Renting in San Mateo! (Gismo help!?) (Hayward, Alameda: apartment complex, renters, crime)

[feskone]

Hey there again. Gismo mentioned time ago that i can ask u question about neigborhoods in San Mateo. Here we go:
1) where exactly on the map is "SM hills" area? dies it have smth to do with Hillsdale blvd? I can see there is a lot of aptm there. Hillsdale square, Hillsdale Gardens, Laurelwood apartments. Is it safe to consider all of them acceptable for consideration?
2)where exactly el camino street rule really works? Does it work downtown? there is a lot of rentals downtown next to caltrain Hillsborough Plaza Apt, Mateo Garden Apt, Ryan Towers, Town House Gardens, Town House Plaza, The Cristina, Hayward Park Terrace. All of them r around El Camino. Wondering if any of these r good to consider or not.
3) finally, I really want to stay to downtown as close as possible or be close to Hillsdale shopping centre. Is it good or bad? We have 2 babies nand ill have to find some decent parks for them to play. Is it possible to stay downtown and find smth safe to live in and nice and close to everyth? Any of these rental places tell u anything?
I know i made it long, but wer running out of time and need to go and see places very soon so any help or detail would be helpful.
Thankx for ur help
Hope to hear from u soon!

[sonarrat]

Anywhere around El Camino Real is the flatlands, and it has the most urban feel of anywhere in San Mateo county. High-rises with banks and businesses, plus some huge apartment buildings. It changes in character once you go north out of the numbered avenues - it feels more suburban, more like Burlingame. It also changes character in a bad way the further east you go as it gets progressively more run-down and unattractive (unless you're going towards Foster City).

The hills are west of El Camino, especially as you get closer to Alameda de las Pulgas and 280. This is the area that flanks Hillsborough, and people aspire to live there for the amazing scenery alone. But it's a nightmare to drive around because of all the elevation changes, stop signs and demented motorists. If you're closer to 92 that makes it a little easier but it's still a pain.

The area around Hillsdale Mall is somewhere inbetween. It's attractive for the most part but, like most of San Mateo, hardly updated for the past 30 years.

[feskone]

thanx a bunch!!!! that helps a lot!!! any specific rental places? Names? Anybody?

[sonarrat]

I've never rented there, or anywhere near, so maybe Giz can help you out with specifics! I just generally know the area because I work nearby and go through downtown and around the mall often.

[gizmo980]

Sonarrat covered the basics well... as for specific complexes, you might want to read this site:
San Mateo Apartments for Rent with Ratings & Reviews by San Mateo Renters at ApartmentRatings.com
Just don't let it scare you too much, since EVERY complex has bad reviews - some people just like to gripe, LOL. I've always thought the Hillsdale Garden Apts. looked nice, and they're right behind the mall, but I haven't seen the inside. I did look at the Lake Pines complex on Los Prados St., and was fairly impressed... apartments are a bit small and pricey, but they have nice grounds, amenities, and it's a very convenient location. They also accept all pets, which might not be important to you (was to me). Hope that helps!

P.S. If I were you, I'd try to stay away from anything right on/near El Camino... not so much because of crime (most of SM is safe enough), but the traffic and noise can be AWFUL. It's the main road through the entire Peninsula, and has pretty constant traffic & lots of accidents.

[libbykt]

I live in San Mateo but I don't know much about the apartments as we rent a house. There are a couple of parks near the Hillsdale Mall where you could take the kids, but if I had a choice I think I'd rather live closer to downtown. Central Park is a great park for all ages, and there is a great library right across the street as well, plus shopping all in one area. Are you specifically looking to move into a large apartment complex?

[feskone]

Yeah I think I would prefer complex than the house. The point is that Ive been always renting apartments back in Europe and renting here for a year now and find it much cheaper and much easier than renting or even having a house. I dont ever have to take care of any of the stuff and on my way to the park with kids telling maintenance guys what to take care of. Problems usually being solved very fast cuz it is very rare when problems touches just one apartment so they dont want bunch of ppl scream at them. It is also pretty safe in big complexes. We have cameras in the hallway what we can ever overlook on tv channel./ hehe Not that Im watching it regularly. hehe Why? Is there any better idea?
Thanks for advices guys. I really need all this help. I dont want to keep moving forever.