August 5, 2004

STREET SCENEVia Jose

Via Jose is among the many friendly streets in the Almaden Community, with almost 30 children occupying the street this summer, frolicking in the swimming pools and finding shade in the many trees that line the street.

Barbara Wood has lived on Via Jose for 28 years, and like many others, she and her husband moved to Via Jose so their two children could attend Almaden schools. “We’ve always lived in San Jose, but we didn’t feel like our children were getting the best opportunity where we were before. After doing research, we found that Almaden schools had the best reputation and most involvement, which is why we moved here,” says Wood.

Via Jose is considered to be especially child friendly. Beth Kolte has four children and has lived on the street for 11 years. “All of the kids play together,” she says. “They swim in each other’s pools, go to school together, and many of them are involved in the same activities and sports together.”

Kolte has a neighbor, a minister, who makes treat bags for her children when they go on trips. “It’s one of those neighborhoods where everyone takes care of each other,” she says. “A while ago, someone tried to steal something from one of our elderly neighbors and a few of us chased that person to their house and they had to come back and apologize.”

That is just one example of the neighbors watching out for one another. They also warn each other about solicitors in the neighborhood. “We all take care of each other here,” says Kolte.

The homes built by Culligan are some of the older ones in Almaden; all of them are one story and most have four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sell for between $750,000 and $850,000. “Many of us have added square footage to our homes, and many of them are so beautiful inside with granite kitchens and vaulted ceilings,” says Wood. “Another great thing about the remodeling on this street is that everyone shares tips on how to do this or that. One husband will ask another one, ‘How did you redo your bathroom?’ Everyone cooperates and helps around here.”

Kolte considers her neighbors people that would never turn their backs on one in need, from a cup of sugar to advice on computer viruses.

Both Kolte and Wood say that they don’t plan on leaving this street because of the wonderful people they are surrounded with. “Almaden has so many activities for children to be involved in,” says Wood. “It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.”

The neighbors often get together, whether it’s just for impromptu chats walking out to the mailbox or if it’s the annual Fourth of July block party. The street also has progressive dinners around Christmas.

“Living an Almaden was very good for my children,” says Wood of her children who are adults now. “It gave them a lot of self confidence and many wonderful opportunities.”

Wood also says that the Almaden community helps to form lasting friendships. “My children both have the same childhood friends. Even though they all went away to different colleges and basically have their own lives now, they still keep in touch and consider them to be their best friends. Everyone I talk to around here says the same thing,” she says.

“I love my street,” says Kolte. “There are so many neat people that live here.”

—By Miranda Schultz