Sausalito - Good Family Living? (San Francisco, Berkeley: apartment, daycare, home)

[NYC809]

We're moving out of the city and thinking of pulling the trigger on an apartment on the hill in Sausalito.

Any folks on here live over there will families that can offer some insight? FWIW, we'll have an infant there when we move.

Is it safe?
Family events?
Easily accessible for groceries/restaurants?

I have a home office and my wife will be commuting to the city via ferry.

Thanks!

[davdaven]

I work at a large employer in Marin County, and very few of my co-workers hail from Sausalito. Of them, exactly 1 has a family with a child that was raised in Sausalito. That child is now 22 years old.

I have seen a handful of mothers with children when I am in Sausalito for work. They are the exception, not the rule. While Sausalito is safe, it doesn't have many family-focused events and it is very poorly situated for shopping (groceries or otherwise).

If you are set on Marin County, you should consider the area near the Larkspur ferry terminal instead. The Twin Cities (Larkspur and Corte Madera) and their surrounding towns are more family friendly, more centrally located, and comparably safe. If price and immediate access to the ferry terminal is not an issue, also consider Mill Valley. Mill Valley is well served by Golden Gate Transit Route 4, which provides frequent service to the Financial District.

[Tomlcsc]

Sausalito's good! I lived there for about a year and loved every minute of it.

The ferry takes about 20 mins all total, which is far better than the 35-40 mins the bus service generally takes.

I live in the city now, but both are great places to live. Marin county in general is very small and easily accessible between cities. So generally when people talk about different locals in Marin, this may only be about a 10-25 min difference. With that said, Sausalito is by far the easiest city to commute to San Francisco in the North Bay.

Don't rule out the city though. If you are looking for a good neighborhoods for families, there are plenty of wonderful neighborhoods in SF where this is possible.

[NYC809]

Originally Posted by Tomlcsc

Sausalito's good! I lived there for about a year and loved every minute of it.

The ferry takes about 20 mins all total, which is far better than the 35-40 mins the bus service generally takes.

I live in the city now, but both are great places to live. Marin county in general is very small and easily accessible between cities. So generally when people talk about different locals in Marin, this may only be about a 10-25 min difference. With that said, Sausalito is by far the easiest city to commute to San Francisco in the North Bay.

Don't rule out the city though. If you are looking for a good neighborhoods for families, there are plenty of wonderful neighborhoods in SF where this is possible.

Thank you, Tom (and 1st poster)

What neighborhoods in the city do you find accommodating for a young family? I live in SoMa and it leaves much to be desired.

[davdaven]

I have extended family (with 1 young child and 1 newborn) in the Outer Sunset and they seem to enjoy it. I get the impression that Noe Valley is accommodating to young families as well...if the price is right.

Re. Sausalito, I agree that the ferry commute from Sausalito to SF is the best. However, do keep in mind that the ferry has a relatively limited schedule with boats once every 75-90ish minutes. There is supplemental afternoon service during the summer, but the service level is still nowhere near as good as the Larkspur route.

[NYC809]

Great info, thanks!

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by NYC809

What neighborhoods in the city do you find accommodating for a young family? I live in SoMa and it leaves much to be desired.

Soma would be one of the worst city neighborhoods for a young family. The best would be Forest Knolls, Midtown Terrace, Forest Hills and West Portal. It is also a 12 minute ride to Powell from Forest Hills station on the K, L or M lines. In these neighborhoods check out the Midtown Terrace playground and the two toy stores on West Portal Ave.

Another good choice is Inner Richmond. It is very convenient with stores and restaurants along Clement St. Check out Mountain Lake park in this area.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by NYC809

We're moving out of the city and thinking of pulling the trigger on an apartment on the hill in Sausalito.

Any folks on here live over there will families that can offer some insight? FWIW, we'll have an infant there when we move.

Is it safe?
Family events?
Easily accessible for groceries/restaurants?

I have a home office and my wife will be commuting to the city via ferry.

Thanks!

I wouldn't think that Sausalito (although absolutely gorgeous!) would be the ideal place to raise an infant/child. You mentioned a hill? Is there a yard or flat space? For some reason I have images of a dangerous situation once your child gets to around climbing up/over/around/through/out of EVERYTHING--like a deck from a few stories up? Personally, I would be a nervous wreck all the time if this is the case of the apartment you're looking at. (I've got four kids...so it's something I'd consider!)

Other parts of Marin Co would seem more ideal for families, imo. Mill Valley, San Rafael, San Anselmo, pretty much any other town.

Although I honestly can't say firsthand, I'd assume that Sausalito would be more a local touristy town and harbor built for romance and upscale singles and couples.

If you can stand fog and city living...the Inner Sunset, Inner Richmond, and West Portal would be my ideal for living IN the City (garage of course helps). Very family friendly and mostly flat with playgrounds, park and rec centers, preschools/daycare, etc. You may also consider some of the nicer towns in the East Bay (Albany, Berkeley, Orinda, Lafayette, Piedmont, Montclair, etc...also since you mentioned your wife working in the City...incredibly easy access to the more exciting urban stuff on the weekends w/o having to be right in it all the time. BART is fantastic (when they're not threatening to strike).

[Mack Knife]

Do yourself a favor, visit Sausalito and count how many families with kids you see. Good luck. Just remember, in order to live there you must wear spandex with some prominent tech company logo displayed. Of course you'll be accompanied by your $10,000 bicycle that you ride from the parking lot to the cafe and back. Alternative dress is deck shoes, a striped short sleeve shirt with an older Mercedes as transportation. Don't forget the laptop which can be used to hold space as you occupy a table with seating for six.

[Radio Flyer]

lol @ Mack Knife.

Yeah, I'd vote no on Sausalito too...Clongirl mentioned a few towns. I'd add Corte Madera to that list. It's right next door to Larkspur. My husband grew up there, and although it's changed a lot over the years, it's still a good place for families. There's not really a downtown, but there's plenty of shopping and restaurants and it's still relatively close to the city.