Caltrain-friendly areas between SF and Stanford (San Mateo, Redwood City: apartments, neighborhoods, buy)

[daltex]

Hi everyone,

I currently live/work in SF but will be starting a job at Stanford in January. Since my boyfriend works close to the Caltrain station in SF, we're thinking about moving somewhere midway between SF and Palo Alto, and then each taking Caltrain to work. I'm trying to avoid getting a car, and he doesn't drive, so we'd like to find somewhere within an easy walk of a Caltrain station and where we can still buy groceries etc without a car. I'm actually not very familiar with the areas around the Caltrain stations between SF and Palo Alto -- after a little reading, I was thinking maybe San Mateo, San Carlos, or Redwood City, but am open to ideas (Burlingame? Millbrae? others? Millbrae sounds convenient, being close to both Caltrain and BART - is it a nice place to live?)

We're in our late 20s/early 30s. Having lived in both the Sunset and the Mission in SF, I like pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods with some restaurants and things to do. I've hit the point in my life where I'm tired of paying a lot of money for a small studio and dealing with the sketchiness/filth of the Mission, but am not totally sure I'm ready to make the leap into really sleepy areas, so we're looking for a compromise. I'd really like more space -- at least a 1BR, though ideally a 2BR if feasible (we could spend ~$2400-$2600 if necessary, though ideally a lot less, like $2000, not sure what prices to expect outside the city). (I initially thought about staying in SF and moving closer to one of the SF Caltrain stations -- though spending $2100-2400 for a 1BR in SOMA/Potrero Hill *and* commuting ~1hr each way to Stanford is sounding less and less appealing, so I'm investigating our options). Oh, and not to be too demanding, but nice weather is a plus too.

I'd love to hear any and all opinions -- thanks so much in advance!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Anything along or near El Camino that you can afford. Lots and lots of apartments meeting such criteria.

[coolbay]

The best place I think is Millbrae. It has access to Cal Train and BART at one place also close to groceries/shopping/airport etc. To reach Stanford by car the best route is Hwy 280 and from Millbrae you get access to 280 as well as 101.

[humboldtrat]

Check out San Carlos. Plenty of apts. within walking distance of the downtown area and the Caltrain station. The downtown area (Laurel St.) has lots of restaurants, a few bars, coffee shops, etc.