I think we've decided to move to the peninsula, but now where exactly? (San Mateo: real estate)

[skraj011]

We are choosing between millbrae, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Carlos and Belmont. We have two kids and are most concerned with their public education.
I'm a little worried about getting re-districted. Any information regarding this would be much appreciated. How accurate are the schools on the Mls listing sheet?

I've looked at great schools etc, but any other types of advice/opinions would be awesome.

Thanks

[Chuck5000]

I did some research on San Mateo schools last year (a likely next-city for us) and I remember that there were some crowding issues in elementary schools, where you might get bumped. Hopefully a current SM resident with kids in school will write in. Don't know if that persists in higher grades. It's a crappy problem in the Bay Area, which already has too few suburbs with good schools.

Note that in Belmont, most lots are on hills - so that affects your lifestyle (you get views, yay, although it's more remote from shopping, etc).

Millbrae has slightly cooler weather, and has a more strongly Asian population. Also a lot of hill properties.

My guess is that you would have the least problems in Burlingame. Otherwise, Burlingame is probably the most "polished" of all those cities, with San Carlos in 2nd place. RE: San Carlos, there is one blogger who I've followed for real estate info there: google it, it's the White Oaks blog. San Carlos, like Burlingame, is a very very hot market. Maybe hotter than Burlingame because it's closer to Silicon Valley jobs, and it gets 'first-look' spillover from people priced out of places like Menlo Park.

San Mateo has a very nice small northern section bordering Burlingame that is high end, forgot the name, but you'll see it. Then there are some pretty great properties off of Alameda de las Pulgas. Given your inferred budget (I'm guessing you're at a minimum of $2m) I don't think you'd want the properties close to downtown SM, so you'll be driving or biking.

If you are serious about prioritizing very close distance to a downtown strip, then you'll probably have to search among several towns, and not focus on one, because supply is so low. Assume you know about multiple bids and asking prices.

[silverkris]

Foster City is another community which has an enrollment capacity issue for the local schools.

[Mordin]

How much are you looking to spend?

[twins4lynn]

Millbrae – you are assigned to your local district school. If it is at capacity, you will be assigned to another school in the district that has openings. You should keep in mind that if you enroll early during the open registration period, there won’t be a problem and you will go to your local district school. Not being assigned to your local district school is something that mainly affects newcomers to the city who enroll late.

And once you are assigned to your local school you are assigned there permanently (i.e. no chance of getting bumped).

Burlingame – you are assigned to your local district school. If it is at capacity, you will be assigned to another school in the district that has openings. For quite a few years in the past they had ongoing problems with overinrollment (more students than room) and have had “early bird/late bird” starting times to compensate for this. The overcrowding problem may be solved - they re-purchased a school (Hoover) that they previously owned to help alleviate the overcrowding problem and the new elementary school (Hoover) will be opening Fall 2016. That should help a lot.

To look up school information, use the California Department of Education website (dataquest). DataQuest (CA Dept of Education)

[Townie8]

Redwood City has a couple of new charter high schools that are among the most highly rated in California. If you like water and views, Redwood Shores is very nice.