Marin County or Contra Costa County..where would you move? (San Francisco: good schools, college)

[SayonaraMidwest]

Hi, We are moving to California from the midwest. I grew up in Southern Cal, but have lived in the midwest since college. Thrilled to be able to move out west with our kids while they are still young. SO tired of the cold winters here! Since it looks like we will have a choice of where we'll live, we checked out Marin County. Liked it! But some friends told us about the Danville and Walnut Creek area. Sounds like they have great schools. Our first priority is good schools for our kids. We would like a nice community that is safe, with plenty of green space. Berkeley sounds a little too liberal for us, but we are not looking for a super-conservative environment either.

Of course we have a number in mind that we'd like to spend, but assuming the price was not the primary issue, where would you move? We'd like to find a place that has a downtown area with restaurants and shops.

What are the fundamental differences between these two counties?

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by SayonaraMidwest

What are the fundamental differences between these two counties?

Are you the sole surviving heir of a recently deceased rich relative? Have you recently won a major state lottery? I would move to Marin a thousand times over Contra Costa if I could find some way for the loathsome salary-to-COL quotient to make it work for me. I don't know that most of Marin is that far behind Berkeley in terms of political progressiveness though, so you might lean toward Contra Costa if you are uncomfortable in a predominantly liberal environment.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by SayonaraMidwest

Hi, We are moving to California from the midwest. I grew up in Southern Cal, but have lived in the midwest since college. Thrilled to be able to move out west with our kids while they are still young. SO tired of the cold winters here! Since it looks like we will have a choice of where we'll live, we checked out Marin County. Liked it! But some friends told us about the Danville and Walnut Creek area. Sounds like they have great schools. Our first priority is good schools for our kids. We would like a nice community that is safe, with plenty of green space. Berkeley sounds a little too liberal for us, but we are not looking for a super-conservative environment either.

Of course we have a number in mind that we'd like to spend, but assuming the price was not the primary issue, where would you move? We'd like to find a place that has a downtown area with restaurants and shops.

What are the fundamental differences between these two counties?

For the most part, biggest difference, Marin County, overall very liberal, East BAy more conservative. Other than that I really don't think there is a lot of differences. Both are good family areas, depending on the city you choose. Of course the East bay will be a little warmer in the summer.

Nita

[18Montclair]

Marin has cooler weather. Contra Costa can be warm to hot in the summer-but you might like it.

Central Contra Costa and the Tri Valley Areas of the East Bay are very nice and comparable to Marin in many aspects of desirability.

[skywalker400]

I guess I'd also ask about how important proximity to San Francisco and the coastline are to you? Also shopping malls, but I think Corte Madera stacks ok against Walnut Creek. Personally I'd go with Marin, more natural beauty and large parts feel more quaint and out of the way. Contra Costa is a bit more conservative (though i dont want to conjure up images of kansas or even Orange County), just in the sense it has a more corporate and white collar presence (not that Marin doesn't, but Marin also has a more earthy, outdoorsy vibe too). Coming from the Mid-West you might find people a little more down to earth in the East Bay too, but that's just my opinion.

[18Montclair]

Contra Costa is more evenly split politically than Marin.

But that isnt because CoCo is very conservative, but rather because Marin is overwhelmingly dominated by Liberals.

There are plenty of Libs in Contra Costa County but there arent as many Conservatives in Marin.

[skywalker400]

^ Yeah, basically think Barbara Boxer vs Ellen Tauscher.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by skywalker400

^ Yeah, basically think Barbara Boxer vs Ellen Tauscher.

Perfect example.

[azoria]

Originally Posted by SayonaraMidwest

What are the fundamental differences between these two counties?

Money.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by azoria

Money.

Both are wealthy. Marin just happens to be 1st in the state. Contra Costa is 5th.