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Old 01-17-2017, 02:11 PM
 
2 posts, read 2,037 times
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Hi,

I'm Alex and I might move to Bay area in a couple of weeks. I'm close to sign a job in Pleasanton, but the job will also require substantial travel to Santa Clara, San Jose and international (SFO airport) - access to BART would be preferred

There are many nice areas around if you have a family and a established social network.

Any recommendations for a 40y old single foreigner?

Budget could be up to 3000$/m - less preferred - but I would be also ok to share a house. I'm not too picky... Which are the best sites to find a shared house?

I would therefore prefer an area close to a BART in a safe neighborhood with good restaurants/bars/nightlife and <1h commuting.

Someone mentioned the area around Lake Merrit BART station... Any other recommendations?

Thanks
Alex
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Old 01-17-2017, 03:57 PM
 
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oakland and walnut Creek: both have a decent downtown, one for the art and the other for shopping.
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:38 PM
 
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
23,273 posts, read 23,633,734 times
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I'd look at Walnut Creek, but your commute to the South Bay (Santa Clara, etc) if going during commute hours, would be tough. Look at Rockridge (Oakland) also, BART station and a community feel, with nightlife.
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:02 AM
 
Location: Land of the Free
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Downtown Walnut Creek. Can walk to BART, walk to bars/restaurants, and live in a newer, nicer place for less than SF.
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:32 AM
 
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I would suggest Fremont. If you have to go down to Santa Clara and San Jose often, it's a good mid-point to your job in Pleasanton. The only thing it may lack is the entertainment aspect but it is close to San Jose and if you are going to be down that way anyway.... It also has BART access to SF/Oakland. It's more dense and urban than Pleasanton and less of the 'family neighborhood' feel. It's also diverse.

The commute from Oakland or Walnut Creek would get old really quick given that you'll be spending so much time south of those areas.

Good luck!
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Old 01-18-2017, 12:44 AM
 
Location: Bay Area California
711 posts, read 682,180 times
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OP - are you looking at BART as a method to get to work in Pleasanton? Or do you just want to be near a BART station for when you may need it?

If you'd be driving to work in Pleasanton, either looking for housing in Walnut Creek or Oakland would be a decent commute. Rockridge area seems like a better fit than Lake Merrit. If you're counting on BART, definitely stick with Oakland. BART from Concord would require you to take BART to Oakland, change trains and get on the line to Pleasanton. It will definitely take more than an hour.

For the commute to Santa Clara, Oakland and Walnut Creek would probably be a tossup.

To me, Oakland has a more diverse urban feel than Walnut Creek.
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Old 01-18-2017, 07:02 AM
 
318 posts, read 335,230 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kgbnsf View Post
I would suggest Fremont. If you have to go down to Santa Clara and San Jose often, it's a good mid-point to your job in Pleasanton. The only thing it may lack is the entertainment aspect but it is close to San Jose and if you are going to be down that way anyway.... It also has BART access to SF/Oakland. It's more dense and urban than Pleasanton and less of the 'family neighborhood' feel. It's also diverse.

The commute from Oakland or Walnut Creek would get old really quick given that you'll be spending so much time south of those areas.

Good luck!
No do not look at fremont, opposite of what you're looking for
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Old 01-18-2017, 11:25 AM
 
Location: Oakland, CA
28,225 posts, read 36,694,357 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonview View Post
No do not look at fremont, opposite of what you're looking for
Yup, it is pretty much family-land and there isn't a lot to do. I guess access to hiking is OK. And lots of strip malls with ethnic food.
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Old 01-18-2017, 04:45 PM
 
2 posts, read 2,037 times
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Thank you for all the replies: I went to Lake Merrit yesterday (just drivethrough) - wasn't impressed too much.
Will check out Rockridge & Walnut Creek.

BART Access is important for me to get to SFO airport & SF downtown without a car ( Don't drink & Drive)
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Old 01-18-2017, 05:15 PM
 
Location: Bay Area California
711 posts, read 682,180 times
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Alex, glad you were able to at least do a drivethrough!

Kudos to you on your planned need for BART for the social needs. Re: getting to SFO - when you've established a location it may turn out that Uber/Car Service/Shuttle is more workable. BART to SFO from the east bay is doable - but not fun or easy.

Best wishes on your tours of Rockridge and Walnut Creek. I hope you find something that feels like a good fit for you!
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