Which areas should I look at settling down in (San Jose: condos, house prices)

[novaman]

I've been california dreaming all my life and the time is fast approaching when I can realize that dream. I love NorCal- I have family in Saratoga and San Ramon.
I'm wondering if folks can give me a recommendation on where to start looking to put some roots down ?

My housing budget can go up to 2 million, although I'd prefer to keep it around 1-1.5 million. good schools are not important as my youngest is heading off to college. Being close to great shopping and restaurants is important to me, proximity to SF is not important although ideally I wouldn't want to be more than 45-60 minutes. I like the cooler weather along the coastline. I will be retired so proximity to work is a non issue.

Any suggestions?

[bobby_guz_man]

San Francisco. Try to be careful around the piers as you may get shot in the back. That's the only drawback I can think of.

[novaman]

Originally Posted by bobby_guz_man

San Francisco. Try to be careful around the piers as you may get shot in the back. That's the only drawback I can think of.

I prefer a bit more suburban setting

[ondys]

I think Santa Clara or parts of western San Jose would fit your 1-1.5m preference and be close to shopping and restaurants (you can check areas close to Santana Row, etc..). If you would prefer a more walk-able neighborhood then probably area around downtown Mountain View but you would have to most likely go with >1.5m for that (well depends how big house you want)

[butercup]

I would vote for San Mateo or Palo Alto - if you want a SFH then Palo Alto is out, but you can still find a SFH in the less-expensive parts of San Mateo for that price. Palo Alto has better shopping and arguably better restaurants, but San Mateo has cooler weather.

[novaman]

Originally Posted by butercup

I would vote for San Mateo or Palo Alto - if you want a SFH then Palo Alto is out, but you can still find a SFH in the less-expensive parts of San Mateo for that price. Palo Alto has better shopping and arguably better restaurants, but San Mateo has cooler weather.

Thanks. I just checked out the home prices in these areas. So why is San Mateo more affordable even though it is in closer proximity to SF? Also, how can anyone afford to buy a home in Palo Alto?? I've done very well financially and I still wouldn't be able to afford a home there!

[calicoastal]

Originally Posted by novaman

Thanks. I just checked out the home prices in these areas. So why is San Mateo more affordable even though it is in closer proximity to SF? Also, how can anyone afford to buy a home in Palo Alto?? I've done very well financially and I still wouldn't be able to afford a home there!

Palo Alto is basically segregated, i.e. poor minorities were historically pushed into neighboring East Palo Alto through racial deed restrictions and redlining, and the effects of that persist today. San Mateo is historically more integrated and has some working class minority neighborhoods, so that affects average school scores and house prices. San Mateo is more densely populated than Palo Alto and has more condos, which also brings down the average price. Also Palo Alto has large tech employers and Stanford nearby.

[vadaseri]

Los Altos, Alamo, Danville

Close to shopping and restaurants, "upscale" living for $1.5M

Los Altos - near Saratoga
Alamo, Danville - near San Ramon

[Californian12345]

for 1.1-1.5, you'd really only be able to do some places in San Jose - Willow Glen is nice. More south, Almaden is also really nice. Danville is a bit of a ways east, but really up and coming and it a great place.

if you go 2.0 you might be able to get a smaller place in Saratoga or Los Gatos. Palo Alto/Los Altos are also technically do-able for 2.0 but you'll get a pretty small place in not necessairly the best part of those towns, but still nice.

If money weren't an option, I'd go Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos are my top 3 followed by Belmont, Almaden, Palo Alto, then Menlo Park

[novaman]

Originally Posted by Californian12345

for 1.1-1.5, you'd really only be able to do some places in San Jose - Willow Glen is nice. More south, Almaden is also really nice. Danville is a bit of a ways east, but really up and coming and it a great place.

if you go 2.0 you might be able to get a smaller place in Saratoga or Los Gatos. Palo Alto/Los Altos are also technically do-able for 2.0 but you'll get a pretty small place in not necessairly the best part of those towns, but still nice.

If money weren't an option, I'd go Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos are my top 3 followed by Belmont, Almaden, Palo Alto, then Menlo Park

Thanks my only negative on Saratoga is that I don't want to be too close to my relatives!