Relocating Engineer and Artist Couple (San Francisco, Santa Rosa: house, construction, schools)

[vlovejoy]

I'm considering relocating for a job in Santa Rosa. I'd like to live in San Francisco and commute to work. I've worked 50-55 miles from home before, but I want to understand what I may be getting myself into if I did this in the Bay Area. I'd like to hear from those who've been there.

I want to take public transportation north from San Francisco to Santa Rosa in the morning and south in the evening.

I know carpooling is always a possibility, but I'd prefer a train or bus that runs on a regular schedule. That way, if my plans change and I have to go in early or work late, I don't mess up anyone's plans.

The only public alternative I've found is Golden Gate Transit and it's slow (averaging about 25 MPH). Plus, the first bus doesn't cross the bridge until 7:43 AM. That would put me at work around 10:00 AM -- much too late!

I have two questions:
1. Is driving really the best alternative?
2. If I do end up driving, how early would I need to be on the Golden Gate Bridge to be working in Santa Rosa by 7:30-8:00 AM?

[humboldtrat]

Golden Gate Transit (both bus and ferry) are your only public transit options. Even though you'll be going counter-commute, it's still a terrible commute. And a bus can go only as fast as the rest of the traffic. From the Golden Gate bridge to anywhere in SF, it's all city streets. Construction work on replacing Doyle Drive (the SF approach to the Golden Gate bridge) is to start soon and will probably last a couple of years.

You might want to think about living in Santa Rosa or surrounding area.

[Mach50]

A common rule in California and especially congested areas like SF and LA/OC is to live as close as possible to your job. There are always exceptions to this rule: schools near job suck, family, bought a house and can't relo...but if you can help it, live near work. When a bridge is involved, don't cross it in rush hour.

If I were you, I would live in Santa Rosa and head into SF on the weekends. Why waste life in a parked vehicle?

[vlovejoy]

Dear Humboldtrat and Mach50,

That's good advice and I think I already knew it on some level. I once had a job where I commuted 65 miles across some of Orange County and all of LA, twice a day for three years. I always swore I wouldn't do that again -- what a waste of life!

I think you brought me to my senses. Thanks.

[vistavilla]

Living in Santa Rosa is too close to living at work. Try Sonoma valley. It is a 20 to 30 minute commute through nice country. The commute to and from the city, even the reverse commute, takes up too much of life!

[MrSaturn]

Too close to living at work? That makes no sense. Sonoma valley is picturesque, but there's nothing to do there except drink wine and go hiking. The drive from Santa Rosa to SF isn't bad, outside of rush hour. It takes me about 50 minutes from Santa Rosa to just across the GG bridge.

Public transportation from Sonoma County to SF is a joke, don't even try it.

You can compromise, and live somewhere in between, like Petaluma or Marin County, but your housing will be more expensive. Santa Rosa's a nice city, close to nature and SF, not as insanely expensive as the east or south bay, and has most of the shopping you're looking for.