Regional Preserve. Beautiful hills provide the backdrop to this suburban area, which has a median home price of nearly $3M. Residents enjoy hiking, biking, and trail running along the many paths of the Preserve, which is easily accessible from this neighborhood. Mission Peak is one of the most popular and challenging trails.Vineyards-Avalon is also just a short drive from Rancho Higuera Historical Park — the site of one of the last remaining adobe homes from California’s Spanish-Mexican area. The park is open for touring and is a great place to walk and spend an afternoon. Students in this area have their choice of excellent public schools, including Warm Springs Elementary, John M. Horner Junior High School, and Irvington High. Warm Springs Located next to Vineyards-Avalon, Warm Springs offers a combination of beautiful condominiums and single-family homes, as well as proximity to the freeway. The median home price is $1.5M. It’s a family-oriented place, where you’ll likely see people walking their dogs and children biking on every corner. Residents enjoy a variety of dining options, like Kazuma Sushi or Ho Chow Restaurant with a full cocktail bar. Martial arts are also quite popular here. You’ll have access to HSSK Kendo Dojo Fremont, as well as Fei Si Fu Kung Fu Academy. Enroll you or your kids, and get ready to learn a new skill! Chances are, you’ll meet some fellow neighbors and make a few new friends. Kimber-Gomes Kimber-Gomes is one of the livelier Fremont suburbs, offering a decent number of restaurants and shopping options. It’s a lovely area with a median home price of just under $2M. California ranches peppered with modern mansions define this area’s architectural style. The neighborhood runs parallel to Central Park, which has some lovely green spaces perfect for picnicking or walking. There’s also a small lake, which adds to the park’s beauty. If you like dining out, then this may be the spot for you! Daily Bagel Cafe has the best and most unique bagels around. Try a classic bagel sandwich or a strawberry bagel (if you’re feeling daring!). Las Palmas Taqueria is ideal if you want a casual way to satisfy your taco craving, while La Farfalla Bakery can load you up with coffee and desserts. Always wanted to try a new sport? West Coast Mission Karate is in Kimber-Gomes and combines Taekwondo, Jujitsu, Kenpo, Karate, and Escrima Sticks System for all age groups. Kimber-Gomes is an ideal neighborhood for keeping busy (and full!). Cabrillo Although historically one of Fremont’s more affordable neighborhoods, Cabrillo has steadily increased in popularity and price. Its median home value falls just under $1.5M. This area is popular with families, as most homes are single-family, and there are several nearby schools. Cabrillo Elementary School, Patterson Elementary School, and Thornton Junior High are all excellent schools in Cabrillo. Nature lovers enjoy Patterson Park, a small, relatively hidden park that offers paved trails through lush grasses and trees and picnic tables. When it comes to dining, you’ll also find suitable options in Cabrillo. There’s the casual, ultra-family friendly Shakers Pizza, which serves up classic pies. Datang Kitchen offers delicious Chinese food in family-style portions and is a favorite among locals. When it comes to decorating your home, you’ll want to check out Kitchen Bath & Beyond — “a one-stop-shop for homeowners, real estate agents, designers, contractors, and anyone looking to remodel or make improvements on their kitchen or bathroom.” Life in Cabrillo pairs a relaxing suburb with slightly more options than some nearby areas. Are you interested in Fremont real estate? Contact Marinelli Real Estate for the area’s best listings.
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