Brentwood, Mountain house, or Fremont (San Diego, Stockton: to rent, condo, transfer)

[REGGieSD]

I need help deciding...I'm transferring out there with my family this July. We are a family of 5 with 2 of my kids in 3rd grade and a 3 yr old. My wife stays at home to take care of kids. My annual pay will be around $160-$170k. Our rent budget is around $2600-$2900/month.

We were wanting to rent out a house in Fremont, Union City, Newark & Milpitas area...but recently it has been really hard to look for a house there. So I have been looking around Mountain House & Brentwood, but have been dreading the commute. I told my wife I was "somewhat" willing to do the commute since my shift usually starts at 6am meaning i'd be leaving mountain house/brentwood around 5am to get to work...is there traffic at that time of the day already?

We have been weighing the pros/cons with the budget we have set for the house vs the gas we have to spend if we live further out...which is why we were preferring to look closer to Fremont where my job is. But for worst case scenario & we end up in Mountain House or Brentwood, which would you guys recommend from the two towns?

[mayorhaggar]

If you work in Fremont, what about Livermore?

[REGGieSD]

I forgot to mention that...we were looking there as well. it's on our list of the "close" areas...but pretty tough to find one there too. We were looking there, Dublin, & Pleasanton as well.

[Bulldogdad]

5am commute to Fremont down the 580/680/880 should be a breeze. The closer you get to 6am is when it starts to backup or has accidents.

I would however try to live closer. Cutting the Altamont out if possible will save a big chunk of time.

However I did make the Sunol grade commute from Stockton for about 3 years back in the 1990's. You get used to it.

With the price of gas it might just be cheaper and less stress full to rent as close as possible to your work area. Livermore is a good choice between price and commute.

You get a job at Tesla?

[18Montclair]

Its a damn shame when someone earning $170,000 has a hard time finding a place to live. WTHeck.

Only in the Bay Area.

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Its a damn shame when someone earning $170,000 has a hard time finding a place to live. WTHeck.

Only in the Bay Area.

Yup.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by REGGieSD

But for worst case scenario & we end up in Mountain House or Brentwood, which would you guys recommend from the two towns?

Neither! The drive from Brentwood on Vasco Rd. is lousy. Mountain House has no supermarkets or major stores. A simple run to the grocery store for your wife would mean driving to Tracy. For the WORST case scenario I suggest Tracy over either MH or Brentwood. I think its better to rent a condo in Fremont,Dublin or Livermore than having to deal with that horrible commute.

[REGGieSD]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Its a damn shame when someone earning $170,000 has a hard time finding a place to live. WTHeck.
Only in the Bay Area.

It does suck to be honest...it's making me think twice about moving. But we are originally from San Diego & we have relatives in the Bay Area & Stockton so we will be closer to everyone, and that's why we really wanna try it out. Plus I want my kids to experience something more than being stuck at home during the hot summer days, freezing winters, & being away from them everytime they wanna spend 3 weeks or more in San Diego to be with their grandparents on summer vacation

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

You get a job at Tesla?

No. I'm an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA

[REGGieSD]

Originally Posted by capoeira

I think its better to rent a condo in Fremont,Dublin or Livermore than having to deal with that horrible commute.

I have put that into consideration too..but I really wanted to have my kids live where we have a backyard where they can play or ride/play in front of the house with the neighborhood kids.

[Bulldogdad]

Well nice to have you back to the tax base.

Goodluck no matter what.