Job Relocate to Palo Alto (Los Angeles, San Jose: top neighborhood, condo, house)

[somethingsomething]

Considering job in Palo Alto. Have two kids. Currently live in the South Bay in Los Angeles area. Which areas are recommended? I am looking for the best schools. If it helps, schools that are comparable to Palos Verdes or La Canada in the LA area. Housing budget is 800 to 950k. Need 3 bedrooms and at least 1 bath. Would like a commute under 30 minutes. Looking for a safe area with parks and just a great place to raise kids.

[Nell Plotts]

Look for another employment opportunity. The chances of your finding a home in your budget in a safe area with very good schools, parks, within 30 minutes commute are between slim and none.

[aramax666]

Meeting all those criterion will be tough. If you are willing to increase the commute time to maybe an hour. You could find decent schools. (Not the best) . TO meet all the criterion your budget needs to be 2M

[bobby_guz_man]

Anywhere except San Jose. It's the pits!

Another suggestion is Los Banos.

[BamaBlue]

Palo Alto is a no go in your price range.

Redwood City or in that direction would be a possibility. They have some nice condo's (3 bed/2 bath) on the water (marina type) that might be within reach. We didn't have school age children, but there were lots of kids in our neighborhood, plenty of parks, play areas, etc.

[somethingsomething]

Originally Posted by BamaBlue

Palo Alto is a no go in your price range.

Redwood City or in that direction would be a possibility. They have some nice condo's (3 bed/2 bath) on the water (marina type) that might be within reach. We didn't have school age children, but there were lots of kids in our neighborhood, plenty of parks, play areas, etc.

Thanks, helpful response.

[somethingsomething]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Look for another employment opportunity. The chances of your finding a home in your budget in a safe area with very good schools, parks, within 30 minutes commute are between slim and none.

Can consider up to $1M and 45 minute commute.

[darkeconomist]

Originally Posted by aramax666

Meeting all those criterion will be tough. If you are willing to increase the commute time to maybe an hour. You could find decent schools. (Not the best) . TO meet all the criterion your budget needs to be 2M

Seconding this.

[quizzer25]

Originally Posted by somethingsomething

Considering job in Palo Alto. Have two kids. Currently live in the South Bay in Los Angeles area. Which areas are recommended? I am looking for the best schools. If it helps, schools that are comparable to Palos Verdes or La Canada in the LA area. Housing budget is 800 to 950k. Need 3 bedrooms and at least 1 bath. Would like a commute under 30 minutes. Looking for a safe area with parks and just a great place to raise kids.

I moved from Bay area to LA recently and am happy for the savings in home prices.

You can look in Almaden area of San Jose, great schools, much cheaper compared to Palo Alto/Cupertino and 1 hr commute.

[ccm123]

You could look into the southern side of Fremont. Mission San Jose High School serves part of that side of Fremont and is highly desirable. Not sure about the elementary schools or middle schools, though. 1M may get you a small house or a nice condo.

Coming to the Bay Area from SoCal, be prepared for housing price sticker shock. I lived in various cities in SoCal for over 20 years, before moving back to the Bay Area. Your housing dollars definitely go further in SoCal.

850K-900K here won't get you much, in a top neighborhood with great schools.