Where to live near San Mateo? (San Jose, San Francisco: apartment complexes, rentals, neighborhoods)

[tashab44]

My sister and I (both mid-twenties, single) are moving to San Mateo for school/work and I was wondering where we should live? We want to live in a smaller city or a big town with a good downtown, some nightlife, close to water and trails with other young single people around. Preferably somewhere we could walk to restaurants and bars. Basically we don't want to live in a big city like SF but we do want to have lots of fun things around to do. We're looking to spend about $2,000 to $2,000 for rent. I am thinking about Foster City, Pacfica, and Belmont. Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[sonarrat]

Burlingame, San Mateo and Foster City all have some nice trails on the bayfront. Of the three, the best nightlife will be in San Mateo, but it won't be on the same level with San Francisco. Pacifica and Belmont are very sleepy and probably not suitable for you.

[joe stixpuck]

San Mateo, Burlingame, San Carlos fits the bill if you want to stay near San Mateo and away from SF or San Jose. All have what you're looking for and in your price range, except you will have a short drive to the water.

Pacifica wouldn't make my list for the weather alone...not nearly as nice as the other areas. Not really a nightlife there either.

Foster City was a great place to raise kids, and I really enjoyed living there, but it doesn't have a night life and there is no true 'downtown' area. It was nice living near the water, but not an ideal place if single and mid-20's. Mostly full of families or 'empty-nesters.'

Good luck with your search. San Mateo County has alot to offer.

[gizmo980]

I'd go with Burlingame, for all of the reasons stated above. I grew up at the border of San Mateo & Burlingame, and both are very nice areas... try the neighborhood right around Burlingame Ave. or 3rd-4th Aves in SM, if you want to be walking distance from the nightlife. You might also consider Palo Alto or Menlo Park, but they're a bit more expensive and getting farther from work.

[tashab44]

Thanks everyone for all of your help! Now I am thinking we should consider San Mateo. Could someone please describe the different neighborhoods in San Mateo? Thanks!

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by tashab44

Thanks everyone for all of your help! Now I am thinking we should consider San Mateo. Could someone please describe the different neighborhoods in San Mateo? Thanks!

The southern part of San Mateo is called Hillsdale. One of the biggest apartment complexes is Hillsdale Garden Apartments in San Mateo, CA - San Mateo, California Apartment Rentals | Essex Property Trust and is within walking distance of the Hillsdale Mall Hillsdale Shopping Center. A Caltrain station is also in the area and Hillsdale Blvd connects with Hwy 101 for easy access to the freeway. To the west, on top of a hill is the College of San Mateo College of San Mateo. There is not much nightlife in the immediate area.

[sonarrat]

There's also a nice downtown area, which is roughly the area around the San Mateo Caltrain station on 1st Ave, and Hayward Park, which is east of El Camino between downtown and Hillsdale and has a lot of gorgeous old Victorians that, to my taste, sometimes outshine San Francisco's. Then there's San Mateo Park, a very ritzy and expensive area bordering Burlingame and Hillsborough.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by tashab44

Thanks everyone for all of your help! Now I am thinking we should consider San Mateo. Could someone please describe the different neighborhoods in San Mateo? Thanks!

Here's the breakdown...

San Mateo Park: Where I grew up (on West Poplar). This neighborhood borders Hillsborough and Burlingame, west of El Camino and north of approx. Crystal Springs Rd. Very nice tree-lined neighborhood, probably too pricey and family-oriented for you... not a lot of apartments or rentals here, so I wouldn't even bother looking.

San Mateo Hills: The area west of El Camino, south of Crystal Springs, and mostly around Alameda de las Pulgas & the high-numbered streets. This a great part of town, and falls right in the middle price-wise and "fancy"-wise... I would try to find something here if you can, and start your search on/around West Hillsdale Blvd.

East San Mateo: East of El Camino, from approx. Peninsula Ave. to 2nd Ave. I guess this includes the Sunnybrae neighborhood as well, which is closer to Delaware Ave & the east side of 101. This would be the least desirable part of town, but it's not horrible or anything... mostly Hispanic immigrant families minding their own business, with some bad apples in the bunch (involved with gangs and drugs).

Downtown: Anything around 2nd-5th Aves, more or less, and east of El Camino. This area is a decent place to live, but slightly overpriced for what you get, IMHO. You would be walking distance from all the "fun stuff," I just think the road noise (from El Camino) and foot-traffic would get annoying - if you want a quieter atmosphere, that is.

Hillsdale & Norfolk: Not sure what you'd call these neighborhoods (Marina?), but they run east of El Camino along East Hillsdale Blvd & Norfolk Ave... kind of near Foster City, and has a similar vibe. There are lots of big apartment complexes in that area, and they should all be fine. I looked at the Lake Pines complex on Los Prados, and was fairly impressed by the amenities and quality.

I think that covers it... Btw, would you like me to move this thread into the San Francisco forum? I think you'd get more responses there, although most of us check this one too!

[tashab44]

Thanks Gizmo! You've been very helpful. If you want to move it to the SF forum that would be great.

[gizmo980]

Okey dokey!