Where to live in SF with 3 young kids (San Francisco, Oakland: rentals, house prices)

[LAmomof3]

We are mulling a relocation to the SF area--DH will probably receive a job offer in the financial district in the next few days. I am a SAHM mom of three young kids (4,almost 3 and an infant). We currently rent in Culver City and I love everything about West LA except the schools and insane housing prices-paying upwards of 800k for 1100 sq ft and no yard to avoid LAUSD. I am a tree-hugger but not a liberal, refuse to pay 800 for a stroller, and want a good but well-rounded education for my kids (absolutely no pressure cooker schools). My 4 year old currently attends a Montessori preschool, and leaving it will be the hardest part of moving.

DH is originally from Walnut Creek; we were going to look primarily there or Lamorinda but none his future coworkers live there--which is a red flag to me. Most of his future co-workers live in Mill Valley or the Oakland Hills. We'd like to spend no more than $3k for rental and to buy in a year or two. Commute times are a concern--DH will be working long hours and time commuting is time lost at home (public transit is welcome though b/c he can work on the road). Where should we be looking when we go house shopping?

Thanks

[clongirl]

I'm curious why not having coworkers living in the Lamorinda area is a red flag to you?? It's absolutely beautiful out this way and a great option for families with a parent working in the City (public transport is nearby..about 25 minute BART ride).

The house prices are still insane around here, but it's just the way it is anywhere near San Francisco. You would definitely be able to rent something nice for your budget though!

[bellalunatic]

Mill Valley is practically the birthplace of the thousand dollar overpriced stroller as status symbol! Not sure you'd want to be there.
Love love love this Montessori school but it's further north than MV...Spring Hill Montessori

[Ultrarunner]

Probably because they don't have 3 kids and rentals are seldom advertised in Lamorinda...

I work with many that live in Lamorinda and the number one reason... schools... number two... easy BART access to the city.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by LAmomof3

I am a tree-hugger but not a liberal, refuse to pay 800 for a stroller, and want a good but well-rounded education for my kids (absolutely no pressure cooker schools). My 4 year old currently attends a Montessori preschool, and leaving it will be the hardest part of moving.

DH is originally from Walnut Creek; we were going to look primarily there or Lamorinda but none his future coworkers live there--which is a red flag to me.

For well rounded + less pressure + unpretentious + fast freeway commute to SF or park at Daly City Bart commute,check out the Linda Mar area of Pacifica.

Montessori School of Linda Mar (Pacifica, California)

Cabrillo School (http://www.pacificasd.org/Schools/cabrillo/about.html - broken link)

[BayAreaHillbilly]

I'm trying to decide what the most Culver City like place is around here.

I'm thinking Central into Northern San Mateo County. San Mateo maybe. Or perhaps Millbrae.

Those are "nice" but not as pretentious as some of the places known to be upscale.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by LAmomof3

We are mulling a relocation to the SF area--DH will probably receive a job offer in the financial district in the next few days. I am a SAHM mom of three young kids (4,almost 3 and an infant). We currently rent in Culver City and I love everything about West LA except the schools and insane housing prices-paying upwards of 800k for 1100 sq ft and no yard to avoid LAUSD. I am a tree-hugger but not a liberal, refuse to pay 800 for a stroller, and want a good but well-rounded education for my kids (absolutely no pressure cooker schools). My 4 year old currently attends a Montessori preschool, and leaving it will be the hardest part of moving.

DH is originally from Walnut Creek; we were going to look primarily there or Lamorinda but none his future coworkers live there--which is a red flag to me. Most of his future co-workers live in Mill Valley or the Oakland Hills. We'd like to spend no more than $3k for rental and to buy in a year or two. Commute times are a concern--DH will be working long hours and time commuting is time lost at home (public transit is welcome though b/c he can work on the road). Where should we be looking when we go house shopping?

Thanks

I don't get why you care where your husband's future coworkers live. Walnut Creek is nice and probably more affordable than the Oakland Hills or Mill Valley. Your husband's coworkers may be living at or above their means....or maybe they just have different needs.

Since you seem to be more politically moderate than people in the Oakland Hills or Mill Valley would be (that's an educated guess on my part), and you have 3 kids, I'd think Walnut Creek would probably be a better fit for you and your husband.

[prairie guy]

Mill Valley will be an easy commute, the Tamalpias schools though are less regarded than elswhere in southern Marin, but certainly not "pressure cooker"...LaMorinda's schools are top rate and though may sway slightly to "pressure cooker," not so much at the elementary level. Commute can be longer than you think, though, pending how long it takes to get to the BART station....Oakland hills is nice and maybe you can luck out and find a good neighborhood elementary school, but maybe it will be a disaster. Commute will be good though via AC transit buses.

I think Linda Mar (Pacifica) is a good suggestion for that "middle level" you seek, a decentish commute and good enough schools....your budget may let you slip into Piedmont, which is Oakland hills but with undisputably good schools....El Cerrito hills a possibility with a better chance than Oakland that the neighborhood schools, at least at the elementary level, will be alright. Not familiar with other northern San Mateo county schools, but commute via SP railroad can be long due not just travel to your suburban station, but also transfer from SF station to financial district, and Hwy 101 is not a fun drive.

I agree Pacifica might be a good choice for you and I say also look at other southern Marin areas--Larkspur, Fairfax, Greenbrae. Not that much longer a commute than from Mill Valley and the elementary schools considered much better. You have to decide about what constitutes "pressure cooker" type schools, but I don't think it all that big a deal at the elementary level. Good luck!

[LAmomof3]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I don't get why you care where your husband's future coworkers live. Walnut Creek is nice and probably more affordable than the Oakland Hills or Mill Valley. Your husband's coworkers may be living at or above their means....or maybe they just have different needs.

Since you seem to be more politically moderate than people in the Oakland Hills or Mill Valley would be (that's an educated guess on my part), and you have 3 kids, I'd think Walnut Creek would probably be a better fit for you and your husband.

My phrasing was awkward. We were only looking at WC and Lamorinda but want to make sure we aren't missing out on any hidden gems. DH will be working with quite a few working moms so I was surprised that 2 of them lived in Marin. Neither of us had ever heard of Piedmont before we started searching on line for a place to live in the Bay.

Also, I have honest concerns about living in Lamorinda. While I'm stay at home for now, I would like to go back to work in a couple years. Other boards (Berkeley Moms) seem to indicate that it would be frowned on and that the preschools, activities and schools aren't really geared toward 2 income families. The same boards seem to indicate that some Orinda elementary schools are pressure cookers--kindergarten students with an hour of homework every night. Is this true? Are the schools in Lafayette and Walnut Creek less test oriented? I know that Walnut Creek has a Montessori charter. I like that option. Are there other child-centered or non-traditional public schools in the area? Also, I worry about the homogeneity of Lamorinda, both as to race and socioeconomic status. I went to an almost all-white, upper-middle class high school and had a very hard time because I was different.

LA Mom of 3

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Sounds like you like the demographic of Culver.

In that case, steer clear of the outer / inland East Bay (WC, Lamorinda, etc) and pick somewhere in the inner Bay.

BTW - the person who wrote that the North Peninsula can only commute downtown via Caltrain is wrong. BART now extends all the way to Milbrae. And there are Samtrans express buses going downtown as well.