Pacifica, San Rafael, Berkeley (San Francisco, Sacramento: low crime, home, transfer to)

[meg6848]

Relocating soon - looking for great schools, low crime/safe neighborhood, $550k price range for home. Love the beach - scared of what people say about Pacifica's fog. Berkeley - some areas scare me, seems like a lot of crime in certain areas- so what's to prevent criminals from coming into a nice area-- seems like you are wedged in between Richmond and Oakland... San Rafael, don't know much about, seems like if you have to commute into the city it would be expensive. Any opinions appreciated.

[ImRandy]

Pacifica's quite foggy. If you're looking for hot and sunny you're better off with the other two. On the up side. It keeps the temperature very moderate and it's nothing like the movie The Fog.

[user376]

Are you commuting into SF? Why are you considering those cities in particular?

[meg6848]

My husband is a nurse and will have to commute into the city - I work from home - so it doesn't really affect me. I am considering these areas because - I want to be close to SF - but not live right in the city - I want to be close to the ocean (northern ca only) I want good schools (not sure about berkeley schools, although I know Albany has good ones.) I want a safe area for my kids. I can't afford anywhere else in Marin County except San Rafael. So I have narrowed it down to these places. I live in Grass Valley now and I love the town - I can walk downtown - there's a small town feel - good/great schools - low crime --- If I could pick it up and move it closer to a metro area (I am an hour away from Sacramento and an airport) and closer to the beach... it would be the perfect place (for me )

[RandalR]

Originally Posted by meg6848

I want a safe area for my kids. I can't afford anywhere else in Marin County except San Rafael.

Be careful. The only part of San Rafael that is "affordable" is the Canal area, and that's not a safe place for kids by any means. The safe parts of San Rafael are just as expensive as the rest of Marin County.

[meg6848]

Thanks- this is exactly the kind of info I am looking for.

[gizmo980]

I loved living in Pacifica, and it's very safe from what I could tell. The fog is pretty constant & thick, but temperatures never get too cold... it also never gets too hot, which was my favorite part of being there! Plus the views are amaaaaaaazing if you live on the west side, and it's extremely convenient to the city. The commute from San Rafael to SF is pretty bad, not to mention you'll be paying $7/day in tolls. I'd pick Pacifica out of those three, but that's just me.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by meg6848

Berkeley - some areas scare me, seems like a lot of crime in certain areas- so what's to prevent criminals from coming into a nice area

Because their (drug) customers and rivals live in the bad neighborhoods... sounds simplistic, but that is one of the explanations. Berkeley is mostly a safe city, aside from the usual BS you get in a college town. Oh, but it isn't as safe as Pacifica or San Rafael. Btw, have you considered other towns on the north Peninsula? With home prices dropping, you might find something do-able in Burlingame or Millbrae- both nice places to live & raise your kids. They're not exactly coastal towns, but you can get to the beach in like 15-20 minutes & the Bay is right there.

[tennis368fan]

If you want to be by the Bay, and still have good schools, Alameda is an alternative to Albany and is less expensive. A ferry ride, and you are in San Francisco!

I would also look at Castro Valley, even more affordable, BART ride to San Francisco, and good schools also.

I would recommend Lamorinda and Walnut Creek, all accessible by BART. Top-notch schools and beyond good. However, the area is more expensive and not by the Bay.

In all of the above cities, $500K limits you to under 2,000 square feet.

If you want a large home in a good K-12 school district, but will settle for the Strait and the Delta, then the Travis Unified School District attendance zone is a good choice. $500K allows for a home, at least 3,000 square feet, and with luck, 4,000. The most recent was a $509K, 4,000 square foot home, now probably sold, though I do not know. Just be careful of the Cambridge Elementary School zone. Your husband can commute to work on Capitol Corridor, but preferably, he should obtain a transfer to a hospital in Vacaville, Fairfield, or somewhere nearby.

Good Luck!

[meg6848]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Because their (drug) customers and rivals live in the bad neighborhoods... sounds simplistic, but that is one of the explanations. Berkeley is mostly a safe city, aside from the usual BS you get in a college town. Oh, but it isn't as safe as Pacifica or San Rafael. Btw, have you considered other towns on the north Peninsula? With home prices dropping, you might find something do-able in Burlingame or Millbrae- both nice places to live & raise your kids. They're not exactly coastal towns, but you can get to the beach in like 15-20 minutes & the Bay is right there.

No, I am not familiar with those areas, I will have to check them out - Thanks - I am open to similar areas close to the coast too!! Thanks for all the input.