Willow Glen is a quaint little area in San Jose, California and just a few minutes drive from where I live in Campbell. I lived in Willow Glen years ago and would love to live there again someday. It's just full of beautiful old homes. I drove through some of the streets on Sunday and snapped some pictures from my car to share with you.
This one below I had to drive by fast because I used to date the guy that owns this. Actually I don't even know if he still lives there or not but I didn't want to take a chance. We dated for just a very short time about 18 years ago, right after my first divorce.
Here's another shot as I'm driving by. I see a basketball hoop...hmmm maybe he's had some kids since I knew him. 
Around the corner from his home was my little house. I moved here when I first got married in 1979. I was a very young bride, just a month away from turning 19 years old! My in-laws bought this adorable little house for us which was right around the corner from them. We lived there, happily married, for 9 years. The first 7 years it was just the two of us and then baby Vince came along (the room with all the windows in the front was his nursery.) A couple years later the fairy tale ended and divorce became my reality whether I wanted it to or not. I stayed there about a year after he moved out and then my in-laws sold the house and I moved into my very first apartment. It was a hard time for me...I loved this home. It had 3 bedrooms, 1 very small but cute bathroom and a huge backyard with a swimming pool and lots of fruit trees. It looked so much better when I lived there than it does now! They cut down a tree that was planted near the truck. We had it painted a gray-blue with white trim. Every time I'm in the area I have to drive by this...so many memories!
I hope you enjoyed your tour of Willow Glen. There are a lot more beautiful homes there so I'll go back and take some more photos soon. Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway (click here). Today is the last day. And if you haven't seen my product review yet for the new JC Penney line called Linden Street (click here).
47 comments:
OMG! That's mine - the blue house. Well, someone else is living in it and it's in another state, but..... Gorgeous! Love the drive-bys and thanks for sharing your memories!
Lovely homes. Maybe you'll be moving back there someday. I have to admit, I've done the drive by the ex's home. I found out he never had any kids. So he has a big fancy home, cars, pool, etc. It reminds me that it was his need for material things and perfection that made us not mesh. Three days after I broke up with him, I met and fell head over heals in love with my husband of 30 years. We have one son and a wonderful daughter-in-law. You are blessed with your two beautiful children. And we can't forget all your blogger friends....
Cindy
Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures. Those homes are amazing. I loved your first home, it was perfect. Some day, I hope you get your wish and move back.
Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com
Thank you for the tour, Cindy! What a wonderful little neighborhood, and trip down memory lane for you. It's nice to remember where we've been. It makes where we are now worth the journey!
I really enjoy seeing these beautiful homes (and pretending they will belong to me someday!).
Oh thanks for the memories... I went to high school in San Jose... Lynbrook High.. and Kennedy Jr High. I went back to visit and it was crazy with traffic.
Cindy ,enjoyed the tour . I am glad I am not the only one that drives by the old home place every once in a while .:0) :0)
I love the older neighborhoods. The houses have so much character!I personally am a track home owner, with horror of all horrors an HOA! Our neighborhood is so BLAH! ....
Someday..... ah someday....
~~Liz~~
Oh, the memories... I know, been there, done that! But hon, you have the most precious of homes now that I've seen in a long time. Because it is so quintessential you! It is so cozy and I feel like I could just relax and sit down on your couch or outside in your little patio. I just love it. So he just missed the boat and lost the wife and hope he knows it!
Brenda
Those are beautiful! I'm a sucker for beautiful old homes and old farm houses!
Some memories do sting... I feel that way when I drive by the house I grew up in.
Life has dealt you some hard blows...but do not let that stop you from diving back in. Maybe step out of your comfort zone and see the interesting things that will happen! Look what happened when you put your efforts into blogging!
I'll hush now - I am getting to personal.
I know the area well and just love it! Sigh......... I hope you get your own home again someday, sweetpea. But you've done absolute divine work in that apartment.
Smoochies,
Connie
You could make any house a home!
I hope one day you have the house of your dreams and may it be filled with beautiful memories of its own.
What a quaint little town Cindy.
I love those homes!!
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary
Thanks for the pics, Cindy! I love to drive by beautiful neighborhoods and view the cute houses.
Sounded like a bittersweet trip. Thanks for sharing...
Cindy, Thanks for sharing your memories and the lovely tour. I know the area, I used to lived in California before moving to Florida.Keep visualizing yourself in the home of your dreams,remember dreams do come true.
Many Blessings, Virginia
I know the way to San Jose, but it is a long way from here. I lived fairly close when I lived in Stockton. Enjoyed the home tour. Those older homes have so much character. Thank you for taking the time to post the pictures.
Very nice homes ~ The great thing about older homes is that the trees and landscaping are mature.
Karin
I guess we must be about the same age then...I was married in 1979 just having turned 19 nine days before the wedding...different endings though..still married here, but I used to drive by our first home until it moved out the the lake.
Hi Cindy,
Those homes are beautiful. Neighborhoods like this just have so much character.
In our town, we don't have many areas like this left...the homes have become neglected as the neighborhood has gone down.
Hoping your dream comes true,
Diane
I love old houses. Some houses (like those) are more beautiful then a few houses made today. Looks like it was a beautiful day there for a drive. I hope they didn't see you drive by, LOL. It actually is a compliment. Wendy
Okay, so it looks like a few of us have done the "drive by the ex's house". Oops. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa & Alfie
Love the drive bys...have been dying to do that around here. Houses that are cute, houses I LOVE houses I see potential in. Afraid I will get the cops called on me. LOL
Oh gosh Cindy.... when I was divorced a billzion years ago... I mourned for my little house.... so I know what you are saying...someday.... it will be ... that you have a wonderful man that appreciates you and and even more wonderful home... I just know it...
HUgs
Linda
I was married 7 years also before having my first child. Interesting.
They do have beautiful houses there. Very pretty area. Our daughter just moved to Riverside. Maybe I can visit sometime.
Good evening, Cindy. Oh, that was such a nice drive looking at the beautiful homes. I hope seeing your old house didn't make you too sad. It is a sweet little house. I could imagine what you could do to it now! That old ex boyfriend must have been nuts! Look at you Ms. Gorgeous and the oh so talented one!!
Be a real sweet sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for the tour of the lovely homes. You will have your own house again someday. In the meantime, enjoy your apartment because you have made it so cozy and homey.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
What a beautiful place to live. They are all so beautiful. I just know that your dream home is coming sooner than you think.
ginger
Those houses are just beautiful. Ah, some day! A girl can dream. You blog is really lovely as well.
Carrie
Lovely homes!!!! Beautiful pictures! //Linda
I just adore looking at houses. I love to see other neighborhoods too. Thank you for sharing your memories and these great photos.
Hi Cindy~
Those are very pretty homes...thank you for the little tour!
I just know that someday, you are going to get your dream of a little cottage of your own! :)
Have a wonderful night!
Actually yes, I do know the way to San Jose! Willow Glen is one of my favorite places. I'd love to live there but DH didn't like the commute to work from there. Do you know the Rose Garden area? I've been planning on doing the same type of post with the houses around there.
If you ever go to LaVilla on Lincoln, order the Chris Combo sandwich! The taqueria near Curtner has great guacamole too. If you have any favorite places, I'd love to know them!
nice trip through the neighborhood!
Thanks Cindy I love seeing all the beautiful old neighborhoods and wishing I lived in one!
Hugs~Kelly
Love the drive by shots, it is how I planned so much of my house and now the landscape. But I feel terrible that after a baby, your in-laws sold your home. Nice to put their own family out of the only home he has known. MB
I love those houses! I especially like the one in the fourth photo down, did you see the little kitty sitting on the front steps?
What a pretty area! I love the front door in the 4th pic -- beautiful!
xoxo,
Mary
We have a few older neighborhoods in Fresno that have beautiful homes like those in San Jose. They can be found in the Old Fig section of Fig Garden, the Tower District and Fresno High/city college area.
There is something about those older homes that just feel like that is how a home should be. They are all so welcoming (and I wish I could go inside).
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the little tour.
I really can understand your feelings. I had to leave my home that I had taken care of during 17 rather lonely years while my DH was away working!!!
Beautiful houses. Just love the American style of houses. Especially the old ones.
Hope you have a good day.
Love Elzie
Cindy,
I love to go for rides to look at houses. My sister, friends, and I became addicted in our early 20s.
All the homes are beautiful. I didn't notice the kitty in the 4th photo until Steph pointed it out. How perfect!
I must admit, out of all of them, I liked your former home best. I'm sure it was so beautiful, cozy and welcoming when you were there. Who knows, maybe you will be there again someday.
Valerie
GUSH.... such lovely homes. I esp. love the landscaping on your "ex's" home, lol!
What a nice tour, thanks so much for sharing those lovely houses. I love the 9 over 9 windows,sigh!
Pat
A great tour of your old neighborhood Cindy. Your first home was lovely and I know you must have made it so pretty inside. I'm glad you moved on and were able to rise above the sadness...........and look how you've bloomed!
You are a lovely person and we appreciate you sharing your talents and creativity so much.
Hugs - Mary.
OH Cindy, that is such a beautiful neighborhood! I would love to live right there on that pretty street...any one of those houses would do just fine by me :)
Hugs,
Dena
I just stumbled upon your blog from another. How funny to see my neighbors' homes on your blog. :-) Sadly, my home did not make the cut..but that is okay. :-)
Hope you get to return someday if you so desire. Although Campbell is a very nice place as well. :-)
Did not recognize your ex's home, must not be in my neighborhood.
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