HELP- possible relocation from Chicago to the SF Peninsula (San Mateo: for sale, real estate)

[mcyentyre]

This is always my first go-to source for dilemmas like these so here it goes:

• Possible move from Chicago (Uptown) to new job in Foster City
• Family w/ 1 elementary school aged child + 1 toddler
• Need your help in prioritizing which communities to focus deeper dive research into
• Priority: best public school district (preferably elementary all the way thru to HS)
• Other priority: commute within 30-45 minutes from Foster City
• Other priority: affordable 3BR townhome for sale at $600,000 OR for same for rent for up to $3500 per month
• Preference but not necessarily priority: love urban living, walkable, lively downtown with restaurants, cafes, etc.

Other questions:

• Tax breakdown... what gets taken out of my paycheck? what's the reality of real estate tax?
• Likelihood of surviving this on one income (roughly $200K)?
• Other high costs that I may have overlooked- medical, groceries, etc.?

Thank you all in advance!

[twins4lynn]

Three cities on the peninsula, within a short drive to Foster City, have very good school districts elementary through high school - Millbrae, Burlingame and Belmont. Millbrae leans towards an asian culture (which you may or may not be interested in) while Burlingame has two very lively downtown areas. I'm sure someone else will add information for Belmont. You will not find a 3br townhouse/condo/home in those areas for $600,000, but you can rent a 3br home/condo for just under $3500.

And you can get along just fine on $200,000.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by twins4lynn

Three cities on the peninsula, within a short drive to Foster City, have very good school districts elementary through high school - Millbrae, Burlingame and Belmont. Millbrae leans towards an asian culture (which you may or may not be interested in) while Burlingame has two very lively downtown areas. I'm sure someone else will add information for Belmont. You will not find a 3br townhouse/condo/home in those areas for $600,000, but you can rent a 3br home/condo for just under $3500.

And you can get along just fine on $200,000.

[skyao]

Burlingame, which had the most "vibrant" dowtown area is probably out of reach for your budget, especially the walkable areas near downtown.

Millbrae had a decent downtown but its heavily asian or Senior oriented. Again not sure about your budget ,but its less expensive than Burlingame.

Belmont is probably going to be less expensive than Millbrae, but doesnt have much of a vibrant downtown area. You could also consider Redwood City, San Carlos, or San Mateo.

Again for your budget you can probably find a place but its not going to be walkable. You will probably be car dependent to drive to any lively downtown area..

Also, in terms of budget I mean your rental budget. I dont think you will have great options at $600K for a 3 br townhouse in those areas.

[ketch89]

If you don't want your kids to resent you for raising them in a lifeless place with one street for a downtown, choose Redwood City or San Mateo.

[twins4lynn]

Here's a pretty nice interactive map of the Burlingame Avenue stores and restaurants Burlingame Downtown Interactive Map

Couldn't find anything similar for Burlingame's Broadway downtown (which is smaller).

[wave9x]

I think you should consider the the Baywood or Aragon areas of San Mateo. You have good schools (Baywood Elementary, Borel Middle, Aragon High) and you'll be walking distance to the largest downtown on the Peninsula. I'd also consider Burlingame, which has great schools and a smaller but ritzier downtown. These areas are known mostly for gorgeous pre-war homes however, not really townhouses, but you might find something. Those would be my picks given your criteria.