Where to live while working at google (Mountain View)

[camila18]

We make 110k here and live in one of the best areas of NOVA (Oakton) with really good schools. We rent a 3 bedroom house with a huge backyard for $2300. Is that not doable there? We don't have an offer letter yet so I'm guessing on the low side $150k but $180 would probably be closer to it. How much does a family of 5 really need to make to live comfortably in the area? If the offer letter is not great we might just stay here. We have a good life here but my husband has always wanted to work at google and I'm willing to move the entire family for him but not sacrifice our life style.

We are in our early thirties so his salary is just a starting one while I'm not even working 15 hours from home so the potential to make more money is there especially of I go back to work full time within a year. I'm curious to know how much would be a good income for our family size in that area. I might be willing to make sacrifices for a year so he can work where he wants. The idea of living in the area is attractive to us due to the weather, quality of food and just the overall change but I also don't want to be in a situation like the one we lives 5 years ago in NYC where we had to deal with long commutes, mediocre schools and ugly towns.

[StandingRoomOnly]

If you are looking for a cute downtown, top schools, top of the line almost everything..."posh" and quite yuppie; you are probably looking at needing a 300k salary min. In palo alto your equivalent house (older style completely remodeled 3 or 4 bed) will run you apx 4500 a month rent. Almaden you are looking at around 3500 a month (more reasonable obviously). And almaden still gives you great schools but does lack quaintness and the beauty of the more expensive cities.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by camila18

We make 110k here and live in one of the best areas of NOVA (Oakton) with really good schools. We rent a 3 bedroom house with a huge backyard for $2300. Is that not doable there? We don't have an offer letter yet so I'm guessing on the low side $150k but $180 would probably be closer to it. How much does a family of 5 really need to make to live comfortably in the area? If the offer letter is not great we might just stay here. We have a good life here but my husband has always wanted to work at google and I'm willing to move the entire family for him but not sacrifice our life style.

We are in our early thirties so his salary is just a starting one while I'm not even working 15 hours from home so the potential to make more money is there especially of I go back to work full time within a year. I'm curious to know how much would be a good income for our family size in that area. I might be willing to make sacrifices for a year so he can work where he wants. The idea of living in the area is attractive to us due to the weather, quality of food and just the overall change but I also don't want to be in a situation like the one we lives 5 years ago in NYC where we had to deal with long commutes, mediocre schools and ugly towns.

Sounds like you've got significant upside potential so you should probably go for it. You'll likely have to downgrade your housing situation but it'll probably be worth it just for the experience. Don't forget to factor in possible cash and stock bonuses into your decision. Will Google be paying for your relocation?

[camila18]

Yes they will be paying for all moving expenses and I think they offer a bonus but I'm not exactly sure how much. The offer won't come until late next week so we are going crazy wondering what it is going to be. I was just looking at rents in palo alto and the prices are crazy! Fremont looks a lot more reasonable but then again I have to look at schools. With a junior in HS that takes many AP classes, a challenging academic environment is a must.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by camila18

Yes they will be paying for all moving expenses and I think they offer a bonus but I'm not exactly sure how much. The offer won't come until late next week so we are going crazy wondering what it is going to be. I was just looking at rents in palo alto and the prices are crazy! Fremont looks a lot more reasonable but then again I have to look at schools. With a junior in HS that takes many AP classes, a challenging academic environment is a must.

You likely won't find a high school there of the same caliber as Oakton but if you're living in a reasonably nice area it'll probably be fine. Is college a consideration? California has excellent public universities, particularly the one just up the road in Berkeley. Commuity colleges there are a bargain compared to NOVA.

[camila18]

Thats discouraging since we love Oakton high school and we want something comparable if we move since she is in her last two years. Right now her heart is set on going to UVA since she loves it when my husband did his MBA there a couple of years ago but even if we don't move, we want her to consider universities in the west coast such as Berkeley, Stanford and UCLA. When we moved to NoVa I picked the house based on the high school so I guess I have to do the same this time but I am very worried that we won't be able to afford it in CA.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by camila18

Thats discouraging since we love Oakton high school and we want something comparable if we move since she is in her last two years. Right now her heart is set on going to UVA since she loves it when my husband did his MBA there a couple of years ago but even if we don't move, we want her to consider universities in the west coast such as Berkeley, Stanford and UCLA. When we moved to NoVa I picked the house based on the high school so I guess I have to do the same this time but I am very worried that we won't be able to afford it in CA.

Schools aren't as big an obsession with the average parent in CA as they are in NoVA. I'm guessing you won't get the same level of feedback about high schools there as you would if you were moving the other way. Perhaps compare test scores.

Most of the Silicon Valley hot shots are probably too young to have high school kids anyway. They've retired to their Napa vineyards by the time they get to that age.