Planning to Move to the Bay Area But Can't Decide Where! Help?! (Cupertino: house, electric bill)

[PhoenixSomeday]

Or living in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic in the morning when going to work. Works for going home afterward too. I've found that while there are patches here and there where it clogs up (namely, interchanges), it's generally smooth sailing.

Although I think it's a lot less common because it seems most of the jobs that pay enough to self sustain are generally in a northern direction.

But yes, living close to work is definitely still better.

[pixie77]

Thanks always for your inputs never-more. Also for a family of 3 in a 3 bedroom 2 bath home, how much do you think is the average PG&E bill in the winter and summer? Gas or electric heater? I mean do you use the AC at all in the summer or how often do you use heating in the winter? How much is your average grocery bill? Gas? and other expenses that you have? I want to have an idea because am making a comparison table.

[pixie77]

Thanks PhoenixSomeday. We will keep that in mind. Although now we are geared to Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, some parts of San Jose & Cupertino. MV is expensive for our budget.

[never-more]

Originally Posted by pixie77

Thanks always for your inputs never-more. Also for a family of 3 in a 3 bedroom 2 bath home, how much do you think is the average PG&E bill in the winter and summer? Gas or electric heater? I mean do you use the AC at all in the summer or how often do you use heating in the winter? How much is your average grocery bill? Gas? and other expenses that you have? I want to have an idea because am making a comparison table.

California has the most expensive gasoline rates, as for HVAC use, you rarely need it most of the time. It's wise to check if the place you rent is insulated, but the weather is very temperate here. As for grocery bills, some say that if you like farmer markets, you'll pay less.

[pixie77]

Thanks again, never-more.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

There's a Grocery Outlet in Santa Clara at Homestead and Lawrence Expwy. Cheapest groceries around. The inventory changes constantly - it's kind of a thrift store grocery store. But they have great prices on everything including dairy, meat, produce, frozen foods, canned goods, and even a section of organic, gluten free type stuff.

The farmer's market in Santa Clara is really small and pricey, but if you go out to one of the bigger ones, you'll get better prices.

There's a produce stand with good prices and organic section at the corner of Homestead and Scott Blvd. They have a variety of ethnic goodies there, too.

My utilities are included in my "free" manager's apt, so I can't comment on utility bills. I do use my AC, as my apt is on the SW corner of our bldg, and I get sun all day long. But, I just use a small window unit and fans to blow it into the living room from the bedroom.

Gas heat is cheaper than electric heat. I don't use my heat much in the winter. I normally turn on the gas heater (just one old wall unit in the living room) in the morning to take off the chill, and that's it. I also keep a tiny electric space heater in the bathroom to take the chill off in the winter if I'm going to take a shower.

My internet was really cheap the first 12 months - around $15/mo on special through AT&T. Then it went up to around $45. I don't pay for cable. Just internet and Netflix ($8/mo).

Other than housing, it's really pretty affordable here.

[bobby_guz_man]

I always find farmer's market generally overpriced for what you get. What are the reasons for everyone's obsession with farmer's market, besides getting to do an hour's worth of strolling?

I don't do my grocery shopping at Safeway nor Albertsons. I generally do it at the smaller Asian markets around my area except for when I have to try and make non-Asian food, and even then the Asian markets stock most of them anyhow.

The one I go to in downtown San Jose is Dai Thanh Supermarket. Quite small, but good price and quality.

For fruits and vegetables, I do my grocery shopping at the smaller Flea Market on Snell and Hillcap (the drive thru movie joint). Best prices and quality in the area! I'm surprised none of you folks in SJ ever shopped your fruits/veggies there.

Besides, a stroll through a flea market is 100X more interesting than a stroll through a farmer's market The Big Flea Market in Berryessa is too generic for me, the smaller one has a lot more interesting items.

[pixie77]

Thanks for your replies, much appreciated as always.

I agree that Asian stores cost less. Anyway, I am drawing up a comparison table for us to be able to put in realistic figures that we can afford. By the way how is the job market there these days? We were thinking that as soon as we are ready, I am flying out there before the summer of 2015 to look for a job and hopefully find one in 2-3 of months. Would this be a realistic time frame? I was thinking of looking for a job first before the rental to make sure that we live close by. Also, can you please give me a figure in terms of internet, cable and phone monthly rate? We pay $75/ monthly[bundle package] and when we were in NY $99/month [bundle package]. Internet and phone are important to us since my husband works from home and needs a fast internet connection and a landline phone.

[Wintermomma]

For once someone has a realistic rental budget! Yes, especially if you are considering townhomes I think you are fine. However that is fine in 2013, in 2 more years, that would be hard to say. Don't get any pets between now and then either, landlords here are excruciatingly biased against those with pets. If you have no cats or dogs, though, you are golden. Check crimereports.com as it gets closer, and greatschools.net for school ideas.

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by bobby_guz_man

I always find farmer's market generally overpriced for what you get. What are the reasons for everyone's obsession with farmer's market, besides getting to do an hour's worth of strolling?

I don't do my grocery shopping at Safeway nor Albertsons. I generally do it at the smaller Asian markets around my area except for when I have to try and make non-Asian food, and even then the Asian markets stock most of them anyhow.

The one I go to in downtown San Jose is Dai Thanh Supermarket. Quite small, but good price and quality.

For fruits and vegetables, I do my grocery shopping at the smaller Flea Market on Snell and Hillcap (the drive thru movie joint). Best prices and quality in the area! I'm surprised none of you folks in SJ ever shopped your fruits/veggies there.

Besides, a stroll through a flea market is 100X more interesting than a stroll through a farmer's market The Big Flea Market in Berryessa is too generic for me, the smaller one has a lot more interesting items.

Another alternative to farmers' markets are the specialty produce markets, such as Felipe's Market in Sunnyvale, Foothill Produce in Los Altos (these two are owned by the same family), The Milk Pail in Mt. View, and DeMartini's in Los Altos. They have riper and often less pricey produce than the big supermarkets, and they also tend to carry specialty foods from Eastern Europe and the Middle East.