Help a Dad decide where move his family in the Bay Area (San Jose: for rent, crimes)

[doho95fu]

I am transferring out to the Bay Area for at least two years. We will be renting and I have a budget for rent of up to $5,000 a month. We have two daughters ages 2 1/2 and 5 1/2. The eldest will be starting 1st grade next year and the youngest will need some day care. My wife and I will both be working in the financial district - although she will only likely have to go into work 2 times a week. We currently live in CT and have a great set up and I feel guilty pulling everyone across the country so I want to get a perfect spot. I have a list of towns and important factors in deciding where to live. This has been accomplished through reading hundreds of posts here. Now I would love to solicit some specific opinions. What I would love is for everyone interested in helping to list the top 5 towns in order for each factor and your reasons or examples. If you just want to make a quick note or comment that is great too.

Towns/Cities

Tiburon
Mill Valley
Larkspur
San Anselmo
San Rafael
Orinda
Larkspur
Moraga
Pleasanton
Alamo
Walnut Creek
Danville
Piedmont
If there are others I should consider, please tell me where and why.

Factors to consider:

Schools and Daycare - Most likely want to do public, but would consider a Catholic parochial school or straight private. Although the assignment is initially for 2 years, would like to have a comprehensively strong district (i.e. all grades are good). Also, where are good daycares - some suggestions would be greatly appreciated if you have experience.

Weather - We hate fog, cold and rain. Where has the best weather?

Commutes - as far as time and pleasantness. The ferry from Marin sounds great. Any insights? Also, I can see the trains times on Bart's website but are there some more factors to consider? Also, I will need to fly to LA (burbank preferably) about 7-10 times a month for the day so access to OAkland is a factor.

Safety - Although it seems Piedmont itself is safe, the idea of Oakland is disconcerting. I have lived in bad areas, but I would rather my kids be sheltered as far as crimes goes. What towns are the most safe?

Community - Activities, Restaurants, Outdoor activities, Beaches, shopping

Overall for Kids - if I thought only of them where should I live. Where would be the dream spot for two girls?


Also I plan to come out soon to look around at each of these communities. Where should I go in each to get a good feel? Any suggestions for overnight stays in Marin and East Bay?

Thanks alot for anyones help, this board has been a tremendous help and has allowed me to come up with this burdensome request.

Thanks Again

[kristin1]

I don't have much info to give you, except that our circumstances sound very similar. We are moving from CT to SF with our 3yo, 4yo, and one on the way. My husband has been in SF since Thanksgiving with his new job. We are very happy here in CT, so we are likewise trying to find a "perfect" spot to raise our family.

We debated the merits of both Marin County and the East Bay, and are leaning toward the East Bay at this point. Basically, we felt his commute would be better from the East Bay since the BART runs so frequently. The ferry is limiting in that if he misses one, depending on the time of day he could have a while to wait for another one.

We are concentrating our search on the Lamorinda area right now. THe schools there are excellent from what I've heard. We'd prefer to have our kids in Catholic school, but it doesn't really seem to be an option here unless you live in the city. We would probably be looking to move to the city if we just had two kids (for the schools) but feel it's a little too much for three kids.

I'd love to get some more info on these areas as well. Let me know where you wind up!

[humboldtrat]

You didn't mention any towns on the peninsula (the area between San Francisco and San Jose). Towns such as Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont and San Carlos are all nice, safe middle to upper middle class towns. A commuter train serves all these towns between SF and San Jose caltrain.com - home. There are no bridges to cross to get to SF and the commute traffic on any given day can be really horrible. The above mentioned towns are within 8 to 12 miles from SFO airport.

But with $5000/month, you can live most anywhere you want to.

[doho95fu]

Humboldtrat

I thought of the peninsula, but Oakland Airport is a better airport for me becuase it is alot quicker to get in and out of and because Southwest flies to Burbank from there. Also, when I looked at the homes on Craiglist, I was surpised what was there for that value. The homes seems like they were from the Brady Bunch. Can you tell me about the schools as far as the towns you mentioned? Also, I have not heard all good things about Caltrain?

[bayarea-girl]

Each area you listed has a different feel to them. Pleasanton, Alamo, Danville I would take off of my list due to the commute and when it gets hot in those areas it gets hot. All of the areas listed will have FANTASTIC public schools.

Piedmont would be great for you because it is close to everything especially for commuting and it is close to Berkeley, Emeryville, & Alameda. Prefer Mill Valley & San Anselmo over Larkspur & Tiburon. Orinda & Moraga is really the same place. Walnut Creek has the BART. I love San Rafael!!!

All the places you selected is going to be a tough decision. They are all nice and have an old town kinda feel to them. I like San Rafael because of the weather and easy access to the freeways and or the ferry.

Also, if you don't like the cold or rain why are you moving to the Bay? It can get pretty cold and it can rain a lot (nothing like Seattle though).

There aren't that many hotels in the East Bay. But I would try something around Jack London Square or the Clairemont in Berekely. In Marin, can't say I know of any hotels but I am sure whatever you come up with will be nice and or other posters can help you out more.

Places to visit in the East Bay:
Jack London Square
Lakeshore
Emeryville
Berekely

In Marin
Downtown San Rafael
Dominican University Area
Sausilito

If I was visiting actually I wouldn't stay in any of the areas (maybe the Clairemont if you like the old look & feel of a hotel). I would stay in San Francisco at St. Regis and drive to all the places and hang out for a couple of days.

The best places for restaurants are going to be in San Francisco without a doubt.

[doho95fu]

Originally Posted by kristin1

I don't have much info to give you, except that our circumstances sound very similar. We are moving from CT to SF with our 3yo, 4yo, and one on the way. My husband has been in SF since Thanksgiving with his new job. We are very happy here in CT, so we are likewise trying to find a "perfect" spot to raise our family.

We debated the merits of both Marin County and the East Bay, and are leaning toward the East Bay at this point. Basically, we felt his commute would be better from the East Bay since the BART runs so frequently. The ferry is limiting in that if he misses one, depending on the time of day he could have a while to wait for another one.

We are concentrating our search on the Lamorinda area right now. THe schools there are excellent from what I've heard. We'd prefer to have our kids in Catholic school, but it doesn't really seem to be an option here unless you live in the city. We would probably be looking to move to the city if we just had two kids (for the schools) but feel it's a little too much for three kids.

I'd love to get some more info on these areas as well. Let me know where you wind up!

I thought there were a fair amount of Catholic schools in the Easy Bay. St. Isidore in Danville, St. Mary in Walnut Creek, I think another in Dublin. Also, there are at least 3 in Marin County that I know of. If you want the names, please let me know. Where are you in CT?

[bayarea-girl]

You will find a lot of Catholic schools in the Marin and also there is a really good one in Alameda but I noticed it isn't part of your list.

[doho95fu]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

Each area you listed has a different feel to them. Pleasanton, Alamo, Danville I would take off of my list due to the commute and when it gets hot in those areas it gets hot. All of the areas listed will have FANTASTIC public schools.

Piedmont would be great for you because it is close to everything especially for commuting and it is close to Berkeley, Emeryville, & Alameda. Prefer Mill Valley & San Anselmo over Larkspur & Tiburon. Orinda & Moraga is really the same place. Walnut Creek has the BART. I love San Rafael!!!

All the places you selected is going to be a tough decision. They are all nice and have an old town kinda feel to them. I like San Rafael because of the weather and easy access to the freeways and or the ferry.

Also, if you don't like the cold or rain why are you moving to the Bay? It can get pretty cold and it can rain a lot (nothing like Seattle though).

There aren't that many hotels in the East Bay. But I would try something around Jack London Square or the Clairemont in Berekely. In Marin, can't say I know of any hotels but I am sure whatever you come up with will be nice and or other posters can help you out more.

Places to visit in the East Bay:
Jack London Square
Lakeshore
Emeryville
Berekely

In Marin
Downtown San Rafael
Dominican University Area
Sausilito

If I was visiting actually I wouldn't stay in any of the areas (maybe the Clairemont if you like the old look & feel of a hotel). I would stay in San Francisco at St. Regis and drive to all the places and hang out for a couple of days.

The best places for restaurants are going to be in San Francisco without a doubt.

I am moving for may job, but since there is a foot of snow outside now I think it will still be an improvement weatherwise. Plus, I will only be in SF during the day for work. It is my understanding that most of the places I listed are fairly nice year round. Am I wrong?

Why do you like Mill Valley and San Anselmo better? Does San Anselmo and San San Rafael have great schools too? Or is it a dropoff from the others?


Thanks for the thoughts.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by doho95fu

Humboldtrat

I thought of the peninsula, but Oakland Airport is a better airport for me becuase it is alot quicker to get in and out of and because Southwest flies to Burbank from there. Also, when I looked at the homes on Craiglist, I was surpised what was there for that value. The homes seems like they were from the Brady Bunch. Can you tell me about the schools as far as the towns you mentioned? Also, I have not heard all good things about Caltrain?

If you're looking for something a little upscale, both Burlingame and Hillsborough would work. The schools in this area are excellent and there are also several private schools to choose from.

As for Caltrain, the service is just as good as with BART. I've never had any complaints riding the train.

[bayarea-girl]

doho... I get you about the weather where you currently live. Once you are in SF during the day you will find reason to stay in the city longer. But I get you. Year round the weather in the Bay is nice but when it get cold it gets COLD (but since you are use to the snow it may not be a big deal for you). In where closer so SF will get winter storms that are a pretty big deal but are bareable. San Anselmo gets a lot of flooding in the winter time that is the only negative.

Mill Valley & San Anselmo for what you are looking for and having kids are GREAT areas. All of the areas you listed have FANTASTIC public schools especially when you compare them to the rest of the Bay. But the other areas for me I don't like because I don't like when it gets out and they just seem too far away from things. Walnut Creek & Lafeyette/Orinda/Moraga have really good schools as well. It really depends on what you personally like about each place.

What are things you and your wife like to do? What are your children's interest that might help a bit more. What are things that you want to find in a place. Give more info about yourselfs so that others can better help you.