Relocation to SF with family (wife & child)

[jade408]

Originally Posted by Bagme

Palo alto is expensive than fremont I suppose. Had been doing research on rental around all Bay Area. Office at pier 1.

No day care needed as my wife is a SAHM. She had stop working after we got married, even before we have a child. I hire a helper for her in my country who in charge of cleaning the house, my wife homeschool our son.

definitely, but you will need to spend closer to $3k for a place (meaning house) in a good school district. Cheaper for apartment.

[Bagme]

Originally Posted by jade408

definitely, but you will need to spend closer to $3k for a place (meaning house) in a good school district. Cheaper for apartment.

thanks. is it safe to stay in apartment? what's the different between condo and apartment? what are the things I need to look out for?

[jade408]

Originally Posted by Bagme

thanks. is it safe to stay in apartment? what's the different between condo and apartment? what are the things I need to look out for?

Apartments are safe. Just like homes there are good neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods. It really just depends on what "amenities" are critical for you.

For your purposes, condos and apartments are fairly similar. Condos are purchased. Apartments are rentals (in Bay Area speak, in NYC people have apartments, coops and condos all being roughly equivalent in meaning). You will share two wall at least and not have a private yard. You may have a private patio in either. In an apartment, all of your neighbors will be fellow renters. A condo is going to be mostly owners.

There is also another home type, a townhome. These have one shared wall. And usually an outdoor area shared with 2-4 other units. And maybe a shared driveway. Otherwise they are similar to condos.

If you must have a yard then get a house. Condos/Apartments/Townhomes can be a little louder (if the walls aren't well insulated) since you are sharing a wall.

[Bagme]

Thanks for enlighten me. Back in my where I'm from, mostly apartment for public housing, heavily subsidised by govt and almost 90 percent of residents stay in apartment. Condo comes with facilities and cost double or more, single houses costs are double than condo unit.

I will consider an apartment in a good area.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by Bagme

Thanks for enlighten me. Back in my where I'm from, mostly apartment for public housing, heavily subsidised by govt and almost 90 percent of residents stay in apartment. Condo comes with facilities and cost double or more, single houses costs are double than condo unit.

I will consider an apartment in a good area.

Usually any Archstone Apartment is pretty good (and in a good area). One of the few larger landlords in the Bay Area. They should have plenty of inventory in the areas you are considering/should consider (Fremont, Dublin, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, San Mateo....)

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by Bagme

Thanks for enlighten me. Back in my where I'm from, mostly apartment for public housing, heavily subsidised by govt and almost 90 percent of residents stay in apartment. Condo comes with facilities and cost double or more, single houses costs are double than condo unit.

I will consider an apartment in a good area.

Sounds like Singapore - are you from there? I'm guessing because S'pore has a majority of their citizens living in public housing estates (HDB), and I also know that "condos" refer to upscale housing over there.

[Bagme]

Yes.

[Mariarox76]

Gas prices are over 4.00 a gallon here, unless you aren't going to be driving much at all $100, is pretty low for a monthly budget..

[Bagme]

Yes, not going to be driving much as planning to take public transport. Thank you.