Possible to commute? Couple working in San Fran / Santa Rosa (San Francisco: to live in, bus)

[danshave]

Hi,

My wife and are thinking about moving to California for new jobs. I have an offer in Santa Rosa and my wife has some options in San Francisco, mostly in the financial district. Is there any options between that wouldn't be too bad commuting?

The two cities don't seem too far away, but I am worried that traffic and lack of quality public trans might make commuting hellish.

Thanks.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by danshave

Hi,

My wife and are thinking about moving to California for new jobs. I have an offer in Santa Rosa and my wife has some options in San Francisco, mostly in the financial district. Is there any options between that wouldn't be too bad commuting?

The two cities don't seem too far away, but I am worried that traffic and lack of quality public trans might make commuting hellish.

Thanks.

It's a lousy commute from Marin county into SF. Traffic is slow on/near the Golden Gate Bridge. From the bridge into the financial district, it's all city streets (no freeway). One alternative is the ferry from Larkspur into SF.

Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Fairfax, Kentfield are all nice areas. Petaluma is also a nice town to live in.

[Pushing60]

between Santa Rosa and SF. And it is not just in the Marin area anymore. I do have a friend that takes the Golden Gate Transit bus to SF from SR every day. Doesn't seem to bother her and she either reads or sleeps. It is doable.

Generally if you are driving you are going to spend a bare minimum of 1 hour - and that is if there is no traffic, weather or accidents.

Personally I think I would look at Novato which is Marin County but at the lower end of the financial bracket. Or perhaps Petaluma at the south end of Sonoma County.

Are there any possibilities that you wife would be able to find work north of the GG?

[Faville]

I used to live in Santa Rosa and I worked one day a week in San Francisco. I was really glad that I didn't have to make the commute more often than that. From the Golden Gate Bridge (Marin Side) to Santa Rosa took me anywhere from one to two hours depending on traffic. The you have to add on getting from the bridge to wherever you're going in SF; that's going to add on another half hour or more, again depending on traffic. I would definitely not want to do this commute every day; it could eat up your whole life.

[Boompa]

I'd go for somewhere I could get the Ferry in to SF and drive to Santa Rosa. I've dove the reverse commute from SF to SR and it was long but OK. Going the other way is a killer

[Pushing60]

Excellent points about doing the reverse commute. Though that commute isn't a great deal better these days. Unfortunately I don't think there is a quick easy answer to this one. Either commute is going to be ugly and unfortunately trying to perhaps change work hours to get out of commute time just doesn't work anymore. Doesn't matter the time of day the traffic is always heavy.

Personally I would still go for the bus as opposed to the ferry as you just get on and sleep or whatever whereas with the ferry you have to get there, pay for parking and the ferry.

Guess a lot of this is going to really come down to which of you is more willing to do the commute. And also where you want to live. Sonoma County is a bit less expensive than Marin County (though not by a whole lot any more!)

Good luck on your move

[DPaq]

What is the current situation on this commute? Has it gotten any better/worse?
Thanks

[sonarrat]

It briefly got better with the opening of a carpool lane down to Central San Rafael. Now it's as bad as ever again.