Need Advice: Moving to Walnut Creek from San Francisco (Lafayette: condo, rental)

[Cayenne333]

Hi, I need some advice from you guys...here's my situation.

I moved to San Francisco because of job and had been living in the city (near North Beach/Telegraph Hill) for 2 years. We had been renting a a 1300 sq ft 2BR/2BA (with a single parking) condo for $2400. We liked the place and the best part was it is only 15 minutes from Financial DIstrict where I work. Now the owner wants to sell the condo and we have to move.

We are thinking of moving to Walnut Creek...how good an idea is that? We now have a one year old daughter and we realize San Francisco is not the best place to bring up kids (not many nice parks, weird people flocking the city during holidays, pre-schools, etc; also most of my neighbors are older people people or young couples without kids). But with the housing bubble bursting, the rental market has shot up in the city. Checking craigslist, a decent 2 BR/2 BA place with 1 parking in nicer neighborhoods like Russian Hills, Pacific Heights, SOMA, North Beach, etc. would now rent at north of $3000 which is unaffordable for me.

Given the situation, do you think Walnut Creek is a good move (we love the downtown but I know I will hate the hot summer)? Are there other places we can consider? I am looking at door to door commute of not more than an hour by BART...I dont want to drive. I am looking at around $2700 per month.

Thanks for your thoughts...

[sjd]

Well, you may consider moving to Lafayette or Orinda. Basically the same location as Walnut Creek, but it seems to be about 10 degrees cooler than W.C. all the time. Rents will be a little higher for a smaller, older place, but it is safe and has great schools for your child. And it is just a short drive to downtown W.C.

[Tallysmom]

While SJD is right about Lafayette is being cooler in temp, it's a cool little place to live, too. It's got an urban feel to it, and yet a small town vibe too. It's proximity to Walnut Creek means you're minutes away from some world class shopping, if that's your sort of thing.

I'm not as fond of Orinda. It's cooler temp wise, and more expensive. But the town itself was bisected by the freeway, and it sort of stunted the area....

[5stones]

another vote for Lafayette!

We lived there for 3 years and my first daughter was born in WC at Mt daiblo hosp. It's got a great little downtown area and some very nice parks. I prefered it back then (12 years!) to WC. I could easily walk to downtown form our duplex and walk to parks etc... with my daughter. It's a "funky" little town, low crime rate, and excellent schools. It's very convientent to BART as well.

If we were transferred back I would look there or up in Moraga to live.

[readuntil]

If the owner is making you move, I think they have to pay your moving costs and maybe other stuff too. Be sure to research this. Anyway, you'd save some $$$ living in Walnut creek or the other places around there, and you can live close to BART as well so it's just 30 minutes into the city.