Relocating from Los Angeles to San Francisco- looking to rent in communities with a good school district. (Oakland: best city, apartment complexes)

[mommy890]

Hi, We are relocating shortly from Los Angeles (Southbay) to the San Francisco Bay area with a 4 year old toddler in tow. My husband's new workplace is in downtown Sanfrancisco area. After pouring through hours of research I'm narrowing on the following neighborhoods with good school districts and closer to the BART stations (help me if I'm wrong):
Fremont
Dublin
Pleasanton
San Mateo/Foster city

I would greatly appreciate it if someone could suggest nice communities in these areas having decent amenities such as playareas or near by parkettes, family friendly communities with young children as well as close to good elementary schools.
Our budget would be upto $2200/ 2 bed.
Appreciate your help!

Thanks
LA Mommy

[ccm123]

Those are all nice to great neighborhoods. For your current budget, it would likely be Fremont or Dublin, as it would be difficult to find something in the other neighborhoods unless you increased your budget.

[socalinnorcal]

Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) has some of the best schools in the state. There is also a BART station in both Lafayette and Orinda. Very commutable to SF. I don't know what rents are in Lamorinda, but it'd be worth a look. Much closer to SF than Dublin and Pleasanton.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by socalinnorcal

Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) has some of the best schools in the state. There is also a BART station in both Lafayette and Orinda. Very commutable to SF. I don't know what rents are in Lamorinda, but it'd be worth a look. Much closer to SF than Dublin and Pleasanton.

Not hugely closer. Dublin and Pleasanton are about 30 miles away vs about 20 for Lamorinda. Train ride is about 30 min for Lamorinda and 40-45 from Dublin/Pleasanton.

[gandalmonor]

I agree that LaMorinda has top notch schools, I wouldn't hesitate to enroll my kids there. On the other hand, the social scene, if your into that as a parent, is more diverse in Dublin.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by socalinnorcal

Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) has some of the best schools in the state. There is also a BART station in both Lafayette and Orinda. Very commutable to SF. I don't know what rents are in Lamorinda, but it'd be worth a look. Much closer to SF than Dublin and Pleasanton.

...not remotely possible with that budget. My best friend pays 3800$ rent for a small 1950's 2 bedroom house.

[clongirl]

You may want to investigate the city of Pleasant Hill also. There's a BART station and some nice apartment complexes. The schools are mostly good and it's quite a bit closer to the City than Pleasanton.

[naturegirl007]

Fremont is ok, not sure about schools.

Pleasanton is very hot in the summer but Very Good schools and Good high school when the time comes.

Foster city is good and for elementary school! but very Bad for high school, unless they can go to Hillsdale H.S., it's better but you may want to check it out first. Stay away from San Mateo H.S., in a very bad neighborhood. San Mateo is mostly all bad area.
Burlingame next door is better. Burlingame H.S. was good in the past, but need to check it out first.
Palo Alto is very far but good area.

Pleasanton is the best city (for the schools). Tight knit community.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by clongirl

You may want to investigate the city of Pleasant Hill also. There's a BART station and some nice apartment complexes. The schools are mostly good and it's quite a bit closer to the City than Pleasanton.

Not quite. Pleasant Hill and Plesanton are almost equidistant from SF and Oakland.

Fremont and Pleasanton have hot areas in the summer. But Fremont has a bayside area that is cooler. These are some if the more summer like areas in the Bay. You need to be west of walnut creek for cooker summers.

Alameda is a good option too.

I am on my phone, please forgive the typos.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by jade408

Not quite. Pleasant Hill and Plesanton are almost equidistant from SF and Oakland.

Fremont and Pleasanton have hot areas in the summer. But Fremont has a bayside area that is cooler. These are some if the more summer like areas in the Bay. You need to be west of walnut creek for cooker summers.

Alameda is a good option too.

I am on my phone, please forgive the typos.

Like I said, "a bit closer". It's a 30-40 minute BART from either WC Bart or Pleasant Hill vs 45-50 minutes from Pleasanton/Dublin.