Has Anyone Moved from Seattle to the Bay Area? (San Jose: environment, condo)

[Gatsby77]

What do you think now? Was it a mistake? Are you glad you did? Looking at pros and cons, thanks!

[ky4444]

I moved from the Bay Area to Seattle. I lived in the Bay Area my whole life until 4 years ago when I moved up to Seattle.

I can pretty much say that Seattle is better in every way except for the weather and maybe traffic.

We are thinking about moving back to the Nor Cal area but only because we want to be closer to family. All of our family is in the Bay Area and we have a baby.

I would say I do love that in the Bay Area you are pretty much a two hour drive to so many great places -- San Francisco, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Napa, etc... and a fairly quick drive up to Lake Tahoe.

If you are in the technology industry and are going to be making more money than you make in Seattle it may be a good fit, but if you aren't in technology there is no real good reason to move. The prices are INSANE there!

[Gatsby77]

Thanks ky4444, I do work in technology and I cover both areas. Because I fly back and forth and because we've been here off and on for years, we wonder sometimes (especially when the weather is dreary) if it would be fun to live in NorCal. Then we'll have a beautiful day in Seattle, or I'll read some of the blogs that are highly negative toward the Bay Area and think "what were we thinking?!". Even here, there was one response to move from Seattle to the Bay Area. Does that mean you are one of the rare few considering it and even you say family drives it?

My husband's family lives near Tahoe so he thinks it would be great. Me, I have to fly back and forth either way - PLUS we'd have to pay state income tax. So, I guess if we ever move there, it will be family that would drive it too. The beach and Napa are very nice though...

[ky4444]

My husband and I are thinking about moving closer to Sacramento (Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin). We don't have any family in the Sacramento area but would be at least just several hours from all of them in the Bay Area and we still be able to afford a nice home. Plus, it is very close to Tahoe where my parents still own a small vacation condo.

The housing in the Bay Area is just ridiculous. Just as a point of reference, we currently live in a cute craftsman 3bd/2bath home in the Wallinford that is probably worth about $650k, if we moved the same house into the Los Gatos area (which is great!) it would be close to $1.5 million. No joke!

My parents have offered to help us buy something if we move back since we would "only" be able to afford $700k range without their help and even the homes we have looked at that are close to a million are not suitable for our needs. We have one baby now (9 months) and are expecting to expand our family by having at least one more. The homes in the decent areas w/ good schools are out of our range and the ones in the not quite as good areas have horrible schools so we would have to go the private school route, which isn't so bad but does add up $$ and isn't necessarily the environment that we even want.

Aside from the housing costs, it is very competitive - much more so than Seattle. I feel like everyone is constantly competing with each other. It is not my style at all, and yet when I lived there I found myself occassionally getting caught up into it. It is very hard not to. It is very busy and chaotic. I would never in a million years choose to live there if I didn't have all our family and our best friends in the area. For now, I think Sacramento will be a better fit.

On a positive note, the weather is GREAT. I would say it is close to perfect. And you are close to a lot of really nice places - Santa Cruz, Napa, San Francisco, etc.

[Gatsby77]

Do you feel like Morgan Hill or Gilroy is so far out it's just ridiculous? Are they so far out that it's just farm workers there?

Like I said, I travel there for work now and I can see what you mean about the competitive nature. I was speaking to someone who owns a house in Campbell and his tone seemed almost like paranoia, about work, about his neighborhood, you name it. That said, if I said I would be willing to move there my husband would be thrilled to be closer to family.

But Seattle, especially now, is so nice. I'll feel differently when the rain returns!

[ky4444]

I wouldn't say that Morgan Hill and Gilroy are so far out that it is ridiculous. As far as lifestyle, I would say no way to Gilroy but Morgan Hill is okay. Gilroy is mostly just farm lands and an outlet mall (maybe like Marysville, WA but without the trees). Morgan Hill is just okay. The schools aren't very good at all -- I am not sure if that is of concern to you. Morgan Hill is the kind of place that doesn't have any appeal but you can get a bit more house for your money and it is close to San Jose.

If you want good schools and still a more affordable option than say Los Gatos or Saratoga, I would look into Almaden Valley, which is south but not as south as Gilroy or Morgan HIll. Almaden has very good schools and is much more beautiful than either Gilroy or Morgan Hill. (FYI: Almaden Valley is in the city of San Jose).

Campbell is nice, and a place I would recommend considering. It is less expensive than other areas but nice and centrally located, plus you are close to Los Gatos which I love. Willow Glen (in city of San Jose) has a lot of charm and reminds me the most of the older neighborhoods in Seattle. The schools are just okay (not bad I don't think).

My husband and I said if we moved back there the places we would look are Los Gatos (if we had the money), Willow Glen (if we put kids in private schools), Almaden Valley (a bit of a commute but worth it), Campbell (centrally located and not too expensive), Santa Clara (in the Rose Garden part of it but again schools are a problem). Of coarse if you were considering going north a bit -- Palo Alto is great! Again, VERY VERY expensive.

If you work in the technology industry, and you are looking for great weather and to be close to family, I think the Bay Area may be a good fit. If you are looking for a place like Seattle that is just sunnier -- don't go. You will be disappointed.

[Gatsby77]

Thanks so much, your post is exactly what I was looking for, not everyone understands the comparison to Seattle unless you've been here. I think you make really good points and completely agree with you about Los Gatos.

[MichaelinWA]

I went from the Bay Area to Seattle. So for me, Marysville is kinda like Gilroy, but without the garlic.

Originally Posted by ky4444

As far as lifestyle, I would say no way to Gilroy but Morgan Hill is okay. Gilroy is mostly just farm lands and an outlet mall (maybe like Marysville, WA but without the trees).

[Gatsby77]

Comparing Gilroy to Marysville is brutal with or without the garlic! We live on the line between Bothell/Woodinville and it's a great fit for us. I think that kind of area in the Bay Area would cost twice as much or more. The idea of a change is great and we like both areas, it's just too bad the costs are so extreme.

[ky4444]

I really like the Bothell/Woodinville area! If you are looking for something similar to there, you may want to consider the Scotts Valley area. It is closer to the beach. The commute on 17 could be brutal but I would live there over Gilroy anyday.

Scotts Valley isn't cheap but you can get more for your money than the nice parts of San Jose and vicinity.