The Los Gatos Commons is a popular senior condominium community off of Alberto Way in Los Gatos, very close to the downtown shopping and dining district (see map, below). This complex was developed in 1978, so is 44 years old as of this writing in 2022.
There are 110 condo units, at The Los Gatos Commons, ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms. Most units have carports, but there are a few with 1 car garages available. A plus for many residents is that it is gated – a rarely found amenity in Silicon Valley.
Like other senior communities, of which there are very few in Santa Clara County, properties are more affordable here than what you might find in non age-restricted condominiums nearby.
Homes share a clubhouse, pool, spa, and fitness room, as well as beautifully maintained landscaping. Units have covered parking.
Nearby amenities include easy access to highways 9 and 17, a close proximity to downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment, such as the public library and parks. The location is hard to beat!
What do HOA Dues cost at The Los Gatos Commons?
The Los Gatos Commons home owner association dues start at about $425 – $600 and are more for larger units. Two recent 2 bed sales have had $507 monthly fees, and one had a $520 monthly fee. The fee covers things like common area maintenance, cable/dish services, and water.
What senior services are included?
This is an independent living community, not assisted living, which means that there are no additional senior services, such as shuttle, cleaning, or meal plans, available to residents outside of the normal HOA features such as landscaping and exterior maintenance. That being said, the HOA does organize outings and events for those in the community who wish to participate.
Positives and Negatives
Well known positives for The Los Gatos Commons are the wonderful location, beautifully kept grounds, security features, easy lifestyle and low maintenance, the use of the pool and spa, tennis court, workout room, clubhouse, and the senior community. While not inexpensive, the cost of buying a condo at the Commons is less than it might be for a comparable condominium that would not be in a seniors community – and that is a significant plus, too.
There are several negatives for being close to Highway 17, including the noise and pollution. The daughter of one resident told me that her parents’ unit, which was close to the freeway onramp, had a problem on the back patio with sticky soot that kept landing on the patio furniture. She didn’t know if it was dust mixed with car emissions, or the tires as they wore down, or what.
It’s known that being close to freeways and busy roads has negative health effects. The EPA published a document with frequently asked questions about the health risks in such locations: Near Roadway Air Pollution and Health: Frequently Asked Questions – this is good reading for everyone within a few hundred feet of highways, freeways, expressways, boulevards, and busy streets.
Other potential negatives may be the relatively expensive HOA cost, not having an attached garage (for the majority of units), having 40 + year old construction, and and upcoming construction at Alberto Way and Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. And “beach traffic” in summer, too.
More information on the The Commons:
Ending the Alberto Way Confusion (article on this site)
Los Gatos Commons, Association
445 Alberto Way
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 378-1730
https://www.losgatosca.gov/1105/Senior-Housing
Click to view: Homes for sale, pending, or sold in the last 6 months at the Commons
Related reading
The largest senior living community where you can purchase a home in Santa Clara County is in the Evergreen area of San Jose: The Villages (article on our larger site)
Property tax basis transfer for seniors (on our Valley of Heart’s Delight blog, our largest site)
