Livermore - Which neighborhoods to avoid? (Castro Valley, San Ramon: renting, low crime, homes)

[lunatone]

We are renting in San Ramon so we're obviously used to having all the goods schools, nice neighborhoods, low crime, etc. But, we are considering making a move to Livermore to buy our first house.

One of the top priorities for us is good schools. I have heard mixed things about the schools there. Which ones are bad and what is bad about them? Which neighborhoods should I avoid and why? We have 2 little kids so this is very important!

Thanks so much!!

[tennis368fan]

When you are looking at homes, match the homes' addresses with this: http://www.livermoreschools.com/Dept...et%20guide.pdf, and match the school with API Index ratings here: 2008 Growth API LEA List of Schools Report (CA Department of Education).

Don Gaspar De Portola Elementary and Marylin Avenue Elementary don't look good, while Joe Michell Elementary seems borderline. Typically, I would not go under 800 on the API for K-8. High 700's are okay for high schools.

Mountain House, a little farther east, has affordable homes and a great environment for families, with schools on par with Dublin or the better ones in Livermore. The trade-off would be the extra ten minutes of commute, which many former Tri-Valley residents chose to endure for a home.

On the other hand, there is Castro Valley to the west. Great schools and home prices have fallen. There is a BART station and if you or your spouse work in the Tri-Valley, it would be a reverse commute.

[Taboo2]

Originally Posted by lunatone

We are renting in San Ramon so we're obviously used to having all the goods schools, nice neighborhoods, low crime, etc. But, we are considering making a move to Livermore to buy our first house.

One of the top priorities for us is good schools. I have heard mixed things about the schools there. Which ones are bad and what is bad about them? Which neighborhoods should I avoid and why? We have 2 little kids so this is very important!

Thanks so much!!

Move to Ruby Hill.