Job in San Pablo/where to live? (Berkeley, Richmond: how much, house)

[Kanda]

Looks like we might be getting an offer in San Pablo. I've never been on the West Coast, and from the research I've done, it looks like San Pablo is not a safe place to raise 2 kids (one 5 years old and one on the way). Can you recommend a place near San Pablo that is safe for a family and not too bad of a commute to San Pablo. All the cities seem very close together, is that how it really is? Thanks in advance friends.

[alohakat]

Depends on your budget, but look at Orinda-Lafayette or Martinez perhaps. From Orinda you can take a back road (San Pablo Dam Road) and stay on surface streets. Orinda is an interesting town in a hilly area behind Berkeley with incredible wealth and some more middle class in the smaller homes. Orinda schools are some of the best in the state. The drive to work would be gorgeous. It's got less 'flat land' for kids to play than it's neighbor Lafayette, but you could probably find a good street or court.

If you consider Martinez, then you can take freeway or you can take surface streets/canyon roads. There's also the hills of Richmond in between San Pablo and Martinez, but I'm not certain how the schools are there lately. Martinez has many middle class families, and you'd probably want to be on the South side of Highway 4 for easier commute (and to get further away from the refineries).

Of course Berkeley has great attributes of you can afford it.

Yes, every city runs into the next, all one giant city really, but it helps to know your way around the traffic. And congrats on the new addition on the way!

[jrb724]

It all depends on how much you want to spend on housing.

You can find some decent neighborhoods in Richmond (primarily the hills), El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, and Hercules that are not ridiculously priced. Some of the schools in these areas are better than average at the Elementary level but the middle schools and high schools are pretty bad.
To get an idea, I believe Hercules high has the highest scores of the mainstream high schools in that district and it would be considered "average" at best on a statewide level.

If you can afford it, Orinda is very upscale and has one of the best school districts in the state. Albany is very good as well. Pricier than the other cities mentioned, but not as pricey as Orinda.

[bellalunatic]

Hands down choice for great schoosl, safe 'hood and easy commute to San Pablo would be Albany.

[Kanda]

Thanks, I'll start looking at Albany right away!

[naomisday]

Kanda,

Albany has one of the best Public School Districts in the Bay Area...The District is
very Small....

[jaynetarzana]

Kanda, Did you check out Albany in person? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts. We are considering the area as well. I'd love to get input from anyone who has anything to say about Albany. Thanks!

[cali-grown]

I have always loved Albany! I have family that has lived there in the same house for over 40 years. Unless anything has changed in the last few years, it's relatively safe. The farther away from San Pablo Ave. you get the quieter the neighborhoods are. I think it's a great little town to live. If you don't like the public schools, there are some great private schools within close proximity.

[jaynetarzana]

Thanks cali-grown. We are definitely going to utilize public schools and that is why we are looking at Albany. That and the fact that everyone tells me it is a progressive area.

[valkyrieh]

Yes, Albany is very nice and safe. Expensive housing, but if good public schools are a major consideration, Albany is a very good choice. Although, people caught onto that and the schools are pretty full now! El Cerrito or Richmond Hills are nice and safe. If you can get into a neighborhood where Madera Elementary is your assigned school, you'll be very happy. It's beautiful in the hills and very close to great regional parks (Wildcat Canyon and Tilden). Madera Elementary is a topnotch school, as is Kensington Elementary. These locations are all very close to San Pablo. I've been living in this area for 20+ years and know it well.