Ask A Local About Cory
How long have you lived in the Cory neighborhood? A couple of years now.
What do you like best about Cory? Two things really stand out to me. When I first moved to the Cory neighborhood, we didn’t really know anyone in the area. But as we were unpacking our boxes more and more of our new neighbors opened up their doors and came over to introduce themselves. They were so sweet, offering to help us move in. We actually ended up doing neighborhood cocktail parties about once a month so by the end of the year we really knew everyone pretty well. The second thing I like best is the location! You’re a few blocks from Santana Row, Westfield, and about a mile or so from the freeway. You’re really in the heart of South Bay.
What do you like least about your hood? There’s nothing I really can’t stand about my neighborhood. The only thing that can get a little annoying is that when you join Nextdoor, you quickly realize some of your neighbors will post about anything. Weird cars driving down your street or a stray cat that ate their dog food. I found it was best to turn off my notifications. If somethings really important, they go door-to-door to tell you about it.
How has it changed since you’ve been living there? While I’ve only lived in Cory for a few years, more and more young families started to move in. They’re always out front with the kids, playing with their dogs. Across the street, there’s a dad who plays the ukulele and all the kids play and sing-along. It’s pretty cute.
What's the neighborhood housing stock like? Not enough. It’s a pretty small neighborhood so that’s understandable. At the beginning when I moved in a bunch popped up as young families moved in, but once they were in there obviously wasn’t as much turnover.
Better for buyers or renters? Definitely buyers.
What’s the public transportation situation like? For the massive size of the city, public transportation is pretty heavily used by young professionals. It’s a fairly eco-friendly community, so most commuters will take the bus to reduce air pollution and congestion on highways.
Any hidden gems? I absolutely love Thai food and my favorite restaurant just happens to be three blocks away! From the outside, ‘New Krung Thai’ looks like yet another restaurant on a busy street with no parking. Before I lived in Cory I used to drive by it and wonder how it was still open because all the windows are tinted, so I never knew if anyone actually ate there. But let me tell you, this place is packed the entire week! Calling in an order is always a good idea here but if you’re waiting to be seated they do get everyone in pretty quickly. The food is delicious and the staff are incredibly friendly as well! My favorite is their green curry with a side of rice and egg rolls. I’m even proud to admit I’ve eaten their three times in one week! 10/10 would recommend to a friend!
Nearest grocery store? Your friendly, neighborhood Safeway. I’m not quite as big a fan of this one though because it’s right next to Westfield Mall. There’s always a bit of traffic getting in to park and then you have to compete against mall shoppers who ignore the ‘Safeway Parking Only’ signs. Plus I feel like they don’t get a great turnover of their food. Which may be because the store’s pretty small compared to others. However if there’s ever something I can’t find I usually head over to Zanotto’s Family Market or the other Safeway fifteen minutes away!
Good for kids? Absolutely!
Best place to get a coffee? Yaganeh Bakery and Kafe Unik is amazing! It’s a spacious Persian cafe with great food and quick service at a decent price. Every time I go I like to try something new; my most recent order was the lavender latte, sangak, and the eggplant spread. This is a great place if you want the option of inside/outside seating and a welcoming place to work on your laptop.
Best park? Henry Schmidt Park, a.k.a. “The Train Park,” is by far my favorite. There’s something for everyone here. You can have a BBQ with your friends and family, let the kids play on the train-themed playground, catch a game of tennis or basketball, and even take the dogs around for a walk.
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend? Living in Cory is great because you’re walking distance to the mall and Santana Row. During the warmer months, we would walk the couple of blocks to Santana Row. It’s so nice to be able to eat outside, enjoy live music, shop around, grab a drink and not have to worry about how I’m going to get home.
What was your initial fear of living here? At first I was worried that there would be a lot of traffic near my house due to the close proximity to the mall. However, I quickly realized that it was never a problem. Mall shoppers tend to stay within the limits of Westfield’s parking garage.
Most common sight? Young children playing in the front yard and neighbors seated in patio chairs on their driveway catching up and sharing a glass of wine.
Describe your 'hood in one sentence: It’s all good in the 'hood!