moving to Bay Area (San Jose, San Francisco: best neighborhood, apartment complexes, rent)

[dostalekm]

First of all, I apologize for creating another moving to Bay Area thread, but I would appreciate some advice from the old timers here. My wife and I will be leaving Switzerland for San Francisco and we are currently looking to buy a house/ city-house. As we are moving from Switzerland, we would prefer more suburban family friendly setting with a bit of green land around. My question is what would be some good areas for us to consider (with reasonable price and safe) we can a house. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[comingbacktocali]

what is your budget, size requirements, and what do you need to be near?

[Ruth4Truth]

Are you selling a house in Switzerland? If so, I imagine that most Bay Area prices won't be a problem for you. Look in the Berkeley Hills: Claremont neighborhood and north Berkeley. Also look at Lafayette and Walnut Creek. Take a look at Happy Valley Road in Lafayette. (1 to 2-acre lots, if you really wanted a bit of green land around. Very pricey, but private.) Orinda is nice, too.

The advantage to Berkeley is that you get a view of the Bay from the hills. It's beautiful! Also try El Cerrito, just north of Berkeley. Slightly more affordable, green, Bay views from some locations.

On the other side of the Bay are Menlo Park, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, and Hillsborough. I'm assuming you have a Swiss budget. If not, the recommendations will change.

[California Vagabond]

The data on numbeo may give you an idea of what you'll be in for re housing prices:

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

I strongly recommend that you rent before you buy, and that you take earthquake risks into account before committing yourself to a property purchase. Earthquakes « ABAG Earthquake and Hazards Program

[Ruth4Truth]

Some properties have been seismically retro-fitted, to minimize earthquake risk. Major earthquakes are very rare, but the one in 1989 has spooked people. When you're ready to buy and are looking at properties, ask about seismic retrofitting.

[dalparadise]

There will one day be a big earthquake that does catastrophic damage to San Francisco. It may happen next year. It may happen a million years from now.

To put it in perspective, the recent fairly serious quake happened 42 miles from my apartment and barely made my Buster Posey bobble head nod. That was the first earthquake of note in the Bay Area in 25 years.

[Oakformonday]

Your question is difficult to answer because reasonable price and safety are personal. Provide more details using numbers and what kind of neighborhood you want. Like, single family, 1.5 million budget where we can walk to a grocery store. Safety is also hard to determine. The more urban - the less safe. You will have to compromise. You want to walk to amenities in a vibrant area or you want more safety?

[sfguy1]

There's nothing reasonable with the housing prices right now in SF, however, given you're selling a home in Switzerland, this may not be an issue for you. Just keep in mind you may have some sticker shock.

For more suburban type settings with some green, the best neighborhood would be Noe Valley, which is very family friendly and has a nice community full of interesting shops and is easily accessible to downtown SF.

The other neighborhood, which is a bit more reasonable price wise, is the Richmond District. You will see this referred to as Inner and Outer Richmond, which basically means outer is closer to ocean beach and inner is closer to downtown. The only thing is remember the "Richmond District" is in SF, and "Richmond" is another city outside of SF that is at times is rather crime ridden. I say that because sometimes out of towers relocating get them confused.

Best of luck with your move!

[BritinUSA]

Very very different to switzerland. You have a job in SF? can you share the salary?

[KevLo]

Hi,
I am moving to the Bay Area in another month (04/01/) and was wondering if my logic is correct in terms of where to live.
I would love to live in San Francisco but being that I will be working in Santa Clara I believe that the daily commute would be too long. I read on one of these forums that San Mateo was a nice town but it appears the commute was close to an hour.
I worked in San Jose back in the late 90's and remember Los Gatos being a pretty cool town. I am 38 year old, single guy.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, as well as, specific recommendations in terms of nice apartment complexes in Los Gatos.
Also, how has the South Bay changed since 2000?
Thanks!