Work: Winters/Novato. Live: Where? (Vallejo, Berkeley: neighborhoods, to live in, public transportation)

[Mercutio02]

I work in Winters and my boyfriend works in Novato. We're trying to find a place somewhere in the middle that would result in not too bad a commute for either of us. Places we've considered: Vallejo, Napa, Dixon, Berkeley, Point Richmond, San Rafael, Hercules; but at this point I think we're open to anything. Any thoughts? I'm used to driving I-80 but I'm not familiar with CA-37; what's the commute traffic there like?

[gizmo980]

I would suggest Napa, Fairfield or Vallejo - but none of these will be an EASY commute! Do you work a typical (9-5ish) schedule?

[humboldtrat]

American Canyon north of Vallejo, south of Napa - about equal distance between Novato and Winters. There's no real good options here. It will still be a long commute.

[Mercutio02]

Yeah, I work 8-4 and he works 8-5. I work in a rural area so public transportation is not an option for me. I've done San Bruno to Winters before and it wasn't as bad as I thought, since most people are going the other way, but I'd like to find someplace where the commute will be about equal for both of us. Does Route 37 get really nasty during commute hours? What about 128?

[2000miles2go]

I've lived in Solano County most of my life and have driven every possible route.
During the evening commute from Novato Route 37 is very nasty, stop and go. Then he would get on 80 from Vallejo (which is my commute 3 times a week). Also very congested, especially on Fridays. 128 is a two lane, very windy road through steep hills. I drove that route again recently and enjoyed the views, but it requires attentive driving. Commuting from Novato to Winters would be very time-consuming.
The better option would be for you to live in Vallejo or American Canyon. Vallejo does have some nice neighborhoods, a great climate, ferrys to SF, and each of you would commute about the same length of time since westbound 80 isn't as congested in the evening.