Help! Trying to decide between two San Rafael properties. (Santa Venetia: house, neighborhoods)

[mwaussie]

Hi all,
I'm moving from Austin to San Rafael. I've been camped out in my rv exploring north bay for about a month. I must decide between two residences.
One is near Santa Venetia off San Pedro and Meadow. It's a good sized house with a nice yard. There's plenty of room for my dogs and a roommate. The other property is up the hill on the west end of downtown off 5th and Scenic. It's alot smaller and would be more crowded. There's an ok yard, but a really nice deck. It's within walking distance of alot of places. SO. Is it the big place with the nice yard or the small place that's near everything????? Any input on neighborhoods, the real scoop on downtown, anything, would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Beat02]

I think it's all dependent on what's most important to you.

[mwaussie]

That's the thing. They are both important. I can't seem to find a place that has both. I'm just trying to get some feedback to have other options to consider. What are the two neighborhoods really like? Are the suburbs nice to live in. Do you need to live nearby in order to enjoy the downtown area. Is downtown more hype or is it really cool. Are the downtown neighborhoods safe and not too noisy. That sort of thing. Thanks!

[415_810]

Personally I would rather live closer to downtown. The neighborhoods surrounding DT SR are wonderful IMO..very beautiful. The other house would be close to china camp and a good place to walk your dogs tho.