New job in Pleasanton....Where to live?? (Livermore, Castro Valley: apartments, for rent)

[lindzmonster]

Hello,

My husband and I are relocating for a new job in Pleasanton. Would like to stay in the area (tired of commuting). What would you recommend for a family, Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore? Our son is in Kindergarden so a good safe neighborhood would be great with great public schools. Would love input. We are going to be renting and have around $2000.00 to spend.
Thanks

[DMenscha]

My sister lives in Stepford (errr.. Pleasanton) and teaches in the local schools. Soccer Mom Central. My niece and nephew seem to do well in schools there. I've always thought it's vanilla and white bread, but there's a heck of a lot of people that seem to like living there.

[tande1n5]

Pleasanton's one of my favorite places in the Bay Area (to live in), and I'd love to move there someday. It's at the top of the list you gave in terms of fanciness, but Dublin and Livermore certainly aren't bad. Pleasanton's got a great school system too.

[LoveHaightorg]

I grew up in ptown, if you can afford it, live in stoneridge

[CalGal48]

Of those three towns, I recommend Pleasanton or Dublin, especially for the commute. Even though Livermore isn't that far away, that's the direction of commuters coming over the Altimont Pass and can be a real bear! I've been stuck a few times, even mid-day. Your other option is to come from the opposite direction like Castro Valley. Good schools and a breeze to commute. My husband has done it for 12 years.

[lindzmonster]

Originally Posted by CalGal48

Of those three towns, I recommend Pleasanton or Dublin, especially for the commute. Even though Livermore isn't that far away, that's the direction of commuters coming over the Altimont Pass and can be a real bear! I've been stuck a few times, even mid-day. Your other option is to come from the opposite direction like Castro Valley. Good schools and a breeze to commute. My husband has done it for 12 years.

Is the Castro Valley area cheaper to live in or around the same as Dublin and Pleasanton. About how long of a commute time is it?

[almost heaven]

Check out San Ramon. Pleasanton is very nice as well, Dublin is ok and Livermore is at the bottom of the list, but Livermore is very nice so I am not saying that it is not a nice city, it just does not have the feel of Pleasanton or San Ramon and the schools are not as good. There are areas in all the citys I mentioned that are as nice as the others but my 2 cents is you can't go wrong with Pleasanton or San Ramon.

[aslowdodge]

You can't go wrong with pleasanton. I live here so I am biased. I grew up around castro valley and would pick Pleasanton in a heartbeat. Very family oriented w great schools.
Dublin in nice, but not as much of a home town feel to it and the schools aren't as good, but seem to be getting better.
You have $2,000 to spend and if you are not expecting too much, no more than a clean 3/2 60's or 70's tract home, then you are in the range for renting in pleasanton. At that point I wouldn't bother looking in any other place unless you wanted to actually spend less, but I think you will give up schools and quality for a few hundred bucks.
san ramon has good schools too, but doesn't have a downtown. If you are going to work in Pleasanton, why not live there too?

[lindzmonster]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

You can't go wrong with pleasanton. I live here so I am biased. I grew up around castro valley and would pick Pleasanton in a heartbeat. Very family oriented w great schools.
Dublin in nice, but not as much of a home town feel to it and the schools aren't as good, but seem to be getting better.
You have $2,000 to spend and if you are not expecting too much, no more than a clean 3/2 60's or 70's tract home, then you are in the range for renting in pleasanton. At that point I wouldn't bother looking in any other place unless you wanted to actually spend less, but I think you will give up schools and quality for a few hundred bucks.
san ramon has good schools too, but doesn't have a downtown. If you are going to work in Pleasanton, why not live there too?

I have been searching craigslist and haven't found anything for $2000 in Pleasanton. Even the 2 bed apartments are more than that. Have any other ideas where I can see what's available to rent?

[mkcking]

Have you looked into Pleasant Hill?