Living Options Around Sunnyvale (San Jose, Oakland: apartments, to rent, houses) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

Sean Kellogg · 04-28-2011, 11:09 AM

I'm a single guy living in NYC. I'm interviewing for a job in Sunnyvale and doing homework on the surrounding areas.

In terms of cities/areas, what are my living options for $1,500/month? I'd like to be within an hour or so from Sunnyvale, and I have a dog so would like a yard and close proximity to outdoorsy stuff such as trails. I've read some positive things on this forum about Los Gatos, but from Craigslist postings, it doesn't look as though it's in my budget. I'm guessing the cost of living in that area of California is similar to NY.

80skeys · 05-02-2011, 05:33 PM

You can get a decent 1 bedroom apartment in a nice area for $1500 in Sunnyvale. This would put you maybe 20 minutes from some trails in the foothills and maybe 30 minutes from the Santa Cruz mountains.

Sean Kellogg · 05-03-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80skeys

You can get a decent 1 bedroom apartment in a nice area for $1500 in Sunnyvale. This would put you maybe 20 minutes from some trails in the foothills and maybe 30 minutes from the Santa Cruz mountains.

Cool, thanks for replying. Do people regularly walk their dogs in the Santa Cruz mountains? I know literally nothing about the area.

If it's possible, I'm thinking a yard is more important than actually living in Sunnyvale. I live in an apartment in NYC right now. My dog is pretty high-energy, and even though we have a massive forest/park a block away from us, a yard would be more valuable (as long as something trail-ish were a 30-minute drive away).

80skeys · 05-04-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Kellogg

Cool, thanks for replying. Do people regularly walk their dogs in the Santa Cruz mountains? I know literally nothing about the area.

I'm not sure what the rules are up there. You could look up "Big Basin State Park" on the web, and then call the Forest rangers and ask.

Quote:

If it's possible, I'm thinking a yard is more important than actually living in Sunnyvale. I live in an apartment in NYC right now. My dog is pretty high-energy, and even though we have a massive forest/park a block away from us, a yard would be more valuable (as long as something trail-ish were a 30-minute drive away).

Unfortunately, you won't be able to find a place with your own yard for $1500 anywhere in the Bay Area.

bigdumbgod · 05-04-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80skeys

Unfortunately, you won't be able to find a place with your own yard for $1500 anywhere in the Bay Area.

You never know - odd deals often pop up in the SC mountains. Lots of property up there for those who can hang with mountain living.

Sean Kellogg · 05-06-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

You never know - odd deals often pop up in the SC mountains. Lots of property up there for those who can hang with mountain living.

BDG -- do such deals spring up on Craigslist? What areas do you think I should broaden my search to?

If it's the case that nothing w/a yard can be found for $1,500, then it is indeed more costly than NYC.

sonarrat · 05-07-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Kellogg

BDG -- do such deals spring up on Craigslist? What areas do you think I should broaden my search to?

If it's the case that nothing w/a yard can be found for $1,500, then it is indeed more costly than NYC.

It's not that nothing with a yard can be had for $1500, it's that you have geographical limits. I've seen plenty of detached houses in the East Bay starting around that range. I myself rented a house in San Jose with a 12,000 square foot lot for $1200 a month, from 2008-2010. Pets weren't allowed though..

Wintermomma · 05-08-2011, 12:49 AM

It's been a huge challenge, for us, to find places willing to rent with a dog. Unless you don't care that it's a totally dilapidated dump that hasn't seen an update since the 60's. Sorry to be a downer.

I have seen a few apartments that rent to people with dogs, though I'm not certain of the price range.

RebekahOwen · 05-09-2011, 07:46 AM

The nicer apartments allow dogs - Avalon, Palm Valley, etc. Think about a duplex with a yard - that should be right in your price range. I had a client with a Great Dane and we found them a house but it was closer to $2200.

A lot of the trails don't allow dogs. I can't take my dog to Rancho San Antonio (for my runs). He can go along the Creek Trail in Campbell and we go to our own "secret park" where I let him off leash. I walk my dog first thing in the morning, when "normal" people are sleeping, and let him off leash. Also, have clients in Mountain View that do the trails out on the bay - by Renstorff house - with their dogs.

Welcome to Silicon Valley - you'll have a blast!

Sean Kellogg · 05-09-2011, 08:57 AM

Thanks, all! Great information. Wintermomma -- not a downer at all. It sounds like you're going through this right now, so it's helpful to hear, even if it's negative.

Sonar: Is East Bay Oakland? Sorry for the ignorant questions; I know nothing about any of the areas.

Rebekah: I currently bike him (on leash) and sometimes rollerblade. He's a high-energy dog (Australian shepherd mix), so draining his energy without a yard has been a challenge, that's one big reason I'd like a yard -- even if it's small -- for quick games of fetch and chase. Tough to do that in my one-bedroom apartment, and equally tough doing it on-leash when we're outside. I've just started doing some off-leash jogging while in the forest, but he's still young and I'm not 100% with recall. That said, we still love going in the trails on leash.

I'll look for a duplex with a yard. Are there any specific areas or real-estate sites you recommend?