Marin County schools vs Albany, CA schools? (San Francisco, Irvine: fit in, renting)

[GoldenTiger]

Looking at moving to the Bay Area and trying to get some advice here.

We're a family with two kids, so good public schools are a priority. Job is in Novato; DW will initially stay at home with kids and will look for job opportunities after a year or two. The cities in southern Marin County certainly look very good on paper. Short commute and among the best schools in the Bay Area. However, there are some concerns:
First is apparent lack of diversity in Marin County and the reputation of being snooty. Second is it seems that Marin County students have easy access to alcohol and drugs (our kids are still very young, but still a cause for concern in the future anyway).

We have done some research and a good alternative seems to be Albany. What surprised us is that based on craigslist postings, the rents are almost comparable to southern Marin and the commute will certainly add more time and costs (gas and bridge tolls). Based on demographics, being Asians, it seems Albany is a better fit. However, I would like to ask feedback if there is really less snootiness in Albany. And if there are indeed fewer students in Albany who are into drugs compared to schools in Marin County.

Proximity to San Francisco is also important as there are obviously more future job opportunities in the city, that's why these two areas are among the top choices. Thank you in advance for your suggestions and feedback.

[jade408]

The schools in Albany are very good. It is also more "urban" than Marin county. Smaller lots, denser. The east bay is far more diverse than Marin County. The way I see it, the further away the "fun stuff" is the more likely kids are to make their own fun without adult supervision. Since I value walkable neighborhoods and density, Albany gets my vote. And Solano Ave (the main commercial street in Albany) is foodie paradise. Also I think BART is a better commuter choice than the bus or bridge in Marin County. BART runs pretty frequently. Buses to Marin County, not so much.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by GoldenTiger

Looking at moving to the Bay Area and trying to get some advice here.

We're a family with two kids, so good public schools are a priority. Job is in Novato; DW will initially stay at home with kids and will look for job opportunities after a year or two. The cities in southern Marin County certainly look very good on paper. Short commute and among the best schools in the Bay Area. However, there are some concerns:
First is apparent lack of diversity in Marin County and the reputation of being snooty. Second is it seems that Marin County students have easy access to alcohol and drugs (our kids are still very young, but still a cause for concern in the future anyway).

We have done some research and a good alternative seems to be Albany. What surprised us is that based on craigslist postings, the rents are almost comparable to southern Marin and the commute will certainly add more time and costs (gas and bridge tolls). Based on demographics, being Asians, it seems Albany is a better fit. However, I would like to ask feedback if there is really less snootiness in Albany. And if there are indeed fewer students in Albany who are into drugs compared to schools in Marin County.

Proximity to San Francisco is also important as there are obviously more future job opportunities in the city, that's why these two areas are among the top choices. Thank you in advance for your suggestions and feedback.

I am partial, but I would still choose Marin Co if you are working in Novato. Marin Co is a pretty wealthy county and I am sure drugs and alcohol are everywhere. This was the case even in the 70s, but don't kid yourself, anyplace in the country has drugs and booze at every high school and most middle schools.

Yes, Alabany schools are very good, but so are many Marin schools.

Someone mentioned diverse, both areas are very diverse when it comes to races and ethenticity. (spelling) but the Albany area will be, as mentioned more urban.

Nita

[Mr. Fantastic]

Good schools in both. Marin County is seen as the more high end community, so property values will be correspondingly higher.

[GoldenTiger]

Thanks for the responses.

I've actually been to Marin County years ago, but that was at the time when I was still single and one doesn't seem to notice the schools, the children, the teenagers until one becomes a parent. Of course the affluence is evident in Marin County and I do remember observing tweens who seem to have too much money for their own good. As normal tweens or children probably skipped my attention, I would like to ask opinion if the "too much money for their own good" type of kids are the most common in the affluent areas of Marin. I know that Marin people are generally liberal and "low key" re their wealth. Not sure if "liberal" just means voting Democrat (which is good because I can't stand Sarah Palin or the Tea Party)? Or does it extend to having an "over permissive" type of parenting? I haven't been to Fairfax or San Anselmo, are people there even more "liberal" than those from Mill Valley or Corte Madera/Larkspur? I know that the American Taliban is from Marin, but it is kind of extreme to say that all fathers in Marin are as permissive as his father. However, being over indulgent is just not my style of parenting and I also cannot afford to be over indulgent (esp compared to most families in Marin)! I just don't like to stick out like a sore thumb, becoming known as the strictest and poorest dad in town.

[18Montclair]

There is definitely LESS snootiness and Materialism in Albany than in Marin County. I lived in Tiburon and know Albany relatively well and Albany is way more down to earth-and that includes schools too.

Albany is NOT a designer purse and red convertible kind of place-but then Marin isnt really that way either.

I think Id rather raise kids in Albany because its more diverse, there is a greater sense of community...Solano Avenue is beautiful and you feel like your in a small town instead of in the middle of 7 Million people-and it doesnt feel as remote as Marin.

And as far as the schools, Albany being a middle class town, does quite well compared to the richest cities in the state:

Top 50 Cities in California ranked by Quality of Public Schools
Schooldigger's latest ranking.

1 Portola Valley
2 Los Altos Hills
3 Orinda
4 Hillsborough
5 La Canada-Flintridge
6 Larkspur
7 San Marino
8 Kentfield
9 Manhattan Beach
10 Moraga
11 Los Altos
12 Agoura Hills
13 Del Mar
14 Rancho Santa Fe
15 Piedmont
16 Cupertino
17 Palo Alto
18 Carmel
19 Solana Beach
20 Stanford
21 Kensington
22 Mill Valley
23 Sierra Madre
24 Lafayette
25 Palos Verdes Estates
26 South Pasadena
27 San Ramon
28 Pacific Palisades
29 Corona Del Mar
30 Alamo
31 Studio City
32 Sloughhouse
33 Los Gatos
34 La Jolla
35 Garden Valley
36 Foster City
37 Stevenson Ranch
38 San Anselmo
39 Rolling Hills Estates
40 Irvine
41 Arcadia
42 Los Alamitos
43 Carmel Valley
44 La Crescenta
45 Ross
46 El Dorado Hills
47 Saratoga
48 Albany
49 Coto De Caza
50 Walnut Creek

California State Cities - CA City School Rankings

[Mr. Fantastic]

Originally Posted by GoldenTiger

Thanks for the responses.

I've actually been to Marin County years ago, but that was at the time when I was still single and one doesn't seem to notice the schools, the children, the teenagers until one becomes a parent. Of course the affluence is evident in Marin County and I do remember observing tweens who seem to have too much money for their own good. As normal tweens or children probably skipped my attention, I would like to ask opinion if the "too much money for their own good" type of kids are the most common in the affluent areas of Marin. I know that Marin people are generally liberal and "low key" re their wealth. Not sure if "liberal" just means voting Democrat (which is good because I can't stand Sarah Palin or the Tea Party)? Or does it extend to having an "over permissive" type of parenting? I haven't been to Fairfax or San Anselmo, are people there even more "liberal" than those from Mill Valley or Corte Madera/Larkspur? I know that the American Taliban is from Marin, but it is kind of extreme to say that all fathers in Marin are as permissive as his father. However, being over indulgent is just not my style of parenting and I also cannot afford to be over indulgent (esp compared to most families in Marin)! I just don't like to stick out like a sore thumb, becoming known as the strictest and poorest dad in town.

You will get over privileged children in any high end community. I live in two of the richest counties in California (Marin and Orange), and the only real difference is one is slightly more red, and the other is slightly more blue. When it comes down to it, you don't let a community raise your children, you raise your children. If you worry about being poor in a high end community, then you probably shouldn't be buying a home there. Buy a home in a place that fits your budget. Albany is a fine city, and no one should be ashamed about living there.

[GoldenTiger]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

You will get over privileged children in any high end community. I live in two of the richest counties in California (Marin and Orange), and the only real difference is one is slightly more red, and the other is slightly more blue. When it comes down to it, you don't let a community raise your children, you raise your children. If you worry about being poor in a high end community, then you probably shouldn't be buying a home there. Buy a home in a place that fits your budget. Albany is a fine city, and no one should be ashamed about living there.

Thanks for stating the obvious that there are over privileged children in any high end society. What am trying to figure out is if that is a common parenting style in some cities in Marin County. We are not trying to keep up with the Joneses, but we are not detached from reality. It might not be the community who raises the children, but the environment, peer pressure, the quality of education within the community matter. Kids need to make friends in school. Parents will need to interact with other people within the community.

The question merely is if middle class people can fit in some areas in Marin County with respectable schools. We are not looking into cities like Belvedere where the rich and famous reside. We are looking into cities like San Anselmo, Fairfax, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Kentfield, Greenbrae and parts of San Rafael; while mainly wealthy and have good schools, do not seem like everyone lives in million dollar homes. We are mainly drawn to Marin County due to the good schools and shorter commute (for the current job). We are not into yoga, New Age or organic food only type of thing. The natural beauty of Marin is considered a bonus, but not something that we think is absolutely necessary as the dense neighborhoods in Albany can suit us just fine as well. And I surely will not be ashamed of having an Albany address if we end up settling there, just the commute is longer. The main concern is that we do not want to raise our children in a very sheltered environment. A place where children getting summer jobs will not raise eyebrows because the family did not go to a European or Hawaiian vacation instead.

[Mr. Fantastic]

I don't see your problem. Are you seriously scared that the snoot will rub off on your children? There's an easy solution to that; talk to your kids, and spend time with them and teach them the values you want instilled in them. Newsflash: Your kids can learn bad behaviors from kids in ANY neighborhood across the economic spectrum. This is honestly the silliest worry I've ever read from an actual parent.

[mayorhaggar]

Originally Posted by GoldenTiger

We are looking into cities like San Anselmo, Fairfax, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Kentfield, Greenbrae and parts of San Rafael; while mainly wealthy and have good schools, do not seem like everyone lives in million dollar homes.

The houses in Marin might not look like million dollar homes, but a lot of them are. Even crummy little shacks in Sausalito can sell for over a million. Marin is really ridiculously overpriced.

I would go for Albany. More modest and down to earth, good schools, in the middle of a very diverse and happening area due to being near Berkeley and SF, and it's pretty easy to commute to SF.