Buyers searching for 55+ communities in Silicon Valley often run across Foster Square while looking around Sunnyvale, and there's something worth clearing up right away. Even though it shows up in regional searches next to Sunnyvale listings, this community is actually up the Peninsula in Foster City, in San Mateo County. Lennar began building it in 2016, and the age-restricted portion offers about 200 modern condominiums designed with accessible floor plans from the start.
The Santa Clara County market next door is still moving quickly, with a median sale price around $1,645,000 and homes spending roughly 18 days on market. Buyers who want age-restricted living look at Foster Square for its mixed-use design, where ground-floor retail, Atria assisted living, and the Alma Point apartments all share the same footprint. Knowing exactly where it sits, what it costs, and what's around it makes it much easier to decide whether it fits your plans, and I'll walk through all of that here.
Overview of the Foster Square Community
Foster Square is a 55+ condominium community built around a mixed-use layout, with homes above commercial space and daily conveniences a short walk from your door. The larger development also includes Atria's assisted living community and the Alma Point apartments, so the area has a multi-generational feel even though the condos themselves are age-restricted.
The real anchor is Leo J. Ryan Park, just steps away. It's a waterfront park with a lagoon, a recreation center, pickleball and bocce courts, an amphitheater, and paved walking and biking paths. Foster Square doesn't have a large private clubhouse like some 55+ communities, so that park does a lot of the heavy lifting as residents' main outdoor space. If amenities are high on your list, my post on what to expect from 55+ community amenities will help you compare.
What and Where It Is
Most people who search "Foster Square Sunnyvale" are really looking at a property in Foster City, and that distinction matters. Foster City puts you close to the San Mateo Bridge and the Bay shoreline, about a 30 to 40 minute drive north of Sunnyvale depending on traffic. For getting around the Bay Area without a car, the Hillsdale Caltrain station and Millbrae BART are the nearest transit connections.
Community Character and Housing Setting
Lennar built these homes under its "Everything's Included" approach, so modern finishes and appliances were part of the original price rather than upgrades. Shared outdoor spaces, including basketball and tennis courts, are available to residents. The ground-floor retail is useful day to day, since coffee and basic errands don't require getting in the car.
Real Estate and Home Prices in Foster Square
Sunnyvale posted a median sale price of around $1.8 million earlier this year at roughly $1,240 per square foot. Foster Square condos, by comparison, traded at a median of about $1.4 million in early 2026, or roughly $857 per square foot.
That gap gives buyers who were focused on Sunnyvale an alternative price point for newer construction, as long as they meet the 55+ requirement. The broader market is competitive, with more than half of properties closing above list price, so a lower price doesn't mean a slower pace. If you're still deciding whether a 55+ community is right for you, my post on the pros and cons of living in a 55+ community is a good gut check.
Home Types and Property Attributes
Every home in Foster Square is a condominium built from 2016 on, with elevator access and floor plans designed for accessibility. Most units include two assigned garage parking spaces, which is standard here rather than an upgrade.
Homeowner Association Fees and Rules
Recent Foster Square listings have shown monthly HOA dues around $710, covering management, common area maintenance, and exterior building upkeep. That's a real line in your monthly budget, so factor it in early. My guide to 55+ community HOA fees shows how that compares with communities in the South Bay.
Dining, Shopping, and Daily Life
With several storefronts on the ground floor, you won't need to drive for every small errand. For bigger shopping trips, several shopping centers sit within about a mile and a half, and between the shops downstairs and the park nearby, the immediate blocks handle a lot of daily life without much effort.
Restaurants and Everyday Dining
Starbucks and a small market are steps from the condo entrances, Philz Coffee is a popular neighborhood stop, and the New England Lobster Market & Eatery is a nearby favorite for seafood.
Groceries and Local Shopping
The surrounding area is well stocked, with Target, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, and Costco within reach and grocery options including Safeway, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Nob Hill Foods. That's more choice than a lot of mid-Peninsula neighborhoods can offer.
Practical Information: Healthcare, Weather, and Schools
The mid-Peninsula climate is classic Bay Area, with dry, comfortable summers and mild, wet winters. If you're tired of weather extremes, it's a pleasant place to live year-round.
Hospitals and Medical Care
Several hospitals are within about eight miles. San Mateo Medical Center is roughly three miles away, and Sequoia Hospital and Mills-Peninsula Medical Center also serve the area, with clinics and specialist offices a few miles from the community. For how healthcare access factors into choosing a community, see my post on homes and healthcare near 55+ communities.
Local School Districts
This is a 55+ community, but the school question comes up more than you'd expect, usually for resale or because buyers have younger family members. Homes here fall within the San Mateo-Foster City School District, and if boundaries matter to your plans, confirm them directly with the district.
Finding a Home in Foster Square
With only about 200 homes, inventory is limited, and when a Foster Square unit comes up you won't have weeks to think it over. The roughly $1.4 million median here versus about $1.8 million in Sunnyvale is a meaningful difference, and the tradeoff is a lower price per square foot and $710 in monthly dues in exchange for a location farther up the Peninsula.
If you're selling a longtime South Bay home to make this move, Proposition 19 lets homeowners 55 and older carry their assessed value to a replacement home in another county, which can make a real difference in your monthly costs. My Prop 19 explainer for seniors covers how it works.
Homes for Sale and Rent
Most residents own their condos. Rentals come up now and then in the adjacent Alma Point apartments, but if you want a Lennar-built condo you're working the resale market, so setting up a search alert that notifies you the moment a new listing hits the MLS is the practical move.
Working With a Local Agent
An agent who knows 55+ communities, including the age rules, what to look for in HOA documents, and how this community compares with options closer to Sunnyvale, will save you time and catch things a general search won't. Working with a senior real estate agent in Silicon Valley also helps when you're coordinating the sale of a long-held home with the purchase of your next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both spouses need to be 55 or older to buy a condo in Foster Square?
Usually only one resident needs to be 55 or older under the federal housing for older persons rules. Have your agent review the current HOA rules to confirm household age requirements before you write an offer.
How much are the monthly HOA fees at Foster Square, and what do they cover?
Recent listings have shown dues of about $710 a month, covering management, common area maintenance, exterior upkeep, and access to shared outdoor facilities like the tennis and basketball courts.
Is Foster Square within walking distance of downtown Sunnyvale and the Caltrain station?
No. Foster Square is in Foster City, not Sunnyvale. The nearest transit options are the Hillsdale Caltrain station and Millbrae BART.
Can I buy a home in Foster Square as a rental investment?
Review the HOA's rental restrictions before buying for investment. Many 55+ communities cap the number of rentals or require tenants to meet the age rules, and my post on renting in a 55+ community covers the typical limits.
How often do units become available, and is there a waitlist?
With about 200 homes, inventory is limited. There's no official waitlist for resales, so watch the market closely and be ready to move quickly when the right floor plan comes up.
How does Foster Square compare to other 55+ communities in the Silicon Valley area?
Foster Square offers newer construction with a median price around $1.4 million and a walkable, mixed-use setting. The Villages in San Jose offers a very different golf and country club lifestyle, which I cover in my guide to The Villages Golf and Country Club.
About the Author
Seb Frey is a Broker Associate with Compass in Los Gatos (CA DRE# 01369847) and the Seasoned Living Strategist behind Team Sixty Plus. Over more than 23 years and 450+ closed transactions in Silicon Valley, his practice has centered on longtime homeowners, older adults, and the families helping them through downsizing, estate sales, and housing transitions. He holds the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designations, has been ranked in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide by RealTrends, and hosts the Sixty Plus Uncensored podcast. Market figures in this article reflect Santa Clara County conditions as of mid-2026. HOA dues, community rules, and entrance fees change, so confirm them directly before you make a decision, and talk with your own tax advisor or attorney about anything tax or legal. Seb is a REALTOR®, not a CPA or lawyer.
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