Where to live in East Bay? (Concord, Walnut Creek: condominiums, home, neighborhood)

[alliandtheboys]

Hi all,
My husband's job is moving us out to CA this summer and we are trying to decide where to live. His job will be in SF, but we would prefer to live in the suburbs. The most important factors in where we chose to live are:
Great schools
Commute - close to BART
Safe, family friendly area

I've read and heard a lot about Walnut Creek, and it sounds wonderful, but it seems huge and I keep hearing conflicting things about the schools. As I understand it, depending on where you live in Walnut Creek, your children will either go to a Walnut Creek School District school or a Mount Diablo School District school. Which is better?

Also, what towns surrounding Walnut Creek have good schools?

Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

[mayorhaggar]

Walnut Creek
Pleasant Hill
Moraga
Orinda
Lafayette

Check these out to start with. I think Lafayette/Orinda/Moraga are a bit more expensive to buy in than Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill?

[llowllevellowll]

Originally Posted by alliandtheboys

Hi all,
My husband's job is moving us out to CA this summer and we are trying to decide where to live. His job will be in SF, but we would prefer to live in the suburbs. The most important factors in where we chose to live are:
Great schools
Commute - close to BART
Safe, family friendly area

I've read and heard a lot about Walnut Creek, and it sounds wonderful, but it seems huge and I keep hearing conflicting things about the schools. As I understand it, depending on where you live in Walnut Creek, your children will either go to a Walnut Creek School District school or a Mount Diablo School District school. Which is better?

Also, what towns surrounding Walnut Creek have good schools?

Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

You really can't go wrong in that area - between Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Lamorinda, Danville, Alamo, etc, you're going to find a very family friendly area with good schools, close to BART - just generally wonderful areas to live.

The deciding factor will be: price point. In Pleasant Hill, $450-$500 will get you a very turn-key, 1750 - 2200 square foot, 3-4 bedroom home in a mature neighborhood - off Chilpancango, in Gregory Gardens or even near the WC border near Geary. Good schools (though most will prefer College Park HS over Ygnacio Valley HS - if you're in the PH school district, you'd have your choice). 1300-1600 square foot condominiums can be found in the low 300s off Chilpancango - something that isn't possible in the other cities mentioned.

But if that budget is too low, Walnut Creek and Danville are the next tier up and Alamo and Lamorinda (Lafeytte, Moraga, and Orinda) above that.

You really can't go wrong with any of these areas.

[maybeslo]

Depending on your budget, I would look at Danville/Alamo/Walnut Creek, which can be pricey, or Pleasant Hill/Concord for a lower budget. The best schools in this area are in Danville/Alamo. Pleasanton also has good schools, but that's a little further.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Walnut Creek
Pleasant Hill
Moraga
Orinda
Lafayette

Check these out to start with. I think Lafayette/Orinda/Moraga are a bit more expensive to buy in than Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill?

True, but also the very best schools, also Danville/Alamo but much longer commute and no BART.