Work in San Jose, live in or near Palo Alto? (San Francisco: apartment, to rent) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

jackles · 07-06-2010, 11:17 AM

I'm an East Bay native, but I've been in Southern California for the past five years attending school and working. I just got a new job in San Jose, so I'm currently trying to decide on where to settle myself in the Bay Area. I think I'd like to live somewhere on the Peninsula near Palo Alto, since my commute would be around 20 minutes, and it'd be just a quick drive across the bridge to visit my family and roughly a 45 minute drive to SF to visit friends.

Honestly, I would love to live in SF, as I am truly a city girl at heart. I had been hoping to find a job there, but I'm really just thankful to have found a job at all. So as a single 22-year-old, I am aiming to find a place in an area that's safe, that has a good amount of people my age living there, and that isn't completely void of a night life or cool hangout spots for young professionals.

Palo Alto seems like a good fit for me, but I know that it's very expensive. I'd prefer to find my own place or a place that I can share with a roommate. I've temporarily rented rooms in houses and condos before, but this time I'd like to be able to make the place my home since I plan to be there for at least a couple of years.

My budget is around $1300 for my own place (studio or 1 bedroom) or to share a 2 bedroom with someone else. Is this reasonable for Palo Alto? How about for surrounding cities like Menlo Park and Mountain View? Thanks!

SickOfCalifornia · 07-06-2010, 03:02 PM

Palo Alto and Menlo Park are very expensive. Mountain View and Sunnyvale are less so, but still expensive. That is a very small budget for this area and your choices will be limited. Beware of any listings in "East Palo Alto" - it sounds the same but is a world of difference from Palo Alto proper. "Palo Alto" is upscale, near Stanford University and filled with upscale shops and restaurants. "East Palo Alto" is the gangsta hood, and you're more likely to get carjacked at a red light than find a decent Starbucks, let alone apartment. Your budget right now screams "San Mateo", "Burlingame," and "San Bruno", none of which sound like they would appeal to you (or most people -ick!).

gone down south · 07-06-2010, 03:57 PM

You can get a pretty nice studio in San Jose for close to that price, and as long as Caltrain service doesn't degrade much further you can be in SF pretty quickly from there. That's probably the biggest downtown area you can afford on that budget.

calisnuffy · 07-06-2010, 05:59 PM

Redwood City, Mountain View, San Mateo, Sunnyvale are all close to PA but much cheaper. Anywhere on the Peninsula makes for an easy commute

KaaBoom · 07-07-2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackles

I'm an East Bay native, but I've been in Southern California for the past five years attending school and working. I just got a new job in San Jose, so I'm currently trying to decide on where to settle myself in the Bay Area. I think I'd like to live somewhere on the Peninsula near Palo Alto, since my commute would be around 20 minutes, and it'd be just a quick drive across the bridge to visit my family and roughly a 45 minute drive to SF to visit friends.

I think your commute times are a little over optimistic. It generally takes me about 30 min. from Palo Alto to Downtown San Jose in traffic. About 55 min. from Palo Alto to San Francisco. Thats if there are no major problems on 101.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackles

Honestly, I would love to live in SF, as I am truly a city girl at heart. I had been hoping to find a job there, but I'm really just thankful to have found a job at all. So as a single 22-year-old, I am aiming to find a place in an area that's safe, that has a good amount of people my age living there, and that isn't completely void of a night life or cool hangout spots for young professionals.

Palo Alto seems like a good fit for me, but I know that it's very expensive. I'd prefer to find my own place or a place that I can share with a roommate. I've temporarily rented rooms in houses and condos before, but this time I'd like to be able to make the place my home since I plan to be there for at least a couple of years.

My budget is around $1300 for my own place (studio or 1 bedroom) or to share a 2 bedroom with someone else. Is this reasonable for Palo Alto? How about for surrounding cities like Menlo Park and Mountain View? Thanks!

You are not going to find anything great in Palo Alto for $1300. Sharing a two bedroom, that's probably doable. You will have a lot more to chose from if you look in San Jose, and you'll save yourself an hour a day of drive time.

mysticaltyger · 07-07-2010, 01:07 AM

^^^^I second everything KaaBoom said.

I don't know what your income is going to be, but in this economy/job market I definitely think it's best to err on the side of keeping your costs low, which means less commuting and roommates. Roommates are very doable for most 22 year olds and can really help you save some serious money (in both 401k and savings accounts)....which means more choices and less stress down the road.

I'd also add that landlords will be merciless in jacking up rents if/when the economy improves. But just because they jack up the rent 10% doesn't mean your pay went up 10% or anything close to it.

jackles · 07-07-2010, 11:32 AM

Thank you for all of your suggestions and comments. I understand that Palo Alto is very expensive, and I will probably do a lot of searching in the surrounding areas as well as in San Jose. I may even end up just renting out a room in Palo Alto, which according to Craigslist seems pretty affordable. Thanks again.

anchorsteam · 07-08-2010, 01:13 AM

$1300 is more than enough to get a place anywhere you want IF you are sharing it with a roommate. Not sure about the commute, but I'd recommend getting a roommate and living in Palo Alto or Mountain View over going to San Jose or Sunnyvale.

I've been living in Downtown Mountain view (sharing a 2bed/2bath with a roommate for $2300) but now im finally making a move to the city.

Good Luck.

ilushka · 07-08-2010, 11:32 AM

i understand the allure for a 22-year old female to live somewhere more fabulous but i have to agree with mysticaltyger.

you can find an old but otherwise safe and quite one bedroom in san jose for ~$1000. i myself just found a place for $940. $1300 will get you something nice, maybe even a 2 bedroom if you look hard enough. san jose is also rent controlled; don't know about palo alto. as far as young people and night-life concerned san jose has plenty of both [SJSU is right next to downtown]. especially considering that you are a young woman you'll be pretty popular here: Metroactive Features | Man Jose

easybay · 07-08-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

I think I'd like to live somewhere on the Peninsula near Palo Alto, since my commute would be around 20 minutes, and it'd be just a quick drive across the bridge to visit my family and roughly a 45 minute drive to SF to visit friends.

I'm new to the area - but agree with the other poster that a 20 minute commute is being VERY conservative. I would recommend your convenience factor to work should outweigh the convenience factor to friends/family (wouldn't you be visiting during evenings/weekends when commuting traffic wouldn't be an issue?). Have you never been to the Santana Row area of San Jose? Seems like that is the environment you are looking for.

As for the craigslist listings....after looking for a home to rent last month - I found new definitions for words such as "immaculate" , "pristine", "updated" and "stunning".