Moving to Bay Area with 3 kids on $230K (San Jose, Vista: real estate, to rent)

[weeeha]

Thanks guys. Any tips on where to find live-in help?

[NJ-201]

Originally Posted by weeeha

Thanks guys. Any tips on where to find live-in help?

OMG YOU ARE RICH and asking if you can make it ????????

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by weeeha

Thanks guys. Any tips on where to find live-in help?

This will probably sound really bad, but Craigslist employment listings. If you do background checks and use common sense, you should find a good match. Even the big firms use Craigslist to scout for warm bodies so you'd just be eliminating the middleman.

[weeeha]

I'm looking at entry-level homes in those areas suggested (Los Altos, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Palo Alto), and they seem to be very expensive ($1.1m and up). Does anyone know if homes are selling at list price in thse areas, or if they selling at lower than list?

Thanks everyone.

[ca_north]

Originally Posted by weeeha

What are the some good areas to buy a home in top school districts? Can we make it on $230K?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Is this a joke? You're probably pushing data around while others have to do the foundation work that makes such excess possible. Live with a little humility, don't waste money on an overpriced gas guzzler, and your survival is more than assured.

Also, those in general who use X number of kids as a hardship excuse should be aware of something called birth control, which the world is seriously underusing. The land can only support so many people at ANY income level, and the rich tend to consume far in excess of what they need.

[fizbin]

Yes, the homes are that expensive and they do sell near asking price. You may also be surprised at how little house/land you get for that money in areas with excellent public schools.

And personally I think the idea of having a live-in assist with the kids with a non-working wife seems like an extravagance that your income and desire for a relatively expensive home may not be able to support.

[weeeha]

Originally Posted by fizbin

Yes, the homes are that expensive and they do sell near asking price. You may also be surprised at how little house/land you get for that money in areas with excellent public schools.

And personally I think the idea of having a live-in assist with the kids with a non-working wife seems like an extravagance that your income and desire for a relatively expensive home may not be able to support.

Actually, I agree with you (and with ca_north). Sorry if I sound spoiled or extravagant; I am neither. We just have some practical challenges. We would much rather NOT have live-in help (or any help) given that my wife is not working. However, we have 3 kids under 15 months (twins followed quickly by single). And, we have no family or close friends in the Bay area, and my job will require a fair bit of international travel. So, my wife cannot possibly handle 3 on her own.

[18Montclair]

Um, if your looking for someone to help with the kids, I highly recommend Town and Country Resources. They are one of the most highly regarded domestic agencies in the whole Bay Area.

From personal experience, I know they are awesome. I still keep in contact with the former nann(ies) that helped my family.

Good Luck.

[Mach50]

If you end up in South bay or on the Peninsula, look up Stanford Park Nannies: Stanford Park Nannies - Menlo Park, CA

I have heard good things about their live in help...

or look on Craigslist..at your own risk.

[noahf]

Originally Posted by weeeha

However, we have 3 kids under 15 months (twins followed quickly by single). ... So, my wife cannot possibly handle 3 on her own.

Hi Weeeha,
Our family is in a similar situation. One toddler and two just learning to walk. We found our nanny on craigslist, where there seems to be a thriving set of nannies. YMMV, but our opinion is that there's no background-check like both of our gut-feelings on a person etc. My wife doesn't work any more, but for a time we ramped-down our nanny's hours and having the support was very helpful.

On your original topic: $230k is more than enough to live very well in the most pricey of neighborhoods in Silicon Valley.

And to my recommendation on neighborhoods: I highly recommend downtown Palo Alto for a couped-up family with young kids. Your money doesn't go far here compared with surrounding areas, but you get many fantastic parks along with a very walkable downtown area. Takeout food is plentiful and there are convenience stores (7-11, Longs Drugstore, Walgreens coming-soon) as well as a Whole Foods.

Even if not Palo Alto, I strongly recommend finding a place close to a good park and at least a grocery store. Getting three kids into a stroller is, for us, far easier than getting them into a car, out of the car at a store, back into the car, out of the car at home etc.

Definitely wish you the best of luck. Our kids are only a bit older than yours and already things are getting better / easier / more fun every week