Relocating to East Bay, but do not know where. (Hayward: apartments, rent)

[suprfast]

My wife and I are looking at relocating to the East Bay from the Central Valley(turlock). I see rent is substantially higher, but this should be offset by a recent management position she received at Nordstroms in Walnut Creek. I am a student in turlock but would transfer to East Bay(or just commute two days a week to finish up my BS in accounting).

We haven't a clue where to live and hope to not be too far from a Bart Station(5 miles is fine, just dont want to drive 30 minutes to get to the bart to ride it into SF if we choose to go). I am also on a very short waiting list and have numerous interviews with the BOE in SF. If i get a job there, i will commute via bart.

We have two kids(10 and 5) and would like to have decent schools(I am sure anything would be higher than the schools they attend now).

As far as cost goes, we don't really know what we want to spend. I know space will be smaller than what the central valley has to offer and we are perfectly fine with that. I would like to stay with a max of $1500(this might not get us anything, i know). Townhomes or condos are preferred. We hate apartment living and know many townhomes and condos are nothing more than renamed apartments. My guess would be a 2br/1ba is all we need.

If more information is needed I can supply it, but I just wanted to get this out there so I can start getting an idea where to look.

From what i have read, stay out of parts of oakland, san leandro(actually I was born there), castro valley area.

Any and all help is appreciated. Looking for March - April for our move.

Kris

[Hemlock140]

Look at Castro Valley, they still have good schools and the apartment rents are reasonable, and they have a BART station. We lived there many years, and my sister is still in WC. Be careful though, some parts of CV (Baywood Area) are in the Hayward School District and not as good.

Good luck.

[kenrobin]

Since your wife will work in Walnut Creek, you should look at nearby Pleasant Hill. Avoid commuting through the Caldecott Tunnel if you don't have to.