Sunnyvale...is it that boring?? (San Jose, Santa Clara: amusement parks, movie theater, school)

[lookingtoleaveNY]

My husband and I are most likely relocating to CA this summer. We are looking into Sunnyvale. I have read many posts touting it as a boring place to live. We have young children, so most nights we are more than content to hang out as a family. We are not theater-goers, art-lovers, clubbers, etc. We are just a couple of 30 yr old people who did enough partying in our teens and twenties that we are happy to settle down and enjoy our kids. Given this information, how boring would it seem to us? Most of my days consist of housework, shopping, going to the park, school activities, etc. Does it sound like Sunnyvale could be a good fit? Is there a family-feel to it at all, or mostly computer geeks (no offense, my husband is one) running around? Thanks for your two cents in advance.

[sonarrat]

The major attraction in Sunnyvale is Fry's Electronics. Personally, I've never found any other reason to go there.

[Pleasanton4EVA]

Well, there's Great America in Santa Clara (one of the big amusement parks of the Bay Area)

[18Montclair]

Its a good boring.

[lookingtoleaveNY]

Wow, Fry's is the main attraction? That's funny. Is there at least a Dave & Busters? Movie theater? Family friendly restaurants?

I've been to Great America before, it's great, but I can't picture going there more than once a year. Anyone know if that little petting zoo/small scale amusement park is still in San Jose? Happy something...I don't remember.

A good boring meaning that if you're a homebody, you'll like it? I really don't care for the hubbub of city life, and although I may have to live in a city, I want it to feel as little as possible that it is such.

[sonarrat]

There's a Dave & Busters in Milpitas, at the Great Mall.. Happy Hollow is on Senter Road in SJ, I think near the intersection with Keyes/Story Road? There is a 'downtown' Sunnyvale, but it's sort of half-done and half-baked. Maybe it'll be more interesting once it's finished.

[lookingtoleaveNY]

Happy Hollow, that's it. Senter rd. sounds very familiar.

Hmmm. Does it seem like it's being built up? I saw an article online about the mall, it's like a ghost town?? That sucks.

[sonarrat]

Yeah, it's hardly a major attraction. The Caltrain station gets more business than most of the restaurants and shops ever do.

[lookingtoleaveNY]

Argghh. I'm very frustrated. Everything you are saying is telling me no, no, no. Any other suggestions of areas to look at? I'd like to stay within a 20 mile (max) radius of Palo Alto. Don't even say SF. I'm not a fan.

[sonarrat]

With 20 miles of Palo Alto? I'd say Sunnyvale is still your best bet, in spite of everything I've said. Other areas might be more interesting, but not necessarily as good for kids and a family. Live in Sunnyvale and drive to the interesting stuff... the advantages of Sunnyvale plus the attractions of the surrounding cities makes for a pretty good life, I'd say. I lived in Milpitas at one point and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't want to be driving to Palo Alto every day.