Sunnyvale, CA or Boston, MA ?

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by trollsack

Boston hands down. The South Bay (Sunnyvale) is really, really boring and there aren't many things to do there. Sunnyvale may have schools that are really good and competitive, but really I don't think it's worth it when the only fun things you can do is to visit a city an hour north of it (SF).

The advantage of Sunnyvale is that you can drive an hour in almost any direction and find something to do. The beach is nearby, SF is maybe an hour or less in traffic. There's wine country, Big Sur, all of the East Bay to explore. When I lived there I did find myself going up to San Francisco to do something interesting, anything from eating out to seeing a show. The peninsula is sleepy by comparison but you can find things to do if you look around.

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

Originally Posted by zitsky

The advantage of Sunnyvale is that you can drive an hour in almost any direction and find something to do. The beach is nearby, SF is maybe an hour or less in traffic. There's wine country, Big Sur, all of the East Bay to explore. When I lived there I did find myself going up to San Francisco to do something interesting, anything from eating out to seeing a show. The peninsula is sleepy by comparison but you can find things to do if you look around.

The advantage of Boston is there is actually stuff to do.

Sunnyvale is god awful, typical California suburbia.

[armt]

Originally Posted by tocoto

the public schools in many Boston suburbs like Brookline, Newton, Lexington, Concorde, Acton are very good. In general, Boston is a very safe area with lots to do. Sunnyvale, Cupertino and the silicon valley are extremely car oriented suburbs if you like that style of living.

I think you are right, Boston suburbs have many good public schools, as compared to Cupertino/Sunnyvale. However, CA gets good weather points, hmm I still cannot choose between the two. ha!

[8to32characters]

People are friendlier and more laid back in the SF Bay Area than in Greater Boston, which is a harder place to meet people and make friends overall, as people tend to be more uppity and reserved. There's less diversity in Greater Boston, too.

The weather of the Bay Area is also more preferable--warmer, sunnier, less volatile--and the scenery, more dramatic. The Bay Area is a better place for nature lovers, active individuals, people who eat healthily and organically, free spirits. Boston, OTOH, is a better place for the city slicker, as it's more urban and densely populated than San Jose, which is more suburban by design. However, the Silicon Valley's suburban nature is also what makes it a more laid back, humane, less cut-throat place in general.

In terms of economic strength and vitality, the two regions are equal, and you can find exemplary public schools in both places, so it's really more about what culture, lifestyle, weather, scenery, etc. you prefer.