Job offer in Santa Rosa--but love the East Bay? (Oakland: house, transfer)

[anne2626]

I am considering taking a job in Santa Rosa. I lived in Berkeley--and loved it--before moving to the Midwest, where I currently reside. If I take the job, it is likely that in a couple of years, I would be able to transfer within the company to its Oakland office. Is there anywhere in between the East Bay and Santa Rosa that would protect me from a hellish commute AND allow me to start building community/taking advantage of activities in the Berkeley/Oakland area?

I don't have any kids, so school systems don't need to be factored in.

If at all possible, I would prefer to avoid suburbia. I would be most comfortable either in an urban area or out in the sticks.

Thank you in advance for any guidance you can give me!

[408 GUY]

hmmmm In the Middle of Berkley and Santa Rosa would be like Novato - Peteluma. I can tell you that these 2 cities are like small town's and you would find yourself driving to Oakland for recreation. I figure youll be crossing the richmond bridge and traveling 101 in Marin County. Get a Map of Marin County..and pick a town...they are all the same.

[PeixeGato]

How do you define "hellish commute"? I drive from Berkeley to Glen Ellen for work and it is an easy 60 minute drive. Doing the reverse commute, I rarely have to drive below the limit at any point and I leave my house anytime between 8-9:30am.

Now, many would consider diving 60 minutes each way "hellish" regardless of the level of traffic, but I figure all things considered, its not so bad. Of course, I'd obviously prefer to live closer to work, but I love living in Berkeley, so its worth it to me.

I'm not sure what northbound Hwy. 101 is like between Novato (Hwy. 37) and Santa Rosa in the morning though, so I can't speak to that section of your would-be commute.

Oh, and everything north of the Richmond-San Rafael bridge along Hwy. 101 is "suburbia" to me.