Another "all the facts needed" on Sunnyvale areas (San Jose: sales, rentals)

[Momma_s]

I'm beginning to read the loads of information on the Sunnyvale area, but I'm hoping I can have a few responses faster than I have time to read other's posts...

My husband is close to getting a job in Sunnyvale, and we are wondering where to live--and if it's even possible.

Here is the following criteria:
-Hubby will need to take public transit, and is willing to travel for around an hour to Sunnyvale (by Moffett Air Field)
-We are looking to rent a home (TH or SFH) in a family-friendly & safe area, with good public schools (about $1800k max/month)
-What does the average income for a family of 4 need to be to live around here, considering the above?

I'm also curious what people around Sunnyvale pay for the following (staples in our house):

-1gal skim milk (a costco price would be cool too)
-1lb lean ground beef
-bell peppers
-dozen large eggs
-2 liter of coke

We currently live in Northern VA, and are used to pinching pennies so I can be a SAHM, and we realize CA is more expensive. We are up for the adventure, and opportunity to live somewhere else, but need to make sure we don't get ourselves into trouble!

Thanks you in advance for your feedback and suggestions!

[humboldtrat]

As for public transit, there is VTA light rail that stops at Moffet Field and at Lockheed Untitled Document. So anyplace near the VTA line such as Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Santa Clara would work. I don't know how your husband would get around Moffet Field which is a very big place from the light rail stops. They may have shuttle busses on the base.

Now the bad news, renting a home for $1800 for a family of 4 might be very difficult.

[Momma_s]

Thanks for the feedback, humboldtrat. I've been doing some searching on Craigslist, and it seems like there's a lot available to rent right now--and at high prices! WHOA!

I've heard it's atypical to have a washer/dryer in homes when purchased/sold. Is this true of rentals? Also, are rentals typically furnished?

Also, someone suggested I check out safeway.com for grocery prices. These seem very close to the DC area, so I'm wondering if the online prices don't fluctuate by area much, or if I'm missing something... Are grocery taxes high there? For instance, I pay state (5%), then an additional 2% for groceries--that's either county or city, but don't remember.

[MikeSJ]

Unfortunately housing in the south bay is very expensive no matter where you look. Most rentals are unfurnished and may or may not include a washer/dryer.

In my optinion, Safeway is the most expensive of the major supermarkets with Albertsons, Raileys, and Food Max (probably the cheapest) being cheaper. Under most cases, sales tax is not charged on food (either processed or fresh) but between 8-9% is charged on other products depending on the county/city. Gasoline is also a little more expensive than most other states due to different processing.

[Momma_s]

Hmm, Safeway is the mid-range store here... I've compared your gas prices, and these too seem to fall within our ranges. But your taxes on both are killers!

If we move there, we'll be getting rid of a car, and hubby will be taking public trans. to/from work. Hopefully this'll help with the gas costs...

On a different note, does anyone have any recommendations on how we can have someone show us rental properties? Should we find a realtor, or are there specific agents who deal with rentals? OR, will we have to figure this out on our own?

Also, where are the best places we should look using a public transportation to Sunnyvale/TH or SFH/family-friendly/safe area/good public school combo?

Thanks y'all! (oh, and will people make fun of me for that twang? )

[socketz]

I would look beyond Sunnyvale if I were you.

I grew up in Maryland and spent alot of time in Northern VA growing up.

Sunnyvale is extremely forgettable compared to places like Reston, Vienna and Tysons Corner.

There are places here that compare....but you need to commute to them.


Just make sure you leave all your options open.

[Momma_s]

We won't be living in Sunnyvale, but in a surrounding area. That's just where the job will be. It really depends on what is available/affordable, and close to public trans.

Are there any recommendations, socketz? I grew up in Vienna/Tsyons (hated Tysons), lived in Reston, now living in Countryside/Sterling. They've all been nice & cozy, but I'm (I mean "we're" ) open to a culture shock.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by Momma_s

I'm also curious what people around Sunnyvale pay for the following (staples in our house):

-1gal skim milk (a costco price would be cool too)
-1lb lean ground beef
-bell peppers
-dozen large eggs
-2 liter of coke

At Luckys (formerly Albertsons - and a bit cheaper than Safeway),

2 liter Coke = $1.49
Dozen large eggs = $3.29
Gallon fat free milk = $4.09

Produce might be cheaper here than in VA since so much of it is grown here in California.

Also, gas is $4.09 to $4.17 and diesel is over $5.00

There is no sales tax on food except for prepared food. There is about 8% sales tax on other things you buy at the supermarket such as soap and toilet paper.

You can go to the San Jose Mercury News Home - San Jose Mercury News and check their classified ads for rentals.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by Momma_s

If we move there, we'll be getting rid of a car, and hubby will be taking public trans. to/from work. Hopefully this'll help with the gas costs...

I wouldn't be so quick in getting rid of your car and relying totally on public transit. The area around Sunnyvale is mostly suburban sprawl and it's not very walkable. Who knows, you might want to go to the beach or Yosemite Nat. Park or some other place while living here.

[socketz]

Definitely keep you car. There is mass transit here, but it is not as integrated as you may think. Most people drive to and from work.

As for areas, I personally like:
-Almost the entire East bay along the 680 (above Fremont into San Ramon is a reasonable commute): Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon
-Most of Fremont close to the 680 next to the mountains and San Jose Mission area
-South Almaden Valley along Almaden Parkway (stay south of Coleman)
-Parts of Cambrian near Los Gatos (in the area where Camden and Hicks meet)
-Most, if not all of Los Gatos (1 mill median home price)
-All of Los Altos (1.8 mill median home price)
-Palo Alto (west of 101 and it makes Los Altos look like a bargain)

Your target of $1800 will be tough to meet in these areas....

2500-3000 is more realistic for a modest home in a nice area with good schools (I'm guessing you have kids).

I don't want to sound discouraging, but this area is not very 'user friendly' when it comes to relocating. I learned the hard way (I must of looked at 30 homes before I found one I liked that also had good schools attached to it).

The good thing is that where you are coming from is not exactly inexpensive, so I don't think it will be too much of a shock from a price perspective.