Working in Foster City - where to live w family (San Mateo: for sale, rentals)

[kokonis]

Hello
What areas would I want to target? Job would be in Foster City. We like more rural and don't want a condo or apt. Need outdoor space and don't like developments. Is this possible in this area? Would need at least 3 bedrooms and good schools for our 12 and 10 year old boys. Just starting to look and have no idea where to begin.

Thank you!

[CC12345]

What is your budget and what is your max commute time? The things you mention (sfh, outdoor space) do exist, but they are generally either very expensive or require a long commute.

[calicoastal]

Yes, depends on your budget. If you want something close to Foster City, look at areas in the hills near 280 for a more rural feel. The SF State Fish and Game refuge covers vast areas of the western mountains so there is a lot of beautiful scenery and open space. Also, the houses in the area tend to have larger lots. Highlands-Baywood Park or Hallmark in Belmont would be good places to start, both have great schools and are close to everything despite the more rural feel. Rentals and houses for sale are scarce, though.

[kokonis]

Max commute would be one hour. Budget is around $850,000. Would want to buy. It that even feasable?

[yayaba]

Originally Posted by kokonis

Max commute would be one hour. Budget is around $850,000. Would want to buy. It that even feasable?

$850,000 is the median price of a single family home in San Mateo County. At the median you won't be getting much for your money.

[kokonis]

We could go as high as 1.2 million but that's it. What towns would I want to consider? What if we had a longer commute (2 hrs). Could we get a house with some property? I'm in MA now on 3 acres so the housing is quite different.

[clongirl]

Half Moon Bay and the smaller towns like El Granada near the coast are places you might want to investigate. Otherwise, you may want to look towards the western half of San Mateo neighborhoods nearer to Highway 92, like Emerald Hills/Highland Park, the town of Belmont. Of course, those houses probably go for closer to 2-3mill, so renting would be more feasible I imagine. Those areas not quite "rural" but very close to a lot of open space and hills...very pretty and safe neighborhoods. Other than that, I suppose across the San Mateo Bridge--(areas in which I'm personally not very familiar).

[CC12345]

You may be able to get something out in la honda. I would imagine the commute from there (depending on how deep into la Honda you go) could be less than an hour. Definitely has the rural feel you're looking for, and I believe they go to the woodside schools, which are good.

Woodside itself would be far too expensive.

[dmode]

Look at Castro Valley. You may get some large lot sizes in that money

[CC12345]

Originally Posted by kokonis

We could go as high as 1.2 million but that's it. What towns would I want to consider? What if we had a longer commute (2 hrs). Could we get a house with some property? I'm in MA now on 3 acres so the housing is quite different.

If you go up to a 2 hour commute, you probably have options. I'd recommend looking farther into the east bay, like east of Dublin/Danville/etc. there are some 1+acre lots out there. Or down closer to Santa Cruz like Scott's valley and the outskirts of Los gatos. That seems like an awful commute, though.

Will you have the option to work from home regularly? If not, do you really want to spend 3-4 hours in a car each day? You won't be able to enjoy the peace of rural living if you're always stuck in traffic. Two hours each way can really wear you down.