Silicon Valley commute: Morgan Hill, Castro Valley or Dublin? (San Jose: real estate, apartment)

[MtnSurfer]

Ok,

I was wondering which of these commutes might be better? Or put another way how 'bad' are they really?

My first choice would probably be the East Bay area. But I have no idea how nasty that daily commute is.

Although I live in Colorado Springs currently with a great ~30 minute commute on surface streets, I have lived in LA and know grid lock first hand.

Unfortunately the other closer in areas are just too expensive, especially if I want to buy a house eventually.

An exception might be the Lorenzo Valley (eg - Ben Lamond, Boulder Creek, etc...). But those are some windy mtn. roads to deal with daily.

Thanks for your input and/or experiences,

- Derek

[randian]

All of those commutes are well over an hour, closer to 90 min if traffic isn't flowing smoothly.

[krudmonk]

The windy mountain roads may be better than stop-and-go traffic. It's also very nice up there and I think your money goes a lot further.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by randian

All of those commutes are well over an hour, closer to 90 min if traffic isn't flowing smoothly.

Ouch!!! I was afraid of that.

I was just going off of google maps which show Dublin to SJ:
33.9 mi – about 39 mins
up to 50 mins in traffic

However I know in LA for example it is not so much the distance as it is the intensity of traffic during peak hours.

And I really do need the straight scoop. No sugar coating please! That way I at least have realistic expectations and can plan accordingly.

So if my goal is to commute under an hour I need to:
1. Live closer in.
2. Find a job in the East Bay area (e.g. Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, etc...).
3. Find a telecommute position.
4. Take some form of mass transit - but that seems like it could still exceed the 1 hour mark.

I am sure most of you locals have already gone thru this mental exercise.

Thanks for your insight,

- Derek

[sonarrat]

The commute from Morgan Hill is much better than it used to be. Since they widened 101 to four lanes each way, it flies after Cochrane all the way up to Capitol Expressway, when things abruptly grind to a halt.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

So if my goal is to commute under an hour I need to:
1. Live closer in.
2. Find a job in the East Bay area (e.g. Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, etc...).
3. Find a telecommute position.
4. Take some form of mass transit - but that seems like it could still exceed the 1 hour mark.

5. Commute by motorcycle.

With a bike, you can realize the best-case commute times every single day, regardless of traffic, weather, or even accidents, year-round. The reason for this is twofold: You can travel in the HOV (carpool) lanes, and you can lane-split (it's legal in CA). I commuted by motorcycle every day, rain or shine for three years from South San Jose to San Mateo, about 100 miles round trip. I got the bike after 17 previous years of miserable commuting by car to various parts of SV (Palo Alto and Mountain View mostly). But the new job in San Mateo called for drastic measures, so I got the biggest, baddest touring bike made, the BMW K1200LT. Full fairing with electric windshield, heated grips and seat, cruise control, 200 watt surround sound stereo with 6 CD changer, etc, etc. The best part of my day was the commute. I kid you not.

[randian]

Mass transit? I'd expect that to double your commute time.

[humboldtrat]

The commute to Morgan Hill is probably the best of the options you have given (and don't forget, gas here is $3.50/gal and it will probably be higher this summer). Why not find an apartment close to where you're going to work and skip the commute. After you have been here a while and have gotton a "feel" for the area and the real estate prices, you can move somewhere else if you wish.

Commuting from Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek would be a long commute because of the windy 2-lane roads over the mountains which would be worse during the winter (rainy season).

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

The commute from Morgan Hill is much better than it used to be. Since they widened 101 to four lanes each way, it flies after Cochrane all the way up to Capitol Expressway, when things abruptly grind to a halt.

Well, that sounds a little encouraging, except for the screeching to a halt part.

Maybe that is where you get off and take side streets or alternative routes.

The other alternative which worked really well in LA is just leave *very* early in the AM. The ole' Ben Franklin adage early to bed earlier to rise was the best solution in LA. But unfortunately more people began to discover it.

I would imagine 5:30AM to 6:30AM is going to be better the 7:00-9:00AM.

- Derek

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Well, that sounds a little encouraging, except for the screeching to a halt part.

Maybe that is where you get off and take side streets or alternative routes.

Side streets? In San Jose? That's a good one. :P

On the other hand - 85 starts before the Capitol Expressway offramp, and that's an acceptable way to get to many parts of the Silicon Valley. Big-rigs aren't allowed until the merger with 280. On the other other hand, there are timing lights to get onto 85 at the south end during commute hours, and it takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes just to get past them.