$1M budget for home, commute to Menlo Park, best options? (San Jose: for sale, real estate)

[countofmc]

Currently rent. No kids, so we don't need a big place. We want at least 2br/2ba, but that's the only requirement in terms of size. Open to condos, THs, and SFHs.

I telecommute, spouse commutes to Menlo Park daily (not a job that can telecommute). Spouse has medical condition that precludes taking public transit, so would have to drive. But work does have decent flexibility in hours (she can work like 6-3 for example) to try to avoid the heavy traffic.

I'm asking for suggestions not just in the WHERE, but also the type of home (be it Condo vs TH). Kinda looking for the perfect balance of not crazy commute but as much space in a decent neighborhood as we can get.

[ccm123]

One suggestion would be to look in Newark or Fremont. Your spouse would have a decent commute to Menlo Park, which is on the other side of 84 (Dumbarton Bridge) from these cities.

Real estate prices have appreciated significantly in recent years, but I believe 1M should allow you to purchase a small SFR, condo or townhome in these cities.

[18Montclair]

That's a tight budget for a house house. On the peninsula that's not much for a condo either. I second the suggestion of Newark and Menlo Park.

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by ccm123

One suggestion would be to look in Newark or Fremont. Your spouse would have a decent commute to Menlo Park, which is on the other side of 84 (Dumbarton Bridge) from these cities.

Real estate prices have appreciated significantly in recent years, but I believe 1M should allow you to purchase a small SFR, condo or townhome in these cities.

A one million dollar budget for a single family house is generally too low for all of the following: Newark, Union City, Fremont (all zip codes) and for anything on the Peninsula.

I think you can still find a 2/2 condo that fits your price range.

[BayAreaResiding]

Originally Posted by countofmc

Currently rent. No kids, so we don't need a big place. We want at least 2br/2ba, but that's the only requirement in terms of size. Open to condos, THs, and SFHs.

I telecommute, spouse commutes to Menlo Park daily (not a job that can telecommute). Spouse has medical condition that precludes taking public transit, so would have to drive. But work does have decent flexibility in hours (she can work like 6-3 for example) to try to avoid the heavy traffic.

I'm asking for suggestions not just in the WHERE, but also the type of home (be it Condo vs TH). Kinda looking for the perfect balance of not crazy commute but as much space in a decent neighborhood as we can get.

I would recommend Fremont. I would not recommend Union City, I feel that Union City is overpriced for the city that it is.

Fremont is a lot nicer , with more to do.

Here is an townhome in Fremont.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...25011761_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...25030207_zpid/

[countofmc]

Originally Posted by BayAreaResiding

I would recommend Fremont. I would not recommend Union City, I feel that Union City is overpriced for the city that it is.

Fremont is a lot nicer , with more to do.

Here is an townhome in Fremont.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...25011761_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...25030207_zpid/

Thanks! These are great.

[countofmc]

Thanks guys. I think everyone has recommended Fremont. Would Fremont be superior to the South Bay? Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, to be specific.

Prices seem to go down the further south I go, but a 2/2 condo seems to be right at my budget in some areas of Sunnyvale. Finding more in my budget in terms of condos/townhomes in San Jose.

Would the commute be a lot better from Fremont than, say, Santa Clara?

[tikkasf]

Originally Posted by countofmc

Thanks guys. I think everyone has recommended Fremont. Would Fremont be superior to the South Bay? Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, to be specific.

Prices seem to go down the further south I go, but a 2/2 condo seems to be right at my budget in some areas of Sunnyvale. Finding more in my budget in terms of condos/townhomes in San Jose.

Would the commute be a lot better from Fremont than, say, Santa Clara?

Fremont as others have mentioned is worth a look. If you wife's first preference is somewhere on the Pennisula and therby not have to cross the Dunbarton Bridge (in the case of Fremont), then I think Sunnyvale, northern areas of SJ are worth a look. Explore what is for sale now in all those markets, within your $1 million dlooar budget......a dwelling you might be willing to spend a $1 million for, somebody else might not and of course it could be the other way around.

[davdaven]

Are there any particular amenities you want? The communities mentioned so far are quiet suburbs without much to see or do. If that's OK with you, then it's a question of what commute your spouse wants. Look at predictive travel times on Google Maps (website, not app). Assuming people return to the office at some point, you may need to add 25% or 50% to the times you see listed. Not having to cross a bridge is a plus.

Any particular cultural ties or interests? For example, you may want to look more towards Fremont and Sunnyvale if you are Indian, and more towards Santa Clara if you are Korean. If you don't care, then it doesn't really matter.

How firm are you on the need for a second bathroom? That requirement will probably eliminate all single-family houses in your price range. Probably best to look at a condo/townhome, but don't forget to factor in HOA fees. HOAs in the Bay Area tend to be much higher than elsewhere in the country.

[ccm123]

I believe the demographics of those cities are pretty similar - they are Silicon Valley bedroom communities.

In terms of a commute, not having to cross a bridge is a big plus, so Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and parts of San Jose have the advantage over Fremont.

The further you go south, the further your spouse will be from Menlo Park and that will add to the commute time. And, speaking from experiences, commuting to the north from the south in Santa Clara County in the mornings will have heavy traffic, especially on 101. Stay in the northern part of Santa Clara County for a more manageable commute.

Originally Posted by countofmc

Thanks guys. I think everyone has recommended Fremont. Would Fremont be superior to the South Bay? Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, to be specific.

Prices seem to go down the further south I go, but a 2/2 condo seems to be right at my budget in some areas of Sunnyvale. Finding more in my budget in terms of condos/townhomes in San Jose.

Would the commute be a lot better from Fremont than, say, Santa Clara?