Accepted a job in Fremont, where to live? (San Jose, San Francisco: condos, rent)

[taterotts]

I am a white female in my mid-20s, who has accepted a job in Fremont, CA. I grew up in the Midwest and lived the last year in Houston, TX. I love the vibe and entertainment of the big city, but also need the outdoors close by either for a run, hike, or backpacking. Please advise on where I should live. Looking to buy a house or townhouse <$500K. Thanks!

[hsw]

May want to consider Palo Alto and SF (SF is essentially a distant, upscale suburb/wkend home of SiliconValley for many)....high concentrations of younger, well-educated professionals and easy proximity to outdoors in both settings....and, in case of SF, urban setting....PA is essentially an intellectual/residential epicenter for Stanford and the suburban SF Peninsula; somewhat sleepy, but much easier commute to Fremont than from SF....

Also may make more sense to rent a condo than to try to buy at price points indicated....would think many condos for rent in the new projects being built in SoMA region of SF, nr 280 fwy, for easier access to SiliconValley/Fremont....

[Palmer Eldritch]

Originally Posted by taterotts

I am a white female in my mid-20s, who has accepted a job in Fremont, CA. I grew up in the Midwest and lived the last year in Houston, TX. I love the vibe and entertainment of the big city, but also need the outdoors close by either for a run, hike, or backpacking. Please advise on where I should live. Looking to buy a house or townhouse <$500K. Thanks!

I would live in Fremont if I worked in Fremont. The commute to Fremont from other areas can be hellish during rush hour. I don't know the neighborhoods there very well but there are some nice areas in Fremont and the city always struck me as being very clean. You have a ton of outdoor stuff around Fremont. I was just there a couple of weeks ago to take my son on the steam train through Niles Canyon which is a very beautiful area of Fremont up in the hills. Good luck!

[oskarv]

Fremont is the 4th largest city in the Bay Area, so it's a decently sized city in its own right. San Jose is just south of Fremont and it's a pretty big city with stuff to do too. San Francisco is the only real "big city" in the area though.

[oskarv]

Cost a livin' in Fremont and San Jose would be less than in San Francisco. IN fact you could probably even buy a small house for less than 500,000 in certain parts of San Jose or Fremont right now. In San Francisco you'd be looking at a condo for sure.

[krudmonk]

Where in Fremont? You could live in Oakland or Berkeley and BART in reasonable time. The same applies to SF but it would take a bit longer. The problem is that your job likely isn't near Fremont BART, because most people use it going the other way so they drive to that station.

[Melody74]

Living and working in the same city is a dream for many. Since you already have the job, consider living in Fremont first. Fremont is a nice place to live. It is closest to San Jose, but Oakland and San Francisco are not that far either. You will be able to buy a home in your price range.