In that area there are no “poor areas of town” unless you count houses less than 800k as poor.
Palo Alto is a nice area. There are several nice hotels in the area.
The only bad area to avoid is East Palo Alto. Just stay away from there and you will be fine. The Stanford campus is quite beautiful. I would recommend you check the towns of Los Gatos, Cupertino, Menlo Park, or Palo Alto itself, for lodging. You may know that entire area is one of the wealthiest in the U.S. With the lone exception of East Palo Alto, which is like a ghetto town.
Near the SJC airport is probably the best but NOTHING is cheap right now.
Something in Sunnyvale would be closer and easier but probably NOT cheaper.
Warning, on weekdays traffic flowing north from San Jose to Palo Alto is a parking lot till around 11am.
Weekend rates are usually ok.
San Jose airport area is good clean and pretty safe. As San Jose is GENERALLY. And its cental to the various freeways. And 20 minutes to Stanford.
IMO Fremont is boring. And you would probably have to cross the dumbarton bridge every day which is ....I dont know how much it is anymore...
Fremont is too far away but nice. There ARE bad areas in San Jose. Look in Sunnyvale, Mountainview, or Cupertino.
I used to live near Stanford and there are a lot of places very near the school - nice areas.
Search the internet for the school, and it should give you some ideas as to the where is the best location to stay.
If they recommend some well-known hotels or motels, those businesses can also help you locate a place near the campus.
Get on Google Maps and look for El Camino Boulevard. It is nearby and has a lot of restaurants, possibly some lodging, drug stores, and other conveniences.
Hotel Los Gatos is a little more pricey, but great! Toll House Inn in Los Gatos is not as charming, but nice. Los Gatos is a great place to stay. There are restar aunts and shopping in walking distance. It’s very charming.
Just stay away from East Palo Alto.
I used Tripadvisor to get ideas. Once you have a few, use google maps street view to take a look at the property and surrounding area.
You might check out Stanford’s University (Faculty) Club.
Then be careful.
Affordable? In that area $195/night is considered affordable.
I am continually blown away by the knowledge and advice you can get from FReepers regarding any situation ...especially for local areas.
Kudos, y’all.
There are hotels all along the 82. The big chains will probably be in the $110 per night. Days Inn is just north of the campus. I have family in Menlo Park.
Sister went to Stanford, I went for summer session.
Country Inn, in Palo Alto.
Reasonable, close as heck.
Dont go Cross the highway into East Palo Alto, except to the Ikea.