Silver Terrace, San Francisco: A Walkable Urban Neighborhood
A southeast San Francisco community balancing affordability with urban walkability and transit convenience.
About Silver Terrace in San Francisco
Silver Terrace is a southeast San Francisco neighborhood anchored by strong transit connections, genuine walkability, and a median home price of $1.01M that undercuts the broader San Francisco market. The community draws families and first-time buyers seeking authentic urban living without the downtown premium, with a Walk Score of 78 and Transit Score of 72 that keep daily errands and commutes manageable. Additionally, here, 61.7% of residents are homeowners, reflecting a stable, long-rooted neighborhood culture. The area skews slightly older (median age 43.9) and more financially secure (median household income $102,634) than the city average, though housing remains expensive by national standards.
Real Estate Market in Silver Terrace
The neighborhood trades at roughly 25% below San Francisco's overall median home value, offering genuine value in a high-cost market. Inventory moves steadily rather than frenetically, giving deliberate buyers time to assess fit.
Properties in this neighborhood attract serious, owner-occupant interest rather than speculative bidding wars. Positioning yourself as a long-term resident and being prepared to move quickly on well-priced homes yields better outcomes than aggressive escalation clauses.
Who Thrives in Silver Terrace
Additionally, silver Terrace offers an entry point into San Francisco homeownership with walkable urban living at a moderate price relative to comparable neighborhoods.
Additionally, with 21.6% of the proximity area raising children, good schools nearby (including Taylor Elementary and Kipp Bayview Academy), and family-oriented green space like Silver Terrace Playground, this is a genuine family hub.
Additionally, the 61.7% owner-occupancy rate and steady rental demand at $2,409/month provide a balanced investment case for buy-and-hold or renovation plays.
Additionally, A 78 Walk Score, nearby cafes including Hey Neighbor Cafe and Word. A Cafe, and 11.8% work-from-home rates indicate a neighborhood comfortable with flexible schedules and local workplace options.
Additionally, accessible transit, walkable main corridors, nearby healthcare (Silver Avenue Family Health Center), and a slightly older resident base create a low-stress retirement setting.
Property Types in Silver Terrace
The majority property type; classic San Francisco small lot construction, often with recent updates and rear unit potential.
Lower-maintenance entry points; growing condo conversion activity along Silver Avenue.
Emerging mixed-use developments and renovated properties command modest premiums but remain below neighborhood saturation.
Living in Silver Terrace, San Francisco
Daily life in this neighborhood revolves around accessible main thoroughfares and genuine community spaces. Additionally, morning coffee runs land you at Hey Neighbor Cafe or Butchertown Coffee, both favored by locals seeking casual connection. The area's food culture spans Ming Hui Dim Sum, Cinco de Mayo Taqueria, and Cali-Pho-nia, reflecting a historically diverse, immigrant-rooted population that still holds strong. <h3>Recreation and Community</h3> Beyond dining, Silver Terrace Playground and Palou Community Garden anchor weekend activity; nearby Lee Recreation Center and Bernal Yoga offer fitness options without the overcrowding of central neighborhoods. The neighborhood lacks major nightlife (that lives further north and west), but El Toro Nightclub and the Bayview Opera House bring occasional cultural draws. This is a place where residents tend gardens, walk kids to school, and know shopkeepers by name—quieter than Mission or NOPA, but deliberately so.
- Pizza Joint · 9 min walk
- Cinco de Mayo Taquería · 9 min walk
- Cali-Phô-nia · 9 min walk
- Ming Hui Dim Sum · 9 min walk
- Breakfast at Tiffany's · 9 min walk
- Hey Neighbor Cafe · 10 min walk
- Word. A Cafe · 12 min walk
- Giant Scoop Café · 13 min walk
- Butchertown Coffee · 13 min walk
- Bloomstock · 13 min walk
- Silver Terrace Playground · 5 min walk
- Palou Phelps Mini Park · 8 min walk
- Palou Phelps Mini Park Playground · 8 min walk
- Palou Community Garden · 8 min walk
- Palega Recreation Center · 16 min walk
- Foods Co · 7 min walk
- Silver Produce · 9 min walk
- San Bruno Supermarket · 9 min walk
- J and S Produce · 10 min walk
- La Loma Produce · 12 min walk
- Lee Recreation Center · 15 min walk
- American Gymnastics Club · 16 min walk
- Bernal Yoga · 21 min walk
- fit Bernal fit · 23 min walk
- Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center · 25 min walk
- El Toro Nightclub · 9 min walk
- Public Glass · 13 min walk
- Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre · 14 min walk
- Bradford Street · 15 min walk
- Inclusions Gallery · 24 min walk
Annual events: Bayview Opera House seasonal performances, Palou Community Garden harvests, local street fairs along Silver Avenue
Schools Near Silver Terrace, San Francisco
Additionally, the neighborhood benefits from a strong public school network serving K-12, with multiple options within a short walk or bus ride. The median educational attainment here is 28.4% with a bachelor's degree, slightly below the city's 59.8%, but local schools are consistently improving and attracting families seeking community-focused instruction.
Elementary Schools
School Score 54 with 56% math and 52% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 19.5 with 22% math and 17% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 8.5 with 5% math and 12% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Middle Schools
School Score 36 with 33% math and 39% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 30.5 with 27% math and 34% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 16.5 with 8% math and 25% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 13.5 with 8% math and 19% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026High Schools
School Score 62 with 47% math and 77% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 43.5 with 29% math and 58% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 12 with 12% math and 12% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Private Schools Nearby
- San Francisco School (PK-8) — 17-minute walk
- Alta Vista School (KG-8) — 18-minute walk
- Rise Institute (2-12) — 35-minute walk
Feeder pattern: Families typically feed from Taylor Elementary (54-score rating, KG-5) through King Jr. Academic Middle (30.5 score, 6-8) to Kipp San Francisco College Prep (62 score, 9-12) or Thurgood Marshall High (12 score), with Burton Academic High as a strong alternative.
Source: Proximitii 2026
Commute from Silver Terrace
Additionally, silver Terrace's location on the southeast edge of the city provides reasonable freeway and transit access to downtown and regional job centers, though driving remains the dominant commute mode (42.5% of residents). The neighborhood's Transit Score of 72 reflects multiple bus lines and near-future transit improvements that make car-free commuting viable for Bay Area jobs.
Additionally, key bus lines along Silver Avenue and Topeka Avenue (including service to BART and regional transit hubs) make the neighborhood reasonably connected for non-drivers, though peak-hour frequency can vary.
Neighborhoods Near Silver Terrace
Not sure Silver Terrace is the right fit? Compare these nearby neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions about Silver Terrace
What is the average home price in Silver Terrace, San Francisco?
The median home value is approximately $1.01 million, which is roughly 25% below the San Francisco citywide median of $1.35 million. Single-family homes typically range from $950K to $1.3M, while condos and townhomes often fall between $800K and $1.1M. Price per square foot averages around $850, reflecting the neighborhood's walkable urban character and strong transit access.
Is the neighborhood a good place to live?
Yes, particularly if you value walkability, transit access, and authentic community roots over trendy nightlife or cutting-edge dining scenes. Additionally, the neighborhood's Walk Score of 78 and Transit Score of 72 make daily errands and commutes straightforward. With 61.7% homeownership, a median household income of $102,634, and a low poverty rate of 9.5%, the area attracts stable, invested residents. It suits families, first-time buyers, and remote workers equally well.
What are the top schools near Silver Terrace?
Taylor Elementary (54-score rating, KG-5), King Jr. Additionally, academic Middle (30.5 score, 6-8), and Kipp San Francisco College Preparatory (62 score, 9-12) form a strong feeder chain. Additionally, Burton Academic High (43.5 score, 9-12) and Kipp Bayview Academy (36 score, 5-8) offer alternatives for families prioritizing smaller class sizes and college-prep curricula. The area supports multiple private options as well, including Rise Institute.
Is Silver Terrace safe?
The neighborhood has a poverty rate of 9.5%, below the state average, and is supported by San Francisco Fire Station 42 and Bayview Police Station for emergency and public safety services. Additionally, like all urban neighborhoods, situational awareness and routine neighborhood watch engagement are sensible practices. Residents report feeling secure in their homes and on main thoroughfares during daylight hours.
Who is Silver Terrace best suited for?
The neighborhood is excellent for families (21.6% of proximity residents have children), first-time buyers seeking an affordable San Francisco entry point, and remote workers who benefit from walkability and local cafes. Retirees appreciate the accessible transit and healthcare facilities, while investors find steady rental demand and below-market acquisition prices attractive.
What local amenities and dining are nearby?
Morning coffee culture centers on Hey Neighbor Cafe, Word. Additionally, A Cafe, and Butchertown Coffee. Moreover, food options span Ming Hui Dim Sum, Cinco de Mayo Taqueria, Cali-Pho-nia, and Pizza Joint. For groceries, Foods Co and Silver Produce serve daily needs. Recreation includes Silver Terrace Playground, Palou Community Garden, and Lee Recreation Center. The Bayview Opera House occasionally hosts cultural events.
Where this Silver Terrace data comes from
Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Additionally, walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Find Your Home in Silver Terrace
Additionally, connect with a local real estate expert who knows Silver Terrace's neighborhoods, schools, and market opportunities intimately.
Search homes in Silver Terrace →