Best place to live if I'd be working in Kentfield? (San Francisco: apartments, rentals)

[RedskinsFan1976]

Greetings all!
Now then,

I may get a new job in Kentfield, Marin County. If I get the job, my salary would be around USD 70,000. In the first year I'll be living alone, before my family comes and joins me. I have searched apartments for rent online, but I've found none in Kentfield. I'm interested in knowing where would the best apartments -suitable for my income- be. In which city? I wish if the apartment I rented would be close to my job.

I'd also be interested to know more about Marin County. What are the most difficult challenges I may face while living there? Shall I need a car, or would public transport be available? I'm quite aware of the relatively high cost of living there, but I still need to know more about this area.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[California Vagabond]

I haven't lived in Marin for many years, and my information is dated, but I'll hope that my two cents will be better than no response at all.

Kentfield includes College of Marin. It sounds like the first rental you'll be looking for will be for one year only. In your shoes, I'd be tempted to check out campus resources for shared rentals, roommates wanted and so on.

For apartments, I'd focus on San Rafael and Marin City. If you're willing to look further afield, you could check out Novato and even Point Richmond, across the bay ... although a Point Richmond apartment would require you to budget for the toll costs on the bridge.

Rentals should also get cheaper as you head west, on winding Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to Woodacre, Lagunitas and beyond. I've known many who have chosen to live inexpensively that far out, but they usually feel pretty isolated when they do.

Marin County is an unusually nice, pricey suburb of the Bay Area. I can't think of anything to warn a newcomer about.

I'm a regular transit rider in San Francisco, but would never try to live in Marin County without a car.

[bmw335xi]

I would look around San Rafael, enjoy!

[rca215]

For commute purposes, I would generally look at places that are south of Kentfield (assuming you have to take 101 for some part of your commute) so that you are going against the normal rush hour traffic.

I'm about 99% sure that you will want a car. There is some public transportation in Marin but it is not extensive and is mostly focused on getting to/from San Francisco and the airport.