April 29, 2004

STREET SCENEGlenview Drive

Glenview drive in Almaden has three different personalities. The long street has a section of houses built many years ago, a new section developed by Chappell Construction a little over five years ago, and a custom home section further up the street.

Massoud Shamshirian has been living in one of the Chappell houses since it was built. He says the neighborhood is pleasant, with many children and wonderful schools. Williams Elementary is within walking distance.

“I love living here. Williams is one of the best elementary schools in the area,” says Shamshirian. “It has a great principal and the parent involvement there is great.”

Shamshirian also mentioned the convenience of the nearby Safeway, PW’s and Starbucks, along with the access to highways 85 and 87.

“The neighbors are all wonderful. All of us in the newer homes have pretty much been here since it was built. So we bought the homes together which was a bond from the beginning,” says Shamshirian.

“There are really three different personalities on this street. The newer houses, where I live, have new trees and shrubbery, which is all still developing. There is an older section to the street that has been there a long time and has a lot of character. The custom homes are mostly still being built,” says Shamshirian.

John Jacoby also lives in the new homes on Glenview and has since they were first built. He and his wife were on a Sunday drive about five years ago when they decided to look at an open house on Glenview drive. “We weren’t even planning on buying a house that day,” he explains. “We just happened to run into it, and they just happened to be having a lottery. We put in our name and we won, which made us make a pretty quick decision. It’s been a wonderful investment.”

Jacoby, who has a son in the first grade at Williams says, “We can walk him to school and the park is very close. Between the great neighbors, the great schools and the great parks, there is nothing to complain about.”

Jacoby says that he knows about half of the people on the street. “We’d really like to know them all, but half is pretty good. I think we should have a block party this summer.”

Barbeques happen once and a while in the summer, but “not as often as we probably should have them,” according to Jacoby.

Shamshirian feels that he is very lucky to live in such a great neighborhood. “Everyone pulls together and if you need something, they are always there to help,” he says.

When families go out of town, there is always someone to pick up newspapers and mail, and even bring in garbage cans.

Jacoby says, “When I go on business trips, it’s nice to know that if my wife needs anything, she will have someone to help her out.”

There was one problem that almost everyone living in the Chappell houses will remember. Phase four of construction was delayed by winter rains. Construction went way over schedule and the houses took over 15 months to be completed. “All of us had to be very patient,” says Shamshirian.

“I’ve tried to put that out of my memory,” says Jacoby.

Upon moving to Glenview Drive, one can expect to pay anywhere from $950,000 to $1.7 million for a home.

“About half of the people living here have children, and it’s a long street so there are quite a few kids,” says Jacoby. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone considering the schools and the friendly community in Almaden Valley.

—By Miranda Schultz

Would you like your street to be featured in Street Scene? Drop us a line at Julie@timesmediainc.com or call 494-7000 x 216 and your street may play a starring role in an upcoming issue of the Almaden Times Weekly.