Commute Help! (San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland: real estate, home, transfer to)

[kathy2002]

I got an offer in sacramento, and my husband got two offers: one is in san francisco, the other one is in alameda. He would like to pick one to minimize commute time.

Could anybody give me some suggestions on the commute from sacramento to alameda/san francisco? which city is better for us to live if he pick alameda one?

Thanks!

[wburg]

I tend to question the sanity of anyone who would live in Sacramento and commute to San Francisco, unless the pay is really really really good. It's about a two-hour drive each way, assuming traffic is smooth, which it often isn't. There's also the Capitol Corridor train, which also takes about two hours, and it only stops in downtown Sacramento, and it doesn't go to Alameda so you'd need to take other transit to and from the train. Figure three hours each way, minimum.

[kathy2002]

Wburg, Thanks for your reply.

We would like to split the commute time. We hope that each of us only spend one hour each way.....

[encinal]

But if you're determined to do it, things to consider:

Alameda is much cheaper and just about the safest city in the entire Bay Area. I think it's the best - beaches, beautiful Victorians, quiet but has some nite life. But hard to get in & out because it's an island. You either drive thru a tunnel (The Tube), or over a bridge. Public transportation is good but not to get to Sac, you'd need your car.

If you decide on SF, it's insanely expensive to get a decent place. If you're thinking of buying, watch out. It's the one city that isn't having trouble selling real estate because it's so desirable. A million bucks doesn't buy you much there. The Capitol Corridor traing does go to SF though. I know several people who work at the Capitol & live in SF. They leave home at 5:30am & don't get til 8 or 9pm. They also make well into 6 figures so the commute is worth it. If you chose to drive from SF, it'd be 2 hours most days if nothing happens on any of the freeways. From Alameda, add 20 minutes, mornings going thru the tube or over the bridge are bumper to bumper.


Hope this helps!

[encinal]

If he chooses the Alameda job, his commute to SF wouldn't be bad. Driving would be reverse-commute (everyone else comes from Eastbay into the City). Or he could take public transit. The ferry goes to the island & then a city bus, or he could also take BART (the subway) from SF to Oakland - aprx 15 min ride - then transfer to a bus; in about 15 more minutes you'll reach most parts of Alameda. Alameda buses are convenient & on time (IMHO). Too bad you couldn't both get an Alameda job, to live AND work there is great!

[wburg]

I should mention that the Capitol Corridor train doesn't actually go to San Francisco. Riders either get off at Richmond and take BART into San Francisco, or get off at Emeryville and take the Amtrak bus, which stops at five different points in the city (basically downtown, the Ferry Building, and Fisherman's Wharf.)