Relocating with teens, dogs, horse from east coast to San Fran area (San Francisco: for sale)

[AJdirt]

Our family will be relocating to the San Fran area from NY suburbs. Husband is native San Franciscan moving back after 25 years to take job in the city. We have 2 daughters ages 14 and 12---High school and middle school. Tough time to relocate. They are NOT going to be happy about it. We are looking for an area that has terrific, safe, academically strong schools. Where being environmentally conscious and environmentally friendly is "cool". Where kids can be inspired by the nature and the people that surround them...We also have 2 large dogs (75-85 lbs) who are used to having lots of space to run around. Add to that a horse. I am a serious gardener, and prof. landscape designer. We need suggestions. Decent commute to city. Progressive, academically strong middle and high schools. (strong music program in school a plus). Natural beauty. Bonus would be horse on property. Just enough space for a run in shed is fine...but access to trails a must. Otherwise, will consider boarding the horse. In this crazy real estate market, is it possible to find such a thing in $1M range?

[nutleynut]

You'd be fine anywhere in Marin, or in the east bay in Orinda, Moraga, Laffayette, Danville. There are also probably places down the peninsula as well. Atherton comes to mind. All of these places cost with the last being costliest, but I figure you were working in the city there so have a decent nest egg to start out. There are stables in Tilden park above Berkeley if you want to live in more of a city atmosphere. There are probably stables near SF if you stay over there. You'll probably be able to find a place with it's own stables if you go to any of the other places I suggested. As for the values you asked for, you're pretty ok almost anywhere in there.
With the money you mention you'll be able to find something pretty decent in one of those areas.
Good Luck.

[bellalunatic]

Horse property and decent school system with a sometimes aggravating commute to SF look into Northern Marin (Novato) or Southern Sonoma County (Petaluma).
Cattle, horse and chicken country.
Berkeley school system leaves MUCH to be desired. Plus it doesn't quite fit the nature or natural beauty aspect of your posting.

[18Montclair]

There's an area of Lafayette called "Upper Happy Valley" and it meets your requirements perfectly. Except Im not sure about the price range.

Lafayette has a BART station so getting into The City isnt going to be too much of a hassle.

And the schools are among the best in California.

I personally would go with an area of Oakland called Skyline-Hillcrest Estates, which is essentially inhabited by urbanites with horses. LOL

High in the hills with killer views of 5 bridges and the bay, city etc. and towering redwoods and pines. Around 60% of the kids there go to Private Schools tho.

//www.city-data.com/neighborhoo...akland-CA.html

Here's a pic from a house currently for sale there.
1.48 acre for $1.398 M

[nutleynut]

nice! I forgot about skyline

[sonarrat]

I was also going to suggest Oakland.. another area that might work is South San Francisco, on Alta Vista Dr, but I don't see any horse-sized inventory on the market right now and anywhere else on the peninsula will be multi-millions in that size range.

Or how about a coastside property? 30 minutes to SF. Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed