Possible relocation to Bay Area - need help (San Francisco, Fremont: to rent, townhome)

[miraclemax]

Hello Bay Area Folks,

I just got a job offer in San Francisco and I am trying to decide if my family and I should relocate or not. We are from the Santa Barbara area and we are looking for a neighborhood with the same type of style and feel. We have a 10 month old son and safety is important. Almost equally as important is the freedom for my wife to take walks around our future neighborhood. I was looking at the Piedmont area because they are supposed to have a nice downtown shopping section. I was also considering Walnut Creek and the Lafayette area but those areas seem a little less interesting. Does anyone have other ideas? We are looking to rent a house/townhome.

I am sure there are new mom groups in the Bay Area but does anyone know which one is best? My wife will need some people to hang out with while I am at work.

Also, are there any good non-denominational churches in the east bay? We are really going to miss our church in Santa Barbara if we move...

Thanks for your help.

[Striped Kramer]

Fremont or Dublin/Pleasanton would seem to be your best choices. There are absolutely new mom groups abound; my wife was a part of a group called F.U.N.Moms for quite a while and was very comfortable with them. As for churches, non-denoms are plentiful; of course, I'd recommend ours. (heh), a small church in Fremont call "InRoads".

Have fun relocating the castle!

[tennis368fan]

Alameda has a wonderful downtown at Park Street, with a historic movie theater being renovated and expanded that is due to reopen soon. The city is also safe and has good schools.