Thinking of Relocating to CA. No Cal vs So Cal? Help! (San Diego: houses, neighborhoods)

[Donnypipes]

My company has openings in LA and SF. LA near Willshire, SF near Market street. I'm trying to make a call on which area to commit to.

Thanks for your help; I realize I am pulling you all into my decision making process, but I appreciate any and all suggestion as we hone into a decision.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Donnypipes

My company has openings in LA and SF. LA near Willshire,

Do we know about where on Wilshire? Cross Streets?

Good information. We can pretty much eliminate Ventura County and Orange County and probably probably focus on the west side, Santa Monica, Brentwood, etc. Driving from anywhere nice in the San Fernando Valley will be painful as will anywhere east of Los Angeles. South Bay may be a possibility too.

I know there are posters on this forum who can fine tune this down to neighborhoods and streets.

Here's a good start:

California School Performance Maps

[bayarea-girl]

I grew up in So. Cal and have family there as well and have lived in the bay area for many years. Coming from So. Cal I initially hated the bay area. It seemed too slow for me and the people seemed way too weird, too expensive, and the separation of groups and classicism really bothered me. But I learned to appreciate a lot of its corks. It is really easy to make friends in the bay area and people really have a heart. I've found that relationships in So. Cal can often be based off of superficial stuff (I know some really good people there though too). You'll get a kick out of the people who are in love with their dogs to a point where it makes no sense, people openly smoking weed/doing drugs right in front of the police, all the fabulous coffee shops, the youthfulness of the city. People from the bay can't stand people from LA. But LA is a cool place too, it is so funny to me now a days when I watch the news in LA and most of it is either celebrity driven, has to with traffic updates, and or a high speed chases. There are more evening events in LA than the bay and people actually dress up when they go out in LA as opposed to the Bay which is comfort city. LA people are truly creative folks and the weather is a lot better in So. Cal. The comparisons aren't fair because they both offer something truly different.

If you choose LA then I would recommend the Wilshire, Beverly Hills, Hancock Park, Culver City, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood areas.

For SF if you are working on Market St. you can live just about anywhere you want to. Although, SF doesn't have the best schools. I'd recommend Walnut Creek and Danville as well, along with cities in Marin County. Also, you'd want to look into Piedmont, Alameda, N. Berkeley, and Albany areas.

N. Cal and S. Cal are really REALLY different. The bay area is very relaxed and very liberal. So. Cal can be very clickish and you will need connections. Both places have diverse communities. LA has better food and shopping IMHO. You'll never be bored in either place. It all comes down to preference. The better schools are in So. Cal. The safety/crime issue is kinda the same in both places. The job market is WAY better in the bay area.

You should spend two weeks in both places to get a better idea of both places. Also, feel out who you might be working with too.

[Bunjee]

I've also lived in both LA and the Bay Area. Since you're a young family I wouldn't hesitate to recommend both. Personally, I feel LA has as much to offer as SF and more, but LA's not as tidily wrapped up a city, though being young you could explore it. However, by the same token, you are a young family and the working commute to Market Street via park and ride and BART would be so much more convenient that SF would win, for me, hands down. Removing the factor of traffic does wonders for the domestic life. It's easy to make friends in the Bay Area, at that income you'll easily nestle in to a pleasant, peaceful routine yet still be able to engage in many urban or outdoor activities all around Northern California.

Good luck choosing.

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by Donnypipes

Axxlrod - Walnut Creek is on my list. I'll add Danville.

Also Pleasanton.

[18Montclair]

You sound like someone that would like Piedmont. Or maybe where I live, Tiburon.

[Donnypipes]

OK. Duly noted. thanks.

[bayarea-girl]

I forgot also mention while in the bay you'd also want to check out what is considered to be the "La Marinda" areas as well (Lafayette, Orinda, & Moraga) and San Anselmo.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

I forgot also mention while in the bay you'd also want to check out what is considered to be the "La Marinda" areas as well (Lafayette, Orinda, & Moraga) and San Anselmo.

Er, its spelled "Lamorinda".

And your right, that area would definitely be one of the frontrunners.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Donnypipes

My company has openings in LA and SF. LA near Willshire, SF near Market street. I'm trying to make a call on which area to commit to.

Thanks for your help; I realize I am pulling you all into my decision making process, but I appreciate any and all suggestion as we hone into a decision.

I'm thinking Palo Alto or Menlo Park might work for you. You can take the train to SF. The drive is a bit of a drag, but a lot of people do it (around 45 minutes, I think but I don't do it during rush hour so I'm not sure). (Menlo Park is a bit closer).

The weather in Palo Alto / Menlo Park is warmer (and sunnier) than in San Francisco proper--it usually gets into the 70s or low 80s from May through October, unlike SF, where it stays in the 50s & 60s for most of the year.

Anywhere in the Bay Area is going to be greener than Los Angeles. Of course, it does rain more, but still less than most parts of the USA. It usually hits the mid to high 50s here in winter--not sunbathing weather but pleasant enough.

There are some really good public schools in Palo Alto.