Web rates Glen among the top towns to live in

But Porsches and perambulators vie for running room on Lincoln Avenue

By Chantal Lamers

The manicured lawns and cobblestone walkways of Willow Glen are making it one of the most desirable places to live in the country. The constant flow of baby strollers and dog walkers have many people wanting a doorstep of their own in the Glen.

Now Glenites can see how they compare with other neighborhoods in the country by logging on to digitalcity.com. The website lists some of the best places to live in the United States. Willow Glen rates a strong 93 in the quality-of-life index. The rate is based on seven different factors, including home appreciation, percentage of adults with a college degree, two-car households, median income, crime rate, auto fatalities and high school dropout rate.

Along with the Willow Glen statistics is a description of the people who live in the fashionable suburb of booming San Jose. The people who live here are listed as a mix of Latinos, young families and stylish "yuppies." It's assumed that most residents drive pickups and Acuras, and the most likely place to find cultural life in Willow Glen is on the Lincoln Avenue strip.

But writers for digitalcity.com also describe Willow Glen as not just a neighborhood, but as a state of mind: "And that state of mind is likely one of happiness and general leisure, as Willow Glen is a home to an eclectic mix of content, longtime residents and new arrivals: stylish yuppies."

But according to the website, the neighborhood offers more to Glenites than simply a place to kick back and relax: "Its eastern portion is still largely Latino and thus boasts a great selection of authentic taquerias and shops specializing in things like sausage. But the Willow Glen most people know is a charming assemblage of cafes, restaurants and boutiques lining picturesque Lincoln Avenue."

Those who don't agree with what digitalcity.com has to say can report improper postings to the community watch listings. A couple of Glenites have already complained about a few of the findings. They argue that, rather than tootling along in pickup trucks and Acuras, people zoom down Willow Glen streets in Porsches and "gigantic urban assault vehicles driven by teensy tiny blonde women."

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