Where do tree hugging, vegetarian liberals belong in Marin? (Berkeley: crime, good schools)

[jaynetarzana]

DH has written off Santa Cruz. I would move back there in a second. The San Jose area has poor air quality and it too crowded. From what everyone is telling me, Marin would be a completely ridiculous commute to Salinas. This is so frustrating because it is like a puzzle that I just can't solve. Thanks for your input everyone. I appreciate the time you are taking to respond to my posts.

[geos]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

You're not going to find all of that in Marin county for that price

In a year or 2 they'll be half that price.

[jaynetarzana]

That is what I think too. We just have to position ourselves correctly so that we are ready to buy when prices are close to the bottom.

[eightiesfan]

Originally Posted by geos

In a year or 2 they'll be half that price.

I sure hope so!

[gatorman]

Half of what?, you have to ask yourself...

[hummingbird3]

Someone upthread suggested Albany, next door to Berkeley. I suggest just north of the Solano Ave area. I don't know what prices are now, but it's a very livable area (in fact a bit upscale when you go up Solano). It's a 5-minute drive to downtown Berkeley and an easy commute by BART or bus for city things. A lot of musicians and artists live in the Albany area just north of Solano. It's a nice homey feel. Of course, this is only if your husband is willing to do that drive to Salinas.

I'd forget Marin. I commuted from West Marin to the Ferry Bldg. every weekday for 2 yrs. It's a commute on top of a commute (1 hr. 45 mins. from West Marin to the Ferry Bldg.) He would hate having to drive down 19th Avenue twice a week to get to the I-280.

[jaynetarzana]

You are completely right and I finally got him to see that last night. So now we are considering Scotts Valley or even Carmel & Los Gatos if prices come down enough. I think we may be dreamin' on that one though. Plus, I don't know if the people in those areas would share our same values anyhow.

[sonarrat]

I've only known one person from Scotts Valley. He was a jazz saxophonist, he took the Highway 17 express bus to SJSU (which frequently made him late because of said highway). There is running water service and also sewer service, thanks to the proximity of Santa Cruz. It's basically like a suburban version of Santa Cruz - if you're looking there, you could also consider Aptos or Soquel which are less woodsy in character and are right on the coast.

[jaynetarzana]

We lived in Aptos for 3 years. It was beautiful, but too foggy.

[Stacy From Cali]

If it were not for the drive to Salinas than Sonoma County sounds just right for you...especially the town of Sebastopol. Its much more affordible than Marin, more beautiful IMO and there is a Whole Foods right in town and a kick-butt farmers market every Sunday. Sebastopol has a great downtown area, womderful seasonal festivals and the most interesting alternative people in the North Bay. Plus Santa Rosa is very close by if you need to go to Trader Joes or any other larger stores.