Wildlife (San Jose, San Francisco, Hayward: apartments, rentals, houses)

[sonarrat]

Hi all,

I learned today my job might be relocating from Burlingame back to its original location in north San Jose, close to the Montague Expwy exit off 880. Seeing how I currently live in South San Francisco, that would make for a pretty brutal commute without any easy alternates.. so I may decide to relocate again by the end of the year if this goes through.

Since I have the chance, I want to know one thing. I know the South Bay very well from growing up there, but what I really miss is being among all the wildlife at my parents' house in Morgan Hill. It was really special having Bambi in my backyard, even if they did come along with raccoons, skunks, and possums. It would be nice to live in that area, but all the rentals in the hills are single-family houses at $2000 and up, and I have a strictly one-bedroom kind of budget - $1500 max, and that price I'd prefer two bedrooms.

The only areas I can identify that might fit those criteria would be the Hayward hills, or on the other side of the hills, Pleasanton around Foothill Blvd. Just for the sake of considering all the options, is there anything else I'm missing?

[kdog]

Hayward or Pleasanton, to North San Jose? Man, that commute would be awful. Better to just move back down to Morgan Hill.

Ever been to New Almaden? It's a funky little mining camp at the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. There are no apartments there, but you might be able to find a rental cottage or shared living situation. I know a guy building an apartment under his house there, for example (he's a contractor, so it will actually be quite nice when he's done.) Wildlife galore, and commutable to North San Jose. You can drive to the Almaden or Chenowyth light rail station and catch the train right NSJ. Or just keep driving north on Almaden Expressway, and there are a few options to get into NSJ.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by kdog

Hayward or Pleasanton, to North San Jose? Man, that commute would be awful. Better to just move back down to Morgan Hill.

Ever been to New Almaden? It's a funky little mining camp at the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. There are no apartments there, but you might be able to find a rental cottage or shared living situation. I know a guy building an apartment under his house there, for example (he's a contractor, so it will actually be quite nice when he's done.) Wildlife galore, and commutable to North San Jose. You can drive to the Almaden or Chenowyth light rail station and catch the train right NSJ. Or just keep driving north on Almaden Expressway, and there are a few options to get into NSJ.

The Almaden Valley is mega expensive because of the school district there, I know that area well but couldn't come close to affording it. Morgan Hill would be doable -if- there was any high-density housing in Jackson/Holiday.

[kdog]

I didn't say Almaden Valley. I said New Almaden. Almaden is maybe 35 years old. New Almaden is 100.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by kdog

I didn't say Almaden Valley. I said New Almaden. Almaden is maybe 35 years old. New Almaden is 100.

You mean the area around Almaden Road south of McKean? There are rentals there?

[kdog]

here: 95120 - Google Maps

Reread my first post in this thread. Take a ride out there and do some exploring. Look for rental signs on houses or cottages. Watch in the Merc. I could check with my friend on the status of the apt he's working on. Finding a place there may be a longshot, and it's definitely not your typical high-density aparment situation. You might find that appealing, or not.

While you're out there exploring, take a hike in the Almaden Quicksilver Park which has an entrance in New Almaden. You can hike up into the old mines. Watch out for the wild boar and rattlesnakes. The are tons of deer there, and even a mountain lion.

[sonarrat]

If your friend's apt has 2 bedrooms and if he's piano friendly, I might be interested.. depends on whether the office winds up moving of course!

[krudmonk]

You can get some wilderness in the east foothills. Zip codes 95127 and 95148 have gone down a lot. They go pretty much to the edge of the city.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

If your friend's apt has 2 bedrooms and if he's piano friendly, I might be interested.. depends on whether the office winds up moving of course!

I'll find out. Take a ride out there some time to check out the area. Let us know what happens with your job situation.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by kdog

I'll find out. Take a ride out there some time to check out the area. Let us know what happens with your job situation.

I'm familiar with the area, my old piano teacher lives out on Uvas Road which turns into McKean as you keep going into San Jose. I just didn't know what it was called, and everything I've seen put it in the same price range as the Almaden Valley..