looking for opinions (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo: houses, rent, job)

[clongirl]

Hello everyone.

My husband and four kids are hoping to move back to the bay area from Ireland. I am originally from San Fran but am not familiar with some parts of the south and east bay. My husband will be working in Palo Alto and we are considering Pleasanton, Morgan Hill, or possibly Campbell as these places seem just slightly less expensive and than Sunnyvale or Santa Clara etc. Good, choice in ethnic restaurants is a must (can you tell we've been starved here in Ireland for sushi and burritos!). Also the usual low crime and good schools high priority. Anyone familiar with these towns I've mentioned for comparisons. Any advice or opinions on this commute to Palo Alto from these areas?

[Jmier7]

There is a very large Irish presence in the SF bay area. You won't be for lack of fellow countrymen.
As for living there, if you can afford Palo Alto, then do it. Palo Alto has some of the best public schools in the bay area (think Stanford). and is a college town. Even the smallest house in Palo Alto would be worth it, go there, spend some time and you'll see.
As for the other areas you mentioned, they are a commute, so figure 1 1/2 for Pleasanton and Morgan Hill, and an hour for Campbell. I know they are only about 20-30 miles away, but believe me the commute will kill you. Stay in Palo Alto! I wished I had moved there years ago (even rented).
You might even consider up the road north to Redwood City, (voted the best weather in the US) go up into the hills of Redwood City and San Mateo to look for nice view houses.

[humboldtrat]

I agree with the above post. Stay as close to your work in Palo Alto as you can and avoid the one-way hour to a hour and half (and sometimes longer) commute. Traffic can get horrible here. I know gas is expensive in Ireland, but here it's about $3.35/gal. You can probably find some nice places to live in Sunnyvale, Mountain View (which has A LOT of Asian restuarants along Castro Street), Redwood City or San Carlos.

[jtschieber]

Sozo is a great sushi place on Hopyard and Valley.
Pleasanton schools are tops. http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap/
And you have to visit Main St. downtown Pleasanton before you pay a premium to be on the peninsula - it's pretty nice, lots of quaint shops and good restaurants (Albertos - great Mexican!). If you have kids, the sense of community in Pleasanton is great, the sports park is wonderful and I have a lot of clients who are commuting to high-tech job in Silicon Valley with no complaints.
Definitely worth looking at the option! http://www.tomschieber.com