Conejo Valley vs. San Ramon Valley(San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek) (Los Angeles: 2015, theatre)

[roadwarrior101]

Very tough one. I think these places both possess similar characteristics (scenery, affluence, weather, etc). I live in the SRV and have for a year or so. I really enjoy it here.

I do think the SRV tends to be a little lusher, at least on the west side. I think it is a little prettier because there are more trees, but both are nice in their own right.

I give a slight edge to the San Ramon Valley for the following reasons:

-In general, I just prefer the Bay Area to LA
-Some of the towns have a downtown area, so it doesn't feel completely suburban
-A little bit more in terms of seasons (although this is subtle)
-Better access to public transportation (BART)

Having said this, if I were to live in LA, I think that the Conejo Valley would be a top choice of mine (assuming I worked on the westside). I probably would be able to adjust easier.

I also agree that it is nice to be close to Malibu, which beats any Bay Area beach community hands down. Then again, the Bay Area really isn't about the beach culture, as is LA.

[Dave Coe]

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

Very tough one. I think these places both possess similar characteristics (scenery, affluence, weather, etc). I live in the SRV and have for a year or so. I really enjoy it here.

I do think the SRV tends to be a little lusher, at least on the west side. I think it is a little prettier because there are more trees, but both are nice in their own right.

Both areas seem to have Oak doted grasslands.

[WizardOfRadical]

Originally Posted by sav858

That's not really true, if you can afford to live in the San Ramon Valley you can afford to live closer to Silicon Valley. There are plenty of good paying jobs closer to the SRV. You clearly don't know the area well at all.

LOL, no you can't. Real Estate in Palo Alto and Saratoga costs way more than it does in San Ramon, LOL SRV is the 'bang for yourb buck' east bay, LOL

Oh ya so many good paying jobs there, that's why the Sunol grade and Caldecott are packed every morning going the other way.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by WizardOfRadical

LOL, no you can't. Real Estate in Palo Alto and Saratoga costs way more than it does in San Ramon, LOL SRV is the 'bang for yourb buck' east bay, LOL

Oh ya so many good paying jobs there, that's why the Sunol grade and Caldecott are packed every morning going the other way.

I said you could get closer to Silicon Valley, not buy in the heart of it. Danville and Alamo have median home prices from $1-1.5 million+ while San Ramon is closer to $900K, there are certainly communities closer to SV you could buy a home for those prices. SF is commutable as well, by public transit too unlike SV.

While some people do commute to SV for jobs it's not the primary job center for that region. It's hard to say what is really, you have Bishop Ranch with 30K jobs plus all of the offices off Hopyard and Hacienda in Pleasanton that provide jobs locally for that area.

The Sunol Grade and Caldecott Tunnel are bottlenecks (a steep grade and a tunnel) and much of the traffic is from commuters outside the SRV too (Diablo, Amador, and Livermore Valleys).

[roadwarrior101]

Originally Posted by sav858

I said you could get closer to Silicon Valley, not buy in the heart of it. Danville and Alamo have median home prices from $1-1.5 million+ while San Ramon is closer to $900K, there are certainly communities closer to SV you could buy a home for those prices. SF is commutable as well, by public transit too unlike SV.

Yes, you can get closer to the Silicon Valley. However, if you are also looking at schools, you honestly cannot get closer to the Silicon Valley and really be more affordable. Something has to give, per the below:

1. Quality/size of house
2. Quality of schools
3. Commute distance

Some people will choose to live closer to have more mediocre schools (or send their kids to private schools).

Some folks will choose to live closer and get a smaller/older place or possibly a townhouse/condo.

We chose to brave the longer commute, to be in a better community with superior schools and have a nice home.

Unfortunately, you cannot have it all in the Bay Area unless you are independently wealthy.

[Dave Coe]

Originally Posted by sav858

I said you could get closer to Silicon Valley, not buy in the heart of it. Danville and Alamo have median home prices from $1-1.5 million+ while San Ramon is closer to $900K, there are certainly communities closer to SV you could buy a home for those prices. SF is commutable as well, by public transit too unlike SV.

While some people do commute to SV for jobs it's not the primary job center for that region. It's hard to say what is really, you have Bishop Ranch with 30K jobs plus all of the offices off Hopyard and Hacienda in Pleasanton that provide jobs locally for that area.

The Sunol Grade and Caldecott Tunnel are bottlenecks (a steep grade and a tunnel) and much of the traffic is from commuters outside the SRV too (Diablo, Amador, and Livermore Valleys).

Most of the commuters to the Silicon Valley come from Pleasonton and Dublin. Walnu Creek, Alamo, and Danville are nicer but also further to commute. I would guess the commute would be well over an hour.

[Dave Coe]

Which area is more expensive?

[Dave Coe]

I was just past the Conejo Valley. Yeah it's scenic but other that it lacks any real sense of place.

[18Montclair]

Quality of life: San Ramon Valley has one of the most enviable QOLs in the state.

Access to cities and entertainment: San Ramon Valley is closer to a better city environment, Conejo Valley has more entertainment in it's proximity I guess.

Natural Beauty: Tied

Weather: Tied, but I suspect the Conejo Valley is warmer in the winter which is good imo.

San Ramon Valley Cities, Average Family Income, Population
Diablo, CA $388,847...969
Norris Canyon, CA $249,411...1,227
Alamo, CA $241,271...15,639
Blackhawk, CA $236,785...9,297
Camino Tassajara, CA $209,250...1,789
Danville, CA $201,709...42,891
San Ramon, CA $165,897...73,826
Population: 145,638...$192,785 Average Family Income

Conejo Valley, Average Family Income, Population
Lake Sherwood, CA $376,518...1,526
Westlake Village, CA $185,198...8,393
Calabasas, CA $184,070...23,956
Oak Park, CA $173,260...14,512
Agoura Hills, CA $151,500...20,630
Thousand Oaks, CA $145,081...128,126
Population: 197,143...$156,520 Average Family Income

[WizardOfRadical]

Conejo Valley is probably farther from decent entertainment than the San Ramon Valley. But overall The Southland offers more entertainment than the bay. For the most part, they are culturally similar.

Conejo Valley is the white collared white flight area from The San Fernando Valley.

The San Ramon Valley is pretty much inner east bay white flight.