Relocating to California, but not idea where help please (San Jose: rent, income)

[roger07047]

Hi guys my job is relocating me to California and they want me to choose where, at this time I have no idea because I never been there ; so I hope you guys can help us. The job is in San Francisco but my wife is not a city person so I guess we have to find something in the Suburbs with close distance to Bart, so this is what we are kind of looking for
Good and Safe Neighborhoood (safety first) planning to start a family soon )
Near Bart station
Close to highways

Thanks in advance

[GreenGirl]

Hi Roger,

I hate to start with such a personal question but here goes, what's your income? The Bay Area is expensive everywhere and insanely expensive in some places. Do you want the full suburban experience or do you want more of a city vibe? Will your wife be looking for a job? What kind of work does she do? How far is she willing to commute? Where are you moving from?

Knowing some particulars makes it easier for people to suggest places that might interest you and your wife.

[humboldtrat]

Check out Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos or Redwood City all south of San Francisco. No BART except at Millbrae, but there is Caltrain caltrain.com - home. You can get a monthly train pass on Caltrain which is cheaper than paying per ride. BART doesn't have monthly passes, only pay per ride.

This is pretty much a nice suburban area on the peninsula.

[Mercutio02]

Pleasanton and Walnut Creek are fairly non-urban suburbs with BART access, although they might be pricey...

[whitechocolate86]

what is the difference between Caltrain and Bart if I may ask? I would prefer a monthly pass...if I move there...can I go between all 3 anchors of the bay?

[WannaBNorCal]

Originally Posted by roger07047

Hi guys my job is relocating me to California and they want me to choose where, at this time I have no idea because I never been there ; so I hope you guys can help us. The job is in San Francisco but my wife is not a city person so I guess we have to find something in the Suburbs with close distance to Bart, so this is what we are kind of looking for
Good and Safe Neighborhoood (safety first) planning to start a family soon )
Near Bart station
Close to highways
Thanks in advance

Hey there San Mateo is a beautiful community, and quite safe.
What do you mean your job wants you to chose where?
Where in SF or where near SF?
North of SF is very attractive as well, but anything in Marin is going to be quite $$. Have you thought about Oakland? El Cerrito?
Not so great for raising a family, however.
My girlfriend lives in San Carlos - that city almost can not be beat.

Also - check this out - it may help
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552529

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by whitechocolate86

what is the difference between Caltrain and Bart if I may ask? I would prefer a monthly pass...if I move there...can I go between all 3 anchors of the bay?

Caltrain runs between San Francisco and San Jose caltrain.com - General Info: System Map and BART runs between SF and the East Bay BART - Stations & Schedules, Maps & Directions. There is a BART/Caltrain station in Millbrae (near SFO airport) where you can switch trains. What do you mean about "all 3 anchors of the bay"?

[roger07047]

Originally Posted by GreenGirl

Hi Roger,

I hate to start with such a personal question but here goes, what's your income? The Bay Area is expensive everywhere and insanely expensive in some places. Do you want the full suburban experience or do you want more of a city vibe? Will your wife be looking for a job? What kind of work does she do? How far is she willing to commute? Where are you moving from?

Knowing some particulars makes it easier for people to suggest places that might interest you and your wife.

I will be working for a union and I will be making pretty good money and my wife is a manager for a physical therapy practice.
We currently live in NJ and we pay $1250 for a 2bdrm/1bath. With that our rent range is between $1600-$1800.
I will like to have a little bit of both worlds, but... my wife's safety is important.
As far as commuting I do not think she minds as she now drives about 40 miles round trip.

Thanks

[roger07047]

Originally Posted by WannaBNorCal

Hey there San Mateo is a beautiful community, and quite safe.
What do you mean your job wants you to chose where?
Where in SF or where near SF?
North of SF is very attractive as well, but anything in Marin is going to be quite $$. Have you thought about Oakland? El Cerrito?
Not so great for raising a family, however.
My girlfriend lives in San Carlos - that city almost can not be beat.

Also - check this out - it may help
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552529

I will be working in SF(powell St)

Yes, We have thought about Oakland. The area of Lake Merritt.
Where is San Carlos? Close to Bart?

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by roger07047

Where is San Carlos? Close to Bart?

San Carlos is halfway between SF and San Jose and has a Caltrain station. A BART station is about 10 miles to the north in Millbrae. And San Carlos is a very nice and safe middle to upper middle class town.