Pacifica or San Bruno? Young with Kids. (San Francisco, Daly City: apartments, to rent)

[havestar]

My husband and I are torn between Pacifica and San Bruno as places to move to.

We are from Texas so either places is going to be a huge weather change, though we both realize Pacifica comes with an ample amount of fog - which neither of us mind. We also know Pacifica to be more of a old, sleepy community, whereas San Bruno has more shopping and things just a minute away.

In San Bruno, we are looking at the Archstone Luxury apartments. A house in Pacifica. We have a dog and 3 kids (big age gaps between them). We'll both be working in San Francisco, around the Mission District. We also have 2 cars.

Should we sell one of our cars and move to San Bruno where we can do public transportation? Does Pacifica have better schools? How bad is the airplane noise over the Archstone apartments (we'd be 1st floor)?

I would appreciate any advice on this.

[NorCal44]

Originally Posted by havestar

My husband and I are torn between Pacifica and San Bruno as places to move to.

We are from Texas so either places is going to be a huge weather change, though we both realize Pacifica comes with an ample amount of fog - which neither of us mind. We also know Pacifica to be more of a old, sleepy community, whereas San Bruno has more shopping and things just a minute away.

In San Bruno, we are looking at the Archstone Luxury apartments. A house in Pacifica. We have a dog and 3 kids (big age gaps between them). We'll both be working in San Francisco, around the Mission District. We also have 2 cars.

Should we sell one of our cars and move to San Bruno where we can do public transportation? Does Pacifica have better schools? How bad is the airplane noise over the Archstone apartments (we'd be 1st floor)?

I would appreciate any advice on this.

There are many things to consider here. But from your initial description: three kids and a dog (and you don't mind the fog) I could totally see you in Pacifica, esp. Linda Mar, where there are a ton of families and lots of community things going on. I am sure there is alot going on in San Bruno (where the jet noise will be much worse, but you'll get more sunshine), but I don't live there, so I don't know. I also know that Pacifica schools are very good--I don't know about San Bruno's. Pacifica is a great place for dogs, tons of trails, paths, etc. to hike or bike with the dog (or family.) I think Pacifica, while it does seem 'older' is a beautiful, unique suburb.

[mayorhaggar]

I wouldn't rule out the East Bay, sunnier weather and it's generally cheaper than the Peninsula. Maybe check out Alameda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek. If you don't mind the fog then getting a house in Pacifica could be ideal though. I just don't know how anyone can live in the fog yearround without going crazy but that's just me.

[havestar]

Haha thank you.

How is Walnut Creek for commute to SF? Pacifica does sound really nice - as far as having trails and natural beauty. What about things like basic shopping and such?

[NorCal44]

Originally Posted by havestar

Haha thank you.

How is Walnut Creek for commute to SF? Pacifica does sound really nice - as far as having trails and natural beauty. What about things like basic shopping and such?

There are three big grocery stores to choose from. Lots of options for food, etc. I suppose there is some retail clothing (like a Ross store) but for most shopping, people go to Colma.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by havestar

Haha thank you.

How is Walnut Creek for commute to SF? Pacifica does sound really nice - as far as having trails and natural beauty. What about things like basic shopping and such?

At the intersection of Hwy 1 and I-280 near Pacifica, there is the Serramonte mall Home | Serramonte Center | Daly City, California

[mayorhaggar]

Walnut Creek is 45 minutes to 24th and Mission on BART and costs $4.90 each way. San Bruno to 24th and Mission is about 20 minutes and costs $3.65 each way. I think the trains running through Walnut Creek are more frequent than the trains that run south of Colma but I could be wrong.

Walnut Creek should be pretty affordable depending on your budget, it gets HOT there though in the summer, like 90's and 100's. Lafayette and Orinda are a bit cooler and closer to SF on BART and I'm not sure they'd be any cheaper to rent in than the San Bruno area.

Alameda is closer but you'd have to figure out a way to get to Fruitvale BART station then it's a pretty quick ride into SF, about 25 minutes and it costs $3.75 per trip.

Check the BART site for transit times and fare info:

BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit

[havestar]

Thanks everyone! If Walnut Creek is that hot, I'm definitely staying out of there. LOL We're coming from Texas and I absolutely HATE the heat!

[Jasmine658]

Pacifica is great, weather is ideal in southern part. I'm also from TX where a week or two could be over 113 degrees - enough is enough. Just watched the sun set over the ocean in Pacifica from deck, fog moves around mostly in the northern part of Pacifica, but can be pretty. Avoid Fairmont Neighborhood & Manor Drive neighborhood, the socked in fog areas. Park Pacifica & Linda Mar Valley near San Pedro Park have best weather, near perfect.

We also considered San Bruno, but schools hit or miss, scores not as good as Pacifica, homes tend to come with single garages, at night cars parked all over the curbs packed, some parked on lawns, etc.

Linda Mar Valley in Pacifica is the best area for weather + yard. Park Pacifica is great too, but hard to find home with yard as many on bluffs.

We searched long and hard relocating from San Francisco, and Pacifica was the place to go. There or Burlingame, but Burlingame is double the cost of living.

[NorCal44]

Originally Posted by Jasmine658

Pacifica is great, weather is ideal in southern part. I'm also from TX where a week or two could be over 113 degrees - enough is enough. Just watched the sun set over the ocean in Pacifica from deck, fog moves around mostly in the northern part of Pacifica, but can be pretty. Avoid Fairmont Neighborhood & Manor Drive neighborhood, the socked in fog areas. Park Pacifica & Linda Mar Valley near San Pedro Park have best weather, near perfect.

We also considered San Bruno, but schools hit or miss, scores not as good as Pacifica, homes tend to come with single garages, at night cars parked all over the curbs packed, some parked on lawns, etc.

Linda Mar Valley in Pacifica is the best area for weather + yard. Park Pacifica is great too, but hard to find home with yard as many on bluffs.

We searched long and hard relocating from San Francisco, and Pacifica was the place to go. There or Burlingame, but Burlingame is double the cost of living.

I live in Fairmont, and yes we get more fog. However, we enjoyed the sunset over the water today too, from our living room window. So Fairmont, being higher, does have great views. But the best thing is the convenience to the city, 280, the airport, etc. I love being able to get to the SF city limits in less than 7 minutes.