Lamorinda vs Danville/Alamo (San Francisco, Oakland: to rent, houses, middle school)

[kcamp]

Finally sold my NJ house and am California bound to rejoin my husband. Have One high school boy and one middle school boy. Have been looking to rent in Danville/Alamo area until I got to know the area. Realtor very focused on those two areas and seems dead set against the Lamorinda area. Everything I read about the area is positive. He feels weather patterns make Lamorinda a bad choice and more bang for your buck in Danville/Alamo. Frankly, I have yet to see that. I know areas of Danville (Blackhawk) can be (sorry) snooty. Can the same be said for Lamorinda? Any feedback on living in Lamorinda, commuting to SF from there, schools and such is greatly appreciated.

[NorCal Dude]

Both areas can be a bit snooty, but you will find that in all places that are good places to raise a family in California. Most people like the Lamorinda area because it is closer to places like sf and a shorter commute. It was also built out before danville so the housing stock is alot more diverse and alot more custom. Danville has a lot of that post 1980's cookie cutter sprawl that you see across the country. Both school systems are top notch with the slight edge to Lamorinda. Overall I would choose Lamorinda, they have a Bart which makes getting around the bay area easier.

[clongirl]

Well, don't listen to that realtor (the motive is obviously $$)! I LOVE living in Lamorinda..I'm originally from San Francisco so I like being with other Oakland/San Franciscans. Although there's a lot of wealth here (but not me ,) it's not quite as overt and ostentatious as Alamo/Blackhawk areas, imo.

My family did look into Danville at one point (but not Alamo) but it just seemed a bit homogeneous, and too far away from anything that makes me feel "at home" within the Bay Area. I think the weather here is some of the best in the Bay Area ..we'll often get the cooler mornings, then by 9am, the fog is gone and then it warms up and cools off again in the evening. I love it! (Danville probably doesn't get the morning coolness). I also like that it's semi-rural here. It's not like your typical tract house..plenty of older houses with more character (if that's what you're into). The roads are windy, the deer, wild turkey, even coyote are spotted all the time where I am.

As for the commute..25 minute BART ride. Driving...well..you know the story there..I'm sure horrible during rush hour, but much better into San Francisco than Danville. Berkeley is even closer..like 15 minutes (I like good food). Shopping/malls/parking lots are all 5-10 minutes away in Walnut Creek...brilliant! I'd say..fire that realtor...he's obviously lying to you. (I'm not bashing the other areas, but his assessment of this area is totally inaccurate)

Oh, and I am in no way "snooty"..in fact, I am now shopping at Target for my clothes! My house was built in 1960 and was built on top of a pig pen on my next door neighbors farm! Class!

[JAQ]

I agree with the above posters. I think there both pricey, but you get what you pay for. I lived in Danville for 4 years and my parents still reside there. Yes some of the people are snooty, but not all, i've met some great people there, especially the neighbors, older nice people, mainly retired in there 60's. Danville is a small town with a nice little downtown then you have Lamorinda with BART access and WC nearby which has a larger size downtown. It all depends what you want, if you're looking for a more quiet atmosphere I would choose Danville. Lamorinda if you like to get out more, socialize and the type to go SF more.