Ever heard of Menlo Park? It’s the town perhaps most well known for housing the headquarters of social media giant Facebook, and also for having sky-high real estate prices (even by Bay Area standards). With Menlo Park’s convenient location in the middle of Silicon Valley, and its residential, family-friendly atmosphere, it’s no surprise that lots of people want to live here. We’ve rounded up five of the top perks you’ll get to enjoy as a resident of this South Bay town.

Easy Transportation

Caltrain Station in Menlo Park photo by Shutterstock

No matter what your preferred mode of transportation is, you’ll find options in Menlo Park. The Caltrain will take you up to San Francisco in just 40 minutes. That’s about how long the journey would take you if you were driving, but environmentally conscious commuters can opt for the train if they work near San Francisco’s Caltrain stop. If you work down south in San Jose, you can choose to take a VTA bus, which makes several stops on its way to the southernmost end of Silicon Valley. Prefer two wheels rather than four? If you work within biking distance of your Menlo Park home, biking to work is a great option that helps the environment and gives you a workout to start and end the work day. Plus, you’ll be glad to know that Menlo Park is known for being a bike-friendly city, so you won’t be competing for space on the roads.

Excellent Schools

Stanford University photo by Shutterstock

The highly rated Menlo Park City School District is one of the best in the South Bay, according to Great Schools. The district serves the areas of Menlo Park and Atherton. Not only is the public school system top-notch, but Menlo Park is also very close to Stanford University, making the town a popular choice of residence for collegiate faculty and students.

Close to Tech

Facebook headquarters photo by Shutterstock

Many people move to the San Francisco Bay Area to be part of the tech industry. If that’s one of your reasons for moving too, you’ll be glad to know that Menlo Park is where a lot of the action happens. Facebook has its headquarters in town, and Google is just a stone’s throw away in Mountain View, while Apple is a little farther south in Cupertino. San Jose is also home to several tech companies such as Adobe, while Sunnyvale houses LinkedIn. There’s no shortage of tech opportunities in Silicon Valley, and living in Menlo Park will bring you very close to these jobs.

Extensive Entertainment, Shopping, and Recreation

Downtown Menlo Park photo courtesy of LPS.1

Just because a town is family-friendly doesn’t mean you’ll find a shortage of fun things to do. Whether you like going out to eat, enjoying some retail therapy, or catching shows, Menlo Park has lots to offer. The Refuge is a popular gastropub that serves meaty sandwiches and tasty Belgian brews. Left Bank is an upscale local chain specializing in cuisine from southern France. Dutch Goose is a popular sports bar offering burgers, brews, arcade games, and a heated patio—great for chilly Bay Area winters. The Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center offers no shortage of musicals, dance performances, and film screenings for an entertaining night out on the town.