Commute for Two (between Napa and Oakland) (Vallejo, Benicia: transfer to, schools)

[msluci]

Good Morning all,

I am looking at a position in Napa, I would like to live in Napa, but husband's position would probably transfer to Oakland. What areas would be a decent commute for us both and desirable to live in? I am not really drawn to Vallejo. If I had my way I would live in Napa, Sonoma, or Yountville, but that would be a nasty Oakland commute for the man.

We have children and pets. Desire a area with decent schools. I prefer a more rural feel then smack dab in an HOA.

I am originally from So Cal, but have been living in the South.

Thank you all.

[Malloric]

Benicia, but that's a nasty commute to Oakland as well.

That's one of those no win situations. They only way you're going to get the Oakland commute to not be nasty is living really close to Oakland. Lamoraga area, Albany, something like that. Then the commute to Napa is long. Otherwise you're just stuck behind a traffic wall. Vallejo may be half way there in miles but it's still about an hour commute, hour and a half if you've absolutely got to be there on although the traffic isn't usually that bad.

Ideally one of you finds a different job. I'd say bets bet for what you want (semi-rural but not really) and splitting the commute would be Pinole. You'd both have 45-60 minute commutes and Pinole is sort of small town although it's not really rural. Almost nothing in the East Bay is rural anymore and what there is very expensive.