Almaden : feedback

[asiandude1983]

$1 million will get you a nice 3 bed 2 bath single family home in Almaden Valley but oh the commute ! How horrible it will be if you are not using the carpool lane. The rush hour traffic from north to south on 85 leading to Almaden is terrible - it'll take you an hour's drive. You might want to consider Cupertino - great schools. It's a little north of Almaden - will shave some time off your commute. Good public schools from elementary through high school.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by asiandude1983

$1 million will get you a nice 3 bed 2 bath single family home in Almaden Valley but oh the commute ! How horrible it will be if you are not using the carpool lane. The rush hour traffic from north to south on 85 leading to Almaden is terrible - it'll take you an hour's drive. You might want to consider Cupertino - great schools. It's a little north of Almaden - will shave some time off your commute. Good public schools from elementary through high school.

Correction. $1 million will get you a nice 4 br, 3 bath home in Almaden. Take a look at post #5 in this thread for a link to one such current listing. That is one of the newer neighborhoods as well and really nice.

[tempest411]

ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Wow...

[needmyespresso]

We live in the Montivedo area of Almaden, with Union-Campbell schools, and love it here. Schools are very good but what sold me is the over-the-top community feel. I have never lived anywhere where my kids can walk up the street and always find someone to play with. When we first moved here the neighbors were running over to help us and quick to line up playmates for our kids.

We have a 4th of July Parade (and party), Oktoberfest , Cabana Club with a swim team (and parties) for the kids, 4th of July 4k run. My husband and I hardly had a social life until we moved here lol. There is always a neighbor having a BBQ or some type of party.

Anyway, I think for the money our little pocket of Almaden is a bargain. Another bonus is only a 5min drive to Quicksilver.

[Anaseb]

Safe, quiet and pretty hills. Lived here most of my life, the one biggest problem this place has is that you are paying near Manhattan prices to commute the better part of an hour, aka moronic, and trust me there is nothing here but suburbs and country. Unless you are stupid rich or just plain stupid, it is a terrible waste of money to move here and has been since the late 90s.

Terrible mexican, terrible pizza, mostly terrible chinese and besides a Safeway, most everything keeps banker hours as if we were a midwest backwater(never mind that traffic doesn't die down till 11pm!).

[needmyespresso]

Hmmm guessing you live by the country club or way out there in the woodside area? My husband's commute isn't too bad...he works in North SJ, off Trimble. Quite a few neighbors work at Xlinx and it's only a 10-15 min commute. Also a lot of Apple employees and north (and downtown SJ) commuters and it's not too painful for them...definitely less than an hour unless there is an accident or something.

I live off Camden and Coleman, Los Gatos is where we normally eat out and only a 15 min commute from our house.

I used to live in Cambrian very close to the action and hated it. Neighbors would not even wave hello, and quickly run inside their houses so they didn't have to talk to you. I don't miss having all the stores and restaurants, since we have a tight knit group of neighbors that we are best friends with. Again tons of parties here (all within walking distance!) so we love it.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Anaseb

Safe, quiet and pretty hills. Lived here most of my life, the one biggest problem this place has is that you are paying near Manhattan prices to commute the better part of an hour, aka moronic, and trust me there is nothing here but suburbs and country. Unless you are stupid rich or just plain stupid, it is a terrible waste of money to move here and has been since the late 90s.

It always amuses me when people say they've lived in a place for most of their lives as justification for trashing a place. Sorry, but that simply indicates that you've got little or no perspective on which to draw. Maybe you should try living in MANY areas across the US (as I have), and then you'll find out how GOOD you have it here. I grew up and worked on the east coast, moved and lived in Almaden for 20 years, then moved away for 8 years (corporate moves) and lived in two other states. We decided to move BACK to Almaden because nowhere in the US compares to it.

You are clearly in the VAST MINORITY of people in your silly theory that Almaden is a terrible waste of money. How do you think Almaden got to be so pricey? You're thinking everybody is an idiot except for you?

Terrible mexican, terrible pizza, mostly terrible chinese and besides a Safeway, most everything keeps banker hours as if we were a midwest backwater(never mind that traffic doesn't die down till 11pm!).

Good lord. You're nestled between Los Gatos, a restaraunt Mecca, and the rest of Silicon Valley which is one of the great ethnic melting pots of the world. There's spectacular Indian, Thai, Mexican, Seafood, right here in Almaden, and no end of countless restaurants in every ethnicity at every price range imaginable with 10 miles! In what US suburb can you do better than that?

As for the commute, I worked in the area for 20 years and the commute was no issue. Some people carpool. Some people telecommute or work from home. Some people stagger their hours to avoid peak traffic times. Some of us ride motorcycles. Some people take public transportation. Some people work locally. And yes, some people commute to Silicon Valley during peak commute periods. That's their choice as there are a ton of ways around it. Most of us have figured that out long ago.

So yeah, I guess since I've lived here TWICE now, that make me a double moron by your standards. Cool!

[kdog]

Originally Posted by needmyespresso

Hmmm guessing you live by the country club or way out there in the woodside area?

That's where I am, "way out in the Woodside area", nestled in between the Santa Teresa ridge and the Quicksilver foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains. We love it out here. It's maybe 3 or 4 extra minutes commute as compared to living off Camden. We find the folks out this way wonderful as well.

[needmyespresso]

Kdog, almost bought a home on almondwood. Loved that house, it was big and at that time a total bargain. And loved the proximity to trails, I'm a runner.

I think if you are more of the outdoorsy type, almaden appeals to you.
Also it's a bargain out here, compared to LG, willow glen, Cupertino, mountain view etc.
You get a lot for money compared to those areas.