Advice on Pacifica or Alameda, jobs in Redwood Shores and San Francisco (Sunnyvale: rentals)

[gmkarr]

Hi all,

My family is trying to decide where to move, now that are lease is almost up, and my work situation is changing. Currently, my husband works in Redwood Shores, and I have a few job possibilities in San Franciso. I have a four year old, so do want to get set up for good schools. Ideal would be rent for $2700or less (less is preferred). We currently live in Sunnyvale.

1. Does Pacifica make sense location-wise for a commute to Redwood Shores and San Francisco (probably around Embarcadero bart station). Is the Daly City bart station the closest one to Pacifica, or is Colma better?
2. If Pacifica is an option, I have heard that Linda Mar is the sunnier part of town (and Sun Valley?). Is this area really significantly sunnier than the rest of town? Is it comparable to the Sunset in SF or Burlingame, weatherwise. Is it feasible to find a 3 bedroom home in LInda Mar in my price range? Is there another part of Pacifica that is sunny as well?
3. Alameda - is a commute from Alameda to Redwood City reasonable, or horrible? Has anyone done this commute, and if so, how long did it take? Does living in Bay Farm make the commute any better? Is Bay Farm really vulnerable to liquification in the case of an earthquake? (I never cared about this until I lived out of state, and got an outsider's perspective). Is it possible to find house rentals in the East End or Gold Coast in my price range (thinking about schools)?
4. Does anyone have first hand experience with Pacifica schools, particularly elementary schools in the Linda Mar area?

Thank you, and sorry for so many questions. They have been building up for some time!

P.S. This forum was an invaluable resource when my family moved from the east coast to Silicon Valley one year ago. Thanks for everyone's time and input!

[sonarrat]

Pacifica gets seriously seriously fogged in. There have been times that I was driving on 35 through the East Sharp Park area, the wind was blowing, my windshield wipers and headlights were on and I couldn't see 100 feet. If you're willing to deal with that, the commute is not bad otherwise. There are express buses from almost anywhere in town that can take you to San Francisco or to Colma BART, plus regular service to the BART stations during off-peak hours. I don't know about getting to Redwood Shores from there on public transit, though, you'd have to drive but it's not a bad trip.

Alameda to Redwood Shores.. well.. the San Mateo Bridge isn't bad normally, but 880 is a very unreliable and unpredictable commute. Both commutes are too long for my taste. If it was my choice, I'd rent a townhouse in Redwood Shores or Foster City.

[gmkarr]

Thanks very much for your post, Sonarrat! I know I packed in a lot of questions.

To clarify, the commute to Redwood Shores would definitely be by car, and my commute to San Francisco (near embarcadero of financial district) would definitely be by public transportation.

Since I am responsible for the childcare pickup part, I am trying to keep my commute the shortest. It looks like the commute from Redwood Shores to San Francisco would be pretty long?

Also, have you noticed if the Linda Mar area in Pacifica is significantly sunnier than the rest of the town - I have heard that it is sunny, but maybe that just means "sunnier" than the rest of Pacifica, rather than sunny like another city like Burlingame.

I should add that one reason for my interest in Alameda (besides commute to San Francisco), is that I just love the town, and it is close to the grandparents.

Many thanks!

-Grace

[sonarrat]

There is an express bus from Redwood Shores to SF Mission & First St, the SamTrans NX, and another one from Foster City, the FX.

I think you're right, Linda Mar doesn't get the severe winds and fog that East Sharp Park does.

[san carlos]

Sonarrat is right (once again!) in that many parts of Pacifica get unbelievable foggy. I helped a client find a home in the valley area off Fassler Ave, which is one area that doesn't get as much fog. The further you go back in that valley, the less fog you get.

They have a similar commute situation to yours -- one goes to the City, and the other to Palo Alto. To get out of Pacifica and over to the bay side of the Peninsula, the best (only) route is to go north and over Skyline to i280. This is fine for the SF commute, but for Redwood Shores it means doubling-back by several miles. My client said the commute to Palo Alto was taking her about 40 minutes (and not during peak time.) So you can figure Redwood Shores is going to take about 25ish???

Just something to consider. With jobs in SF and Redwood Shores, I'd recommend staying on the Bay side ...just my 0.02 worth!