BATTLE of the HIP/CHIC: ORINDA OR DANVILLE ?? (Los Angeles, San Francisco: houses, school)

[Socalboy21]

Hello everybody my parents are considering relocating to the East Bay area of San Francisco. If they had to move today, they would be leaning towards either Orinda or Danville because they've heard really good things about them. Which of these two cities would you recommend? Sorrounding cities? We currently live in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles ( unfortunately it is also home to the governator ) and want something that is compareable. Why Brentwood because it is close to everything and anything ( ent., law, PR indrustries, ammenities, good school, good shopping, bars, pubs, museums,) in West Los Angeles area. I am currently completing my senior year at USC and wont be moving north until I graduate, if at all. They are going to start looking at houses in the aforementioned cities and surroundings starting next month. I might be driving up there to check out the areas this Thanksgiving weekend. If I decided to go what cities should I check out? What are your suggestions? I personally would want to live in or nearby a city that has a great nightlife to offer including but limited to bars/clubs, ent., does Orinda or Danville offer any of this? What are the positive and negative aspects of Orinda? Danville?

I thank you in advance.

[blurstar]

Both are up-scale but quiet residential towns. Orinda is closer to SF; Danville will be too far for going to the city but has its own nightlife opportunities in neighboring Walnut Creek.

[fishstix3]

I personally would want to live in or nearby a city that has a great nightlife to offer including but limited to bars/clubs, ent., does Orinda or Danville offer any of this? What are the positive and negative aspects of Orinda? Danville?

Wow -- well, having grown up BETWEEN Orinda and Danville in Lafayette, I would say that I have a lot to say about the area, but honestly -- neither Danville nor Orinda have ANY nightlife for the younger set. I lived in Brentwood during my college years and know exactly what you mean in terms of proximity to nightlife, stores, activities, etc ... While Orinda and Danville are both nice, they are sedate when compared to Brentwood in terms of "happening". Both have their own "feel" -- Orinda being more private, secluded, perhaps eccentric. While I like Orinda, it has always been considered sort of the "different" town of the "LAMORINDA" triad (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda). It's "downtown", if you can call it that, is divided by the freeway, which makes it seem even more disjointed. Danville is more neighborly -- best 4th of July parade around, great little downtown with a nice mix of old and new, seems more friendly in terms of knowing and caring about who lives around you.There are lots of fabulous restaurants and fun things to do in the summer, it's a very active community with tons of cyclists, thriving family atmosphere in every sense of the word. Now that I am in my 30s with my own family, I'd pick Danville hands-down, but not because it has any better nightlife for sure! Walnut Creek, which is sort of between the 2 towns has a great nightlife, however, so you might not have to choose one over the other based on that factor -- great nightspots and restaurants there for young and old~! I love Brentwood too and I have to say that I see a bit of both towns in Brentwood -- might just help to come up and visit.