How would tree hugging, vegetarian liberals fair in Pleasanton, Danvile or San Ramon? (Orange: 2009, tech job)

[valkyrieh]

Originally Posted by jaynetarzana

This is the first I've heard about it being a dicey area. That is certainly the kind of information that I need since safety is very important when it comes to a place to raise my kids. Do you mind elaborating on what you mean? Feel free to DM me. Can anyone else ring in on this with their opinions?

first I've heard of it too. Albany is not at all "dicey." It is very safe, small town atmosphere, and the schools are excellent. North of Solano is nice. Someone else mentioned it already--just steer clear of neighborhoods west of San Pablo Ave (Bay side). Although, in Albany, even those 'hoods aren't that bad.

[Yvonne1207]

Originally Posted by jaynetarzana

Where in SD are you? We lived down there for 10 years and I always longed for more greenery and it was too conservative for us. The only two places we'd consider if we had to live in SD would be Encinitas/Leucadia/Cardiff or Carlsbad because of the schools. But the air quality just can't compare to NorCal. We definitely still have a soft spot in our hearts for SD though since our firstborn daughter was born there.

I live in Oceanside. And you must really be very liberal if this area was too conservative. I know O'side is more conservative than cities south, but it is home for now. You really need Berkeley/Albany/Piedmont.
As for air quality, I came to O'side via the Inland Empire of SoCal where I could barely breath. And prior to that, north San Joaquin county. Also very smoggy. I have fond memories of NorCal since I did live there most of my life, but I do not want to leave SD county. Good luck to you! I think you will love Berkeley/Albany area.

[jaynetarzana]

Thanks again Yvonne,
San Diego is quite conservative actually. Not as much so as Orange County, but both counties are known to be conservative. I can understand why people like San Diego though. It was a very nice place to live for 10 years of our lives. I have a lot of fond memories of the area.

[kander63]

Danville, Pleasanton et al are bland, suburban, and BORING as others have said. Nobody would run you out of town for being a tree-hugging liberal but you probably wouldn't particularly fit in either.

I totally agree with the inner East Bay suggestions - ie Berkeley or Albany. The houses in Albany tend to be very small - as long as you don't need a lot of space then I think it could work out very well for you. Solano Ave. is a really nice commercial strip with restaurants, coffehouses, bookstores etc - if you can find something within walking distance of it, even better. Berkeley is great too, but I'm not sure about the schools - I haven't lived there, and don't have kids so you'd have to get info from people who have kids who currently live there.

In general, California doesn't believe in taxes or public services, so even in very affluent towns, the schools are often falling apart, and the parents have to raise extra money to fund anything beyond the bare minimum. My sister-in-law live in Mill Valley, which is one of the most affluent towns in the region, and there are some public schools there that would not look out of place in rural Mexico.

[fizbin]

The only place in the East Bay that is officially tree-huggy is Berkeley. That said, their are tree-huggers all over the place out here. I'd base my decision on other factors such as quality of the homes, schools, crime, etc. Nothing wrong with Albany, Alameda (lived there for years and love it) and Kensington in those regards. If warmer weather is preferred I'd go with the Lamorinda area (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda). Two of those have BART stations which can make getting around easier. Wherever you are in the East Bay those two days commuting to Salinas are going to be a b**ch.

[clairdelaluce]

Hi,
Check out the Willow Glen neighborhood in San Jose. It has warm weather, not too hot in summers, safe for families, mostly good schools, hip folks or at least open minded, and the commute to Salinas is reasonable.

Also the SW area of Santa Clara might work for you. 95051

What do you want in Schools for the kids?
There is a wonderful public alternative school in Cupertino Union district. Boundaries extend into San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale. Great community of families, open minded, alternative types. Anyone in the district can get in via lottery. Sometimes takes a year.
Check out the website for Christa McAuliffe School.
Good luck

[jaynetarzana]

Thanks for your reply chairdelaluce. It is funny that you mention Willow Glen because we are HUGE mid century modern architecture fans and that particular area has a lot of homes designed by Eichler. But the only elementary school in the area that is rated well is Booksin. The rest are rated quite poorly. In fact, the whole San Jose area looks terrible according to the California school performance map California School Performance Maps . Also, we are concerned with the air quality over there. We hear that it isn't great and seems to be getting worse along with the traffic. That school website looks very interesting. I will do some more looking into it.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by kander63

In general, California doesn't believe in taxes or public services.

I know this is OT, but that is an unfair slam!!! We have the highest sales tax in the country. Overall, our taxes here are not the highest, but are above average and have been for quite some time.

The real question is, where the h*ll is all our tax money going???

I work in the public sector. I get paid inflated wages and benefits for what I do. I wouldn't be thrilled about taking a pay cut. But I think our unions have made exhorbitant demands on the taxpayers.

[clairdelaluce]

Hi,
I am somehow surprised to hear you say you are into Eichlers. I assumed you would be into turn- of the century mission style and more urban renewal community neighborhoods. So I suggested Willow Glen. There are quite a few Eichlers in Sunnyvale, but the price tag is high. I am also thinking lower cost yet still good schools for you, since you mentioned you are a young family and you lost everything in the downturn. If you will be renting for now, trying to get into an Eichler is not the issue. But being situated where you might have the opportunity in the future is a good plan. Regarding affordable Eichlers, Cupertino or Sunnyvale are possibilities. Here is my shot in the dark call for you. Santa Clara, south of Pruneridge Ave, an Eichler "look-a-like".
There are a pocket of these and they are pretty cool, and very affordable by Bay area standards. Also they have Cupertino Union Schools.
Check out mlslistings.com
zip 95051
mls 80819550
mls 80912737

Also there are some real Eichlers in the same area. Cost a little more.
There arealso a pocket of Eichlers in Cupertino near Bollinger and Miller.
They are right next to an Eichler"loolalike" neighborhood called Rancho Rinconada. (wrong spelling?)
Next up in price are the Eichlers in Sunnyvale which are in the Cupertino School district also. I also love Eichlers, we lived in one for five years in Sunnyvale about four years ago. It was "origional" meaning in horrid condition. The elderly woman we purchased from was in no condition to properly care for it. It was my joy to both modernize and restore that house. Art in 3 dimensions! Fabulous light pouring in through walls of glass!
My son went to Christa McAuliffe School, the alternative school I spoke of.
I think his experiences at that school gave him a rich, joyful, childhood and were deeply rooted in fundamental hands on learning, a strong basis to build real lifelong learning. He is in Middle School now and he is not acting out the rebellion of so many of his peers (not yet anyway) because he is not burned out with school. His first six years were creative, rich, open and fantastic!

(Well we live in Boulder Colorado now)
Good luck

[jaynetarzana]

It seems as though that is how many of the Eichlers are turned over to their new owners; in major need of updating and repair due to the elderly owners not being able to maintain them over the years.

How do you like Boulder? We almost moved there before we decided to move to Santa Cruz.