Did you know that East Palo Alto is a former drug haven? The city's growth control measures, which were supposed to protect the environment, actually protected property values and kept suburban governments from providing services to lower-income residents. This is quite a contrast to the rest of Silicon Valley, which was on the verge of a burgeoning technology industry, and a city that was considered the "Murder Capital of the U.S."
Residents of Palo Alto ride bicycles to work. This is the highest percentage in the Bay Area, and third-highest in the United States. The city received the Bicycle Friendly Community status of "Gold" in 2003. Its flat terrain and temperate climate make bicycling very pleasant. In addition, the city has pioneered the bicycle boulevard concept, making its streets safe for cyclists by installing traffic diverters and adding a bike/pedestrian bridge across the Matadero Creek. Bicycle riders should avoid busy arterial roads in Palo Alto, however, because of their high traffic volume and lack of bicycle lanes.
The town's population has shifted, too. Since 1970, the median age of residents in Palo Alto City has increased, rising from 29.5 to 41.9 years. Seniors are increasingly residing in houses that once belonged to people with higher incomes, such as the retired. The majority of "low-income" households are, in fact, house-rich but cash-poor seniors who live alone.